TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[aspirationforlaw]

Hi all, I just got a job + TC offer in-house with a global company! I'm so very happy and I want to thank you all for advice and words of encouragement! This forum helped me immensely, whether it was applications or just general motivation.

If anyone wants to message me about the in-house life in the future, feel free to do so!

 

[WindowsUpdate]

Hi guys, would anyone know the most recent vacation scheme/TC application questions for the following firms please: Clyde & Co, HFW, Osborne Clarke, DLA Piper and Gowling WLG? Thanks!

 

[kmo20]

Does anyone know if BCLP are still holding first round interviews for TC?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi all, I just got a job + TC offer in-house with a global company! I'm so very happy and I want to thank you all for advice and words of encouragement! This forum helped me immensely, whether it was applications or just general motivation.

If anyone wants to message me about the in-house life in the future, feel free to do so!

Amazing news - congratulations! It’s nice to see some alternatives to private practice TCs too!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hi guys, would anyone know the most recent vacation scheme/TC application questions for the following firms please: Clyde & Co, HFW, Osborne Clarke, DLA Piper and Gowling WLG? Thanks!

DLA Piper is a business story question. Clyde and Co was a VI interview sent automatic. The others I am not sure.

 

[rayemuse]

Got a call that I received a TC offer from a firm I really like! It hasn’t been the smoothest journey esp after all the rejections + worrying abt my 2nd year grades and my visa situation as an international student but I’m so grateful for all the guidance and motivation from the TCLA forum and community. If anyone sees my posts in the future and want some advice/support please don’t hesitate to reach out

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Got a call that I received a TC offer from a firm I really like! It hasn’t been the smoothest journey esp after all the rejections + worrying abt my 2nd year grades and my visa situation as an international student but I’m so grateful for all the guidance and motivation from the TCLA forum and community. If anyone sees my posts in the future and want some advice/support please don’t hesitate to reach out

Yet more good news on the forums! Congratulations and very well done!

 

[Tallulah]

Anything from Google re LSI guys?

 

[chirag12]

Hi @Jessica Booker ,
I just wanted to ask a question based on your experience as a recruiter for law firms. I know about the general stuff that makes your application stand out for example making the application firm-specific, being commercially aware, having extracurriculars, and having previous legal work experience.

I just wanted to ask if there has ever been a time when an application has stood out for something very uncommon to see as a recruiter. Something a firm would be extremely impressed by which doesn't include the general things.

Also just wanted to say since finding out about this forum, it has helped me so much so thanks. I will definitely become a paid member once it's application season for the vacation scheme!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker ,
I just wanted to ask a question based on your experience as a recruiter for law firms. I know about the general stuff that makes your application stand out for example making the application firm-specific, being commercially aware, having extracurriculars, and having previous legal work experience.

I just wanted to ask if there has ever been a time when an application has stood out for something very uncommon to see as a recruiter. Something a firm would be extremely impressed by which doesn't include the general things.

Also just wanted to say since finding out about this forum, it has helped me so much so thanks. I will definitely become a paid member once it's application season for the vacation scheme!

Yes - this happens all the time. People leverage their uniqueness and emphasise how that helps them potentially be a better future lawyer and that helps them stand out.

In many ways, trying to fit into the expectations of an application Is where many people go wrong because it become bland/predictable.

I have used this analogy for years, and it isn’t always the best one, but think about your application like a cake recipe. Yes, there are common ingredients that everyone needs to be a good applicant, like the things you have listed out in your post and they are things like the flour, fats, liquids in a cake recipe. However, the reality is it’s the individual flavours or sometimes combination of those flavours that makes one cake recipe stand out from the rest, and the same applies with applications. Those flavours are your unique experiences/skill set/motivations. Sometime the boldest “flavours” do capture people’s attention more!

 

[chirag12]

Yes - this happens all the time. People leverage their uniqueness and emphasise how that helps them potentially be a better future lawyer and that helps them stand out.

In many ways, trying to fit into the expectations of an application Is where many people go wrong because it become bland/predictable.

I have used this analogy for years, and it isn’t always the best one, but think about your application like a cake recipe. Yes, there are common ingredients that everyone needs to be a good applicant, like the things you have listed out in your post and they are things like the flour, fats, liquids in a cake recipe. However, the reality is it’s the individual flavours or sometimes combination of those flavours that makes one cake recipe stand out from the rest, and the same applies with applications. Those flavours are your unique experiences/skill set/motivations. Sometime the boldest “flavours” do capture people’s attention more!

