TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[Asil Ahmad]

The website says the question are these:
1. Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you
2. Explain why you’re interested in pursuing a career at Herbert Smith Freehills
3. What skills, qualities and attributes would you bring to the role?

My account is locked too so take these with a pinch of salt

Just got my account back and thank you very much and these are the questions.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Why is all our accounts locked -_- like what's happening with HSF? LOL

It is weird and I just request forgotten my password.

 

[Celestie]

Happy Monday everyone - remember to take some breaks!

 

[Jaysen]

Happy Monday everyone - remember to take some breaks!

The GIFs are back! It really is the new application cycle 😄.

 

[BeGrateful.101]

does A&O recruit on rolling basis?

 

[Celestie]

The GIFs are back! It really is the new application cycle 😄.

Might as well make it a fun one - last one felt like this during the lockdown and 50% increase of applicants:

 

[Celestie]

does A&O recruit on rolling basis?

I believe so - get in the winter ones asap or wait to submit summer

 

[BeGrateful.101]

I believe so - get in the winter ones asap or wait to submit summer

I am confused whether to submit the winter one or summer one. I believe the questions are the same for both.

But - duno if it's too late to submit for winter vac scheme

Little struggling with the app questions which lead me to procastinating LOL

 

[Celestie]

I am confused whether to submit the winter one or summer one. I believe the questions are the same for both.

But - duno if it's too late to submit for winter vac scheme

Little struggling with the app questions which lead me to procastinating LOL

Personally, I would apply for the summer if you are still unsure/havent started. Winter one was brutal to get on to last year and some people were just cut off in early Oct cause places had been filled. May be different this year but I think its best to spend more time on a quality app!

 

[OB]

I am confused whether to submit the winter one or summer one. I believe the questions are the same for both.

But - duno if it's too late to submit for winter vac scheme

Little struggling with the app questions which lead me to procastinating LOL

It's exactly a month until the deadline so you would probably want to get it in within the next week or 2 for the best chance. I believe they haven't started getting back to people yet though so I wouldn't stress too much, try and pick a scheme that would work best for you!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Does HSF recruit on a rolling basis for the winter VS. Also in regards to this @Jaysen is the thread about firms that recruit on a rolling basis or not is that updated. The reason for this is I don't want to ask every time which firm is rolling or not but rather look at the thread.

 

[BeGrateful.101]

Personally, I would apply for the summer if you are still unsure/havent started. Winter one was brutal to get on to last year and some people were just cut off in early Oct cause places had been filled. May be different this year but I think its best to spend more time on a quality app!

Sure thank you =)

If you don't mind me asking, do you have any tips on how you would go about approaching these 2 questions I'm struggling on the structure - i feel like both questions are quite similar.

* Please describe the key learnings/skills you’ve gained through work experience, positions of responsibility, personal experience or extracurricular activities. (250 words)

* Outline how you would apply these skills to the trainee role at A&O, in order to be successful. (250 words).

 

[BeGrateful.101]

It's exactly a month until the deadline so you would probably want to get it in within the next week or 2 for the best chance. I believe they haven't started getting back to people yet though so I wouldn't stress too much, try and pick a scheme that would work best for you!

Sure thank you do you know when they usually start interviewing for the summer/spring ones?

 

[Celestie]

Sure thank you =)

If you don't mind me asking, do you have any tips on how you would go about approaching these 2 questions I'm struggling on the structure - i feel like both questions are quite similar.

* Please describe the key learnings/skills you’ve gained through work experience, positions of responsibility, personal experience or extracurricular activities. (250 words)

* Outline how you would apply these skills to the trainee role at A&O, in order to be successful. (250 words).

For the first:

1. I would focus on skills and make sure you name them. 'The three key skills I have learned in my experience are...' and then have separate paragraphs for them
2. Make it super readable. I think they are testing how you can summarise yourself well and ensure you are concise and relevant (lawyers do this 24/7)

Second:

1. Make sure it flows onto the second.
2. Demonstrate what you know about being a trainee - GREAT time for legal work experience to come through
3. Think about the law firm's values - are they inclusive? Collaborative? etc

 

[BeGrateful.101]

For the first:

1. I would focus on skills and make sure you name them. 'The three key skills I have learned in my experience are...' and then have separate paragraphs for them
2. Make it super readable. I think they are testing how you can summarise yourself well and ensure you are concise and relevant (lawyers do this 24/7)

Second:

1. Make sure it flows onto the second.
2. Demonstrate what you know about being a trainee - GREAT time for legal work experience to come through
3. Think about the law firm's values - are they inclusive? Collaborative? etc

Thank you very much for your guidance. really appreciate it 😭😭😭🥺🥺🥺🥺😍😍😍

 

[C]

Hi! I have an upcoming assessment stage during which we have to deliver a 5 minute presentation on any topic followed by discussion with the interview panel. I was wondering if I could get help on interesting and topical subject matters to present on, which have a lot of scope for discussion? thank you

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi! I have an upcoming assessment stage during which we have to deliver a 5 minute presentation on any topic followed by discussion with the interview panel. I was wondering if I could get help on interesting and topical subject matters to present on, which have a lot of scope for discussion? thank you

Just pick something you are interested in and can talk confidently about. The subject can be anything, but it needs to reflect you rather than trying to fit a mould of what you think your interviewers might want to hear.

 

[M777]

Have any other firms opened VS apps today, or is it just NRF and herbert smith?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Have any other firms opened VS apps today, or is it just NRF and herbert smith?

What about A and O spring and summer schemes I think they have opened up also.

 

[John Travoni]

Has anyone acc received a confirmation from A&O that they passed the SJT after completing it?