TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[VMS]

Assessment day is really good

Thank you!!

 

[andrecsaa]

Fieldfisher PFO post phone interview. I'm so overwhelmed

So sorry to hear that. Direct TC, right?

I applied last week closed to deadline, but nothing yet. Do you mind to tell when did you apply?

 

[ashwright]

Freshfields is non-rolling so I don’t see why it wouldn’t be worth still applying. 🙂👍🏽

The deadline is 23rd of January. That’s 9 days away. If you can write a strong application in that time frame I’d say go for it!! 🫡🫡

Best of luck!

Thank you so, so much!! I've been down in the dumps because of PFOs so assumed that they'd be rolling!
I really appreciate it 🫶

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

My AC is in 2 days

Congrats!!! How long did you wait between the feedback from test to vi invite

 

[YW113380]

when a law firm states that a cover letter must be no longer than one A4 page, i assume they mean one single-side A4 page?

 

[Rhohia]

If anyone has insight into the Reed Smith VI and test, please can you message me.

Happy to share insights in to Goodwin VI, Willkie VI, Weil VI, Baker McKenzie VI and AC, CMS AC, Jones Day AC, Linklater’s AC and NRF AC

What were your artic shore results like please for NRF?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

So sorry to hear that. Direct TC, right?

I applied last week closed to deadline, but nothing yet. Do you mind to tell when did you apply?

yeah, it was for DTC and I applied back in November

 

[Rhohia]

Dentons, Eversheds and Reed Smith AC invite

How did you find the VI for Reed smith? Any mess ups? I’ve accepted I’m going to get rejected because I completely messed up q1 and stuttered, and lost my trail of thought….

 

[ad.]

Congrats!!! How long did you wait between the feedback from test to vi invite

Thanks! It was just a couple of days. I applied mid October.

 

[fxy]

Dentons, Eversheds and Reed Smith AC invite

hey if you don't mind sharing is the reed smith ac for spring or summer

 

[emma.d]

Just started my CRS research and now I really like the firm lol... lets hope I can write a good enough application in a night

 

[James Wakefield]

Hi @Jessica Booker!

I am looking to apply to Travers Smith. The ‘box’ for their cover letter on the application form is 1000 words max, and I’ve written exactly 1000 words.

Is that ok? It says the answer should be your cover letter, and I know 1000 words is long for the cover letter.

It also advises on the website that your letter should be about one A4 page but I think that advice may be from when you had to upload it as a word document, as opposed to pasting the text into a box.

 

[Kakaboo]

Remember the time limit is 72 hours from the email, so it’s really tight.

I know!! Plus I’m on holiday ahhh

 

[Chris Brown]

Hi @Jessica Booker!

I am looking to apply to Travers Smith. The ‘box’ for their cover letter on the application form is 1000 words max, and I’ve written exactly 1000 words.

Is that ok? It says the answer should be your cover letter, and I know 1000 words is long for the cover letter.

It also advises on the website that your letter should be about one A4 page but I think that advice may be from when you had to upload it as a word document, as opposed to pasting the text into a box.

I have also applied to Travers Smith for the SVS. 🙂

My cover letter is around 850-900 words and I am also worried about it being too long. 🥲

It would make sense that 1,000 words is the maximum for the cover letter.

Not entirely sure though. 🤷🏾‍♂️

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Is it okay to not mention Private Equity in the Travers Smith Cover letter?

 

[Amma Usman]

People applying to Paul, Weiss - how are you researching the firm?

Their website is pretty limited and as they are new to offering a TC not heaps out there. Any advice?

Hey @murm ,

I see this as a very useful question to be honest, not just for those applying to PW, but also the full spectrum of law firms.

My research strategy was as follows;

1. What does the firm pride itself on? Now I appreciate this may sound generic at first. In thinking of the answer to this within oneself, you should not focus on things such as secondment opportunities or international clientele and the likes - many firms will offer this and pride themselves on the international nature of their work. Ask yourself… what are its core practice offerings? This will kick of your research.

