TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[futureharveyspecter]

Hi! I'm hoping to apply to HL Lift Off, and one of their questions is "Tell us about any experiences outside of your work and study that have allowed you to develop skills that are relevant to this role."
I'm assuming they want to see how I've developed my commercial awareness. Does anyone have examples of what I could use? I'm so confused on what examples would even be appropriate? I'm particularly confused about the "outside your work" part since I do have work experience to back up my commercial awareness but idk what to say without mentioning those?

 

[yasmars]

No they made it clear that you have to reach the benchmark for all of their assessments (so the SJT and WG) before they read your application.

How do we know we’ve passed the benchmark?

 

[ninarosee]

How do we know we’ve passed the benchmark?

Grad rec didn’t disclose how you’d know if you’d passed or what the actual benchmark is, so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what they say. They did mention, though, that for the SJT you should try to tailor your answers to the qualities the firm looks for (which is a bit annoying because there’s quite a long list). Of course, if you get invited to the online case study, that’s a clear sign you did well, and if you meet the benchmark for that, you’ll be invited to the final AC.