TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[l789]

I still can’t believe I am writing this. I am happy to finally be able to share that I received a TC offer post Spring VS!! 😅

Thank you to each and every single one of you on this forum for being so kind and supportive throughout this cycle. 🥲​

So happy for you, your journey is one to remember for sure!

Congratulations KING!

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Hi everyone and especially @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu

Do you think it takes a different skillset or approach to convert a vacation scheme with fewer TC places? I have experience doing a vacation scheme where a majority of candidates were offered TCs, and having thought about the feedback, I'm pretty clear on what I should've done differently on this scheme to convert. But now I have a vacation scheme coming up where not many candidates will get offered a TC. I guess my worry is that different considerations may apply. In my previous scheme, it felt like coffee chats etc had very little impact, you didn't have to "stand out" or to introduce yourself to loads of people. But if only 20-25% of a VS cohort is getting a TC, not doing anything "bad" surely can't be enough to secure one. Or am I wrong and really most people in a vac scheme cohort will show at least some red flags, and being "good enough" is usually good enough?

 

[legallycece]

SH Summer VS ! Phone call yesterday - thanks for all the support on here !

 

[l789]

I have an upcoming interview with a US law firm, they haven’t said if it’s competency or motivational, is it ok to email (grad rec said if I had any questions to email ) and ask if it will be a competency based interview or have any case studies. The only information given to me, was the time of the interview.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I have an upcoming interview with a US law firm, they haven’t said if it’s competency or motivational, is it ok to email (grad rec said if I had any questions to email ) and ask if it will be a competency based interview or have any case studies. The only information given to me, was the time of the interview.

What kind of role is this for?

 

[l789]

What kind of role is this for?

Work experience scheme with the opportunity to convert to a VC/TC.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Work experience scheme with the opportunity to convert to a VC/TC.

Yes - it would make sense to see if the firm’s recruitment team can provide you with any more details of what to expect.

 

[l789]

Yes - it would make sense to see if the firm’s recruitment team can provide you with any more details of what to expect.

Thank you!

 

[Tehdx]

Does anyone know whether the Linklaters vac scheme application includes a work experience section?

 

[Amma Usman]

SH Summer VS ! Phone call yesterday - thanks for all the support on here !

Love this for you. Congratulations! 🥳🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does anyone know whether the Linklaters vac scheme application includes a work experience section?

It hasn't for the last two cycles - not sure whether it will or not next cycle though.

 

[Tehdx]

It hasn't for the last two cycles - not sure whether it will or not next cycle though.

Thank you very much for confirming Jessica, so is it only academics, you don’t need to list work experience as I am worried my non legal work experience would count against me?

 

[User5678]

Thank you very much for confirming Jessica, so is it only academics, you don’t need to list work experience as I am worried my non legal work experience would count against me?

Any kind of work experience will always make your application stand out and in no case would it work against you A lot of firms look for candidates with non legal work experience too as it helps gain different types of experiences! I had no legal work experience except two open days when I got my first legal placement.

It is possible that linklaters don’t have a separate work experience section but the application questions may be such that you would have to link your answer back to work experiences! (I am not too sure about the questions as I didn’t apply)

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thank you very much for confirming Jessica, so is it only academics, you don’t need to list work experience as I am worried my non legal work experience would count against me?

Non legal work experience is rarely going to count against you.

For the vacation scheme, I understand the firm relies quite heavily on the online testing they have in place.

 

[Mug Fan]

Thoughts on choosing between TCs from W&C and Goodwin?

A close friend is a partner at Goodwin and rates it. I quote “not many d**heads at all”. I’m biased though as it’s been my top firm since I started this process.

Fabulous problem to have!

 

[Tangcy]

Hi all, just wanted to ask what kind of information do you guys asked when going to a law firm open days? I just want to know what kind of "insider scoop" that I can asked for to demonstrate my research and my motivation to apply for that particular firm. I would really appreciate any examples or things i could consider.

 

[lilymaltaba]

A close friend is a partner at Goodwin and rates it. I quote “not many d**heads at all”. I’m biased though as it’s been my top firm since I started this process.

Fabulous problem to have!

Thank you and good luck

 

[Legallywhatever]

When grad recruitment tells you that they’ll be giving a response by the end of this week, do we think they mean the working week or is it possible they mean by the end of Sunday?

 

[AS24]

When grad recruitment tells you that they’ll be giving a response by the end of this week, do we think they mean the working week or is it possible they mean by the end of Sunday?

It should be Friday, is this Mishcon?

 

[NJS]

Hi @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu I've been asked to prep a commercial story for an upcoming interview, do you think discussing the rise in private credit would suffice or is that too broad?