Yeah i had the same thoughts on it being a mini condensed vac scheme. Can i dm you?
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Thank you so much! I was also wondering for the work experience section do I include extra curricular and volunteering too? I feel like including them in the work experience section and then writing about them again might be repetitive. @Abbie WhitlockHey!
I can offer some general advice on the things I would / wouldn't include in the new application questions! They are designed to test your self-awareness, motivations, and fit with the firm's culture, so I would make sure that you are specific and reflective (and avoid being generic).
Question A
It's important to show that you've genuinely researched the firm, and why (based on this research) the firm is the right fit for you. I would avoid generic things such as "global firm" or "prestige", and try to show you actually understand what makes Clifford Chance stand out (such as their LIFT or ACCESS programmes). Then link this back to you specifically - how does working at Clifford Chance align with the kind of lawyer you want to be and your future career goals.
Question B
Have a think about what makes a good Clifford Chance trainee (e.g. teamwork, attention to detail, resilience, commercial thinking, etc.). There might be a list of traits and skills that they value on their website - it might be worth having a read of those as well. Pick 2-3 real examples from your past experiences (e.g. uni projects, part-time work, volunteering, internships) that prove that you have developed those skills. Don't just list them - show the situation, what you did, and the outcome. This is where you can show reflection and self-awareness - be concise in discussing the experience itself, and focus on what you did that helped you to develop those skills and attributes and how they would help you excel as a Clifford Chance lawyer.
Question C
I would choose a few extra-curriculars or achievements that you're genuinely proud of. It could be something such as running a society, volunteering work, a particularly high grade, or even something more centred in your personal life. When I was writing a similar question for Clifford Chance a few years ago, I discussed achieving a high grade in a public speaking module (as this was an area I wasn't confident in). As long as you can show why it was important to you and why you are proud of it, most examples can work here! The experience you choose should show some relevant transferable skills as well, such as initiative, leadership, or perseverance. Reflect on what you learned from the experience and how it's shaped you.
In summary: specific examples + reflection + link back to CC. This will help make your answers personal and tailored, and avoid generic reasonings. I hope that helps, and best of luck with your application
I'd kind of forgotten that it wasn't really a formal vac scheme, but I assume the facetime really benefits you for a TC application - I did the VIs today, prep time was very short, but also the whole thing takes about 3 mins, so it's not like some of the bigger vac scheme testing regimes.
Thank you for the insight! That's crazy it's so short, I guess its different because you still have to go through the whole TC app process even if you get the workshop
Hey!
For the 150-word work experience section, I'd recommend keeping it in short, clear prose rather than bullet points - however, if you are struggling, bullet points should be perfectly acceptable (unless they state otherwise). I'd focus on a few experiences that best show skills that they value - on their 'About Us' page, they list their core values which might be useful to refer to! You can demonstrate these skills through concise examples, rather than explicitly listing them.
I hope that helps, and best of luck with the application!
Hi!
If the website / FAQs do not state an exact length for the cover letter, I would aim for around 1 page - however, 1.5 pages should be perfectly fine
No problem at all!
I would include those if you feel they are important to your profile as a candidate - e.g. they are substantive experiences or provided you with transferable skills. For example, I always used to include my time volunteering at a charity shop in my work experience section, as this felt similar to the formal structure of a part-time job. I also included my committee positions in university societies, as these were also more structured - however, I didn't include other extra-curriculars that I participated in just for fun or short-term volunteering projects.
If you can write about the role itself, the main responsibilities that you had, and any transferable skills (if relevant), I would include it in the work experience section (even if there is some repetition). However, if you feel you are simply going to be reciting the experience itself when you have already discussed it in an application question, it might be more beneficial to leave it out.
I hope that answers your question!
Hello!
Congratulations on reaching the VI stage for Latham & Watkins!
