TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Manuchelsout]

Hello I am new to the forum. Bit about me studied at City Uni LDN and am in my 6th cycle. Got NRF rejection after application for wvs so far.

 

[Manuchelsout]

Working on cc, hsf and cms next few weeks then will work on ashurst and ropes gray next month

 

[flower]

Did anyone else receive a Weil open-day rejection? Did you get encouraged to apply for vs? Just trying to see if it's generic or not.

Yes & yes!

 

[hannahfl]

Would you include a vac scheme that you weren't offered a TC from on your CV/work exp. sections of applications?

 

[Tintin06]

No was referring to whether mentioning a partner name in an application makes the app stronger than speaking to a trainee.

Some firms where a lot of partners didn’t train there e.g. us firms - it may be better referencing conversations with trainees, but all interactions are useful.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Would you include a vac scheme that you weren't offered a TC from on your CV/work exp. sections of applications?

Yes - I would include it. It is far better to include it than not.

 

[Jessica Booker]

No was referring to whether mentioning a partner name in an application makes the app stronger than speaking to a trainee.

It really won’t work on this basis. The reference to anyone (whether a trainee or a partner) is much more about what you took from that conversation rather than who you spoke to.

 

[jnice]

Would you include a vac scheme that you weren't offered a TC from on your CV/work exp. sections of applications?

100%

 

[laby201]

In this answer, I would stick to a 50-50 split and so you can spend 85 words more on less on 2 reasons why you want to become a lawyer at the firm, and then 2 key skills that you have and you could bring as a lawyer, like attention to detail and teamwork. You then link them to an experience where you showed these skills.

I know it might be hard, but succinctness is a skill that law firm looks for so it is important to practice this. I did apply to Taylor Wessing last year and I got through the application stage and I used the tip I gave you and it worked well for me!

Good luck with the application and I hope I have been of some help!!

Thank you Axel, really appreciated as always!

 

[laby201]

I'm on the work experience section of an application, and it has the finish date as a mandatory field and won't let me submit without filling this in with a set date. If I'm still in the role, what's the best way round this?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I'm on the work experience section of an application, and it has the finish date as a mandatory field and won't let me submit without filling this in with a set date. If I'm still in the role, what's the best way round this?

can you put a future date in?

 

[emilyding]

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker I have just started my volunteering (unpaid) in a law centre. Should I put this as work experience or extra-curricular/ role of responsibility section? And also which section should I put Open Day (in person & virtual) under?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker I have just started my volunteering (unpaid) in a law centre. Should I put this as work experience or extra-curricular/ role of responsibility section? And also which section should I put Open Day (in person & virtual) under?

this is a grey area….

Volunteering could be work experience or extra curricular. I tend to advise putting it in to the section you feel needs more details/variety if you are unsure - it really won’t matter which one you choose, I would just stick to one and make sure it is not repeated.

Open days can be in employment, but if they are then I expect the entry description to be fairly brief and to focus more on what you learned from the event rather than what you did, and keep it to 2-3 sentences maximum (you don’t need to describe something that was a few hours in more than this). Alternatively, you can put them into other sections of your application.

Sometimes they fit nicely into a “is there are further information you want to provide” type questions or sections of the application. Sometimes firms will ask specific questions about the of events you have attended and so if there if a dedicated section or question like this, then I wouldn’t put them into the work experience section, I would just detail them in the specific question asking for this information.

 

[axelbeugre]

Travers Smith WVS interview tomorrow. A little short notice, I couldn’t change the date.

Congratulations!! Good luck with it!!

 

[axelbeugre]

Does anyone know if non-law graduates can apply to Addleshaw Goddard's vacation scheme? In the info section it states: "The placement scheme is open to all second year law students and above or final year non-law students" - does this mean that graduates are excluded?

Yes! I had a friend who was non-law graduate who did it this past summer and also got an offer so I will confidently say yes!

 

[axelbeugre]

I'd be careful with this. Everyone's role is important in a firm so definitely emphasise talking to a range of people I'd say. I got feedback from a VS that I focused too much on networking with Partners and didn't talk to paralegals.

@mkt I would definitely agree with this. You really need to show that you are interested in everyone at the firm. I do not think it will set you apart significantly so I would not mention it if it is not necessary to show your genuine interest to the firm. I would perhaps keep it for the interview where you can explain yourself a little bit better!

 

[axelbeugre]

Would you include a vac scheme that you weren't offered a TC from on your CV/work exp. sections of applications?

Yes, it is important that you do as it will allow you to explain why you want to become a commercial lawyer as you were already exposed to the industry with such a valuable experience. And it also makes you an interesting candidate because if a firm wanted you enough to give you an offer, other law firms will pay at your profile a little closer!

Good luck with the application!

 

[axelbeugre]

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker I have just started my volunteering (unpaid) in a law centre. Should I put this as work experience or extra-curricular/ role of responsibility section? And also which section should I put Open Day (in person & virtual) under?

I think @Jessica Booker provided an exhaustive answer with which I agree so I would definitely follow her advice! Most of my work experiences were unpaid but I put them in the work section and I only put the university associations, sport and things of this nature in the extra-curricular or role of responsibility. But it depends on you and what do you need more!

Good luck with the application cycle!

 

[F12M34L]

Is CMS giving our WGT automatically now? I thought they screen apps first

 

[CallumJR]

Is CMS giving our WGT automatically now? I thought they screen apps first

They screen first but virtually everybody gets a WG. Unless you mess up the Q.