General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[dosblancos7]

To those applying to W&C(or have applied)

1) Have you kept your cover letter to 1 page max? Grad rec did mention(open day in Dec I think) to do this. I've completed my first draft, at 1 page, but I feel like adding more on(to 1 and a half)

2) Did any of you mention the global 2020 strategy? I have quite a bit, though its nearing the end and was wondering if this is wise

 

[champ591]

To those applying to W&C(or have applied)

1) Have you kept your cover letter to 1 page max? Grad rec did mention(open day in Dec I think) to do this. I've completed my first draft, at 1 page, but I feel like adding more on(to 1 and a half)

2) Did any of you mention the global 2020 strategy? I have quite a bit, though its nearing the end and was wondering if this is wise

1. My cover letter is exactly 1 page - my first draft was longer, a page and a half and I cut it down as I read elsewhere that with longer cover letters you tend to lose the reader's interest. I tried to capture the main points in the first few paragraphs and included the other points under the sections on extra curriculars and employment to cut down on the wordcount for the cover letter.

2. I personally did not as I had other points to focus on.

Good luck!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

To those applying to W&C(or have applied)

1) Have you kept your cover letter to 1 page max? Grad rec did mention(open day in Dec I think) to do this. I've completed my first draft, at 1 page, but I feel like adding more on(to 1 and a half)

2) Did any of you mention the global 2020 strategy? I have quite a bit, though its nearing the end and was wondering if this is wise

Are you making 2) relevant to you and your application? There is little point telling them things they know about themselves unless you are making it relevant to you and your application.

 

[dosblancos7]

Are you making 2) relevant to you and your application? There is little point telling them things they know about themselves unless you are making it relevant to you and your application.

Hi Jessica,

Regarding 2, I linked their strategy(and some of their goals/targets) to my university experiences, like coordinating growth of summits etc. I think I adequately made it relevant to my experiences, essentially trying to signal how I'd align with them. I'm open to feedback/discourse regarding this though, thanks!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica,

Regarding 2, I linked their strategy(and some of their goals/targets) to my university experiences, like coordinating growth of summits etc. I think I adequately made it relevant to my experiences, essentially trying to signal how I'd align with them. I'm open to feedback/discourse regarding this though, thanks!

Sounds ok as long as you didn’t go into significant detail of their strategy/goals targets. It’s important to also be more forward looking when you do this (eg why is their strategy/goals/targets going to be important to you as a trainee/lawyer).

 

[dosblancos7]

Sounds ok as long as you didn’t go into significant detail of their strategy/goals targets. It’s important to also be more forward looking when you do this (eg why is their strategy/goals/targets going to be important to you as a trainee/lawyer).

Thanks for suggesting the forward looking aspect- will try to integrate that!

 

[Andre]

Do you think LL.Ms and other postgraduate legal degrees make a big difference when applying for TCs?

 

[Lr1]

Do you think LL.Ms and other postgraduate legal degrees make a big difference when applying for TCs?

Not really. Most people don’t have them, sure they are nice to get, perhaps help if you’ve gone to a ‘less good’ undergrad and move to a better postgrad, but it won’t overcome issues in your applications. For some specialist firms it might help, but again, most people that work in these firms don’t have them.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Do you think LL.Ms and other postgraduate legal degrees make a big difference when applying for TCs?

In the vast majority of cases, no.

Advice from most firms will be only do an LLM if you want to do it and don’t do it to try and further your chances.

the exceptions tend to be niche firms who may have a preference for graduates who have then gone on to do an LLM with that specialism.

 

[2019grad31]

Anyone heard from Stephenson Harwood?? Been waiting to hear back post HR interview for a while

 

[Jaysen]

Hey guys,

In case you haven't seen it yet, we're doing another webinar tomorrow on "Writing Exceptional Training Contract Applications" with Shearman & Sterling: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qo_pLyxeTIKb1zbRgR6i_w.

The aim is to give you lots of actionable advice which you can apply to current TC applications and/or future vacation scheme applications.

We've maxed out capacity at the moment, but you can still register and (provided it all works correctly!) you'll be directed to a live stream on YouTube.

Thanks!

 

[cryingoverTCs]

Anyone heard from Stephenson Harwood?? Been waiting to hear back post HR interview for a while

Is this for VS? Or TC?

 

[Anthony Abloh]

Hi guys, has anyone heard back from Slaughter and May for a direct TC?

 

[2019grad31]

Is this for VS? Or TC?

Direct TC

 

[cryingoverTCs]

Direct TC

Do they recruit on a rolling basis?

 

[2019grad31]

Do they recruit on a rolling basis?

Yes it’s rolling! Their deadline is 31st July.

 

[acceleratedlaw]

hey guys, has anyone heard back from clyde and co regarding VS or even TC? specifically clyde and co MENA? last thing i did was the survey they sent months back...

 

[M777]

Does anyone know whether you can apply directly for a TC with Debevoise & Plimpton? The application portal lets you do so, but the website says they recruit trainees from vac schemes

 

[champ591]

Does anyone know whether you can apply directly for a TC with Debevoise & Plimpton? The application portal lets you do so, but the website says they recruit trainees from vac schemes

Hi, I emailed the firm's graduate recruitment recently with the same - they got back to me saying the firm only recruits from vac scheme attendees so anyone wanting a TC should apply for a place on the open days where successful candidates will be given a spot on the vac schemes. Hope this clarifies

 

[dosblancos7]

Would it be fine to capitalise "Insight Day" or "Open Day" in both the cover letter and work exp section?