TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[bibss]

When I applied for direct tc this March I didn’t redo the test cause it was within a year from my 2023 direct tc app (only by a couple days). But I applied for the winter vs this cycle and had to redo the test, so I think it’s only a year

Thank you - this is helpful to know! So it looks like I won’t have to redo the test

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2025/26🙏]

Hi guys, does anyone to know what the questions are for the A&O Shearman video interview was? I presume its the same as last year?

 

[legal18]

Hi guys, does anyone to know what the questions are for the A&O Shearman video interview was? I presume its the same as last year?

what were they last year?

 

[wqueens8]

Don't know how much this helps, but for their LGBTQ+ Open Day I applied for through AllAboutLaw, it had a character limit rather than a word limit, and I'm pretty sure it was 600 characters per question. That might be an AllAboutLaw thing though, rather than a Hogan Lovells thing.

I also applied for this, have you heard back yet?

 

[sammm10101]

I also applied for this, have you heard back yet?

Noo not yet, have you?

 

[RonRod13]

PM me if you want to compare feedback reports for BCLP

 

[Deleted member 31571]

Sidley anyone?

 

[0livia.pope]

should I leave out mentioning another firm’s virtual work experience program in an application to a different firm? For context the VWE was a magic circle and the app is for a US firm.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

should I leave out mentioning another firm’s virtual work experience program in an application to a different firm? For context the VWE was a magic circle and the app is for a US firm.

If there is a connection to the experience to the firm you are applying to, you should include it somewhere in your application. It is not an issue it is with a competitor firm or with a different type of firm.

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2025/26🙏]

what were they last year?

1.
Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer at A&O and what do you think are the key skills and qualities required for success?

2.Tell us about a challenge you have faced. What are the skills you used to overcome that challenge and how are they transferable to help you with a career as a lawyer

 

[wqueens8]

Noo not yet, have you?

noo neither, hoping they let us know soon if i'm gonna need to book a train

 

[sammm10101]

noo neither, hoping they let us know soon if i'm gonna need to book a train

I think it said that they would let us know by the 20th which is pretty soon

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Am I going crazy or has Travers Smith decided to not do their winter vacation scheme this year??

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I am pretty sure I saw the link to it somewhere but I can't find anything online tf ^

 

[Gg2001]

Am I going crazy or has Travers Smith decided to not do their winter vacation scheme this year??

i talked with grad rec, they have removed their winter vac scheme for this year. you either apply for summer or direct tc.

 

[Amma Usman]

Does any one have any advice on structuring this question for NRF - How has your understanding of the role of a commercial lawyer developed, and motivated you to pursue a career at Norton Rose Fulbright?

Is it best to essentially split it into:
1) Why I want to be a commercial lawyer with reference to relevant experiences and their impact on my understanding and motivation(s) for the role;
2) Why NRF and why I am a good fit with relevant reasons/examples.

Or would it be better to structure it in a combined manner, using multiple examples i.e.
1) Example of experience, how this has developed my understanding as a commercial lawyer and then how said experience links to NRF;
2) Repeat the same with another example; and
3) Repeat same with another example.

Would appreciate any guidance, whether that be using one of the above or an alternative approach to structuring an answer.

Hey @KGNines, great question!

With hybrid questions like this, I believe either approach is fine. However, whichever approach you take, you could include a short preamble statement stating which parts of the question you would cover in turn. This will let graduate recruitment know that you‘ve understood the question and are not going off on any tangents. Another general approach could be:

- A paragraph which really tells your story and what led you to commercial law. Any experiences outside law? Any experiences within law that were initially not ‘commercial’? Why did the commerce aspect appeal to you?
- A paragraph explaining why NRF? Work/practice areas? Recent developments you may not necessarily get at another firm? etc.

Hope this helped, and let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[A worried paralegal]

should I leave out mentioning another firm’s virtual work experience program in an application to a different firm? For context the VWE was a magic circle and the app is for a US firm.

Don’t use it in the main questions unless there’s a proper similarity in the work but no issue anywhere else

 

[BillSikes]

For those who are Paralegals - can I ask what your notice is after your probation period? I am a paralegal at the moment and my notice after 6 months probation will be 3 months - and I am wondering if this is industry standard or just my firm.

I'm thinking who is gonna wait 3 months to hire a paralegal with 6 months experience

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

For those who are Paralegals - can I ask what your notice is after your probation period? I am a paralegal at the moment and my notice after 6 months probation will be 3 months - and I am wondering if this is industry standard or just my firm.

I'm thinking who is gonna wait 3 months to hire a paralegal with 6 months experience

3 months is not rare for permanent roles post probation these days. Fixed term contracts will more likely be 4 weeks/1 month.

 

[Miss Chocolate]

i talked with grad rec, they have removed their winter vac scheme for this year. you either apply for summer or direct tc.

cool thank you!! very annoying