I haven't completed a VI with Latham & Watkins specifically, but for video interviews generally, it helps to think of them as a mix of motivational, competency, and situational questions. Common questions that you could be asked are: why you're interested in the firm, what your personal strengths and weaknesses are, and how you've demonstrated relevant skills (e.g. teamwork, resilience, or problem-solving). I would have a think about your answers for some of the more common questions, but don't stress about trying to prepare for every question imaginable - it's impossible to predict everything! Making sure that you have a good understanding of your motivations and can reflect on your own experiences goes a long way!
For video interviews in particular, structure is really important - using the STAR method can help keep your answers focused and prevents rambling (which I used to be guilty of!). It also really helped me to practice in advance, particularly making sure that you are speaking clearly and at a steady pace - don't be afraid to pause briefly to think before answering. I can totally understand how awkward video interviews can feel, but making sure that you are looking at the camera and treating it like you would a normal interview is really important.
It is also worth brushing up on a few recent commercial or legal developments that interest you so that you can demonstrate commercial awareness if prompted, particularly with the firm's key practice areas / sectors. I would try to show genuine enthusiasm and authenticity - this can feel tricky over VI, but they're assessing how you communicate and whether you'd be a good fit for their culture, so it's important that you are yourself!
I've linked the TCLA Wiki page on video interviews - there are a couple of resources here that might be useful to have a read over before your VI.
Good luck with the interview!
- Sep 9, 2024
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I would avoid personally writing a 1.5 pages long cover letter. I have generally heard from recruiters that they prefer either a 1 full page cover letter or a 2 full pages cover letter; but that candidates should only go for the latter option if they have enough substantive content to justify the length while also observing the normal application writing standards of being very concise and to the point.
Hi Abbie, thank you for your reply, it's extremely useful. I haven't reached the VI stage, but was just wondering in advance as I always struggle with VIs. Thank you for your answerHello!
Congratulations on reaching the VI stage for Latham & Watkins!
I haven't completed a VI with Latham & Watkins specifically, but for video interviews generally, it helps to think of them as a mix of motivational, competency, and situational questions. Common questions that you could be asked are: why you're interested in the firm, what your personal strengths and weaknesses are, and how you've demonstrated relevant skills (e.g. teamwork, resilience, or problem-solving). I would have a think about your answers for some of the more common questions, but don't stress about trying to prepare for every question imaginable - it's impossible to predict everything! Making sure that you have a good understanding of your motivations and can reflect on your own experiences goes a long way!
For video interviews in particular, structure is really important - using the STAR method can help keep your answers focused and prevents rambling (which I used to be guilty of!). It also really helped me to practice in advance, particularly making sure that you are speaking clearly and at a steady pace - don't be afraid to pause briefly to think before answering. I can totally understand how awkward video interviews can feel, but making sure that you are looking at the camera and treating it like you would a normal interview is really important.
It is also worth brushing up on a few recent commercial or legal developments that interest you so that you can demonstrate commercial awareness if prompted, particularly with the firm's key practice areas / sectors. I would try to show genuine enthusiasm and authenticity - this can feel tricky over VI, but they're assessing how you communicate and whether you'd be a good fit for their culture, so it's important that you are yourself!
I've linked the TCLA Wiki page on video interviews - there are a couple of resources here that might be useful to have a read over before your VI.
Good luck with the interview!
Welp, that was two Amberjack tests this weekend which went terribly. I just can't figure out how to answer those questions. It's really frustrating because there's no way a human would rank me as having low 'grit' or 'applied intellect' when taking time to speak to me about my work experiences. Do we know if firms (Reed Smith, Mayer Brown) look at the assessment/VI holistically, or do you think terrible scores on the SJT are likely to filter me out? For both my verbal and numerical were great, and I think the VI went well - especially for Reed Smith, which is where I had the worst scores in the SJT. But I'd rather just know if there's no point holding out hope.
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I am pretty sure MB posted something on their instagram story in a Q&A saying that they look at the whole application holistically, and look for an overall good performance. Not sure about Reed Smith though.
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