Hi Jessica,

Thank you for your reply,

I want to stand out in applications when I apply for vacation schemes this year and this is so helpful. I will defo make sure to leverage my uniqueness.

Also wanted to ask if it would be a good idea to start a law blog and if it would be useful for vacation scheme applications.

 

[islay6_5]

I failed to convert a vacation scheme this Summer at a firm I really liked. They have offered a call to discuss feedback. I just wondered if anyone had any advice for the sorts of questions that might be appropriate to ask during a feedback call and whether it is appropriate to ask if the firm would still be open to receiving future applications from rejected candidates in next years cycle?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica,

Thank you for your reply,

I want to stand out in applications when I apply for vacation schemes this year and this is so helpful. I will defo make sure to leverage my uniqueness.

Also wanted to ask if it would be a good idea to start a law blog and if it would be useful for vacation scheme applications.

Law blogs can be a good way to show off your writing skills and commercial awareness.

If you do it, make sure you do it well and consistently - for instance, make sure there is a purpose for your blog, and if you are trying to get an audience with it, how you are going to get that audience. I think it is also something you have to dedicate a good enough of time to - just writing a couple of articles is going to look fairly short-term.

So I wouldn’t do it just for the sake of having it on your application, but do it because you want to do it and know it will have a purpose outside of evidence for an application form.

 

[chirag12]

Law blogs can be a good way to show off your writing skills and commercial awareness.

If you do it, make sure you do it well and consistently - for instance, make sure there is a purpose for your blog, and if you are trying to get an audience with it, how you are going to get that audience. I think it is also something you have to dedicate a good enough of time to - just writing a couple of articles is going to look fairly short-term.

So I wouldn’t do it just for the sake of having it on your application, but do it because you want to do it and know it will have a purpose outside of evidence for an application form.

Hi,
That does make sense because law firms want to see commercial awareness and interest in law. I think this would be a good thing to start as I don't have much legal work experience and I am actually really interested in commercial law.
If I do start one I will make sure to be consistent and it would be based on "weekly updates" on commercial things happening right now (short articles). Would this be fine?

Thanks.

 

[jnice]

I failed to convert a vacation scheme this Summer at a firm I really liked. They have offered a call to discuss feedback. I just wondered if anyone had any advice for the sorts of questions that might be appropriate to ask during a feedback call and whether it is appropriate to ask if the firm would still be open to receiving future applications from rejected candidates in next years cycle?

Hi - first of all, I want to say well done for securing the VS - as you know how difficult it is to do so.

To answer your question - it is very much appropriate to ask if you can apply in the next application cycle. I did the same and they said I should call them before applying. You can definitely ask - the worst they can say is no so it doesn’t hurt to ask.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi,
That does make sense because law firms want to see commercial awareness and interest in law. I think this would be a good thing to start as I don't have much legal work experience and I am actually really interested in commercial law.
If I do start one I will make sure to be consistent and it would be based on "weekly updates" on commercial things happening right now (short articles). Would this be fine?

Thanks.

Yes - this sounds like a good approach!

 

[hannah04]

@Jessica Booker do you know if firms tend to send out their TC offers following a VS all at once or in batches? And would they send the offers and rejections at the same time? I know it probably differs widely from firm to firm but what tends to be a general practise in your experience? also, what happens if they try to call you with an offer but you dont have access to your number because youre on holiday?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

How much time is allotted to accept a TC (assuming the candidate is in their penultimate year of law school)?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker do you know if firms tend to send out their TC offers following a VS all at once or in batches? And would they send the offers and rejections at the same time? I know it probably differs widely from firm to firm but what tends to be a general practise in your experience? also, what happens if they try to call you with an offer but you dont have access to your number because youre on holiday?

It really depends on the firm - it could quiet easily be both - I wouldn’t say there is one clear approach over the other.

They will email you if they can’t get hold of you via the phone.

 

[laurabeaumont]

It seems odd to ask for a TC so I'll just have to see how it goes and hope that they do. It was pretty competitive(only 2 places) and I was interviewed but it would be different from their formal recruitment process with an AC or an online test.

I don't necessarily mean asking for the TC per se, but it is worth asking whether you could be considered for a position on the training course. However, if it is different from their formal recruitment process then I understand that may not be a possibility!