TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[BobThebIlly]

A really dumb question, I would like to know if people have progressed to next stages when they did video interview at night (with lights on). For some reasons I always think that it's unprofessional to do video interviews without natural day light, but I don't have any time when the natural day light is there

then theres me who did all my VIs with my main light switched on and a salt lamp in the background

 

[Lord Sumption]

Honestly I think it's almost impossible to prep for curveballs, a firm could ask literally anything - but as long as you have a good baseline (which you do!) you'll be able to make something up on the spot.

Sidenote: I had a dream a partner asked me, 'if you were a type of food, which one would you be' and I said steak
My reasoning was 'if a client wants me to be tough, I'll be well-done, and if a client wants me to be tender, consider me bleu' okay girl xxx

Good job a Partner never asked my go to Nando's meal

 

[Novaa]

then theres me who did all my VIs with my main light switched on and a salt lamp in the background

Me looking into the camera, curtains closed, sat directly under the lightbulb with a box visible on top of my wardrobe in the background.

Oh, and with my family hollering and hooting in the background

#StrikinglyReal

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Good job a Partner never asked my go to Nando's meal

How they'd react to mine...

 

[Novaa]

Honestly I think it's almost impossible to prep for curveballs, a firm could ask literally anything - but as long as you have a good baseline (which you do!) you'll be able to make something up on the spot.

Sidenote: I had a dream a partner asked me, 'if you were a type of food, which one would you be' and I said steak
My reasoning was 'if a client wants me to be tough, I'll be well-done, and if a client wants me to be tender, consider me bleu' okay girl xxx

Usually I’ll prepare motivational and competency answers but sometimes firms like Hogan Lovells or Willkie will throw in commercial awareness so I prepared for those VI questions too.

I use flash cards to write down bullet points so in the TI/VI I can remember a basic structure, cos otherwise I’m just gna waffle lmao. I try not to use pre-written scripts cos that’s just effort.

I’m under the impression curveball questions are usually reserved for ACs or final stages tbh.

Thank you both!! Let me make some notes

ALSO LOL? @Donna Paulsen this steak dream Tbh I’m liking the answer and seeing the vision!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Me looking into the camera, curtains closed, sat directly under the lightbulb with a box visible on top of my wardrobe in the background.

Oh, and with my family hollering and hooting in the background

#StrikinglyReal

Me trying to ignore my 310 decibel ring doorbell going off

 

[abc124]

Do recruiters see the equal opportunity monitoring forms? I accidentally submitted a half-empty one for V&E and I wonder if I should email them about it not to come across as sloppy lol

 

[Novaa]

How they'd react to mine...

OH AND HAPPY INDUSTRY DAY TO THOSE WHO WATCH!
#HarperSternDefender #YasminHanani4President

 

[Donna Paulsen]

OH AND HAPPY INDUSTRY DAY TO THOSE WHO WATCH!
#HarperSternDefender #YasminHanani4President

I started watching it yesterday and I'm on Season 2 Episode 3... why is it so addicting

 

[Lord Sumption]

I started watching it yesterday and I'm on Season 2 Episode 3... why is it so addicting

 

[BobThebIlly]

Omg since it’s hit that time again where we talk abt nothing law-related, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND U ALL TO WATCH MR ROBOT

 

[Deleted member 43292]

Omg since it’s hit that time again where we talk abt nothing law-related, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND U ALL TO WATCH MR ROBOT

haha love the 11pm-4am TCLA night life

 

[Novaa]

Omg since it’s hit that time again where we talk abt nothing law-related, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND U ALL TO WATCH MR ROBOT

That’s the one with Mr. Bohemian Rhapsody!

What is that man’s name… brb

RAMI MALEK! I need to pick that show up again.

 

[BobThebIlly]

That’s the one with Mr. Bohemian Rhapsody!

What is that man’s name… brb

RAMI MALEK! I need to pick that show up again.

ITS SO WORTH IT

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Guys if you do anything to take a break from applications, go watch Hamnet

 

[flower1]

Hi @flower1, I think you've covered the bulk of what could potentially be asked in a written exercise, unless the firm wants to throw in a little curveball and provide another format, but generally what it is assessing will be the same.

We don't have any materials on the structure (from what I can gather at least) but I would say that it is probably wise not to focus too much on the structure, as opposed to the audience/technique in writing. Of course, structure helps, but remember this is more so to make this concise and easy to digest - so ask yourself, if you were the intended audience (in that position) how would you like the information to be presented to you e.g. if I was a client, I would want the overall answer (whether you call that an exec summary or not), then I'd want you to break down the main points, lastly ending on any next steps you may need from me. Understanding your audience will guide your structure.

Everyone's structure will be a little different, so firms will not really have a set template as to how you should have broken down the information, just that you've attempted to do so efficiently.

Thank you, that's really helpful - also, does the supervisor email need an executive summary? I'm confused with which of the things I've listed need one and which don't.

Thank you

 

[Afuturetrainee]

haha love the 11pm-4am TCLA night life

My show is back on

 

[Bottega_Veneta]

I am going to quietly chime in.. if anybody watches anime. Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 just dropped !!

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Also, can anyone tell me if the Reed Smith VI interview questions are hard

 

[Novaa]

I am going to quietly chime in.. if anybody watches anime. Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 just dropped !!

YOU SAID WHAT?!