TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[S87]

I applied to the Macfarlanes Vac Scheme and was asked to do an online assessment. This is the third time I've applied but all previous incidents have resulted in an outright PFO with no request to do an assessment. Has Macfarlanes changed their application process this year from previous years, so all applicants are now required to complete the online test?

Yes they did

 

[Louise59]

Just recieved my offer from Morrison Foerster today!

Hi - congrats! So they recruit on a rolling basis for vacation schemes ?

 

[bibss]

“The deadline for this interview is 30 October 2023(GMT+01:00)”. Does it mean I have all Monday to complete the VI? Find this confusing

 

[Jessica Booker]

“The deadline for this interview is 30 October 2023(GMT+01:00)”. Does it mean I have all Monday to complete the VI? Find this confusing

Usually means 23.59 on the date given

 

[kr]

Hi everyone and @axelbeugre I was wondering if you could give me some advice on how to tackle the below question for DLA Piper's application please? I am struggling in exactly what it is asking me for and especially the latter part of the question as it doesn't seem I can tailor it specifically to DLA Piper and I don't want to sound generic. How do I structure it that I answer it well. Any tips would be much appreciated thank you in advance.

If successful in securing a training contract after the Summer Internship, what do you anticipate will be the key challenges of the International Training Programme for you? How would you approach these challenges, and what resources or support do you believe you would need to overcome them? (Max 200 words/1,500 Characters)

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone and @axelbeugre I was wondering if you could give me some advice on how to tackle the below question for DLA Piper's application please? I am struggling in exactly what it is asking me for and especially the latter part of the question as it doesn't seem I can tailor it specifically to DLA Piper and I don't want to sound generic. How do I structure it that I answer it well. Any tips would be much appreciated thank you in advance.

If successful in securing a training contract after the Summer Internship, what do you anticipate will be the key challenges of the International Training Programme for you? How would you approach these challenges, and what resources or support do you believe you would need to overcome them? (Max 200 words/1,500 Characters)

As the question is asking you about DLA’s programme specifically, I think it is important to tailor it to the opportunity with the firm.

The key part is identifying the individual challenges you will experience rather than what generally any trainee would find challenging. The “for you” part is very important and so focus on your development areas.

You then have to highlight the actions you would take to overcome this (not just explaining other people’s responsibilities or actions to help you as this will be more of the resources you would use to support you with how you would overcome the challenges). Try to make sure the resources part is also more specific to the firm where you can.

 

[kr]

As the question is asking you about DLA’s programme specifically, I think it is important to tailor it to the opportunity with the firm.

The key part is identifying the individual challenges you will experience rather than what generally any trainee would find challenging. The “for you” part is very important and so focus on your development areas.

You then have to highlight the actions you would take to overcome this (not just explaining other people’s responsibilities or actions to help you as this will be more of the resources you would use to support you with how you would overcome the challenges). Try to make sure the resources part is also more specific to the firm where you can.

thank you Jessica

 

[bibss]

Usually means 23.59 on the date given

Thank you

 

[Flanker01]

Hi - congrats! So they recruit on a rolling basis for vacation schemes ?

I would assume so. I’ve never talked to MoFo’s GR on this, but considering how early I got my offer, I would think they review applications as they come by.

On a side note, MoFo’s Partners do read your cover letter, so make sure you know what you’re writing!

 

[F12M34L]

I applied to the Macfarlanes Vac Scheme and was asked to do an online assessment. This is the third time I've applied but all previous incidents have resulted in an outright PFO with no request to do an assessment. Has Macfarlanes changed their application process this year from previous years, so all applicants are now required to complete the online test?

What is the online assessment? SJT or WGT

 

[Interested_In_Law]

Is it possible to apply for winter and spring/summer vac schemes simultaneously for Cleary?

 

[ZiHe77]

If you have completed a HL AC before, please can you share some tips/info on the AC? What were some tricky questions they asked you? What was the case study on?

I have an AC for the WVS coming up asap.

 

[S87]

Hi guys, I am currently applying to Clifford Chance and I was wondering if I could have your opinion on how to approach the question.

"In no more than 500 words, please tell us about your extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility and an achievement of importance which you are most proud of. How will these experiences help you excel as a Clifford Chance lawyer?"

Do you think I should only explain the skills I developed or I should link them to the firm's practice areas/ activities?
@Jessica Booker and @axelbeugre would love your feedback too.

Thank you in advance.

 

[HLL]

is linklaters still offering to fast track people who secured an open day to their ac? how many people do they usually invite to the open day?

 

[Louise59]

I would assume so. I’ve never talked to MoFo’s GR on this, but considering how early I got my offer, I would think they review applications as they come by.

On a side note, MoFo’s Partners do read your cover letter, so make sure you know what you’re writing!

Thanks

 

[lawapplicant]

All Hires has fell off hard. Easier to break into Fort Knox than login to their system these days.

 

[SS21]

[email protected]

Thank you so much!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys, I am currently applying to Clifford Chance and I was wondering if I could have your opinion on how to approach the question.

"In no more than 500 words, please tell us about your extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility and an achievement of importance which you are most proud of. How will these experiences help you excel as a Clifford Chance lawyer?"

Do you think I should only explain the skills I developed or I should link them to the firm's practice areas/ activities?
@Jessica Booker and @axelbeugre would love your feedback too.

Thank you in advance.

When you say “only” the skills, I don’t think this is sufficient. You will need to focus on explaining your extra curriculars and also the achievement (and why you think it’s your greatest achievement).

Given the world count, I don’t think it is necessary to link these to the firm or the skills you have developed unless this is necessary for the part of your answer as to how those experiences will allow you to excel as a trainee specifically at the firm.

 

[S87]

When you say “only” the skills, I don’t think this is sufficient. You will need to focus on explaining your extra curriculars and also the achievement (and why you think it’s your greatest achievement).

Given the world count, I don’t think it is necessary to link these to the firm or the skills you have developed unless this is necessary for the part of your answer as to how those experiences will allow you to excel as a trainee specifically at the firm.

Thank you @Jessica Booker

 

[Flanker01]

Congrats. Just to confirm, this was the process that opened like 2-3 weeks ago. That is very fast and very rolling indeed.

How were the first round and two stage second round? Were there many others there too?

For me it was only one interview, since I was applying for the HK office instead of the UK one.

The interview was definitely not what I expected, since I thought I’d get asked about something technical (legal questions, commercial awareness etc). Throughout the interview the partners were more interested in my personal life studying abroad in the UK, my hobbies and why I didn’t do anything for August (Had a major surgery back in HK, was stuck in a hospital and literally could not speak at all). No technical questions were asked, but they did ask me why I wanted to be a regulatory lawyer, since I wrote that on my cover letter.

I’m not sure how many people were there in the same application stage as I was. I asked the partner who was interviewing me about it, but she said she wasn’t too sure as well.

Overall, really chill experience. I think they were more keen on finding the right people to work with then than anything at the interview stage.

Again, do note that I applied to the HK office, so things may very well differ in the UK stream.