TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

For competency questions, is it expected that you bring it back to the firm? As the suggestive answer format is usually STAR.

Hey!

Not always - it depends on the type of competency question. If the question is purely testing a skill (e.g. teamwork, resilience, communication), the main focus should be on showing the competency clearly through the STAR structure. You don’t have to link it back to the firm unless it naturally fits.

If there is a chance to briefly connect the skill to what the firm values or how it would make you a good trainee there, it could make your answer stronger. For example, after your reflection, you could add a short line such as: “This experience taught me how to manage competing deadlines effectively, which is a crucial skill for trainees at [X Firm]”. I wouldn’t try to force this link into every answer - only where it feels like it naturally fits!

I’d focus on answering the competency first, and only link it back to the firm if it adds genuine value rather than including it for the sake of it.

I hope that helps!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Has anyone else had their PW interview? I felt mine went terribly

Hello!

It’s totally normal to feel that way, but you should be proud of yourself for getting through it! It’s really hard to tell how it’s gone in the moment, especially since interviewers often stay quite neutral.

Try not to overthink it too much - it probably went better than you think! Wishing you the best of luck

 

[abc124]

Wish I hadn’t done mine today now lol

Dw I doubt they'll extend the deadline for us, there's plenty of time until tomorrow 5pmish haha

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi, how would you approach this question:
1. What impact do you want to make at CMS?
Word Count (Max 200 words):
Thanks.

Hello!

I’ve quoted a post below for this question - I hope it assists! Just shout if you have any specific questions

Hey!

That's a great question, and it can definitely feel open-ended! If I was approaching this question, I would think about it in two ways:

1. Personal Contribution - what unique strengths, experiences, or insights would you bring to the firm? For example, would you help foster collaboration, or do you bring in a global outlook?

2. Overall Impact - how does your contribution tie into CMS's wider goals and values? If the firm has a focus on innovation, you might discuss wanting to support the firm in delivering innovative solutions to clients.

It doesn't have to be something 'grand' - you could even focus on how you'd like to make a positive difference in your team or with clients, which shows self-awareness and motivation. I would make sure to link your answer back to both your personal qualities and CMS's culture.

Your answer could follow a structure such as:

1. Start with your motivation - why CMS? What about the firm has motivated you to apply there?

2. Discuss your strengths - highlight the qualities and skills that you gained from previous experiences that would allow you to make an impact.

3. Link this to the impact - show how these strengths translate into a positive contribution at CMS. This could be on a team level (e.g. supporting colleagues), on a client level (e.g. innovative thinking), or on a firm-wide level (e.g. championing diversity or sustainability).

4. Conclude - tie it back to the kind of professional you hope to become at CMS and the difference you'd like to make in the long run.

I hope that helps

 

[boots pharmacy]

Re website outages: issue seems to be resolved. Assessments are working normally again.

Best of luck everyone!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi, I attended a DLA Piper talk and grad rec mentioned that for the CV there's no need to include an education section because the online form will ask for grades anyway. She also mentioned having a brief introduction (but I might have misheard this). Is it alright to still stick to the standard format for CVs (i.e. with an education section and without including an introduction)?

Hello!

If the graduate recruitment team mentioned that there is a specific format that they recommend, I would follow that - it is likely what they are looking for!

I can’t imagine you would be rejected because you used a standard CV format, but since they mentioned specifically that there is no need to include an education section, I would use that space to expand on other areas of your CV instead.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Do forage courses help? I want to apply to Clifford Chance I attended an open day with them and was unsuccessful for their TC after application review. Trying to standout as I have all the required information for my application.

Hello!

Forage courses can definitely help, but more as a way to demonstrate engagement and motivation towards the firm rather than as a guarantee to success. They show the graduate recruitment team that you’ve taken the initiative to understand the work they do and develop relevant skills, which can help your application stand out if you tie it back to what Clifford Chance values in trainees.

Since you have attended an Open Day with them, combining that experience with insights from the Forage course could strengthen your examples when highlighting your skills and motivations. The key thing is to reflect on what you’ve learned and show how it makes you a stronger candidate, rather than just listing that you’ve completed the course.

I would always recommend the Forage courses - they’re a great way to learn more about practice areas and show interest in various firms!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

A generic question:

What's the ideal number of law firm applications to make in a cycle if you intend to submit a solid, well researched one?

