TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

hey everyone, for this question for mischon: Please detail any activities and achievements

do the following count? (im trying to rack my brain to think of anything)
- mentoring schemes, workshops
- forage
- if i charity fundraised as an extra responsibility within my part time job


any help would be great as i haven't really 'won' any fancy awards

Hiya @ohnoselim ,

There’s a common misconception that candidates need to have done a load of tasks like winning fancy awards to nail this section of the application. Law firms and recruiters will know and appreciate that most people are at the start of their careers. Furthermore, accomplishments can encompass so many things. The key is to actually ensure you answer the question. For example, if I was to answer this, I would discuss any activities or positions of responsibilities and talk about the achievements. In your case, I believe you could make a compelling case with the last example. Charity fundraising is indeed an activity for the purposes of this question, and you could take your answer to the next level by considering if you could quantify your efforts. How much did you raise? How did you do this? Any transferable skills you got as a result?

I would advise shying away from using the first two examples as activities suggests a continuous effort - something you have done regularly. Mentoring schemes and forage experiences are better discussed at the work experience section, or the motivational questions. These are more knowledge development programmes.

I’ve also seen people talk about a host of activities and gotten past this stage. From debate competitions to playing tennis. Sometimes, law firms want candidates to be creative with this question - although the exact degree, differs between firms. The word, detail, also means you should expand on whatever you mention in a sufficient context to not leave the reader asking any questions in their head. Depending on the word count, you could link the activities and the skills you got from them to Mishcon‘s key trainee competencies.

 

[Amma Usman]

Would love thoughts on this - A commercial issue for Weil app am thinking of talking about the rise of private credit. This is a commercial issue that affects asset management and PE firms for alternative forms of financing through private credit. My issue is will this still be relevant as interest rates and inflation have be lowered will private credit still be relevant. Any thoughts on this @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu

Hi there @Tcvspfo ,

Yep - private credit is definitely still relevant. Law firms have made whole new practices focusing on private credit. Sidley Austin, Dechert, and Morgan Lewis are three I can think of right now.

I also found out not long ago, that Kramer Levin also launched its new private credit practice. See the full article here:

Kramer Levin creates private credit legal practice

Law firm Kramer Levin has launched a new multidisciplinary private credit practice

alternativecreditinvestor.com

The recent nature of this launch emphasises its increasing relevance in the modern financial world.

@Jaysen had also written a really insightful article in June, which I‘ve linked HERE.

Lastly, I had made a post earlier on how to approach the Weil question specifically.

Best of luck on your Weil app!!!🚀

Hi there @a1024 ,

If I was to answer this question, I would take the following approach:

1. Short introductory paragraph stating what the topic is. Could literally be a sentence. You don’t need to repeat the rest of the elements that you’ll cover as they are already in the question. Further, you can simply signpost your reader by including each key element in its own paragraph.

2. A paragraph on why it interests you. Now, it’s not enough to use generic reasons because you have to be specific on your past experiences or any life encounters which are so substantial enough to demonstrate why that specifically interests. For example, if you mention a topic relating to private equity - why does that industry appeal? Any courses you’ve done? Any open days you’ve attended where this was highlighted… this could be anything that shows your journey and adequately communicates that genuine passion. Recruiters would be able to catch out a lack of interest - so take your time with this.

3. A paragraph stating why it’s signifiant. This will mean that you can’t choose just any topic - it has to be one which is big enough to cause substantial ripple positive/negative effects in the industry. This could be immediate or down the line. Significance should also be looked at from a microeconomic and macroeconomic standpoint. It should be looked at from the perspective of all the economic agents.

Let‘s look at it this way…

Inflation is a basic example I will use.

For individuals, higher prices will mean that they are encouraged to spend less.

For businesses, and because individuals are spending less, they will face lower cash flows. This is because they will see less sales and may need to lower prices to stay afloat.

For law firms which serve these businesses, two things may happen;

1. The scope of advisory changes. For example, tax departments may be involved more to help these businesses restructure their assets and spending to maximise waste.

2. As businesses are even struggling to convert their assets into cash, they will be less eager to expand - this influences the corporate practices of law firms that deal with such matters.

So you see show I have considered the impacts of a law firm’s clients from connecting impacts from the ground up - consumers like you and I being the first arm affected.

