They’ve given some interviews, at least for Spring, but I don’t know if anyone has been invited who put down summer dates.
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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ahh my bad I didn't realise! I just checked I applied for the Spring vac scheme, but lowkey think it will clash w my uni exams ...
I applied on the deadline, did the WG on the 20th and still nothing. Do you know anyone whos heard back yet who applied on the deadline?
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @FutureTraineeMaybe
Just jumping in here, but I'm sure @Andrei Radu and @Amma Usman would have much more to say.
When answering this question, you'll want to focus on what makes a legal career in the City of London distinctive and compelling. City firms are at the heart of one of the world's leading financial and business hubs. This means the work you undertake often directly impacts major industries and global markets. When I've reviewed application answers to this question, applicants often discuss some of the following points:
- London’s role as a global financial centre, where City firms are often surrounded by leading financial institutions and regulators. This typically creates opportunities to work on transactions or disputes that have significant economic and political implications. You should have a think about why the City's financial significance matters for you personally as an applicant.
- You can also potentially talk about how London is an international centre. This is particularly reflected in the opportunities for multi-jurisdictional work carried out by law firms in the City. Aside from exposure to other legal systems through cross-border work, this international aspect can make the City an exciting place to collaborate with multinational, international colleagues and clients.
- Even for firms that don't have a strong finance focus, law firms in the City are also known for working on matters in emerging sectors such as fintech, renewable energy, and life sciences. This can be incredibly appealing if you are interested in how law evolves alongside industries, or interested in emerging companies and venture capital work.
- Finally, you might also want to think about the personal and professional growth opportunities available in the City. The scale and complexity of the work, combined with the resources and training offered by City firms, are often highly attractive for developing your legal expertise and commercial awareness. Working in such a globally connected, high-stakes environment can also make a tangible impact on your career trajectory and personal development.
Again, these are just some of the points I've seen raised when answering this sort of question. I'd try to discuss such points in a way that is compelling and personalised to you! Good luck with the application!
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- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @Law queries (and for anyone else waiting post WG)
If I remember correctly, Cooley doesn’t release the pass mark or any feedback report for their Watson Glaser test. I believe this was intentional to maintain fairness across all applicants. This policy might have changed, but I distinctly remember graduate recruitment saying this to me after I passed the Watson Glaser and requested my score. That said, the turn around for a response after the Watson Glaser test was quite fast. So I'd recommend hanging in there. You should find out whether you've passed the benchmark shortly. Best of luck!
hey @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu
I’ve got a question that might be a bit basic. I recently did a virtual assessment center with a law firm, and one of the tasks was a written exercise. We had 60 minutes to go through a 14-page document and draft a report answering four questions. It was an M&A case study where we had to advise a client on choosing between two potential target companies.
The questions focused on risks for both companies, which company to acquire, and "commercial factors." But I’m a bit confused about what "commercial factors" really mean. A lot of the points I wanted to make felt more legal—like one of the companies had IP issues, and I wasn’t sure if it was right to bring that up as a "commercial factor."
I also felt like I ended up overlapping my answers, especially when I started discussing external market-specific content in the quesiton of which company to acquire and risks. so when you’re advising on a choice like this, are you expected to bring in outside commercial knowledge, or should you stick strictly to what’s in the case study and save external factors for later?
Basically, I was blending legal and commercial factors in my answers and wasn’t sure where the line is. Could you give me some tips on what’s actually expected when they ask about "commercial factors"?
I’ve got a question that might be a bit basic. I recently did a virtual assessment center with a law firm, and one of the tasks was a written exercise. We had 60 minutes to go through a 14-page document and draft a report answering four questions. It was an M&A case study where we had to advise a client on choosing between two potential target companies.
The questions focused on risks for both companies, which company to acquire, and "commercial factors." But I’m a bit confused about what "commercial factors" really mean. A lot of the points I wanted to make felt more legal—like one of the companies had IP issues, and I wasn’t sure if it was right to bring that up as a "commercial factor."
I also felt like I ended up overlapping my answers, especially when I started discussing external market-specific content in the quesiton of which company to acquire and risks. so when you’re advising on a choice like this, are you expected to bring in outside commercial knowledge, or should you stick strictly to what’s in the case study and save external factors for later?
Basically, I was blending legal and commercial factors in my answers and wasn’t sure where the line is. Could you give me some tips on what’s actually expected when they ask about "commercial factors"?
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @floral.tcla
There's no harm in doing so, but it likely won't have any bearing on your chances if you don't reply. Good luck and I hope you hear back with great news soon!
a quick question about CV blind interviews - do I have to censor the name of my university, for example, can I say I am a final year law student at ______ or say that I worked for ____ Law Society
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @cjwx (and anybody else waiting to hear back from CRS)
From my experience applying a few cycles ago, it can take around 3-4 weeks to hear back from the firm. I received my response during the second week of February the year I applied. At that time, the vacation scheme application process included only a written application and a video interview. While this process might have changed since then, I’d recommend giving them at least a month from the deadline before following up to ask about your application’s status. Best of luck! I hope you hear back soon with good news!
Can anyone offer any help with Osborne Clarke Virtual AC. Happy to offer help on ACs at Simmons and Simmons, White & Case, Withers
Just heard back with an invite to interview!
Anyone heard back from Aspiring Solicitors for the Amazon (post second form) or DHL mentoring scheme?
I did it last year and passed and I would say just research OC's key sectors and themes facing those sectors / areas very broadly, as well as thinking about what practice areas at OC might get involved in matters relating to those themes / specific issues facing those sectors. Otherwise, there really isn't a whole lot you can do to prep if it's the same format as last year as they just spring a topic on you, you have some time to prep a presentation / answer the specific questions they ask but given that you only find out the topic last minute, not much you can do I think.
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