2. Let’s say firm XY is good at corporate work and has an especially strong private equity practice. Now, the next question is.. which kind of clients does the firm serve? Are they mainly regional/UK, US focused, Middle Eastern focused, or broadly very international? There is no doubting that most of a firm’s clients (in the context of TC applications for international law firms) will be international themselves. However, what are the origins of the firm? Say the firm is US-based, another way to go about researching the firm is by comparing its work and clientele with other US firms (or also magic circle/international firms). This is because research into a firm, in my opinion, is not just about knowing what that particular firm does, but also its wider position in the market. Through this, you do two things: (1) improve your understanding of the industry (PE, in this case) through reading on deals, and (2) fluidly communicate this in written applications and interviews. The latter point is crucial because the preliminary research you do into firms will help you throughout the different application stages. For example, and relating this to my last point on researching into XY firm‘s competitors, a common question asked in interviews is… how does XY firm differentiate itself from its competitors? You can see this through multiple lens by comparing for example, (1) its position among other US firms (as I had briefly highlighted) (2) perhaps even a unique niche it advises on within corporate work, and (3) a specific band of PE clients it advises (mid-market advisory, higher-ticket advisory, etc). This foundational knowldge is very important as recruiters will always know whether you truly understand a law firm’s work by reading your description on what practices you’re drawn to.

Overall, I recommend always starting your research on the basis of a firm‘s practice offerings. From there, you could research into its market space, and naturally other elements such as pro-bono and the likes will crop up. However, I would be mindful on what you are referencing in applications to show demonstrated interest, as discussions on practices and perhaps specialised niches within those, will always be more specific than other elements such as secondment opportunities (which indeed, many firms offer).

Best of luck and hope this proves useful!

 

[dm_corporate]

Hi all,

For those who have completed the K&E video interview, when did you complete it and have you heard back yet?

Thanks

 

[Amma Usman]

Is it okay to not mention Private Equity in the Travers Smith Cover letter?

Hey @FutureTraineeMaybe ,

I would say this depends on what draws you to TS. I know TS has a strong private equity practice and specifically advises more on mid-market PE deals. Is this an area of law you’re drawn to exploring more through a TC? If so, I recommend including it and linking it back to why PE is of appeal to you. Any specific exposure to it, such as taking part in an online workshop? Having a coffee chat with a PE lawyer? You could really mention anything which is sufficiently specific to you.

 

[xxx]

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

Hi!!

I was checking my application for a firm I have an Assessment centre with , and I saw that the dates for 2 work experiences were marked as start 2023 rather than 2024 (I made a mistake entering the years- everything else is fine) should I flag it up? It was for a tutoring positions and a mentorship scheme.

I also didn’t understand the GCSEs sections- as it only gave me an option to enter GCSEs rather than a mixture (I did a mix of GCSE and IGCSE (all in the UK)) would that be okay? Since the grades/ grading system is identical and it’s the same exam method just one is also avaliable internationally.

For one subject I did a btec- but I made it clear on the form that it was a Btec subject and I picked the most relevant equivalent grade (since there was no “other” option. Is that okay?

(Honestly I was in a rush trying to meet the deadline and hadn’t checked it again after being progressed)

 

[Amma Usman]

Is it worth mentioning a firms 96% retention rate as way to suggest they invest in their trainees and foster an environment where trainees want to stay on board? I’m not sure if that is too generic.

Hey @cjwx ,

This is a really good question.

While a high retention rate (like 96%) can be indicative of a supportive work environment and a firm’s investment in its trainees, I’ve been advised to prioritise other aspects of training when discussing why a firm appeals to you.

For instance, focusing on elements like the size of the trainee intake can be more impactful. For example, say you’re applying to a firm with a small intake of trainees. You can talk about how a smaller intake often means greater responsibility early on, which could allow you to develop quickly. If you can link this to a personal example of thriving in a similar environment, it shows genuine interest and aligns your strengths with what the firm offers.

Mentioning retention rates carries the risk of sounding like your interest in the firm is primarily based on the likelihood of qualification. Additionally, retention can depend on factors beyond the environment, such as individual performance and business needs. If you focus solely on the work environment, your answer might come across as a bit generic and miss the nuances of what contributes to that retention rate.

I hope this helps!