TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[johnnn821]

I’d expect it to be about 20 people if in person.

Thank you very much!

 

[Narwhal]

Hi everyone. For Penningtons Manches Cooper's VS question, they ask 'Please use this opportunity to tell us about yourself, your reasons for applying to Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP and why they resonate with you personally. Your cover letter should be a professionally laid out business document and should include the following: why you are interested in a career in law, why you are interested in PMC, the office location you are applying for and why, skills and experience you could bring to the firm in a trainee lawyer position'.

I was wondering (i) 'your cover letter should be a professionally laid out business document' - does this mean I have to include my address and the address for the office I'm applying to at the top? (ii) 'your reasons for applying to Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP and why they resonate with you' - does this mean I have to refer to them in the plural every time I mention them? Like, would I get marked down for saying PMC scores highly in x instead of PMC score highly in x or writing PMC is instead of are?

I'd really appreciate any input!

 

[Narince]

Hi! I completed it on the 11th of November, quite late compared to the rest who applied I'm assuming!

I think I did it two days after that so I assume we might be waiting for a while !

 

[WN20]

How would one answer "explain your least favourite module" without coming across too negative? Should I still mention what I nonetheless enjoyed about that module even if that wasn't explicitly asked? Would appreciate any advice - thanks!!

 

[VIVI]

Has anyone heard back from HL Lift off?

 

[VIVI]

Has anyone done an interview this week with Jones Day and heard back from them?

 

[j.s.cox]

How would one answer "explain your least favourite module" without coming across too negative? Should I still mention what I nonetheless enjoyed about that module even if that wasn't explicitly asked? Would appreciate any advice - thanks!!

I would give an overview of the module, explain what I didn't like about it, then explain what I learnt in it (including transferrable skills) as a way to show it wasn't a waste of time.

 

[CorpLawyer00]

Has anyone done an interview this week with Jones Day and heard back from them?

I did on wednesday and have not heard back, what about you?

 

[WN20]

I would give an overview of the module, explain what I didn't like about it, then explain what I learnt in it (including transferrable skills) as a way to show it wasn't a waste of time.

That sounds good - thanks!!

 

[Phoebe123451]

Had a Stephenson Harwood interview yesterday - has anyone been invited to the Round 2 case study yet? If so, how long after your first interview? Thanks!

 

[VIVI]

I did on wednesday and have not heard back, what about you?

Thursday and I'm still waiting

 

[gw9]

Hi everyone. For Penningtons Manches Cooper's VS question, they ask 'Please use this opportunity to tell us about yourself, your reasons for applying to Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP and why they resonate with you personally. Your cover letter should be a professionally laid out business document and should include the following: why you are interested in a career in law, why you are interested in PMC, the office location you are applying for and why, skills and experience you could bring to the firm in a trainee lawyer position'.

I was wondering (i) 'your cover letter should be a professionally laid out business document' - does this mean I have to include my address and the address for the office I'm applying to at the top? (ii) 'your reasons for applying to Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP and why they resonate with you' - does this mean I have to refer to them in the plural every time I mention them? Like, would I get marked down for saying PMC scores highly in x instead of PMC score highly in x or writing PMC is instead of are?

I'd really appreciate any input!

I might be misunderstanding, but on your second point, I read 'they' as referring to your reasons for applying rather than to the firm itself, so I don't think you have to refer to the firm in plural? On the first point, I haven't applied to PMC myself, but I'd assume that's what they mean by professionally laid out business document. If it doesn't say on the application form, it often says on lawcareers.net who exactly the letter should be addressed to.

 

[Narwhal]

Thanks so much, gw9!

I might be misunderstanding, but on your second point, I read 'they' as referring to your reasons for applying rather than to the firm itself, so I don't think you have to refer to the firm in plural? On the first point, I haven't applied to PMC myself, but I'd assume that's what they mean by professionally laid out business document. If it doesn't say on the application form, it often says on lawcareers.net who exactly the letter should be addressed to.

 

[gw9]

Thanks so much, gw9!

I just had a look at the form and realised it wants you to type in a text box rather than upload a document, so I'm actually not sure how you would format it with two addresses at the top. It might be worth getting a second opinion on that one - I'd like to know too! Maybe they just mean start with 'Dear X' and end with 'yours sincerely'? Seems strange to ask for a 'professionally laid out business document' in a text box.

 

[Akhsayid]

Had a Stephenson Harwood interview yesterday - has anyone been invited to the Round 2 case study yet? If so, how long after your first interview? Thanks!

Hii, I have my Stephenson Harwood vac scheme interview this week. What type of questions were you asked? Any tips?

 

[traineesolicitor123]

Is it worth applying to DLA Piper in the third week of December (deadline is 30th December), since they have rolling applications? Or would slots be mostly full by then?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Is it worth applying to DLA Piper in the third week of December (deadline is 30th December), since they have rolling applications? Or would slots be mostly full by then?

Yes, there is still month to go. Most people won’t apply until the last week.

 

[DTB]

Hi all, I am wondering whether it is true if you can re-use the why you and why law part of cover letters for all firms that do a cover letter - only changing the why this firm part. Has anyone had success in this?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi all, I am wondering whether it is true if you can re-use the why you and why law part of cover letters for all firms that do a cover letter - only changing the why this firm part. Has anyone had success in this?

I personally think these sections at least need to be refined slightly, especially the why you part.

Firms will value different things in trainees and there a standardised approach may not demonstrate the specific skills or qualities an individual firm is looking for.

 

[keepmewherethelightis]

Hi! Reed Smith's app form has this question: What current issues do you think have an impact on the legal profession? How will they impact and why?

Does anyone have any ideas what sort of things we are supposed to mention here? Something like AI, or macro commercial issues like inflation?