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

[sakaesr99]

Gowling application question- "Please tell us, if you worked for a commercial law firm and had to deliver a client pitch, what would the client want you to cover to enable them to make a decision on who they instruct?"

Is this basically asking what a client wants from their law firm? Any ideas on how to structure this?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Slightly trivial question - should I sign off with "Yours Sincerely" or "Yours Faithfully" in cover letters? @Jessica Booker Is there a general rule or does it vary across different firms?

There is no need to capitalise sincerely or faithfully which ever way you go.

The rule is if you know the name of the person you are sending it to, then sincerely. If you don’t know the name of the person you are sending it to (eg you are addressing it generically to the Graduate Recruitment Team) then it’s faithfully.

 

[Jimjamz]

Has anyone heard back from Linklaters regarding their winter vac scheme?

I also did not get any feedback about the WGT, did anyone request this?

 

[lawyering]

Hi @Jessica Booker - I am applying to a firm which only uses a CV and a cover letter as part of its application. I wanted to ensure my cover letter was as personal as possible, but since the firm isn't one to hold many graduates events / attend fairs as frequently as others, it's less easy to make this letter personal.

However, their brochure is very detailed and includes quotes from trainees on their experiences in certain practice groups. I wanted to cite one of these in my cover letter as part of my motivations for their training style, but wondering if that was advisable / how to go about it? Wouldn't want to reference this point without explaining where I got the info from, if that makes sense.

I've only ever seen a similar thing done before where applicants have cited a conversation / attended events with the firm. Have you ever seen someone referencing a brochure?

 

[Shaz]

Has anyone heard back from Linklaters regarding their winter vac scheme?

I also did not get any feedback about the WGT, did anyone request this?

Hi, I just received an AC invite today. Applied on the 11/10 and did the tests on the 14/10. I also requested my WGT scores as soon as I completed them!

 

[jv1999]

Can you use acronyms like FTC and CMA in a cover letter or should they be fully spelled out (i.e. Federal Trade Commission and Competition and Markets Authority)

 

[Nicole15]

Can you use acronyms like FTC and CMA in a cover letter or should they be fully spelled out (i.e. Federal Trade Commission and Competition and Markets Authority)

I would fully spell them out first and put the abbreviations in brackets. I think it’s fine to abbreviate in your letter once you’ve done this.

 

[alicebloom]

Hi, I just received an AC invite today. Applied on the 11/10 and did the tests on the 14/10. I also requested my WGT scores as soon as I completed them!

Congrats on your invite! May I ask around what percentile you scored? No worries if not as I know this is personal for some

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Can you use acronyms like FTC and CMA in a cover letter or should they be fully spelled out (i.e. Federal Trade Commission and Competition and Markets Authority)

Definitely spell them out as FTC and CMA have multiple meanings.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker - I am applying to a firm which only uses a CV and a cover letter as part of its application. I wanted to ensure my cover letter was as personal as possible, but since the firm isn't one to hold many graduates events / attend fairs as frequently as others, it's less easy to make this letter personal.

However, their brochure is very detailed and includes quotes from trainees on their experiences in certain practice groups. I wanted to cite one of these in my cover letter as part of my motivations for their training style, but wondering if that was advisable / how to go about it? Wouldn't want to reference this point without explaining where I got the info from, if that makes sense.

I've only ever seen a similar thing done before where applicants have cited a conversation / attended events with the firm. Have you ever seen someone referencing a brochure?

Yes - I have seen people cite brochures or websites, but I just don't think it is necessary to do so. You should lead with your thinking rather than the voice of someone else. You don't really have to show where/how you did your research (unless asked) just that you have analysed that what the firm can offer aligns to your career aspirations.

 

[Shaz]

Congrats on your invite! May I ask around what percentile you scored? No worries if not as I know this is personal for some

Of course, I was in the 77th percentile. In 2019, I was in the 53rd so to improve I made sure to complete the 'Beating the Watson Glaser Test' with TCLA just before I did the test for Linklaters. I found this to be far more effective than just doing practice tests tbh!

 

[PirateShip]

Have barely heard a peep from any of the firms I applied to. Just going to assume no news is good news for my own peace of mind.

 

[Veep9]

Of course, I was in the 77th percentile. In 2019, I was in the 53rd so to improve I made sure to complete the 'Beating the Watson Glaser Test' with TCLA just before I did the test for Linklaters. I found this to be far more effective than just doing practice tests tbh!

What address did you email for your test score?

 

[Shaz]

@Veep9
trainee.recruitment@linklaters.com

 

[lawful_neutral216]

Simmons PFO. First one ever

Received mine just now Oh well

 

[LS07]

Anyone has any good advice on how to talk about commercial law events you've attended online in your applications? I feel like so many other people have attended these kind of events and I find it hard to use them in my apps to make me stand out from other people who've attended the same events.

 

[Veep9]

Received mine just now Oh well

Was this post test and VI?

 

[lawyering]

Yes - I have seen people cite brochures or websites, but I just don't think it is necessary to do so. You should lead with your thinking rather than the voice of someone else. You don't really have to show where/how you did your research (unless asked) just that you have analysed that what the firm can offer aligns to your career aspirations.

That makes sense. Thank you so much @Jessica Booker !

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Anyone has any good advice on how to talk about commercial law events you've attended online in your applications? I feel like so many other people have attended these kind of events and I find it hard to use them in my apps to make me stand out from other people who've attended the same events.

Focus on the specifics you personally took away from the events - what you really learnt or what fuelled your motivation. This will be unique to you rather than focusing on something every candidate could say (e.g. what you did at the event).

 

[Miki3999]

RE Linklaters: my application is "on hold" with 70% of completion (whatever that means) and the candidate review stage seems to be ticked positively. What about you guys? Last year my app only got to 66% (two years ago to 60) and then I got the pfo, so no idea if that 70% means something better this time

#overthinkingmuch