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

[ellwilsen]

Okay - Gowling is really trying to melt my brain with this one.
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?

It just feels very broad, it doesn’t even specify taking about the firm, though I’m assuming they want that.
Do they want us to pick a specific sector, or just a general overview of what makes the firm unique/why they should pick Gowling?
Which would be really difficult as I don’t just want to write a long list of why they’re a great firm (they are, but they already know that!) lol
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 💕

Sorry I can’t help with the question, I was just wondering where you found this? I’ve been struggling to locate the application form 😅

 

[OB]

Sorry I can’t help with the question, I was just wondering where you found this? I’ve been struggling to locate the application form 😅

I think they've updated the link now, its: https://gowlingwlg.taleo.net/career...t/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en_GB&portal=10105020211

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys,

I want to apply to some winter vac schemes but because winter vac schemes are usually 1-2 weeks and summer ones are 2-3 a lot of the time, I just thought that maybe I should actually apply to summer because you have longer to make an impression and hopefully convert the vac scheme to a training contract? I have no idea if im right in thinking this though, im just trying to decide which scheme I should go for. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

To play Devil’s advocate, you also have more time to screw up though on longer schemes.

I don’t think the length of scheme is really an issue though. The firm recognises what can be achieved in that period of time.

The things to check with winter schemes are:

- whether you are eligible - they tend to be for different groups of students/graduates than summer schemes

- whether you could attend. Some Winter schemes happen during term time, will Spring and Summer tend to be more outside of term time

- how quickly you want to secure a TC and how you want to manage any potential other offers

 

[ZaraB]

I think they've updated the link now, its: https://gowlingwlg.taleo.net/career...t/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en_GB&portal=10105020211

Lifesaver!! Thank you!

 

[ellwilsen]

I think they've updated the link now, its: https://gowlingwlg.taleo.net/career...t/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en_GB&portal=10105020211

Thanks so much for this! Reading the description, it sounds like they’re rolling this year?

 

[OB]

Thanks so much for this! Reading the description, it sounds like they’re rolling this year?

Hmm I'm not sure if they're progressing people before the deadline but perhaps will cap it at a certain amount of applications in total?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Okay - Gowling is really trying to melt my brain with this one.
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?

It just feels very broad, it doesn’t even specify taking about the firm, though I’m assuming they want that.
Do they want us to pick a specific sector, or just a general overview of what makes the firm unique/why they should pick Gowling?
Which would be really difficult as I don’t just want to write a long list of why they’re a great firm (they are, but they already know that!) lol
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 💕

They aren’t asking you to talk about them specifically. They just want you to focus on what is important to clients in pitch processes.

 

[Law2022]

Hmm I'm not sure if they're progressing people before the deadline but perhaps will cap it at a certain amount of applications in total?

Are you still waiting to hear back post test too?

 

[LS12]

If I applied to a firm last year and got progressed past application stage should I start this years application completely from scratch? I've updated it a fair amount and redrafted all the work experiences etc. but 2 of my 3 motivations for applying to the firm remain the same.

 

[Jessica Booker]

If I applied to a firm last year and got progressed past application stage should I start this years application completely from scratch? I've updated it a fair amount and redrafted all the work experiences etc. but 2 of my 3 motivations for applying to the firm remain the same.

That’s fine. Some things are unlikely to change. As long as sections of it are being updated/refined, that is fine.

 

[pfoapplicant]

@Jessica Booker Apologies for the duplicate post -
I'm in the middle of writing my application for the winter vac scheme at A&O, and had a couple of queries.

Firstly, is it likely that, if I get the application in in the next few hours and do the SJT tomorrow, that I've left it too late (and that I should focus instead on a summer VS application)? I'm aware that the "two-thirds" point in the application window was recently passed, but am hopeful that many will leave their applications until the beginning of October.

Secondly, do either of the following things count as work experience (to include on the Experience section of applications)?
- Bright Network Commercial Law Internship Experience (mostly made up of speeches by law firms, but also involved a work task set over the course of a day
- carrying out research for an upcoming health law journal article, co-authored by an academic and specialist in the field

 

[GXA123]

They aren’t asking you to talk about them specifically. They just want you to focus on what is important to clients in pitch processes.

I am finding this very hard as well, we know nothing about the client! So, how could we tailor it to the client instead of just focusing on the firm?

 

[GXA123]

Does anyone know if the tests for Gowling are the second stage or are they reviewed alongside the application form?

 

[ZaraB]

Does anyone know if the tests for Gowling are the second stage or are they reviewed alongside the application form?

Based on last year they are second stage, they review the application form first and send through the tests if you are successful.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I am finding this very hard as well, we know nothing about the client! So, how could we tailor it to the client instead of just focusing on the firm?

You don’t need to know about the client. You just need to know what clients generally will care about.

 

[Dheepa]

I am finding this very hard as well, we know nothing about the client! So, how could we tailor it to the client instead of just focusing on the firm?

Just to echo Jess here, the question just wants to know generally what would be important to any client. So it’s more an exercise of just putting yourself in any clients shoes rather than a specific client. Some things that (I think) would be important to clients:

- Cost - What AFAs (alternative fee arrangements) can the firm offer? Does the firm have good project management systems in place to make matters run more efficiently? Is the firm using any legal tech?
- Sector/Industry expertise - How much does Gowling know about the clients business and their specific needs? You don’t need to know the client for this - focus on the expertise the firm already offers across the board
- USPs - What can Gowling offer that a similar competitor law firm can’t? Is there something about their business model/international reach/rankings/past deal experience that pushes them ahead of the competition?

 

[kitty_kat]

According to this (https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/latham-watkins/true-picture/234/1##bonus), no - but they have recruited on a rolling basis in previous years.

thank you!

 

[hopefullawyer101]

Can't believe I am saying this but just got invited to an AC at A&O (Winter Vac- Did SJT on 16th).

This is my first ever AC, and I am completely panicking. Any general advice, as well as A&O specific experience, would be amazing. As these things go, I have an incredibly intense week of work next week and so my preparation time will be somewhat constrained. Please please PM me - I need as much help as I can get!

 

[syw]

Does anyone what time the deadline is for HSF winter on 1 October? I.e is it midnight on the 1st, or midnight on the 30th?

 

[OB]

Can't believe I am saying this but just got invited to an AC at A&O (Winter Vac- Did SJT on 16th).

This is my first ever AC, and I am completely panicking. Any general advice, as well as A&O specific experience, would be amazing. As these things go, I have an incredibly intense week of work next week and so my preparation time will be somewhat constrained. Please please PM me - I need as much help as I can get!

OMG CONGRATS!! If you search A&O in the search bar on here you should be able to find people's historic experiences to help prep or there's also some here too: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/experience/allen-overy/