TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[SeniorJunior]

RIP bro, thats arguably the hardest area of law. I sat in tax for a spring vac scheme and didnt convert despite having two years tax working experience. Not to scare you but idk anyone who has got a TC after sitting in tax so prepare yourself and get ready for the challenge. Feel free to message me and i can give you a few pointers.

What a way to encourage someone.
To counter this, my first VS was this April, I sat in tax and have no tax experience whatsoever. I was terrified, but I walked away with great feedback and a TC offer.
They’re not expecting you to know everything on a VS, they’re looking for your work ethic and how you solve things and handle not knowing.

 

[Eros]

Hey @Jessica Booker For Percins Coie, they say to have the cover letter include:

• What attracts you to the LBA program?
• What is a recent story in the news that could impact a Perkins Coie client and what could that effect be?

In terms of content, would you suggest the cover letter to directly addresses these 2 points and have the common 'why me', 'why commercial law' or, to just have the 2 points mentioned above in the cover letter?

There does not seem to be a word count limit, but I will send Natalie an email clarifying that.

-Thanks in advance

In the webinar Natalie mentioned to only answer the questions asked. I assume they will ask the "why law and why us" in the interview. With no word count do you think 250 words for both combined is enough or should I write more ?

 

[YnoFeedback?]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I am curious - out of worry to be honest - whether a firm cares if I have made previous application to their VS/TC and been rejected? Is there a limit to the number of times that I can apply? I am worried Recruitment will look down on/less favorably on my application if I have applied more than once before. Even just applications that were not submitted but started. Should I just delete my account history (assuming this is possible) or make new ones under a different email?

 

[emma.d]

Hi, can anyone attending the BCLP Real Estate talk this morning with Legal Cheek send me their notes afterwards? I can share notes from the Jones Day deals and Willkie disputes sessions that were yesterday. Thank you so so much

 

[londonlawyer]

Would it be okay for me to email the recruitment manager to ask about the specific assessments and interviews that will be conducted during the vacation scheme? My scheme starts next week, and we have not been given any information on what we will be doing on the scheme.

 

[FM302989]

Would it be okay for me to email the recruitment manager to ask about the specific assessments and interviews that will be conducted during the vacation scheme? My scheme starts next week, and we have not been given any information on what we will be doing on the scheme.

I wouldn't. You'll likely get the itinerary on your first day

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Would it be okay for me to email the recruitment manager to ask about the specific assessments and interviews that will be conducted during the vacation scheme? My scheme starts next week, and we have not been given any information on what we will be doing on the scheme.

Rather than asking via email, I think this would be a great question to ask on your first day/when you meet the recruitment team if they don’t explain that to you (I suspect they will).

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

If I was offered a TC at a firm that wanted me to start my studies in a year's time, would it be possible they would offer me some sort of employment at the firm for a year before then? For example as a legal assistant or within a non fee-earning part of the business?

I've seen some people who have worked as paralegals for a year before starting their PGDL or SQE, but I don't have a law degree so trying to figure out what sort of employment would be viable or useful!

They might be able to put you forward for a role if they are recruiting for something suitable, but there would be no guarantees of you 1) securing the role over other candidates or 2) there even being an appropriate role to put your forward for.

There is no harm in mentioning this interest to them though so they can keep you in mind for any opportunities that arise.

 

[Alturistic whale]

In the webinar Natalie mentioned to only answer the questions asked. I assume they will ask the "why law and why us" in the interview. With no word count do you think 250 words for both combined is enough or should I write more ?

Thank you! Second this- @Jaysen @Jessica Booker As there is no word limit, is there a minimum word count you would suggest?
I tried emailing Natalie, but the emails just bounced back

 

[191919191]

Hi, good evening! Does anyone here complete WFW VI for this cycle? Really appreciate any insights!!! Thanksss! Please DM🙏🙏🙏🙏

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thank you! Second this- @Jaysen @Jessica Booker As there is no word limit, is there a minimum word count you would suggest?
I tried emailing Natalie, but the emails just bounced back

I’d probably say up to 1,000 words in total if there is no word limit. I know @Jaysen has been emailing Natalie so we’ll see if we can get any more precise guidance.

 

[ashwright]

You’ll be a final year student.

Thank you so much, Jessica! I really appreciate it 🙏

 

[trainee4u]

Anyone know if this is good enough for SH's SJT?

Verbal High
Numerical Medium
Grit 7/9
Applied Intellect 4/9
Creative Force 6/9
Digital Mindset 9/9

Anyone got through with a 4?!?

Apparently this is specifically NOT good enough
"
Thank you for completing the Amberjack assessment for your Stephenson Harwood application.


Unforunately, your overall score has not met our criteria and we are unable to progress you to the next stage of the process on this occasion.


You should have received a personalised feedback report from Amberjack. Please take some time to read through this and think about how you can best prepare for future assessments."

Very silly process:

* Apply in February for Spring VS (or summer)
* Ignored for Spring VS, eventually invited to perform Amberjack and VI (which is time consuming as unlimited time) for summer
* Further delay and told rejected on basis of Amberjack alone, Vi apparently a total waste of time.

