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

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GNewick304

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Can be a mix of all of those things.
I presume all the legal engagement stuff I would mention needs to be linked back to the development of a specific skill rather than a 'learning' being discovering e.g. more about X practice area or anything particularly legal? I read this question as being equivalent to the 'why you' section of a cover letter, more about the skills you've developed than why you're interested in a career in law.
 

Jessica Booker

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I presume all the legal engagement stuff I would mention needs to be linked back to the development of a specific skill rather than a 'learning' being discovering e.g. more about X practice area or anything particularly legal? I read this question as being equivalent to the 'why you' section of a cover letter, more about the skills you've developed than why you're interested in a career in law.
No - not necessarily. It could just focus on the learnings if you felt it hadn’t really developed any skills (often the case with a lot of informal work experience or things like open days).

The most important part of this question is “key” - it’s basically asking you to focus on the most relevant things you have done/achieved/learnt.
 

B A

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Hi everyone - any idea how to approach this question:

Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you.
(We are looking for structure and succinctness in your answer. Your answer does not need to be related to law or HSF and it is a chance for us to find out more about you and your interests) (Up to 300 words)

I'm guessing we should choose something we are genuinely interested in, but I'm not sure whether we should try and add a link to commercial law/the firm (or even choose a commercial topic).

Thanks in advance!
 

Jessica Booker

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Hi everyone - any idea how to approach this question:

Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you.
(We are looking for structure and succinctness in your answer. Your answer does not need to be related to law or HSF and it is a chance for us to find out more about you and your interests) (Up to 300 words)

I'm guessing we should choose something we are genuinely interested in, but I'm not sure whether we should try and add a link to commercial law/the firm (or even choose a commercial topic).

Thanks in advance!
No need to commercial law needed at all. Seen everything from a type of historical architecture, to changes in rules in sport, to martial arts, to modern artists, regional charities, cheer leading etc.

It is very rare this question presents a commercial topic, and when someone does you can tell they have a genuine interest in the topic.
 
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B A

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No need to commercial law needed at all. Seen everything from a type of historical architecture, to changes in rules in sport, to martial arts, to modern artists, regional charities, cheer leading etc.

It is very rare this question presents a commercial topic, and when someone does you can tell they have a genuine interest in the topic.
Thank you Jessica!
 

OB

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    Bird & Bird grad rec today at the Legal Cheek event said they might starting coming back to us post-application in about 2 weeks hopefully!
     
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    S87

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    Hi @Jessica Booker,

    I am applying to DLA Piper again for the second time and this is their question "Which business news story has interested you the most in the last 12 months and why?

    It seems I fail to explain why I am interested in that particular topic; this year I would like to talk about the green evolution in the shipping sector.
    My family business is in the shipping industry and since there is a new generation managing the company and interested in investing in this new trend. Do you think I am going in the right direction?

    Thank you in advance
     
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    hopefullawyer101

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    Feb 25, 2021
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    Can anyone give me some insight on whether I am best placed to apply for Slaughter and May's 'Winter Workshop' or just a direct TC? The winter workshop seems to indicate you have the opportunity to apply for a TC at the end, is this in the form of a TC interview or you have to complete the normal application process again?

    For context, I am a first-class history graduate from Bristol who has just completed the GDL.
     

    Soliha

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  • Sep 19, 2018
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    Can anyone give me some insight on whether I am best placed to apply for Slaughter and May's 'Winter Workshop' or just a direct TC? The winter workshop seems to indicate you have the opportunity to apply for a TC at the end, is this in the form of a TC interview or you have to complete the normal application process again?

    For context, I am a first-class history graduate from Bristol who has just completed the GDL.
    I am also interested to know
     

    em311

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    Jun 15, 2019
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    Does anybody know if the White&Case app consists of a cover letter this year? I started an open day app so can't start a new one to check what it is for the VS 🙃
     

    S87

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    Does anybody know if the White&Case app consists of a cover letter this year? I started an open day app so can't start a new one to check what it is for the VS 🙃
    I do not know, but i think that they will keep their cl format. I hope it helps
     
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    Winter315

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    Sep 16, 2021
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    I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to tailor applications to a specific firm? I can write about how my skill set suits a trainee role in general but I'm struggling to tailor this to specific firm. They all seem to require broadly the same skill set. Any advice would be appreciated!
     

    Kubed

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    I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to tailor applications to a specific firm? I can write about how my skill set suits a trainee role in general but I'm struggling to tailor this to specific firm. They all seem to require broadly the same skill set. Any advice would be appreciated!
    I think this really comes down to why you are applying to a specific firm. Is it their practice area specialisms? Type of work they do? Quality of training? Other factors such as D&I or ESG strengths? Once you have your motivations for the firm figured out, this should help you to hone in on the details and tailor what you write.
     
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    Jessica Booker

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    Aug 1, 2019
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    Hi @Jessica Booker,

    I am applying to DLA Piper again for the second time and this is their question "Which business news story has interested you the most in the last 12 months and why?

    It seems I fail to explain why I am interested in that particular topic; this year I would like to talk about the green evolution in the shipping sector.
    My family business is in the shipping industry and since there is a new generation managing the company and interested in investing in this new trend. Do you think I am going in the right direction?

    Thank you in advance
    Sounds good to me. Just make sure you cover why you are interested in this, not just because of your family business.
     

    ellwilsen

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    Oct 27, 2020
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    Hi guys, would appreciate some perspective on this☺️ So last cycle I was rejected by a firm for a TC app following a long (lol) application process, but my interview feedback was that I seemed passionate about an area of law that the firm doesn’t work in. This area was something that I had previously won an award for at uni which I included on my app, and therefore was why it was brought up by my interviewer. It’s not an area of law I see myself working in right now, and the award wasn’t anything spectacular (I won a some work exp.) & the firms I am applying to this cycle do not work in this sector… should I include this achievement, or not? I appreciate this may seem like a silly question however I really don’t want to repeat this mistake 😕
     
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