TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Legalstalker]

Shearman open day PFO

Thursday PFO count 3😐

 

[hopefultrainee888]

Akin's Telephone Interview invite!!
Any tips would be greatly appreciated as this is my first TI

congrats!! when did you apply?

 

[Aaj03]

congrats!! when did you apply?

Thank you.
Applied 10/11, received test invite on 24/11 and completed it by 27/11.

 

[jplaw1010]

is it possible to do the HSF test after the deadline ?

Also wondering the same

 

[LKG]

The HSF deadline says 1 December, does that mean 12:00 tonight or 11:59 tomorrow?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

The HSF deadline says 1 December, does that mean 12:00 tonight or 11:59 tomorrow?

Tomorrow night 23:59

 

[lawyerinzootopia]

Hi guys, how would you suggest answering the question 'why commercial law' when you have no previous experience related to anything within the legal field? Should I literally talk about why I want to be a commercial lawyer, or is it necessary to link the answer to experiences as a form of evidence as to why I want to go into commercial law?

 

[Tintin06]

On the one hand, a pfo. On the other hand, my wife bought me some chocolate. Be kind to yourself throughout this process. I’m happy to help with W&C.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Is Taylor Wessing test automatic?

 

[CallumJR]

Is Taylor Wessing test automatic?

no, it is the next step.

Did you get a test invite?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

no, it is the next step.

Did you get a test invite?

Yh got it an hour ago.

 

[jenniferrrrrrr]

I was wondering how long should the covering letter of w&c be?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

@Jessica Booker have the commercial awareness news stories been on a pause?

 

[InvesmentBanker]

@Asil Ahmad please keep us updated on your interview preparation and how it goes. I have been rooting for you for 1 year now.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

@Asil Ahmad please keep us updated on your interview preparation and how it goes. I have been rooting for you for 1 year now.

Thank you very much appreciate and will do got final stage interview for Ashurst tomorrow morning the rest are pending.

 

[Zaakir]

Could you provide some insight into what these questions were lol

I don't have an AC with W&C but wanna be prepared for other firms! Thank you

“when have you worked internationally on a project” was one, others are a bit of a blur

 

[Manuchelsout]

Can I PM you some questions about their test? I have failed the test previously.

I just went through HSF practise test a few times and it helped a lot.

 

[Jamie125]

Slaughtered & Dismayed: Does your cover letter not matter? Or is it nepotism?

Yesterday, I read a cover letter of someone who has made it to the assessment centre stage at Slaughter & May. Prior to reading it, I was keen to see what a successful cover letter looked like and what I can learn from it; but after reading it I was beyond baffled.

The cover letter was the most generic cover letter you can imagine, it was to the point you could replace the name ‘Slaughter and May’ with any other law firm, and send it out. There was nothing that was specific to the law firm (e.g. I want to join S&M because of their emphasis on the value of teamwork and I value teamwork because I played basket ball in sixth form, type of sentences).

I was confused how this cover letter has made it through, but it became clear after I found out their parents arranged for them to meet with a senior member of the law firm.

To be honest, I would understand if they wrote about how their meeting inspired them to be a commercial lawyer or work in S&M but there was not a single sentence about that on their cover letter.

Thus, I have come to two conclusions. Either nepotism prevails. Or your cover letter doesn’t matter at all and its only down to grades (they have decent grades for the most part).

 

[LegallyBrown]

Slaughtered & Dismayed: Does your cover letter not matter? Or is it nepotism?

Yesterday, I read a cover letter of someone who has made it to the assessment centre stage at Slaughter & May. Prior to reading it, I was keen to see what a successful cover letter looked like and what I can learn from it; but after reading it I was beyond baffled.

The cover letter was the most generic cover letter you can imagine, it was to the point you could replace the name ‘Slaughter and May’ with any other law firm, and send it out. There was nothing that was specific to the law firm (e.g. I want to join S&M because of their emphasis on the value of teamwork and I value teamwork because I played basket ball in sixth form, type of sentences).

I was confused how this cover letter has made it through, but it became clear after I found out their parents arranged for them to meet with a senior member of the law firm.

To be honest, I would understand if they wrote about how their meeting inspired them to be a commercial lawyer or work in S&M but there was not a single sentence about that on their cover letter.

Thus, I have come to two conclusions. Either nepotism prevails. Or your cover letter doesn’t matter at all and its only down to grades (they have decent grades for the most part).

 

[mfuturetrainee]

Slaughtered & Dismayed: Does your cover letter not matter? Or is it nepotism?

Yesterday, I read a cover letter of someone who has made it to the assessment centre stage at Slaughter & May. Prior to reading it, I was keen to see what a successful cover letter looked like and what I can learn from it; but after reading it I was beyond baffled.

The cover letter was the most generic cover letter you can imagine, it was to the point you could replace the name ‘Slaughter and May’ with any other law firm, and send it out. There was nothing that was specific to the law firm (e.g. I want to join S&M because of their emphasis on the value of teamwork and I value teamwork because I played basket ball in sixth form, type of sentences).

I was confused how this cover letter has made it through, but it became clear after I found out their parents arranged for them to meet with a senior member of the law firm.

To be honest, I would understand if they wrote about how their meeting inspired them to be a commercial lawyer or work in S&M but there was not a single sentence about that on their cover letter.

Thus, I have come to two conclusions. Either nepotism prevails. Or your cover letter doesn’t matter at all and its only down to grades (they have decent grades for the most part).

valid conclusions tbf 😭 giving my own two cents to the matter, in my own personal experience w the firm, I have found that there is an emphasis on grades where they r looking for high 2:1s and 1sts in your modules throughout for you to make the cut