General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Jessica, when writing a cover letter, should we include our and / or the firm's address at the top? What about if word count or page space are cramped, should we include addresses even if it's limiting the content we can write?

If you can format it - for instance if it is an uploaded document

Or you can align it like you can on this forum​

General rule is to go with all the formalities, even if it cuts down your space.

You can write multiple lines of your address on the same line if you are really scrambling for an extra line or two - eg:

Flat 8, 24 Sun Road
London, W14 8BV

Also play around with your line spacing. That sometimes helps if you need a little extra space.

 

[keenaspiringlawyer]

Has anyone heard back from Weil? I submitted my app but nothing since

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

If you can format it - for instance if it is an uploaded document

Or you can align it like you can on this forum​

General rule is to go with all the formalities, even if it cuts down your space.

You can write multiple lines of your address on the same line if you are really scrambling for an extra line or two - eg:

Flat 8, 24 Sun Road
London, W14 8BV

Also play around with your line spacing. That sometimes helps if you need a little extra space.

For the Skadden application form, there is a box to put your 'cover letter' for Why Skadden and Why You, but it is limited to 300 words. Do you think in this instance it is okay to get rid of the formalities (Address, Dear XX, Yours Sincerely etc) and just have two paragraphs answering the questions?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

For the Skadden application form, there is a box to put your 'cover letter' for Why Skadden and Why You, but it is limited to 300 words. Do you think in this instance it is okay to get rid of the formalities (Address, Dear XX, Yours Sincerely etc) and just have two paragraphs answering the questions?

Yes, if it’s only 300 words that is fine. Sounds like you wouldn’t be able to format it anyway.

 

[DrowninginSQE]

I got a direct TC rejection from them two weeks ago (applied in July I think) . So I guess it is good that you have not heard anything yet.

I submitted my Winter anyway because I don’t want to be disadvantaged if it’s rolling so I suppose they have two apps to go through. Does anyone know if they did ACs for either the TC last year or the winter for this year?

 

[DrowninginSQE]

Has anyone heard back from Weil? I submitted my app but nothing since

Nope nothing either! I went to an open day and they said they assess your application before giving you a WG

 

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

That's fair, but I would keep in mind that using a partner as an example in this sort of case should always be done with a heavy pinch of salt. He or she is probably a good 15-20 years out of the application process, which by all accounts has become far more competitive - and far less flexible - than it used to be. It's not dissimilar to the invariable example of commercial barristers with 2.2s, who happen to be of an age/entered the profession when that wasn't the hindrance it is now.

That said, other than S&M (and maybe Shearman & Sterling?), most firms don't place a massive emphasis on individual module grades - what matters is your overall degree award. The only point is of course if you are reading law/jurisprudence and do particularly badly on a particular module, especially if it's related to the firm's business, it might be something they might ask you to explain.

Anecdotally, most of the people I know with TCs have low to mid 2.1s, including at several MC/US firms, so going by that small sample size, I doubt it is that much of a barrier.

@Adam Gilchrist I don't believe we look at individual module grades differently than most law firms. A 2.2 in jurisprudence certainly wouldn't rule anyone out.

Just wanted to clear that up.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[Adam Gilchrist]

@Adam Gilchrist I don't believe we look at individual module grades differently than most law firms. A 2.2 in jurisprudence certainly wouldn't rule anyone out.

Just wanted to clear that up.

Thanks,

Paul

Ah, my mistake - sorry! Have edited the post.

 

[KamTM]

Anyone else ever put "relish" on their application?

I was told by a few different grad recruiters that this is a "no go" so would not recommend.

 

[csyn]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I applied earlier for King & Spalding's March/Sept 2020 TC before their 31 July 2020 deadline, yet have heard nothing back from them. I have just seen they are now recruiting for their March/Sept 2020 TC's with another deadline of 31 December 2020. The questions for the new 31 Dec 2020 TC are the same as the 31 July 2020 TC application.

