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

[N.9]

Has anybody who applied to Sidley Austin around the middle of the month heard back?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi! Does anyone know if you need academic referees for Clifford Chance (direct TC), Linklaters (direct TC) and Cleary Gottlieb (VS)? Thank you!

You'll most likely need it for any firm as some stage of the recruitment process.

 

[Legally brown]

@Jessica Booker I am currently trying to submit an application to Macfarlanes, however it constitutes a paragraph break as a word, thus making my answers go over the limit.

Do I remove the paragraph breaks to meet the word requirement? I do not want my answers to come across as unclear and a huge chunk of text! Any help/guidance would be appreciated!

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker I am currently trying to submit an application to Macfarlanes, however it constitutes a paragraph break as a word, thus making my answers go over the limit.

Do I remove the paragraph breaks to meet the word requirement? I do not want my answers to come across as unclear and a huge chunk of text! Any help/guidance would be appreciated!

No - paragraphs will be very important.

I’d find other words to remove. This thread might help you find a few words to remove that will allow you to keep the paragraph spacing in:

How to get your applications within their word limits

After reviewing applications over the last 7-8 months, one of the most common issues for candidates is getting their answer within word limits. Often people find it difficult to cut their answers down, and in doing so usually cut out interesting content or points to ensure the answer meets any...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Legally brown]

No - paragraphs will be very important.

I’d find other words to remove. This thread might help you find a few words to remove that will allow you to keep the paragraph spacing in:

How to get your applications within their word limits

After reviewing applications over the last 7-8 months, one of the most common issues for candidates is getting their answer within word limits. Often people find it difficult to cut their answers down, and in doing so usually cut out interesting content or points to ensure the answer meets any...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Amazing! Thank you so much!

 

[ZaraB]

Does anyone know how competitive open days are?

 

[l0133]

Hi! Does anyone know who to address the NRF cover letter to?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know how competitive open days are?

Really depends on the individual circumstances. One open day with the same firm can be unpopular just due to the day/date it is run, while the next can be overly popular for the same reason. Mix in eligibility, when other firms run their events (a conflict with a direct competitor can make it less popular), format of the event (eg online vs in person) and it just varies too much.

I have known some open days to get less than 50 applications and another to get over 750.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi! Does anyone know who to address the NRF cover letter to?

 

[M777]

Does anyone know anywhere I can practise written exercises and have them marked? What resources does everyone here use to prep for them?

 

[refy]

Does anyone know the eligibility criteria for Cleary? I'm in my penultimate year (non-law) and am not sure if I have to wait until next year to apply for the vac scheme?

 

[jv1999]

Should a cover letter ever differ in focus depending on whether it is part of an app for a TC versus VS? i.e. if applying to a VS, should you try and explain what appeals about the VS or why you would want to join the firm for the VS as opposed to why this firm generally (implicitly from the POV of training there)?

Not sure if this is a stupid Q but was just thinking that I am not applying for the 'full time job' with my cover letter for a VS

 

[Nicole15]

HSF PFO came in - didn’t meet the benchmark for the test unfortunately!

 

[dangelataher]

Simmons PFO. First one ever 😢

 

[S87]

OMG, I am so shocked sooo shocked. For the first time ever, I passed a test and invited to complete a VI!
I just want to cry!

 

[S87]

Simmons PFO. First one ever 😢

Lots of love to you and do not give up!

 

[Phoenix for all]

Slightly trivial question - should I sign off with "Yours Sincerely" or "Yours Faithfully" in cover letters? @Jessica Booker Is there a general rule or does it vary across different firms?

 

[GXA123]

Slightly trivial question - should I sign off with "Yours Sincerely" or "Yours Faithfully" in cover letters? @Jessica Booker Is there a general rule or does it vary across different firms?

Yours sincerely = name.
Yours faithfully = no name.

 

[Nicole15]

Slightly trivial question - should I sign off with "Yours Sincerely" or "Yours Faithfully" in cover letters? @Jessica Booker Is there a general rule or does it vary across different firms?

I was of the impression that you sign of with "Yours sincerely" when you know the name of the person you're writing to and "Yours faithfully" when you don't know the name of the recipient.

 

[Phoenix for all]

I was of the impression that you sign of with "Yours sincerely" when you know the name of the person you're writing to and "Yours faithfully" when you don't know the name of the recipient.

Thanks! I confused Yours Faithfully and Yours Truly (which I think some people use to replace both faithfully and sincerely lol) , you are absolutely right. Do you capitalise the S and F in Your Sincerely/Faithfully?