If this is so, why not just cut people off after the AJ process and not waste their time getting them to do the VI

 

[Milpasoak]

As @Chris Brown has pointed out, that is not the case. This is a feeder programme to their Legal Business Analyst programme that is also mentioned in my post. We will check with the firm on the eligibility point as this has been raised in our WhatsApp chats as to whether graduates can apply.

Vacation schemes with any firm don't lead to permanent employment though, only a fixed-term contract of two years if you secure a TC.

Just following-up on this, has there been any clarification as to whether or not graduates can apply to the Perkins Coie Intern (Vac Scheme)? I know that in their listing it says only 'First, penultimate or final year of university'. Thanks

 

[Amma Usman]

If I was offered a TC at a firm that wanted me to start my studies in a year's time, would it be possible they would offer me some sort of employment at the firm for a year before then? For example as a legal assistant or within a non fee-earning part of the business?

I've seen some people who have worked as paralegals for a year before starting their PGDL or SQE, but I don't have a law degree so trying to figure out what sort of employment would be viable or useful!

This is a possibility for sure, as I’ve seen many people do this. If such roles are unavailable, however, it’s always worth applying to other firms for maybe a paralegal position. If you have at least 6-12 months availability prior to starting your studies, a lot of these roles are available and recruiters often advertise them on LinkedIn.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hello! I have been allocated to a seat for a VS in an area that I am not particularly familiar with. I've read the firm pages on it, but otherwise have no idea how to prepare! There are lots of resources online and not sure where to start. Any help would be much appreciated

The way I see it, the department you are allocated to matters less than your ability to make the most of it. I have spoken to many lawyers that have said their qualification options surprised them. So I’d say just be open minded, ask as many questions as posssible, and try not to let any form of noise deter you from enjoying the seat. At vac scheme stage also, it’s totally fine and normal to not be familiar with the practice you are allocated to, which is why you can schedule coffee chats with lawyers to help you understand it more.

In terms of preparation, I’d say a lot of it is on the job. General industry and firm awareness will certainly help, but the best questions often come up in the moment, or within an exciting conversation with someone!

Best of luck with the seat. You will do great!

 

[S7321]

They might be able to put you forward for a role if they are recruiting for something suitable, but there would be no guarantees of you 1) securing the role over other candidates or 2) there even being an appropriate role to put your forward for.

There is no harm in mentioning this interest to them though so they can keep you in mind for any opportunities that arise.

This is a possibility for sure, as I’ve seen many people do this. If such roles are unavailable, however, it’s always worth applying to other firms for maybe a paralegal position. If you have at least 6-12 months availability prior to starting your studies, a lot of these roles are available and recruiters often advertise them on LinkedIn.

Thanks both, appreciate this a lot!

Amma, is it realistic I could secure one of those roles without having any legal experience nor a law degree?

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey @Jessica Booker For Percins Coie, they say to have the cover letter include:

• What attracts you to the LBA program?
• What is a recent story in the news that could impact a Perkins Coie client and what could that effect be?

In terms of content, would you suggest the cover letter to directly addresses these 2 points and have the common 'why me', 'why commercial law' or, to just have the 2 points mentioned above in the cover letter?

There does not seem to be a word count limit, but I will send Natalie an email clarifying that.

-Thanks in advance

In situations like this, I often ensure to hit the points they mentioned first - and in that order.

If the word count permits, I will then cover the three why’s - commercial law, the firm, and me. However, the first questions (what attracts you to the LBA programme) could also enable you to indirectly weave in those elements anyway. You just have to be explicit in saying things like “I am drawn to the LBA at Perkins Coie specifically because of XYZ”.

Ensure to use the proper formalities and sign offs, as well as answering the questions directly and in individual paragraphs for clarity.

 

[NMA]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I am curious - out of worry to be honest - whether a firm cares if I have made previous application to their VS/TC and been rejected? Is there a limit to the number of times that I can apply? I am worried Recruitment will look down on/less favorably on my application if I have applied more than once before. Even just applications that were not submitted but started. Should I just delete my account history (assuming this is possible) or make new ones under a different email?

In my experience it doesn't matter. When I did a VS AC for A&O, in my feedback call when I got rejected they were happy for me to apply again the following year for the direct TC route which I got to the AC for. I also applied for the VS for Hogan Lovells in my final year and didn't even make it to the AC stage, but applied for the direct TC route the year after which I secured.

But there will likely be a limit to how many times you can apply, which in my experience, only takes effect once you reach AC stage/attend the VS and are not offered a TC at the end. But if you were rejected at application stage previously, you should deffo try again the next cycle as that will not hinder you at all as long as you improve it.

 

[joaohmnk]

I’d probably say up to 1,000 words in total if there is no word limit. I know @Jaysen has been emailing Natalie so we’ll see if we can get any more precise guidance.

Hey @Jaysen @Jessica Booker is there any update on this? I know some of their analysts wrote a one-page CL, but that seems insufficient, at least to me lol.