TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Spearlz]

Has anyone been told they have successfully passed the test for Trowers & Hamlins?

I'm waiting to hear from them too

 

[Jessica Booker]

Not the final R! I will add some reflection, thank you!!

Consider whether there were more actions you could highlight and try to be specific with details to help your reader understand context (how many people, timelines, volume of process etc).

 

[g.cl.2020344]

RPC VS WG invite 😁 applied 24/10

Amazing! Was this for their summer vac scheme?

 

[Amma Usman]

General question for anyone who has been to an interview/AC:

Did you feel being interviewed by a lawyer quite daunting? The idea of me (a rookie!) talking at length with a partner is pretty intimidating to me. Especially when the whole exercise is to see whether I’m what they’re looking for. (i.e. am I good enough or not?)
I’d love to hear how people frame the dynamic in their minds.

Thank you in advance ☺️

Hey @ashwright ,

This is a very good question for sure. I had the same thoughts, and I suspect everyone that has gone through the process/is going through it, will have similar inquiries.

It certainly feels interesting at first. At my first partner interview, I was really scared.. I thought woah, these people are literally ruling the city! What do I say? What‘s right to say? Truth is, we make it more complicated than it is. At the core, they are people just like us. If you take away the internal thoughts and let loose, you will find that you can have amazing conversations where you’re able to share your thoughts on a topic, and even gain knowledge from them. Partners are more approachable than candidates think. So, enjoy the process and you will find that it becomes less daunting with time.

The key? Confidence…

It certainly took me a while to build this, but the more interactions you have, the more natural it becomes.

 

[axele]

No it does not include the application questions - just the answers.

I submitted the application, but i did not get an email confirming this. Is this normal?

 

[wordyversus]

Gibson Dunn Open Day Invite ! This is my first open day, and was wondering if y'all had any advice and tips as to what to expect, whether I need to prepare for any workshops, how to leave a good impression and whether It can lead to a Vacation Scheme. Coming from a non-law degree

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Hey @pleasepleaseplease , great questions. I remember having the same questions when I was applying as well.

I have a few thoughts on each question.

1. This is essentially the ‘why X firm’ question. I always fell into the trap on talking about things that didn’t matter here. For example, I would talk about things like an international reach or pro bono. This was a horrible approach, as it could easily apply to many firms. I would talk about things like the opportunity to work on Windrush initiatives, which many international firms do. Here, the best way to show demonstrated interest is by focusing on the work - the practice areas. Now, it‘s also not enough to talk about practices for the sake of them, because again - many firms have the same practices. I remember once being asked at an AC why I wanted to work at the practice I mentioned in my application. I expanded on this, but the next response was ‘okay.. many firms have this practice - what is it about our practice that appeals to you’?. This got me thinking, and made me realise that I didn’t do enough research. Of course, I didn’t get the vac scheme offer because I didn’t have industry awareness then. So, within each practice at a firm, deeper research will make you find out more about their niches- this is what makes them stand out. Let me give you an example below;

Latham, White & Case, and HSF are among a class of firms with a strong presence in emerging markets, particularly within Africa and the energy/project development sector. Now, it’s funny because many firms have energy and project development practices. However, these firms have a strong presence in emerging markets in Africa - this is their niche. If you have an example of how this resonates with you as a candidate, you’ve not only showed demonstrated interest - you’ve showed specific interest. This is what’ll make your application stand out. Adopt a similar approach to your research on Kennedys, finding a niche in their practices which appeal to you and I’m sure you’ll nail this question.....

Thanks Amma, that is a very useful explanation. I submitted my application yesterday and I think when asnwering the first question I did largely do what you recommend but in the second answer, I did not focus as much on the culture but more on their business strategy like aiming for more women partner. Fingers crossed I get to the next stage though!

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Gibson Dunn Open Day Invite ! This is my first open day, and was wondering if y'all had any advice and tips as to what to expect, whether I need to prepare for any workshops, how to leave a good impression and whether It can lead to a Vacation Scheme. Coming from a non-law degree

Congrats! Not Gibson Dunn specific, but honestly, all you need to prepare for an Open Day is questions that you actually want to find out about. It's really difficult to "impress" anyone on an Open Day, so just enjoy the workshops and try to learn from them. Note down information that you might want to use in your application. Think about what about this Open Day might personally motivate you to apply for a vacation scheme.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I submitted the application, but i did not get an email confirming this. Is this normal?

Very normal - you don’t get confirmation until someone checks the system and this is likely to be not until sometime after the 4pm deadline.

 

[NJS]

This could be the case, especially if you are working in a law firm currently, firms can know that getting through conflict processes means it might not even be possible to get you on their vacation scheme anyway.

Particularly for firms like W&C that have a fairly healthy direct TC hiring process, it isn't unknown for recruiters to just think it would be better for you to apply to a TC, although I would hope that they would tell you this rather than just reject you.

Interesting, I’ll give it a crack anyway

 

[Gday33]

Amazing! Was this for their summer vac scheme?

Yes 👍🏻

 

[Zaraa.x]

This is off topic but has anyone been allocated to CMS via 10,000 black interns or been through the process?

 

[user9809]

This is off topic but has anyone been allocated to CMS via 10,000 black interns or been through the process?

I was allocated but withdrew to apply for the TC

 

[Zaraa.x]

I was allocated but withdrew to apply for the TC

Ohhh okayy that makes sense - did CMS reach out to you and then you withdrew or did you see that you was allocated then withdraw (sorry for all the qs just asking for a friend)

 

[emma.d]

Some potentially stupid questions about the TW cover letter:
Who is it addressed to?
Do I need to put my address and the firm's address?

 

[axele]

For the live application reviews for premium members, how can we join the whatsapp group that votes on the application to be reviewed?

 

[User5678]

Some potentially stupid questions about the TW cover letter:
Who is it addressed to?
Do I need to put my address and the firm's address?

1. Graduate recruitment team
2. I usually just end up putting the firms address but I think it’s usually not required to put any address (at least some firms mention it in their instructions)

 

[studentdelaw786]

Weil, Gotshal & Manges Insight Evening invite!! finally something positive in this cycle

 

[user9809]

Ohhh okayy that makes sense - did CMS reach out to you and then you withdrew or did you see that you was allocated then withdraw (sorry for all the qs just asking for a friend)

I saw they allocated me, applied but realised you could only apply for either the TC or internship so emailed them to withdraw

 

[theone132213]

Anything from Taylor Wessing post-test for the summer scheme? it's been a while... ahaha

I reckon it could be a while - I know they don't fill placed before the deadline. I applied last week but am only receiving the test tomorrow. Assuming they might wait for everyone to complete it first.