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

[Asil Ahmad]

Has anyone been to Skadden’s virtual open day before? Not sure what to expect - is it camera on, are there opportunities to network and ask questions etc. any insights would be appreciated!

The best virtual open day I attended last year and I attended Reed Smith open day also.

 

[Kubed]

Has anyone been to Skadden’s virtual open day before? Not sure what to expect - is it camera on, are there opportunities to network and ask questions etc. any insights would be appreciated!

I've not specifically been to Skadden's but I would always advise to keep the camera on (whenever possible), look engaged and ask questions. I would caveat that by saying: I wouldn't ask questions just for the sake of it, try to ask stuff you genuinely want to find out about or something you want to follow-up on that you've researched.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I've not specifically been to Skadden's but I would always advise to keep the camera on, look engaged and ask questions. I would caveat that by saying: I wouldn't ask questions just for the sake of it, try to ask stuff you genuinely want to find out about or something you want to follow-up on that you've researched.

For Skadden 1 we did not have audio or video by the way but I agree with this.

 

[James Carrabino]

Not sure if this is the right thread but I was wondering if anyone has a structure they follow for open day applications? Should it similarly be structured like a cover letter? I never really know how to approach it compared to VS apps

For open day applications, it's important to demonstrate your curiosity by elaborating on-

1. what you're hoping to learn about a career in commercial law at the firm that you're applying to and
2. how you know you may learn this through an open day

For 1, talk about what sparked your interest in commercial law and the firm (something you read or watched, an event/webinar that you attended etc.) and what you're hoping to learn from the open day. This could be anything from how the firm is structured, its business strategy, its sector focuses and practice areas to how their training contract is structured and what their trainees do on a typical day at the firm.

For 2, bring in your research to show that you've taken the initiative to learn how you can enter into a career in law and make strong applications using the knowledge you gain at open days. For example, you can mention conversations you have had with the careers service at your uni or articles you read online and how they influenced you to apply for open days.

Lastly, word count permitting, do elaborate on your background and personal attributes and how you know that they make you a good fit for a career in commercial law. So if you say you're creative, ensure you mention how you've demonstrated this and how it will help you as a commercial lawyer (maybe in innovating, bringing in new initiatives?)

I hope this was helpful! Tagging my fellow community managers for their thoughts as well! @George Maxwell @James Carrabino

I would agree with everything @AvniD has said here! I would only add that it is worth looking at what will be happening on the Open Day - for example, does it involve presentations on specific practice areas and is there a collaborative component? You can then talk about how you plan to leverage this to inform your applications to law firms going forward, in addition to possibly making a decision about training at that firm in future. Your enthusiasm and motivations will be more important than your legal work experience for an Open Day application, I should think.

 

[Dwight]

It can take hours or days to find out if you reached the benchmark

Right, so you have to pass the test and then they look at your app? If you fail the test, they don't look at your app at all? Or is it a combination of test and app?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Right, so you have to pass the test and then they look at your app? If you fail the test, they don't look at your app at all? Or is it a combination of test and app?

Yes you have to pass the test for them to read your application.

 

[Rob93]

Has anyone been to Skadden’s virtual open day before? Not sure what to expect - is it camera on, are there opportunities to network and ask questions etc. any insights would be appreciated!

They've said they'd like cameras on but it's at our discretion.

 

[ZaraB]

no brain cells left after the Mayer Brown tests 😵😵😵

 

[Legalmel_99]

I didn’t realise gateley was a rolling basis 😕

 

[fm97]

Apologies if this has been covered by anyone- can't seem to find the answer so just going to ask the question now...

Still haven't heard anything from Ashurst re Winter Vac Scheme. Given that it's happening in 2 weeks' time, and it looks like they've been giving out offers, I'm not really expecting to now. I assume they have not managed to read my application (for the 2nd year). Thoughts on my requesting to withdraw my application so I can reapply to the Summer Vac Scheme instead? Has anyone done this/do you think there'll be issues as I've technically applied this cycle already?

Would love to hear anyone's opinion! Thanks

 

[Jessica Booker]

Apologies if this has been covered by anyone- can't seem to find the answer so just going to ask the question now...

Still haven't heard anything from Ashurst re Winter Vac Scheme. Given that it's happening in 2 weeks' time, and it looks like they've been giving out offers, I'm not really expecting to now. I assume they have not managed to read my application (for the 2nd year). Thoughts on my requesting to withdraw my application so I can reapply to the Summer Vac Scheme instead? Has anyone done this/do you think there'll be issues as I've technically applied this cycle already?

Would love to hear anyone's opinion! Thanks

You might be able to withdraw your application of your own accord if you log back into the system.

 

[RS31]

Have many people been selected for ACs by Latham? I did a VI two weeks ago (starting to think I am not very good at VIs) but never heard back after

 

[LEL]

Have many people been selected for ACs by Latham? I did a VI two weeks ago (starting to think I am not very good at VIs) but never heard back after

They're doing their ACs this week

 

[Hele25]

Currently applying to Travers and writing my cover letter (no word limit is scary for me as I tend to ramble/over egg it). Anyway, as part of a point about their practice areas, there’s is a partner and I admire their career so much- they currently work at the intersection of two of their main practice areas. Can you say you admire the career progression of a partner as it showcases the potential professional development that you could undertake? It really is quite a unique job/I haven’t seen it at another firm so I really do admire it. I’m just not sure how appropriate it is to mention someone you’ve never met in a cover letter/if it’s a weak point. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

 

[ELaw2021]

Congratulations! This is great news 🥳

I think you may find this thread helpful- https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....to-a-training-contract-top-tips-in-2021.3454/.

It has a bunch of tips from the TCLA community and resources available that you can go through in the run-up to your WVS 😇

All the very best- please do reach out to us if you have any questions and let us know how it goes!

Thank you so much!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Are Latham and Watkins rolling for Summer Vacation Scheme.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Currently applying to Travers and writing my cover letter (no word limit is scary for me as I tend to ramble/over egg it). Anyway, as part of a point about their practice areas, there’s is a partner and I admire their career so much- they currently work at the intersection of two of their main practice areas. Can you say you admire the career progression of a partner as it showcases the potential professional development that you could undertake? It really is quite a unique job/I haven’t seen it at another firm so I really do admire it. I’m just not sure how appropriate it is to mention someone you’ve never met in a cover letter/if it’s a weak point. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

I think it is fine to reference this, but it is important to focus on you rather than someone else, so keep this reference as brief as possible (eg sentence or two tops).

 

[Rob93]

Are Latham and Watkins rolling for Summer Vacation Scheme.

I believe they're non-rolling for all opportunities.

 

[RS31]

Just got a PFO from Latham post VI

Have been rejected by two firms post VI (Latham and W&C) which feels a bit concerning... Just hope that I am able to convert the winter VS that I do have!! (touchwood)

 

[GXA123]

How can I prepare for applying to paralegal jobs, I am doing the LPC, but how can I standout, my paralegal rejection emails are about lack of experience and qualifications.