Lastly, there is no need for a conclusion due to the word count. You should also choose a topic which influences clients the firm is well-versed at advising in - PE, for example.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

@Jessica Booker

When asked in an application question "Provide an example of a time you provided exceptional client service," is it bad to talk about a job you worked in general over time. I had only one experience that could have answered that question but the form had another that the experience matched to better, so instead I talked about a job I worked in a bakery during university for 3 years. Is this bad because I really do not have any other specific example to talk about whereas I can go into to quite deep detail about my university job over the years I worked there?

Hiya @AI212121

Just wanted to add to what @Jessica Booker said. It's absolutely fine to use your experience working in the bakery for this question. Your experience doesn’t have to be from a corporate or formal setting. I’ve had positive feedback from interviews where I talked about my time working in the restaurant industry because those environments can be so fast-paced and customer-focused (they’re great places to develop and demonstrate strong client service skills).

If you're using the bakery job, I’d suggest focusing on one specific instance where you went above and beyond for a customer. Think about a time when you solved a problem, handled a difficult situation, or created a particularly positive experience for someone. For example, was there a client with a particularly complex order? Did you work under pressure during a rush to meet everyone’s needs/orders with a positive attitude? Or perhaps you were able to get a customer to come back to the bakery more often by doing little things like remembering their preferences and tailoring their orders to those? (Your answer could technically highlight many of these points, just be sure to make good use of the STAR method to keep the answer organised and focussed).

Overall, the key is to explain what you did, why it mattered, and how it benefitted the customer. Best of luck with the application!

 

[SonghaivAngel]

Willkie Written Assessment + Weil VI invite!!!

 

[helloj]

If I haven't heard back from Dechert post app for Spring yet should I assume PFO?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

If I haven't heard back from Dechert post app for Spring yet should I assume PFO?

Hiya @helloj

I wouldn't assume a PFO just yet. Aside from the fact that the deadline is 31 December, I know several people who completed their written assessments and video interviews for Dechert in late January and even February. Hang in there!

 

[user23]

Anyone got tips for the Eversheds Sutherland VI? I saw the 2019 thread but it may be outdated

Willing to help in return, just drop a message

 

[crt1s]

For those who received a telephone interview with Fieldfisher, how soon after completing the test did you hear?

 

[Toenails]

If I haven't heard back from Dechert post app for Spring yet should I assume PFO?

when you apply?

 

[sooae]

Anyone got tips for the Eversheds Sutherland VI? I saw the 2019 thread but it may be outdated

Willing to help in return, just drop a message

Hi! Is this VI for London office?

 

[adrk1234]

Anyone done there VI for B&B on or after the 30th November and heard back about AC/PFO?

 

[helloj]

when you apply?

10th Oct

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

any advice on answering this question as part of Fieldfisher's TC app, would studying a non-law degree and linking this to law be sufficient or would you say it should be more personal? Thank you!! @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam Describe the personal life experiences that have given you the unique perspective you would bring as a Trainee at Fieldfisher, and how this perspective will support your success. (800 characters)

Heya @legallyells

Just wanted to add to the very good suggestions mentioned by @Amma Usman! I think you can definitely talk about your non-law degree here. It’s a great way to highlight how your background has shaped your perspective and working style. That said, I’d encourage you to think beyond your degree too. This question is asking about you, so it’s worth reflecting on other experiences that have influenced how you see the world.

For example, have you worked part-time, volunteered, or been involved in any extracurriculars that helped you develop unique skills or insights? Maybe you’ve faced a challenging situation that taught you resilience or adaptability, or you’ve been part of a community or environment that shaped how you collaborate or communicate. Whether you go with discussing your non-law background or something else, I think the key with this question is link your experiences to the qualities that would make you a successful trainee. You'll want to think about how they’ve influenced the way you work, problem-solve, or interact with others. Best of luck with the application!

 

[NJS]

Also did the Mayer Brown test on 29/10 and no news so assuming its a PFO. Do they historically send invites in batches?

I applied the same and didn't get the test, I was told we'd hear by the 16th, so I think well have to firm this one...

 

[Toenails]

i have done a vacation scheme before i did not convert can i apply to the same firm training contract route, feed back was on commercial awareness mostly, i really like the firm any advice

 

[AS24]

@Jessica Booker, I hope you are well.

