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

[Asil Ahmad]

Hey Asil, we’ll be adding this to our commercial awareness article section tomorrow, so you are more than welcome to discuss it there when we do: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/ams/categories/commercial-awareness.1/. It’ll be uploaded as an article on ‘The Legal Profession This Week’.
Thank you for this https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/forums/commercial-awareness-discussion.57/ I’m sure others will pitch in!

Thank you for this and hope you are well Jaysen and yes will wait for the thread to be made in the forum by the TCLA team.

 

[Rob93]

thanks so much, that's very helpful.

I don't know if i'm being blind, but where in the application do I upload the transcript? I can't locate a section where it will allow me to upload a document apart from 'Profile document upload' (which I assume isn't the right place).

It should be a few 'pages' into the application, I can't recall where exactly but I recall coming across it when plugging in placeholders to get to the question section.

 

[AK105]

Hello Everyone,
I need help in drafting my CV for DLA Piper's summer internship (vac scheme). I have heaps of legal work experience, but I have heard that DLA Piper does not like those with a lot of legal experience. They prefer more, "interesting people". I have held only one part time job at university as a tutor, which paid me very well (£40 per hour), and I was self employed. Hence, felt no obligation to do retail. Furthermore, I am finding it difficult to cut it down to two pages.

Therefore, does anyone on here have advice on how to spice up CVs and keep them concise.

@Jessica Booker your advice on these things tend to be amazing.

Thanks,
Rij

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hello Everyone,
I need help in drafting my CV for DLA Piper's summer internship (vac scheme). I have heaps of legal work experience, but I have heard that DLA Piper does not like those with a lot of legal experience. They prefer more, "interesting people". I have held only one part time job at university as a tutor, which paid me very well (£40 per hour), and I was self employed. Hence, felt no obligation to do retail. Furthermore, I am finding it difficult to cut it down to two pages.

Therefore, does anyone on here have advice on how to spice up CVs and keep them concise.

@Jessica Booker your advice on these things tend to be amazing.

Thanks,
Rij

Interesting people won’t just be about your work experience. It will come put of the other things you do.

I also don’t think you have to “spice” up a CV. If anything that can be a bit of a detriment if you then get to an interview stage. Just present evidence that either shows transferable skills or demonstrates your achievements - for instance being able to charge £40 per hour is something you should highlight.

 

[YJ]

Hello Everyone,
I need help in drafting my CV for DLA Piper's summer internship (vac scheme). I have heaps of legal work experience, but I have heard that DLA Piper does not like those with a lot of legal experience. They prefer more, "interesting people". I have held only one part time job at university as a tutor, which paid me very well (£40 per hour), and I was self employed. Hence, felt no obligation to do retail. Furthermore, I am finding it difficult to cut it down to two pages.

Therefore, does anyone on here have advice on how to spice up CVs and keep them concise.

@Jessica Booker your advice on these things tend to be amazing.

Thanks,
Rij

Have applications for DLA's vac scheme opened already?

 

[AK105]

Interesting people won’t just be about your work experience. It will come put of the other things you do.

I also don’t think you have to “spice” up a CV. If anything that can be a bit of a detriment if you then get to an interview stage. Just present evidence that either shows transferable skills or demonstrates your achievements - for instance being able to charge £40 per hour is something you should highlight.

Thank you so much @Jessica Booker !

 

[AK105]

Have applications for DLA's vac scheme opened already?

No they haven't, don't worry. I just need to get my apps done now, cuz I need as much time as possible to study very hard next semester.

 

[GXA123]

No they haven't, don't worry. I just need to get my apps done now, cuz I need as much time as possible to study very hard next semester.

How do you prepare before of we don't know the questions yet? appreciate any help

 

[John Travoni]

How do you prepare before of we don't know the questions yet? appreciate any help

I think the reason why he is adapting his CV so early is because he knows for DLA, the application question is always the same is describing a commercial news story which interests him.

 

[GXA123]

I think the reason why he is adapting his CV so early is because he knows for DLA, the application question is always the same is describing a commercial news story which interests him.

They never change the question?

 

[GXA123]

Does anyone know if HSF keep the same questions because I have seen these posted on their website and I want to start preparing for it.

these are the questions if anyone wants to have a look:

• Three written questions (each up to a maximum of 300 words):
  1. Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you
  2. Explain why you’re interested in pursuing a career at Herbert Smith Freehills
  3. What skills, qualities and attributes would you bring to the role?

 

[Legal_Eagle91]

Mishcon has opened their vac scheme apps today, the questions are as follows:

What interests you about working in this role / team? (200 words max)*

Please could you discuss a current legal case that recently caught your attention. Why does this interest you and what are the implications? (This does not necessarily have to be a Mishcon case) (300 words max)*

Just checked the app form on cvmail, I think they have edited the first question and asked candidates to answer 3q now.

 

[AK105]

How do you prepare before of we don't know the questions yet? appreciate any help

I mean you can make a calculated guess on what the questions are gonna be. I really love commercial law, so I will put in all this effort into my apps. Furthermore. I have not got good grades so I have to work extra hard on my application to balance it out.

 

[SebKru10]

Hi everyone!

Does anyone have any knowledge as to how 'current' the 'current legal case that recently caught your attention' need to be to fit in the definition for the Mishcon application?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi everyone!

Does anyone have any knowledge as to how 'current' the 'current legal case that recently caught your attention' need to be to fit in the definition for the Mishcon application?

Within 6 months ideally. If it is something more unique, you could push it to 12 months.

 

[SebKru10]

Within 6 months ideally. If it is something more unique, you could push it to 12 months.

Thank you!

 

[AspiringSolicitor99]

Hi!

When filling up the work experience section of vacation scheme applications, is it best to write in prose or are bullet points equally effective? For my first-year scheme applications, I largely duplicated the bullet points (achievement-focused instead of skill/learning-focused) from my CV into the work section but am wondering whether I should write all of them out in prose.

I have a significant amount of work experience and hence am looking for advice on whether this would be a worthwhile endeavour or whether any difference would be marginal.

Thank you!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi!

When filling up the work experience section of vacation scheme applications, is it best to write in prose or are bullet points equally effective? For my first-year scheme applications, I largely duplicated the bullet points (achievement-focused instead of skill/learning-focused) from my CV into the work section but am wondering whether I should write all of them out in prose.

I have a significant amount of work experience and hence am looking for advice on whether this would be a worthwhile endeavour or whether any difference would be marginal.

Thank you!

I’d go with prose unless you can format the application form with bullet points

in the same way

you can format text in this forum​

 

[golden99]

Hi, Can someone please confirm that Baker Mckenzie will be use the Watson Glaser test. (Their website just mentions online test but does not mention which one)

 

[John Travoni]

Hi, Can someone please confirm that Baker Mckenzie will be use the Watson Glaser test. (Their website just mentions online test but does not mention which one)

Yes, they use the Watson Glaser test.