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

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green124

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Feb 24, 2022
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Does anyone know what the Withers first stage interview entails? Is it purely competency / motivation-based, or might there be technical questions? I believe it is with a member of HR and a Partner. Thanks in advance!
Congratulations! Sorry that I do not have the answer to your question but i was wondering when you applied and if you applied to the spring or summer scheme?
 

TC fiend

Legendary Member
  • Apr 27, 2021
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    How do people go about answering the question - why do you want to work in London? Is there anything else to london than it being a financial centre?
    You could also talk about the fast pace of life in the city, and the opportunity to meet a lot of different people from all around the world as London is an incredibly international place :)
     
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    Abii

    Legendary Member
    Junior Lawyer
    Feb 1, 2021
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    How do people go about answering the question - why do you want to work in London? Is there anything else to london than it being a financial centre?
    There can be various reasons someone wants to work in london. Yes it’s a financial and business centre so has that type of work in city practices. But also the cultural/lifestyle attraction - the west end, art galleries, museums etc. for others it’s a family connection or they have lived and studied in london and built a life there. It’s a very diverse, multicultural and international city. For me personally as I have a very rare health condition it’s access to the leading specialists as they are all in london.
     
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    Beluga

    Star Member
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    Jan 31, 2021
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    Linklaters pfo as well. :(
    I haven’t managed to secure a vacation scheme for this year. Is there anything I can do in the summer to get experience? Is it worth emailing some smaller firms for experience or should I do some online virtual experiences?
    Hi marriistm,

    I had this exact situation in my final year and was afraid of graduating with no job and nothing over the summer. For me I got some work at a start-up as a legal assistant. There are many many smaller start-ups out there in need of some legal talent — they likely won’t be able to pay very well so I an aware it’s not an option for everyone but it is an excellent way to get significant hands-on experience and lots of responsibility as well as insight into the specific industry and what it is like to run a business.

    I was also able to reflect on this in my applications in interviews which I believe was crucial in getting VS and TC offers this year.

    Someone mentioned this already but virtual internships are great for ramping up commercial knowledge as well — highly recommend!
     

    Beluga

    Star Member
    Premium Member
    M&A Bootcamp
    Junior Lawyer
    Jan 31, 2021
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    How do people go about answering the question - why do you want to work in London? Is there anything else to london than it being a financial centre?
    Here’s what I had in my notes (although not the best response in an interview I think);
    1. Headline deals, high-profile clients, in an amalgam of different industries.I’m specifically interested in the corporate and finance work which arises from mega-deals because they can be industry-defining. Commercial city firms are also resilient during crises because stagnation in one practice may mean a boom in another.
      1. Hub for increasingly globalised UK market, which is opening itself up to international investment and ownership
    2. International work. I’m an international student myself, and have seen the role of cultural understanding when it comes to advising businesses. It’s not just about the market — e.g. Reckitt Benckiser (UK) needed a specific strategy when it came to dealing with investigations and claims in South Korea regarding the toxicity of its humidifier detergent.
     

    Law1099

    Valued Member
    Jan 18, 2021
    117
    268
    Here’s what I had in my notes (although not the best response in an interview I think);
    1. Headline deals, high-profile clients, in an amalgam of different industries.I’m specifically interested in the corporate and finance work which arises from mega-deals because they can be industry-defining. Commercial city firms are also resilient during crises because stagnation in one practice may mean a boom in another.
      1. Hub for increasingly globalised UK market, which is opening itself up to international investment and ownership
    2. International work. I’m an international student myself, and have seen the role of cultural understanding when it comes to advising businesses. It’s not just about the market — e.g. Reckitt Benckiser (UK) needed a specific strategy when it came to dealing with investigations and claims in South Korea regarding the toxicity of its humidifier detergent.
    Thank you so much! This is why I love this forum :)
     
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    mariistm

    Distinguished Member
    Jan 19, 2022
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    Hi marriistm,

    I had this exact situation in my final year and was afraid of graduating with no job and nothing over the summer. For me I got some work at a start-up as a legal assistant. There are many many smaller start-ups out there in need of some legal talent — they likely won’t be able to pay very well so I an aware it’s not an option for everyone but it is an excellent way to get significant hands-on experience and lots of responsibility as well as insight into the specific industry and what it is like to run a business.

    I was also able to reflect on this in my applications in interviews which I believe was crucial in getting VS and TC offers this year.

    Someone mentioned this already but virtual internships are great for ramping up commercial knowledge as well — highly recommend!
    I will look into that, thank you for the advice, I appreciate it!
     
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