I am currently applying for a vacation scheme at Forsters, in addition to the academic referee, they are also asking for an employment referee which I do not have. I am a contractor for the government and they are not allowed to give a reference. How do you think I should approach this situation?
Thank you in advance.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

i have done a vacation scheme before i did not convert can i apply to the same firm training contract route, feed back was on commercial awareness mostly, i really like the firm any advice

Hiya @Toenails

I think it’s worth checking the firm’s policy first to see if they have any specific rules about applying again after a vacation scheme. Some firms might have restrictions, but if there’s nothing mentioned, I’d absolutely encourage you to go for it.

I’ve actually met two candidates who didn’t secure a training contract after their vacation schemes but later applied for a direct training contract route in the next cycle and ended up joining as trainees. So, it’s certainly possible! (I also know several candidates who did vacation schemes with the same firm after being rejected post vacation scheme in the previous cycle). I think the key thing to focus on is how you’ve grown since your vacation scheme. Firms understand that candidates develop over time, so think about how you’ve worked on the feedback you received, especially around commercial awareness here, and how you can show that growth in your application.

I think overall, if you really like the firm, don’t let the previous outcome stop you. Best of luck with the application!

 

[SonghaivAngel]

i have Willkie and Weil Vi!!!

any tips? Much appreciated

Hi, First of all congrats on getting progressed to the VI stage at both firms. That is no easy feat amidst an increasingly competitive cohort of applicants. I did my Willkie VI on the 2nd of December and received an invitation to their Written Assessment on the 12th. What I believe made my VI stand out is firstly, not regurgitating what you wrote in your application but rather, using it as a foundation to build new answers to the questions outlined. It is also very strict on timing so I would recommend practicing answering commercial questions in 90 - 120 seconds where you have free time. There will be questions that throw you off/ you would not expect but use it as an opportunity to showcase your creativity and don't be scared to verbalise a viewpoint or idea that you wouldn't expect anyone else to know. Many times, this is seen as a strength rather than a flaw. Finally, it is imperative that you know the practices, culture and values of the firm as this underlies every question that they will ask you.

P.S Don't worry about stuttering or slight moments of hesitation - I had about 5 of these moments and they still progressed me onwards. Good luck!!

 

[Toenails]

Hiya @Toenails

I think it’s worth checking the firm’s policy first to see if they have any specific rules about applying again after a vacation scheme. Some firms might have restrictions, but if there’s nothing mentioned, I’d absolutely encourage you to go for it.

I’ve actually met two candidates who didn’t secure a training contract after their vacation schemes but later applied for a direct training contract route in the next cycle and ended up joining as trainees. So, it’s certainly possible! (I also know several candidates who did vacation schemes with the same firm after being rejected post vacation scheme in the previous cycle). I think the key thing to focus on is how you’ve grown since your vacation scheme. Firms understand that candidates develop over time, so think about how you’ve worked on the feedback you received, especially around commercial awareness here, and how you can show that growth in your application.

I think overall, if you really like the firm, don’t let the previous outcome stop you. Best of luck with the application!

thank you this is encouraging im afraid they will reject me after reading my application

i have mentioned what steps i have taken to improve my commercial awareness and what i have learnt. i put this in the additional information box.

i asked in my feedback call and was told i can apply again but my application would be seen as a new one and not as a previous applicant

is there any feedback that warrants a person should not apply again

 

[Toenails]

Hi, First of all congrats on getting progressed to the VI stage at both firms. That is no easy feat amidst an increasingly competitive cohort of applicants. I did my Willkie VI on the 2nd of December and received an invitation to their Written Assessment on the 12th. What I believe made my VI stand out is firstly, not regurgitating what you wrote in your application but rather, using it as a foundation to build new answers to the questions outlined. It is also very strict on timing so I would recommend practicing answering commercial questions in 90 - 120 seconds where you have free time. There will be questions that throw you off/ you would not expect but use it as an opportunity to showcase your creativity and don't be scared to verbalise a viewpoint or idea that you wouldn't expect anyone else to know. Many times, this is seen as a strength rather than a flaw. Finally, it is imperative that you know the practices, culture and values of the firm as this underlies every question that they will ask you.

P.S Don't worry about stuttering or slight moments of hesitation - I had about 5 of these moments and they still progressed me onwards. Good luck!!

thank you for this advice and thank you for not sharing the questions online

good luck with your applications