TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[bibss]

Jones Day PFO post app

Sorry to hear - Friday rejections are always a killer… Can I ask when you applied? Keep going 💪🏻

 

[stone’sthrow]

It’s straightforward enough. Just one question.

Is it competency-based?

 

[M0M007]

Sorry to hear - Friday rejections are always a killer… Can I ask when you applied? Keep going 💪🏻

20th Sept

 

[starbright]

Jones Day first stage interview invite! If anyone has any experience interviewing with them, please do message me as the email was very vague!

 

[axelbeugre]

What do I say when a firm says "Tell us about yourself"?

This is an interesting question that many firms tend to ask and I understand the difficulty in answering this question. I myself struggled immensely in replying to this question when I was applying last year. However, along the way I tried to use a structure that worked for me that consisted of:

1. Talk about your background/interests. This meant talking about my background, my academic qualifications and interests as well as any interesting extracurricular and/or professional experiences I had at the time and how all those made me understand why I was interested in the law, and specifically commercial law. (I think the key here is to connect your story to the subject matter of the application which is being a commercial lawyer).

2. Be concise in your answer. I know it can be quite tempting to write a long paragraph about yourself, highlighting the most impressive aspects, but it is important to pick and choose wisely. Only talk about the main experiences that you potentially would want to talk about in an interview and do not go over the word count.

3. Highlight the skills learned. It is important to highlight the skills that certain experiences, whether academic, extracurricular or professional distinguish you from your peers and how you would use them to succeed as a lawyer.

These are some of the tips that helped me when I was applying so I hope they can help you too. What I would keep in mind is that you should write whatever you feel comfortable sharing and what you think makes you stand out. As long as something makes you almost unforgettable to graduate recruitment, I would say it is worth sharing. Examples of this can be:

• you play a musical instrument/ you play a competitive sport and you won some prizes or awards,
• you had an interesting volunteering experience internationally
• you speak multiple languages
• you worked in fascinating International organisations etc,

All these examples (plus more) will be worth mentioning in this question, in my opinion.
I hope that helps and good luck with you applications! @The6FigureSuccessfulSolicitor

 

[axelbeugre]

Jones Day first stage interview invite! If anyone has any experience interviewing with them, please do message me as the email was very vague!

Congratulations! Smash it!

 

[bibss]

Jones Day first stage interview invite! If anyone has any experience interviewing with them, please do message me as the email was very vague!

Congratulations! May I ask how long did it take to receive the invite? (Just trying to understand my chances)

 

[starbright]

Congratulations! Smash it!

Thank you!!

 

[starbright]

Congratulations! May I ask how long did it take to receive the invite? (Just trying to understand my chances)

Thank you! I applied this week and got an invite within 4 days so a fairly quick turn around. Good luck with your application!

 

[bibss]

Thank you! I applied this week and got an invite within 4 days so a fairly quick turn around. Good luck with your application!

Thank you! Hope someone gives you some tips for the interview - good luck

 

[starbright]

Thank you! Hope someone gives you some tips for the interview - good luck

Thank you!!

 

[Minitomatosalad]

I spoke with GR there is two benchmarks and if you pass both you get through to next stage. Just wondering if 82 is past the benchmark

I think it depends on the year. I once had a lower score (78) and got through but another time I got 90 and didnt. Anything above 75+ should be fine i think.

 

[babylawyer1942]

Hi, I am applying to a firm that I applied to last year and got to the interview stage. I was wondering, how much of my application should change or remain the same ?

 

[Tintin06]

Hi, I am applying to a firm that I applied to last year and got to the interview stage. I was wondering, how much of my application should change or remain the same ?

Check if you can apply again.

 

[mkt]

JD Interview

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, I am applying to a firm that I applied to last year and got to the interview stage. I was wondering, how much of my application should change or remain the same ?

I would change and update as much as possible to show how you have changed as an applicant. If nothing much changes, then the recruiter is likely to think that the outcome from the recruitment process is unlikely to change too.

 

[BM2004]

Does anyone know what Linklaters' application questions are for their Spring VS? I am going to apply for it when it opens and would appreciate any help.

 

[Aaj03]

I just added the office address but this is probably not even necessary. You can play with the margins a bit (but don't make it look ridiculous) to recover some space.

I did not, fingers crossed, it doesn't affect my application.
I submitted it today.

 

[The6FigureSuccessfulSolicitor]

This is an interesting question that many firms tend to ask and I understand the difficulty in answering this question. I myself struggled immensely in replying to this question when I was applying last year. However, along the way I tried to use a structure that worked for me that consisted of:

1. Talk about your background/interests. This meant talking about my background, my academic qualifications and interests as well as any interesting extracurricular and/or professional experiences I had at the time and how all those made me understand why I was interested in the law, and specifically commercial law. (I think the key here is to connect your story to the subject matter of the application which is being a commercial lawyer).

2. Be concise in your answer. I know it can be quite tempting to write a long paragraph about yourself, highlighting the most impressive aspects, but it is important to pick and choose wisely. Only talk about the main experiences that you potentially would want to talk about in an interview and do not go over the word count.

3. Highlight the skills learned. It is important to highlight the skills that certain experiences, whether academic, extracurricular or professional distinguish you from your peers and how you would use them to succeed as a lawyer.

These are some of the tips that helped me when I was applying so I hope they can help you too. What I would keep in mind is that you should write whatever you feel comfortable sharing and what you think makes you stand out. As long as something makes you almost unforgettable to graduate recruitment, I would say it is worth sharing. Examples of this can be:

• you play a musical instrument/ you play a competitive sport and you won some prizes or awards,
• you had an interesting volunteering experience internationally
• you speak multiple languages
• you worked in fascinating International organisations etc,

All these examples (plus more) will be worth mentioning in this question, in my opinion.
I hope that helps and good luck with you applications! @The6FigureSuccessfulSolicitor

Thank you!

 

[The6FigureSuccessfulSolicitor]

Am I the only one who cannot find out what the HSF application process is? They have to have one of the least navigable sites ever