So many opportunities around the same time, and I'm facing a decision fatique. I wonder if this is limiting my depth of research about each firm. I also feel kinda stressed about not maximizing the count, to maximize the opportunity. But, I also feel a burn out to do the same thing on loop. Struggling to figure out what's enough!

A guidance from people who've already figured this out would help a lot (this is my first cycle, and I'm just figuring out and navigating).

Thanks in advance!

Hello!

Not a generic question at all! The best resource that I would recommend is this post by @Andrei Radu on building an Application Strategy - he goes into detail on the number of law firms that you could aim for in a cycle (among other things!).

You can find it here - it is absolutely worth the read

I hope that assists!

 

[jaisrihere]

Hello!

Not a generic question at all! The best resource that I would recommend is this post by @Andrei Radu on building an Application Strategy - he goes into detail on the number of law firms that you could aim for in a cycle (among other things!).

You can find it here - it is absolutely worth the read

I hope that assists!

Thanks Abbie♥️

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Is 180 words/250 too little for an application that says max is 250 words

yes

 

[WeGotThis!]

Hey!

Not always - it depends on the type of competency question. If the question is purely testing a skill (e.g. teamwork, resilience, communication), the main focus should be on showing the competency clearly through the STAR structure. You don’t have to link it back to the firm unless it naturally fits.

If there is a chance to briefly connect the skill to what the firm values or how it would make you a good trainee there, it could make your answer stronger. For example, after your reflection, you could add a short line such as: “This experience taught me how to manage competing deadlines effectively, which is a crucial skill for trainees at [X Firm]”. I wouldn’t try to force this link into every answer - only where it feels like it naturally fits!

I’d focus on answering the competency first, and only link it back to the firm if it adds genuine value rather than including it for the sake of it.

I hope that helps!

Thank you! Really helpful

 

[jaisrihere]

Is Eversheds page down for all?

 

[WeGotThis!]

Re website outages: issue seems to be resolved. Assessments are working normally again.

Best of luck everyone!

All Hires is down again. I think it's WIP at the moment.

 

[AngelBaird]

6, 4, 7 on simmons blended assessment :/

 

[SamiyaJ]

Also just a word of advice for all those who will be receiving the Mishcon interview- keep more than the recommended 30-45 minutes aside. Took me over 2 hours! Questions are tailored to your own personal experiences so just make sure you know your employment history/extra curricular activities really well

 

[arbitrationfan]

Just did Mishcon chat based interview. I feel like smashing my laptop!! Took me ages. A lot of the questions seemed repetitive, doesn’t seem to very well thought out

Their application portal is horrible to navigate. Whenever I've completed an application for a firm which uses Candid, they're listed there, but when I applied I did so through the cvmail portal on their website. You got an email from recruitment@cvmail for the assessment? Worried there might be some technical issue for my application not going through lol.

 

[arbitrationfan]

Also just a word of advice for all those who will be receiving the Mishcon interview- keep more than the recommended 30-45 minutes aside. Took me over 2 hours! Questions are tailored to your own personal experiences so just make sure you know your employment history/extra curricular activities really well

When did you apply and when did you get the invite? Applied for Spring VS at the start of October and been radio silence so far.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Their application portal is horrible to navigate. Whenever I've completed an application for a firm which uses Candid, they're listed there, but when I applied I did so through the cvmail portal on their website. You got an email from recruitment@cvmail for the assessment? Worried there might be some technical issue for my application not going through lol.

Yup from recruitment@cvmail. They need to sort out all these issues as it’s making me prefer my arch nemesis much more aka Watson Glaser

 

[SamiyaJ]

When did you apply and when did you get the invite? Applied for Spring VS at the start of October and been radio silence so far.

I applied on 29 Sept (opening day) and received invite on 23 Oct

 

[johnsmith]

Their application portal is horrible to navigate. Whenever I've completed an application for a firm which uses Candid, they're listed there, but when I applied I did so through the cvmail portal on their website. You got an email from recruitment@cvmail for the assessment? Worried there might be some technical issue for my application not going through lol.

My VS application doesn’t have their company name against it on CVMail - had me questioning if I even applied!

I’ve yet to receive the assessment yet.