TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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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….
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
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 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. 🤷🏾♂️
- Sep 7, 2024
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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!
- Sep 7, 2024
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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.
@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)
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)
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- Sep 7, 2024
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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!
In this boat too. Remember the deadline is midday tomorrow and not 23:59 (you probably knew this but I didn't until just now so just posting in case anyone else didn't know)
Also if anyone has been on their Open Day and can share some application tidbits that'd be helpful! I had to miss their Open Day last month.
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hey @MissAnnaliseKeating ,
Many people have different views on this. I have once used a deal that was 3 years old, but revolutionary in the industry and was only ever done by that firm before. As I had gotten past the application stage, I would say the date becomes an issue when you reference something like 3 years but is now a commonplace type of advisory within the market. Another things is that, with any deal you mention, ask yourself… have I properly explained why it appeals to me? This last point is crucial as many firms will work on similar deals and this unique link to you is what will make your application stand out.
Hope this helps!
Is there any site you use to look for deals? Some firms' own websites conceal many details of the deal and/or have their most recent deals in certain sectors as 3 year-old deals when they've almost definitely worked on stuff since then
- Sep 7, 2024
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@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker Hi
When mentioning vacation scheme/work experience at other firms in an application form, is it all right to name them? Because then I worry I will have to justify why not the other firm and why the firm I am applying to, whereas a brief 'vacation scheme at X firm helped me explore interest in...." seems like needs less of a justification.
Hey @Miss Chocolate ,
I definitely recommend including the firms name. Most times in interviews, your interviewers will have access to your application form and this question will almost always come up (well at least it did for me). You could be asked why X law firm (the firm you’re applying at) and not Y firm which you did a VS at. As an applicant, you could touch on so many things such as client base and different industry specialisations, remembering to connect to why that matters to you. You could also be asked this same question, but within the context of many different industries too. For example, you attended a finance open day, so why law? In summary, the question of justification will likely always come up, you just have to look deeply into your interests and motivations, and answering it wouldn’t be an issue.
Best of luck and hope this helps!
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