TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hey @LawLawLawLawLaw , @Ram Sabaratnam has perfectly covered both questions. With regards your second question, @Andrei Radu has also made a guide on navigating VIs which I’ve linked below;

A complete guide for competency interview preparation

This is a guide for the purposes of preparing for competency interviews, be they in a VI, another intermediary step or an AC/final stage interview. The advice here is based on my personal approach, as I received VS offers from top US/MC firms 4/4 times I implemented it. This will include: A...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Best of luck with the apps!!!

Go @Andrei Radu!!! Go @Amma Usman!!!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi! @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman @Jessica Booker
Is it ok to cover three practice areas in one paragraph in my answer to the 'why our firm' question for a firm with a transactional focus? They are all transactional areas, and my interest in these areas is a genuine reason why I am applying to the firm. In my answer, I provide a brief explanation of my interest in each of these practice areas.

My overall answer structure is:
- Para 1: I am drawn to firm's transactional focus (this is where I explain my interest in the 3 practice areas)
- Para 2: I discuss a training-related point

For context, the word count is only 200 words.

Is this okay? Thanks!

Hiya @KBanana 👀

I think including a training-related point in paragraph 2 sounds like a solid idea. It shows you’re also considering a range of factors for joining the firm.

As for paragraph 1, discussing three practice areas in one paragraph could work. My main worry is that it might end up sounding a bit rushed, especially given the 200-word limit. Transactional practice areas can vary significantly, and without enough detail, there’s a risk of your answer coming across as too broad or superficial. For instance, restructuring, banking and finance, and corporate M&A all involve different kinds of challenges and client needs, so it’s worth being careful not to paper over those distinctions.

Personally, I’ve found it more effective to focus on one or two practice areas and really connect them to my experiences or interests. By providing a specific example (e.g. a project I worked on, research I conducted, or previous work experience), I was able to demonstrate my interest in those areas in a way that felt personal and genuine.

That being said, I’d be curious to hear what @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu and @Amma Usman think too. They'll likely have a different perspective on this in terms of both style and content. Good luck with your application!

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Just got rejected from a paralegal role because they wanted someone with paralegal experience, despite me having paralegal experience lol

Sorry to hear that...and then I see posts on LinkedIn like this one...

 

[Tcvspfo]

nearly 1 month post AC no response W&C

Nearly 8 weeks post VI no response.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Sorry to hear that...and then I see posts on LinkedIn like this one...

View attachment 6429

Love this! Thank you all for being such a wonderful source of support and encouragement to each other!

 

[Deleted member 37508]

congrats all!! when did you guys do your WG and for which office did you apply to?

23/10 London

 

[Deleted member 37508]

Hey @IneedaTCASAP , well done! I’ve linked two pieces of advice from the team below;

@Ram Sabaratnam : “As for video interviews, I think the key is to practice answering typical video interview questions as often as possible. You can do this by creating skeleton outlines for the standard motivational, commercial, and competency questions, and then practising your answers to these with friends or family members. In my case, I also tried to practice by recording myself to ensure that my delivery was impactful and that my points could be made in a structured manner within the typical 1-2 minute time frame. It’s not a natural thing to do, so can require take some practice to get used to. Hope this helps and best of luck with your applications!”

@Andrei Radu : https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....de-for-competency-interview-preparation.9380/

I dont’ have much to add to the above. I’ll just say be confident and dress appropriately - as if you were going for a real in-person interview

Curious to hear what @Jessica Booker has to say on this as well!

Goodluck with the VI…!!!

Thank you for this information @Amma Usman super informative.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Good afternoon,

Would running an online business/marketplace be considered an extracurricular ?

@Jessica Booker @Jaysen

I would consider this work experience rather than an extra curricular, but it is a bit of a grey area but I’d lean towards work experience

 

[Pola123]

CMS VI haha. I guess I won’t drown into sadness for a few days. Anyone have any experience with CMS VI format?

 

[arando]

congrats all!! when did you guys do your WG and for which office did you apply to?

London and 25/10

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker I have booked a TC call with you for tomorrow. Are we allowed to send over an application to discuss?

I can’t review the application (this would be better suited for the application review service) but I can talk about broader themes of the application.

 

[NJS]

Just met CMS at the legal cheek fair just a few points to mention.

- non-rolling but they view applications as they come in and progress applicants to the Watson Glaser if they are successful at application stage/meet the eligibility criteria.
- timeframe from submission to Watson Glaser invite is a week.
- if you pass the Watson Glaser you can be placed into two different pools - 1) if you exceed the pass mark then you are automatically progressed to video interview. 2) if your score is decent but not considered as a ‘strong pass’ then you’ll be placed in a holding pool and your score will be compared with the wider pool when the bench mark has been established.
- Watson Glaser test score and Application is viewed holistically before progressing to the video interview.

So it’s basically rolling lol

 

[HarmonyN]

CMS VI Invite
Can't believe I've finally passed their WG

 

[Zaraa.x]

So it’s basically rolling lol

Nah because they don’t give out TC offers before the deadline, they only progress people through the recruitment process. Grad Rec only review as applications come in to manage the workload.

Recruiting on a rolling basis is when firms give out TC offers before the deadline - like Slaughter and May.

 

[Deleted member 37508]

So it’s basically rolling lol

exactly what I thought. How can it be non rolling. They’re progressing applicants to the 3rd stage of their application process 2 weeks before the deadline.

 

[Deleted member 37508]

Nah because they don’t give out TC offers before the deadline, they only progress people through the recruitment process. Grad Rec only review as applications come in to manage the workload.

Recruiting on a rolling basis is when firms give out TC offers before the deadline - like Slaughter and May.

I see your point now. However I’d still class that as rolling or semi rolling. Realistically you hear back with an invite or rejection before the deadline. It’s like Willkie who progress but do not offer. Gives you peace knowing you won’t have to wait months for an outcome.

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Still no rejection or WG sent by CMS post application. I’ve no idea what they’re doing with my application.

 

[gazdgazd11]

CMS VI!! If anyone has any tips it would be great, I can help with Bird & Bird and Mishcon from last year

Congrats! How long did it take them to send the Watson glaser test after submitting your app? I’ve just applied for the tc

 

[aspiringsolicitor121]

Hi, I received the CMS VI today! Does anyone have the questions from the VI from last year and would be kind enough to share them for prep? Please and thank you so much!

 

[Deleted member 37508]

I had a question. How selfish is too selfish.
I reply to messages on this forum and provide insight on my progress with firms as a guidance for others who have applied. It’s only fair as I enjoy seeing when others post news. But I wondered where do we draw the line of tips/help. I have no problem providing video interview questions to a firm I have been rejected by, I wouldn’t see the person asking me as ‘competition’ as I would be out of the running. However, I constantly get messages about a firm I am currently in the process for asking for video interview/ interview questions. How is that fair. As for tips for video interviews etc what tips are you looking for. It’s a video interview. I have had people reach out and I’ve given tips such as The type of questions the video interview are based on such as competency or motivational but I believe this makes no difference to the prep you should’ve already been doing if you’re serious about the firm and law in general as many of these answers are reusable.

Offering advice about prep time and how many questions are very acceptable but then again this is all provided before you commence the video interview. Getting a training contract is a competitive process I don’t understand why anyone would think someone would give them an advantage by providing the answer to a video interview for a firm they are waiting to hear back from also.

My two pence based on my observations recently.