• Hey Guest, Have an interview coming up? We’ve opened new mock interview slots this week. Book here
  • TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.
    Join →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hi, @axelbeugre and @Jessica Booker would love to have your opinion on a bunch of questions that I am trying to answer.

1)When asked what are the attributes that a lawyer, what do we refer to? Should I talk about commercial acumen, teamwork, and communication?
2) When asked to describe what sets this firm apart from other firms? Should we talk about how x firm compares against another specific firm and I can mention capabilities or training etc..or should I compare x firm against many other firms?
3) When asked to talk about a specific news and why interest me? Should I write about something that relates to the firm? Additionally, can I mention that I am interested because of my background in specific industries, it affects me as an everyday consumer and interests me as an aspiring lawyer because the legal implications are multiple such as etc..?

Forum feel free to chime in:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: axelbeugre
Hi, @axelbeugre and @Jessica Booker would love to have your opinion on a bunch of questions that I am trying to answer.

1)When asked what are the attributes that a lawyer, what do we refer to? Should I talk about commercial acumen, teamwork, and communication?
2) When asked to describe what sets this firm apart from other firms? Should we talk about how x firm compares against another specific firm and I can mention capabilities or training etc..or should I compare x firm against many other firms?
3) When asked to talk about a specific news and why interest me? Should I write about something that relates to the firm? Additionally, can I mention that I am interested because of my background in specific industries, it affects me as an everyday consumer and interests me as an aspiring lawyer because the legal implications are multiple such as etc..?

Forum feel free to chime in:)
1) those attributes are perfectly fine, examples of that nature are what they are looking for.
2) You should highlight the firms' strengths compared to other firms generally without naming a specific firm in my opinion.
3) You should talk about something that interests you specifically, it does not have to be linked to the firm necessarily. Yes, you can definitely do that, your explanation works in my opinion and I used to mention similar things too.

Good luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jaysen and S87
1) those attributes are perfectly fine, examples of that nature are what they are looking for.
2) You should highlight the firms' strengths compared to other firms generally without naming a specific firm in my opinion.
3) You should talk about something that interests you specifically, it does not have to be linked to the firm necessarily. Yes, you can definitely do that, your explanation works in my opinion and I used to mention similar things too.

Good luck!
You are a gem @axelbeugre
 
  • Like
Reactions: axelbeugre
HFW PFO. applied 12th Jan
You should always stay humble but cant say I'm not surprised. I thought my app was really strong considering I made it past app stage for other shipping firms. Was my application too late? or was the quality not enough compared to other applicants
i still haven’t received a response and I applied on the same date as you. but if people have already done ACs, i’m assuming it’s PFO for me?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Future$trainee
Posted this on the other thread too but will share it here as well for the greater reach.

Hello all,

An update from the Freshfields team:

"Hi Zeyad,

We’re still in the process of screening applications. Watson Glaser invitations will be issued over the coming days, with the last of these to be sent later this month.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Kind regards,
Anav"

They are such a great recruitment team and always respond to any queries I have :)

Please let me know if you'd like a follow up email. Wishing everyone the best of luck.
 
Who has the 'final say' in an application cycle once you collate all the feedback? If you've got to AC, is it the partners? Is it GR? I'd love to learn how they select successful candidates for VSs.
Just anecdotally (a senior associate at Slaughters told me this) I've heard partners have significant influence if they really like or dislike a candidate.
 
Just anecdotally (a senior associate at Slaughters told me this) I've heard partners have significant influence if they really like or dislike a candidate.
A lot of the big US firms are like this too. If a senior partner likes you, you're most likely in. No senior associate or member of recruitment can challenge them.

I also have a few friends who have relatives at the MC firms from which they got their offers. I would give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they secured their TCs on their own merit, but behind closed doors, they'd brag about how their dad or uncle ultimately got them the job.

I think it's just how it is and it's one of those things that most likely won't change.

At least these firms recruit the other 99% of us fairly.
 
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.

Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.