TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[futuretraineeihope]

Anyone got any tips for cover letters for paralegal jobs / internships (aka non-VS, non-TC) applications?

 

[johnsmith]

For me personally I hold off. I have specifically applied to three open days only cuz I need more information on those firms😭

I need to attend and if I don't get in, I will shamelessly beg anyone that goes for notes

It’s tricky as the one I want to apply to is rolling as it’s one of my top targets but I’d also like to have more facetime before submitting my application.

 

[lawyersum]

CMS WG. Applied Friday

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Any chance Bird & Bird are sending out VIs in batches or should I chalk that up as a PFO?

 

[c.t.tc]

Anyone that has done a successful video interview before how did you prepare?

 

[c.t.tc]

Any chance Bird & Bird are sending out VIs in batches or should I chalk that up as a PFO?

They seem to be doing the WG in batches so I'm sure the VIs are the same too

 

[Vakil]

Congratulations to all who got to Bird & Bird's VI!! I haven't met them anywhere and I was wondering if all of you included a personal connection (met X at Y event) when answering the question ' Why Bird & Bird'

I'll be doing my VI this week. To answer your question, truthfully, yes, I had the opportunity to attend two events and did mention the name of a person whom I had met and spoken with at the firm. That being said, I don't think it will make my application any better on its own. I think the key is to highlight what you learned about the firm from (source x), how it connected to your interest in law, and what you did with that information. You could just as well get this information from another source (they have a great website) and provide a good answer.

 

[mg42guy32]

Anyone heard from White & Case’s university dinners?

 

[Legallywhatever]

For Burges Salmon WVS Q, they’re saying ‘can you share a specific instance during your research, a conversation, or an event that convinced you that Burges Salmon was the right firm for you’.

Do we literally only need to write about one instance?

Does anyone have any insight on this?

 

[Bread]

Does anyone have any insight on this?

I would imagine that this Q is asking for you to share specific qualities of the firm's that appealed to you so that the answer reads as more tailored. I highly doubt they want to restrict you to writing however many words on just one specific eureka moment 😅
Though ofc, if you have attended an Open Day or something, then I'm sure talking about just one instance is fine!

 

[Maddy]

If anyone is attending the PW open day today, could you please ask if any further interview invites will be sent out? It would be really helpful.

 

[TortillaTC]

Hi @Jaysen ! I signed up for the Willkie event today but haven’t received the info package on the firm yet - are these sent out before the online meeting starts at 5 pm? Thanks

 

[user333]

Hi, has anyone previously had a Flex Legal paralegal interview before? If so would you be able to offer me any guidance, I am quite unsure on how to approach this!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Anyone that has done a successful video interview before how did you prepare?

Hi @c.t.tc I have written an in depth guide detailing my approach for VI preparation, which has helped me get to a 75% progression rate. I have linked it here - read Section A and B, as the rest of the guide is more applicable to AC/partner interview preparation.

 

[WeGotThis!]

Hi!

I don’t think you’re necessarily too late, but since they do recruit on a rolling basis, it’s definitely best to submit as soon as you can. If your first draft is mostly done, a few tweaks and submitting by Friday should be fine. However, if you feel your application would be stronger with more time, it might be worth applying for the Spring or Summer scheme instead.

Ultimately, it depends on how confident you feel about your application - quality matters more than speed!

Thank you Abbie for this advice! I'll go ahead and give their winter scheme a try.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Anyone got any tips for cover letters for paralegal jobs / internships (aka non-VS, non-TC) applications?

I think a cover letter for a paralegal application should have the same main sections as a VS/TC cover letter: why commercial law, why the firm, why you. Nonetheless, the key points of will be that when you discuss why commercial law, you want to look at why you want to work in this field as a paralegal - and thus make reference to the tasks and matters paralegals normally get staffed on. Similarly, when discussing why you, you should focus on the skills and abilities that would enable you to succeed in your role as a paralegal rather than the skills and abilities that would help you succeed as a trainee/associate.

 

[silonthesofa]

Hi, has anyone previously had a Flex Legal paralegal interview before? If so would you be able to offer me any guidance, I am quite unsure on how to approach this!

Is this to be accepted onto the Flex Legal platform or for a paralegal job via the platform? In either case though, think standard competency based interview.

 

[anon78365222111]

Has anyone got an update for HSF WVS?

 

[AngelBaird]

Has anyone heard back from dechert post written exercise? Or know how long they typically take to get back?

I would assume we hear back after the deadline on the 17th.

 

[Andrei Radu]

How do people tend to approach applying for VS’ when you’re waiting on hearing about an OD from the firm? Do you hold off until you find out?

I would say it depends on the firm and the general situation. I would consider some of the following factors in deciding what to do:

1. Firstly, if the firm's VS application deadline is a long time after the open day date, you may as well wait as it is unlikely that you will have a significant advantage if you apply now.
2. If the firm's VS applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, this is a consideration in favour of applying now. Nonetheless, bear in mind that if the ultimate deadline date is still far into the future, applying after you receive the open day application result/after attending the open day will not put you at a significant disadvantage - even firms with reviewing applications on a rolling basis report that they get 90% of their applications in the final few days before the deadline. Furthermore, if the firm has arranged an open day before the VS deadline, it is likely that they will want to properly consider the VS applications of open day attended.
3. Consider the importance of the open day in the context of the firm's recruitment practices: there are firms known to place a (comparatively) disproportionate amount of weigh on whether a candidate has attended an open day or not, to the extent of even putting them on a different application track altogether. If this is the case for your firm, it is a very strong reason to wait for the outcome.
4. If on the other hand the firm hosts many open days throughout the year and/or the open day is not necessarily made for prospective VS applicants, it may be less compelling of a reason.
5. Consider your own schedule and priorities: consider how interested you are in this specific firm as compared to other firms and whether waiting to submit the VS application later is feasible in the context of the rest of your application schedule (as you may find yourself juggling many competing deadlines).