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

[Sz310]

Has anyone received an email from Simmons & Simmons saying that they didn't receive your online test and are withdrawing your application? I completed the test in time and it says completed on the online portal so a bit worrying!

did you do your video interview as well?

 

[OB]

Has anyone received an email from Simmons & Simmons saying that they didn't receive your online test and are withdrawing your application? I completed the test in time and it says completed on the online portal so a bit worrying!

Oh yikes I haven't had that but definitely contact them!!

 

[tt_xo]

I would not bullet point this. Just pick a few main events and detail what they helped you learn about commercial law. Whenever I wrote my answers to this, I tried to create a narrative by explaining what the different open days taught me about the practice areas I was interested in, the kind of training I would like etc. Definitely highlight the events where you've met the firm but feel free to include events wth other firms too. These kind of questions just want to test that you've actually done your research and invested time into deciding f the career is right for you.

Thank you for this!

 

[Tcapplicant]

Has anyone heard from Travers for the Winter VS?

 

[GXA123]

Has anyone heard from Mischon?

they said they will only contact people after the 22nd of Dec.

 

[GXA123]

Does DLA contact you if you have passed WG?

No, they don't

 

[GXA123]

Anyone know if three 'reasonably high's and one 'very high' good enough in HSF's blended assessment?

very good

 

[chromaticaqueen]

When listing your work experience, where it asks you to select if the job was 'law related' - what are the parameters of this? Does this mean it has to be a distinctly recognised legal position? Or could you fairly select a job being 'law related' if it were, such in my position, very heavily law orientated in terms of assisting with legal contracts, assisting a lawyer, etc. Don't want to make it look like I'm reaching for a 'law related' position but also want them to recognise I have been heavily involved with law-related processes and work. Worth a try - let me know thoughts please! Thank you.

 

[chromaticaqueen]

And while I'm here - can I ask opinions on how far back you should list work experience? As I'm a career changer and graduated a few years ago, I've had quite a bit of work to list. Is it still worth listing uni/pre-uni jobs such as bar work, retail? Only thinking to do so is to show work ethic throughout education... please correct me if I'm wrong! @Jessica Booker Thanks! x

 

[Samir_O]

Is it too late to submit an a&o winter vac app now?

 

[MizM]

This question is in Hogan Lovells' application:

Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector (250 words)

How on earth am I meant to tackle this! I have never been to an open day. I have attended online events such as Legal Cheek etc but I would struggle to succinctly discuss this in 250 words. Not sure what they are looking for here to be honest...

Would appreciate any advice!!

 

[M777]

Is it too late to submit an a&o winter vac app now?

deadline is next week right?

you'll probably be fine, if i remember correctly most people don't apply until deadline day

 

[GXA123]

Can anyone post Hogan Lovells application questions?

 

[elizabethjo123]

Kind of stressing out because of HSF's feedback for the assessment -- they didn't indicate how well I did on leadership skills and said: "Your responses to our questions relating to this competency indicate to us that you are likely to: focus more on your current workload, rather than investing significant time in building personal relationships and furthering your own development; and focus on completing work to the standard required at the expense of communicating with the wider team." Is this bad enough that I won't be progressed? I did get 'very high' on the other three competencies though?

 

[Samir_O]

deadline is next week right?

you'll probably be fine, if i remember correctly most people don't apply until deadline day

thank you! cutting it short.. does anyone have any input on applying to a direct TC as a person with no previous vac scheme experience but have done internship? law grad

 

[M777]

Kind of stressing out because of HSF's feedback for the assessment -- they didn't indicate how well I did on leadership skills and said: "Your responses to our questions relating to this competency indicate to us that you are likely to: focus more on your current workload, rather than investing significant time in building personal relationships and furthering your own development; and focus on completing work to the standard required at the expense of communicating with the wider team." Is this bad enough that I won't be progressed? I did get 'very high' on the other three competencies though?

Don't worry- HSF's reports usually come out with something like this. 9 times out of 10, SJT reports make inaccurate, broad-brush and unfair statements about your personality.

I'm sure HSF are well aware of this- I'd be surprised if it was the lone decisive factor determining your application's outcome.

 

[M777]

thank you! cutting it short.. does anyone have any input on applying to a direct TC as a person with no previous vac scheme experience but have done internship? law grad

Plenty of people get TC offers without vac scheme experience. I've attended TC interviews with zero vac schemes. Go for it.

 

[Bugsy Malone]

Can anyone post Hogan Lovells application questions?

Hey, below are the questions for the VS app.

We set our standards high, and we trust our people to hold themselves accountable for meeting other people's expectations. Describe a time when you had to drop everything and really 'raise your game' in order to keep a promise you had made to someone else. How did you manage both this and your other commitments?
Max 250 words

Sustaining a successful and profitable practice requires both commercial awareness and innovative thinking. Tell us about something that you have done that shows you have a strong innovative or entrepreneurial spirit.
Max 250 words

Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector
Max 250 words

Please detail below any further information that you would like us to consider when reviewing your application.
Optional
Max 250 words

 

[Veep9]

Does anyone know the Taylor Wessing questions?

 

[GXA123]

Hey, below are the questions for the VS app.

We set our standards high, and we trust our people to hold themselves accountable for meeting other people's expectations. Describe a time when you had to drop everything and really 'raise your game' in order to keep a promise you had made to someone else. How did you manage both this and your other commitments?
Max 250 words

Sustaining a successful and profitable practice requires both commercial awareness and innovative thinking. Tell us about something that you have done that shows you have a strong innovative or entrepreneurial spirit.
Max 250 words

Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector
Max 250 words

Please detail below any further information that you would like us to consider when reviewing your application.
Optional
Max 250 words

Thank you!