I have emailed recruitment asking when we can expect rejections, but heard nothing. Should I assume I've been flat-out rejected, or that they've paused recruiting? I ask as I don't know whether I should use my 31 Jul answers for the new 31 Dec TC application?

 

[Deleted member 320]

Has anyone received an AC invite for A&O’s winter vacation scheme yet/know of anyone who has?

Nothing yet

 

[Deleted member 320]

Has anyone heard back from Weil? I submitted my app but nothing since

Nothing yet

 

[Deleted member 320]

Has anyone heard from Travers Smith after submitting a winter vacation scheme app?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I applied earlier for King & Spalding's March/Sept 2020 TC before their 31 July 2020 deadline, yet have heard nothing back from them. I have just seen they are now recruiting for their March/Sept 2020 TC's with another deadline of 31 December 2020. The questions for the new 31 Dec 2020 TC are the same as the 31 July 2020 TC application.

I have emailed recruitment asking when we can expect rejections, but heard nothing. Should I assume I've been flat-out rejected, or that they've paused recruiting? I ask as I don't know whether I should use my 31 Jul answers for the new 31 Dec TC application?

I wouldn’t assume it’s a rejection. They may have just reopened applications.

If you did reapply, I’d still update your application rather than submitting exactly the same application.

 

[thirdtimelucky]

Does doing a vac scheme count as a second job? I’m working full time (and still on probation) so I don’t know how to broach the subject of vac schemes with my managers and whether I would contractually be able to do them? I imagine this is organisation specific but if anyone has advice with working for the civil service and doing a vac scheme I’d appreciate it!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does doing a vac scheme count as a second job? I’m working full time (and still on probation) so I don’t know how to broach the subject of vac schemes with my managers and whether I would contractually be able to do them? I imagine this is organisation specific but if anyone has advice with working for the civil service and doing a vac scheme I’d appreciate it!

Yes - you are employed. Civil service tend to be one of the stricter employers on this unfortunately.

 

[FM302989]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I applied earlier for King & Spalding's March/Sept 2020 TC before their 31 July 2020 deadline, yet have heard nothing back from them. I have just seen they are now recruiting for their March/Sept 2020 TC's with another deadline of 31 December 2020. The questions for the new 31 Dec 2020 TC are the same as the 31 July 2020 TC application.

I have emailed recruitment asking when we can expect rejections, but heard nothing. Should I assume I've been flat-out rejected, or that they've paused recruiting? I ask as I don't know whether I should use my 31 Jul answers for the new 31 Dec TC application?

I also applied for King & Spalding over summer and have had no update, you're not alone

 

[Lawgirl123]

Yes - you are employed. Civil service tend to be one of the stricter employers on this unfortunately.

Sorry just saw this and wanted to ask what it means. If you are currently employed is it not possible to take holiday in order to complete a vac scheme ?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Sorry just saw this and wanted to ask what it means. If you are currently employed is it not possible to take holiday in order to complete a vac scheme ?

Employment contracts will have a clause where you have to declare other forms of employment. This is pretty standard for anything that isn’t informal/part time work/ad hoc work.

Most employment contracts will even clearly state you cannot engage in any other forms of employment unless it is approved by your employer. There are a multitude of reasons for this - but mainly it is to ensure there are no conflicts of interest.

Some people do manage to get approval from their employers to attend things like vacation schemes. But many more won’t. Particular issues will be civil service (or are much more highly regulated/audited and have a higher number of risks) and also if you are working in competitor law firms. These are much more likely to cause conflicts of interest and therefore your current employer is less likely to approve, and your vacation scheme employer may also have concerns too.

It’s a bit like being married and then saying to your spouse is it ok if you have a two week relationship with someone else, as you think they may be your future spouse because they are better. You can choose to take the time out to do this, just don’t expect those you have committed to approve of it, and expect some potential consequences if you go behind their back and do it anyway (you would be in breach of your employment contract).

 

[Staples]

Quick update from Ashurst (I heard from grad rec) - they’re beginning to review vac scheme apps and we should expect to hear back in the next week or two