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Does anyone know if the cover letter shall have addresses at the top? or shall I keep it simple and start with Dear Germaine? (or shall it be Ms VanGeyzel or Miss VanGeyzel?)

Thanks a lot!

Hi, I am not sure whether this is the correct place to post this so feel free to move it!

I applied to several first-year programmes in early January and at the time I did not have my formal grades for my first semester (I am studying liberal arts so we get grades at the end of every semester instead of at the end of the year). I have now been given my formal grades and they are higher than expected, should I email firms I haven't heard with my grades? As in the application, it asked whether you had any formal uni grades and I had clicked no.

Will sending in my grades help my application? Or will they just think its odd?

Thank you in advance!

So, I am applying to CRS for their training contract, and I am stuck on the question:


Describe the market perception of Charles Russell Speechlys in your own words. (250)


I have begun answering it by distinguishing their competitors in my view Baker McKenzie and Macfarlanes? And I then go on to talk about their reputation in private client etc. But I am not sure where to go from here or how to structure the answer? Am I also supposed to bring in commercial awareness if so how?

I have three questions and I have completed two. Writing is a bit rough at the moment.

I am really nervous about the first question because if I want to be completely honest, It would require me to share a personal journey and I am worried it might not be appropriate for a TC application.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Hello!

I'm about to start another TC application and I've stumbled upon this question: "What distinguishes you from other applicants to this position?"
I'm planning on answering it much like I would a "Why you?" question but I wonder if there's anything I should pay attention to considering the specific wording of the question which is one I haven't encountered yet in any other app I've done. Obviously, I don't know who the other applicants will be so it is rather difficult to completely stick to the question But is answering it 100% like I would a "Why you?" question the right way to do it?

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on this

Hi All,

We turn 1 years old today!

Thanks to this whole community for making TCLA possible. It really is a pleasure running this site.

Best,

Jaysen

Does anyone have any ideas on ways of improving interview skills? Any help is much appreciated. Thank you (I have applied to overseas, instead of London, offices. They are unable to provide feedback even though applicants have reached the final assessment stages)

Hi,

I have heard back from WBD giving me a deadline of 7 March to complete 12 exercises (yet to be released). Has anyone had any experience of this that they wouldnt mind sharing? Ive read the WBD analysis but it mentions nothing about pymetrics.

Wondering what everyone thinks about applying to attend Open Days/Insight evenings for the second time if you are reapplying to a firm for the second or even third time? Is it necessary? Should you apply to attend to show commitment? Perhaps they change the assessment procedure so it could be useful with new info?
Any advice?

Hey guys,

For this question do you think it's ok to say "I was a semi-finalist in the 2018 Aspiring Solicitors Commercial Awareness Competition, placing in the top ten percent of students across 70 universities"? I know its more of an achievement than an award/prize since I did not win but wondering if it works for this question.
Thanks!!

I'm a current third year student and I have an upcoming assessment centre at Hogan Lovells. I am worried that the difficult question of 'Why didn't you get a vacation scheme in your second year of study?' will come up. In all reality, it was because I was not entirely sure what firms I wanted to apply to or whether I wanted to apply to Leeds or London firms. Is this a reasonable answer to give?
(Obviously with a bit more detail, and what drove me now to choose London international commercial firms)

Hello all,

I have recently received a vacation scheme place at a firm, scheduled for two weeks in April. I'm naturally overjoyed, but also very aware that I have to balance time to revise as well.

Does anyone have any experience participating on a spring vacation scheme, and have any tips in balancing the two responsibilities?

Hi, I am graduating from my Law undergraduate degree this year and I am hoping to secure a full-time paralegal position for a year at a City firm.

Could anyone please share their experience of what that is like? I am particularly interested in what the workload and working hours are like, and the type of typical work you would get on a day-to-day basis.

Thank you!

Stephenson Harwood HR interview Feb 2019

I went to the London office for an hour long interview with HR. This interview also applies if you are applying for a training contract, though you also have another AC after this interview for a TC (you do this on the vac scheme).

The interview was quite structured, and seemed to be split into three sections.
I was first asked about my studying experience - why did I choose to study law, why did I choose my university, what was my favourite module, what was my dissertation on, etc.

Then I think it was why law as a career, why commercial law over other areas of law, had I considered any other careers and if so why do I prefer law etc. I was asked why Stephenson Harwood, and asked if I could name a few deals they had been involved in and what practice areas I was interested in. I wasn't asked how they were different from competitors or where else I had applied.

There was also a few competency based questions e.g. team work, challenged yourself.

Whilst there was clearly a set of questions which were being asked, the interviewer would sometimes ask further questions based on what I had said. She also wrote down a lot of what I was saying. It was a pleasant interview and quite relaxed.

We have several graduate recruiters who will be judging our giveaway! To win one of five £15 Amazon vouchers, simply comment on this LinkedIn post with your answer to the following question: What is the biggest challenge facing law firms over the next five years?

Useful video from Shearman & Sterling:

https://ukgraduates.shearman.com/20...ppications-are-rejected-whiteboard-wednesday/

Hi All,

We're a little behind when it comes to providing resources/signposts for members, and I can imagine it can be quite overwhelming if you're new to TCLA, and especially if you're new to forums in general.

