TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

Status
Not open for further replies.

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
14,372
20,012
Thank you for the response, they are:

1. When have you worked towards an ambitious goal? As part of your answer, please describe how you tackled this goal, what set-backs you faced and what energised you about the situation.

2. When have you delivered a piece of work where quality was an important factor? As part of your answer, please describe why quality was important to you, what approaches you took to help you deliver and what you enjoyed?

3. You are working on a query for a new client, which has to be responded to tomorrow morning. You were told it was important as Eversheds Sutherland want to impress them. However, you have a lot of work on and the query is taking you longer than you expected. You are now behind on your work for today. You also have emails from other people chasing you for work you have not yet started. What would you do? As part of your answer, please also describe what personal strengths would you draw upon and what would you find energising in this situation?

All 500 words
The first two require no reason to tie it back to the firm - just focus on describing the example and making sure you hit all the points of the question.

The final question does not need to be tied back to the firm directly. However, you may want to think about the structure of the training/supervision at the firm, and also the support mechanisms the firm has too when answering this question.

I don’t think you have to use all 500 words for these answers - you may find you get to 400 or so and not need the rest (and that is fine). But it is important to hit all the parts of the questions - they are quite clear in stating there are multiple layers to the answer they are expecting.
 

NJS

Legendary Member
  • Aug 21, 2021
    230
    328
    The first two require no reason to tie it back to the firm - just focus on describing the example and making sure you hit all the points of the question.

    The final question does not need to be tied back to the firm directly. However, you may want to think about the structure of the training/supervision at the firm, and also the support mechanisms the firm has too when answering this question.

    I don’t think you have to use all 500 words for these answers - you may find you get to 400 or so and not need the rest (and that is fine). But it is important to hit all the parts of the questions - they are quite clear in stating there are multiple layers to the answer they are expecting.
    Great thank you so much !!
     

    axelbeugre

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Junior Lawyer
    Sep 14, 2023
    1,274
    1,724
    Hey @axelbeugre, does Goodwin offer a restructuring seat? Their website says the London office has restructuring lawyers and capabilities in this area. However, chambers state otherwise. Thanks in advance
    They do have a finance seat where I am sure you have some lawyers specialising in Restructuring but there is not a specific Restructuring seat, it is within the finance seat if that makes sense. That is what I know!
     
    • Like
    Reactions: sxw517

    axelbeugre

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Junior Lawyer
    Sep 14, 2023
    1,274
    1,724
    Submitting a late app to Eversheds, the word count is 500 words, does this just mean I've been given more room to discuss my points? and the questions are all strength based, so is there any need to link to the firm (don't really know how you could with questions about my strenghts). Any thoughts appreciated @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre
    Hey @NJS,

    I think it depends on the question, what is the question they have asked?

    I am assuming that the questions asks about your skills and professional experiences. I think that there is a chance to link your skills back to the firm. Whenever you are describing an experience, and you are elaborating the skills that you have learned from it, you can say how you are excited to demonstrate these skills as a future commercial lawyer at Eversheds (and that is a perfect link to the firm).

    Whenever you get questions like these, when someone refers to linking what you are saying back to the firm, sometimes it basically means highlighting how the skills you have developed will make you a successful lawyer at the firm you are applying to.

    That is what I used to do when I was applying last year. I tried to answer the question asked, describing my skills, for instance attention to detail or communication skills, linking it back to my professional and academic experiences. Then, I included how I believed that these skills would have benefited me as a trainee solicitor at the firm in question.

    I hope this helps and good luck with the process!
     
    • Like
    Reactions: NJS

    axelbeugre

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Junior Lawyer
    Sep 14, 2023
    1,274
    1,724

    NJS

    Legendary Member
  • Aug 21, 2021
    230
    328
    Hey @NJS,

    I think it depends on the question, what is the question they have asked?

    I am assuming that the questions asks about your skills and professional experiences. I think that there is a chance to link your skills back to the firm. Whenever you are describing an experience, and you are elaborating the skills that you have learned from it, you can say how you are excited to demonstrate these skills as a future commercial lawyer at Eversheds (and that is a perfect link to the firm).

    Whenever you get questions like these, when someone refers to linking what you are saying back to the firm, sometimes it basically means highlighting how the skills you have developed will make you a successful lawyer at the firm you are applying to.

    That is what I used to do when I was applying last year. I tried to answer the question asked, describing my skills, for instance attention to detail or communication skills, linking it back to my professional and academic experiences. Then, I included how I believed that these skills would have benefited me as a trainee solicitor at the firm in question.

    I hope this helps and good luck with the process!
    Amazing, thank you!
     
    • Like
    Reactions: axelbeugre

    Bubbles

    Legendary Member
    Jan 19, 2022
    187
    232
    Hi I've got the VI coming up! How did you find it? Do you have any tips you'd recommend? Would be very grateful for any advice! :)
    Hey it was a strengths-based interview but I have to say the questions were kinda weird. Unfortunately I don't remember them anymore. I do remember that you had 2 minutes to answer

    Good luck!
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Unknown
    Status
    Not open for further replies.

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Newsletter

    Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.