TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[AlegalA]

Also, if anyone's done the Kennedys VI would you mind sharing how long the questions were?
Thank you!!

 

[abhuzaifa]

Anyone have experience doing Fieldfisher’s online strengths assessment for the diversity access scheme or TC ?

 

[zq522]

Anyone have experience doing Fieldfisher’s online strengths assessment for the diversity access scheme or TC ?

Its pretty straightforward, and is pretty short as well. My advice would be to have their core values jotted down and keep them in mind whilst doing it.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Andrei Radu and @Amma Usman,

I trust you are well and happy new year.

I am applying to Orrick which, in addition to why commercial law and why specifically are you interested in training at Orrick, the application also requires a cover letter. I am struggling to understand what to include in my answer. Should I mention my skills and why the firm?

I am also applying to Mayer Brown and would like your opinion on how to structure my answer tell us about any academic or non-academic achievements and interests. I do not want to sound silly, but should I mention if I developed specific skills which could help me succeed as a trainee at MB?

Thank you in advance for your help

Hey @AS24, I hope you are well too and all the best for the new year !

For your first question, I think you should still aim to cover the same three basic 'Why commercial law', 'Why firm' and 'Why you' in the cover letter, though perhaps with an increased emphasis on the 'why you' part. To avoid repetition, I would consider doing a combination of the following:

• Use a more concise and to the point style in the application form answers and a more narrative style and structure in the cover letter. You can see the form as you needing to deliver on some very specific tasks, while the cover letter more as you telling your story and presenting your profile.
• Furthermore, it is generally thought you can use examples from personal experiences and hobbies a lot more in the cover letter than in the application form answers, where you should focus more on work/academic examples. The use of personal experiences might be particularly useful in the cover letter if you decide to also give a short description as to how your motivations have historically progressed and led you to this point.
• To the extent that you cannot avoid repeating some of the same examples, try to focus on different parts of the experiences. For instance, if this was some kind of work experience, you may describe one relevant task in the form answer and one in the cover letter.
• To the extent that you cannot avoid repeating some of the same substantive points (I expect you should be able to find a number of different why Orrick reasons, but you might have the same basic points for why commercial law), try to elaborate on them in a different manner. For instance, say one of your reasons for why Orrick is their expertise in the VC/tech space. In the application form answer you could focus on Chambers rankings, deal figures and client base, while in the cover letter you could discuss one of their transactions at length.

For your second question, I do not think this linking experiences with skills is a strict requirement, but I would advise you to do it nonetheless. It shows off your commercial awareness and makes the relevance of your achievements and interests evident. A recruiter should never have an issue with seeing this even if they weren't necessarily expecting it; but if they expected it and you did not include it, that could be a serious issue. However, I would keep it brief (one or maximum two sentences at the end of a paragraph) and have the experiences themselves as the main focus.

 

[aspiringsolicitor23]

When an application asks: is this law-related work experience, does this just mean professional law roles like interning in a legal department or completing a vac scheme? That was my initial interpretation but I am now wondering about roles I have taken within law societies and tutoring law modules - it seems counterintuitive to say these roles are not law related? Please could somebody help, thanks!

 

[helloj]

There isn't much info on the Mayer Brown AC, are there any online resources I am missing? It consists of written exercise, fact finding and group exercise.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Does anyone have subscribed access to Bloomberg? I am unable to access the link "https://news.bloomberglaw.com/busin...gthens-grip-on-shifting-m-a-deals-leaderboard" because I don't have a subscription. Could @Andrei Radu or @Amma Usman please confirm if they can access the information about Kirkland and Ellis maintaining its position as one of the top 10 Global Legal Advisors for M&A in 2024, based on deal value and deal count?

I can confirm Kirkland has not only kept its position as one of the top 10 by deal value, but was actually ranked number 1. While I cannot access the Bloomberg article directly, I have found a number of other sources referencing it and providing the M&A table, such as Lawyer Monthly and The Global Legal Post.

 

[lawyerletsgo]

another appeal for any advice for WFW vi lol thank you in advance

 

[kokoprep]

hey anyone who did W&C VI this week, heard back with spring AC?

 

[dm_corporate]

Hi @Andrei Radu and all,

I have a pre recorded VI with a US firm. I'm not too worried about the questions themselves but I have a tendency to speak in a monotone voice when I am nervous during video interviews. For some this may be perceived as a lack of enthusiasm and confidence.

Will this be marked against me if my answers are still clear, concise and well structured? Basically I'm trying to find out what the criteria is for a video interview? If anyone has any insights I would appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[lydiareid25]

Kennedys VI for regional office

have you done it yet?

 

[lydiareid25]

Kennedys VI invite! First time passing the Cappfinity test 🥳

well done! have you done it yet?

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

RPC WG- applied 3 days ago, I would appreciate any insights!

 

[CG_101]

I'm guessing at this stage its a Goodwin PFO.......

Also any updates from Davis Polk?

 

[jacksollaf]

I'm guessing at this stage its a Goodwin PFO.......

Also any updates from Davis Polk?

I was thinking likewise for myself... Also, DP as well because I saw they already send out invites so....

 

[CG_101]

I was thinking likewise for myself... Also, DP as well because I saw they already send out invites so....

I thought the invites were for Spring

 

[Miss Chocolate]

@Andrei Radu Hey Could I please get your advice on something really quickly. I am writing a cover letter for Travers (1000 words max). I was wondering if you had any resources in mind that would be useful and in general if you had any advice. That would be really useful, thank you

 

[jta227]

Hi @Andrei Radu and all,

I have a pre recorded VI with a US firm. I'm not too worried about the questions themselves but I have a tendency to speak in a monotone voice when I am nervous during video interviews. For some this may be perceived as a lack of enthusiasm and confidence.

Will this be marked against me if my answers are still clear, concise and well structured? Basically I'm trying to find out what the criteria is for a video interview? If anyone has any insights I would appreciate it.

Thanks

In a VI they are (purportedly) focused more on the content of your response itself so if your answers are really good I feel like you'd be ok. Obviously heavily depends on the recruiter though so I'd try to not sound like that regardless. Also your default face during recording should be leaning towards a smile (is what I've been advised). I'd try and not give them any reason to reject you, sometimes it just is what it is.

In general though, as someone who has this issue (not from nerves, it's just my default voice), based on 20 years experience I can tell you that it affects most people's perceptions even if they say/think it doesn't. When you meet them at an AC or a VS I think being monotone would definitely be a negative point, you just have to consciously work against that. Practice makes perfect, sometimes I slip back into it without even realising. I basically got told as much by one of my mentors as well, who said in one cycle her feedback was constantly saying she seemed reserved and/or unenthusiastic and she got like 4 offers the next cycle changing nothing but her body language.

 

[Legalgirl]

I was thinking likewise for myself... Also, DP as well because I saw they already send out invites so....

I thought the invites were for Spring

Hi! Can I ask how you know invites have been sent out (and specifically for spring)? I know one other person on the forum said so, but I'm confused because everyone else keeps saying they haven't heard back? 😕

 

[James Wakefield]

Did people put their GCSE results on the Withers form? (As well as the CRS form)?