I'll create a series of introductory posts later in the year, but in the meantime, I just want to encourage new members to post if you have any questions, no matter how "silly" you think it might be. And if you have lots of questions to ask, please don't feel like you're posting too much - posting too much isn't a thing at TCLA.

There's so many decisions you have to make and so much to learn if you're new to the training contract process, and we don't want you sitting on it/making the wrong decision/feeling alone and that you can't share.

I've received a few messages recently from people worried about posting. But honestly, the entire point of this forum is for you to ask these questions, and we're a supportive bunch: people will be happy to share their experiences/opinions/ideas on what you should do next.

The other point to make is if you have a question, it's very likely that at least one other person also wanted the answer to that question. So by asking, you're doing everyone else a favour! We've had many great threads generated from a quick question e.g., https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/cover-letter-conundrum.283/

Finally, if you're very unsure, please feel free to just create an anonymous account to ask your questions, you don't have to use your name/FB profile if you don't want to.

TL;DR: Don't be afraid to post!

Thanks!

Jaysen

Hello!

Please how do I approach the question, "Tell us about a news story that interested you and why?"

Am I supposed to talk about a news story that is tailored to the firm's practices, or just one I'm interested in?

A very relevant topic from @EstelleK! Good for those technical/legal interviews. This article covers:

• How Brexit will impact financial contracts
• Whether Brexit will trigger particular terms in a contract (such as a material adverse change or MAC clause)
• To what extent Brexit will impact debt financing transactions

Brexit impact on debt financing transactions

Hi Guys,

I am really new on here and there is so much to take in.

I graduated from Leeds University with a 2:1. I worked for two years post graduation (although not in any law firm). I am about to make yet another TC application with Eversheds Sutherland and I will be honest, I am freaking out. I know they have changed their process and now do Strength based video interviews. I have never done this before. I have gotten too many rejections to count and I just need help.

Can anybody help with more information about applying to Eversheds Sutherland? I don't mind been linked up with someone who has gone through their recent process or even a future trainee.

Will appreciate any help!
Thanks

Hey,

I've been invited to complete a telephone assessment with A&O for their First Year Scheme.

They've said it involves a case study. Has anyone in general had an on the phone case study, and if so, what did it entail?

Any advice appreciated

When was your Watson Farley & Williams interview?

February 2019

What was it for?

Vacation scheme

Please describe the interview process at Watson Farley & Williams.

Prior to the assessment centre, there is a video interview which consisted of two questions. If successful at this stage, you are then invited to select an AC date.

There was a total of eight applicants on the day. You spend the duration of the day in one room and complete all AC tasks at the same time as other candidates.

The day consists of numerous group tasks and two written tasks. Perhaps unusually, there is no interview component (trainees informed us there is an interview whilst on the vacation scheme for the training contract). A client scenario laid out in the first activity forms the basis of the other tasks completed, both group and individual.

The first group task is a discussion between all group members to decide which investment opportunity a fictional client should go with, on the basis of information provided on each potential target.

The second group task is a preparation to a potential client on what the firm could offer them (effectively a pitch for business by WFW). This involves working through a large amount of material to put together a 10 minute presentation.

The first written task is producing an email to a client. This is based on the first group task discussion, as you are answering the same question.

The second written task is a proof-reading exercise in which you are given a contract to review for grammar, spelling, formatting and any other errors.

No decisions are made by the firm regarding your application until all the ACs have been completed – this can make for a rather long wait to hear back from the firm.

What advice would you give to future applicants for the Watson Farley & Williams assessment centre?

Be sure to jot down the exact instructions provided by graduate recruitment at the beginning of each exercise, including the skills they are assessing in each activity and to ensure you can refer back to and check they have done exactly as stated, as instructions are not written down and given to you at any point. Time each of the activities – both group and individual.

Ensure your group discussion during the first task is structured – this seemed important when graduate recruitment gave group feedback at the end of the AC. Also, although this is not a formal negotiation, however many of the same skills are relevant, perhaps bear this in mind throughout. Keep notes throughout this task, as they are relevant to the individual written task which immediately follows (I thoroughly regretted this and I know others on the AC felt the same). Keep a close eye on the time during this written activity (writing an email to a client) as this is fairly time pressured. The proof reading exercise is less time pressured, but be sure to read back a few times checking for different errors.

Hello everyone,

I hope you're all well. Please, has anyone done a Vinson & Elkins vacation scheme interview or does anyone know someone who has done a Vinson & Elkins interview recently? I'd be really grateful if someone could kindly shed some light on the interview. Thank you!

Hey everyone! I've just been invited to a Video Interview with IM, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice/insight into it? The grad recruitment website does not give any information about it, and so I'm wondering what kind of questions I should be preparing myself for.

Thanks for any help!

I have an interview at CMS's Bristol office coming up. For the previous application stages I just wrote about why CMS as a firm generally appeals to me, but in the interview should I be making my answers specific to the work that the Bristol office does? For example, I get the impression that the work the Bristol office does is lower value and less international than the London office, so should I avoid saying that CMS's international work or its high-value complex deals with big clients appeals to me?