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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Quick q: on AllHires, if you’re currently in a role what do you put in the “to” date in the work experience section? Not sure if I’ve been doing it wrong this whole time.
I’ve been putting the end date of the job role so say if it’s set to end in July 2026, I’ve just put it down as that and haven’t rly had any issues. I think I saw Afraz mention yous can put today’s date to signal to grad rec that it’s a current position? Either is fine tbf. Do what works for you!​
 
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Quick q: on AllHires, if you’re currently in a role what do you put in the “to” date in the work experience section? Not sure if I’ve been doing it wrong this whole time.
I leave it blank. For one where you had to put a date, I put the current date and added a note that they are ongoing roles.
 
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With questions like 'How do you ensure that you are a valued member of the team. Please provide an example where you have been able to contribute to the team’s success.' (as in competency questions I guess where it asks you to give one example), how on earth do you get it to be 300 words? Its always a stretch for me to get to 250 let alone 300 so I feel like I'm missing something important..

edit: are you meant to include a link as to how it relates to being a trainee?
 
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With questions like 'How do you ensure that you are a valued member of the team. Please provide an example where you have been able to contribute to the team’s success.' (as in competency questions I guess where it asks you to give one example), how on earth do you get it to be 300 words? Its always a stretch for me to get to 250 let alone 300 so I feel like I'm missing something important..

edit: are you meant to include a link as to how it relates to being a trainee?
it's probably a project where u have done multiple things to help from start to end like suggesting certain tools to improve workflow, mediating a disagreement among teammates, working effectively with progress trackers etc.

at least that's how i would approach it!
 
Thank you for the prompt response! @Afraz Akhtar So sorry to perturb you once more, I also wanted to ask if international students like myself are at a bit of a disadvantage owing to the ambiguous immigration rules currently. I know Goldman and PWC did not hire a single international this cycle :(
@Adnanlone overall I think international students are at a disadvantage, as not all firms sponsor TC's and where those offers are only available through a VS, then it is dependent on whether they are within the visa term and restrictions to work. However, I think a lot of firms tackle this well, and actually may explain why they have summer/spring/winter VS's.

As for if they sponsor the TC, then it's not going to hold you back that you're an international student. They have the budget, hence the decision to do so - so don't worry.
 
Hey @Afraz Akhtar

Hope you’re well!

Just wondering, to build rapport in an interview would you ask the interviewer questions *during* the interview? Eg if they asked you about a time you overcame a challenge, and you mirror it back to them in a natural way, is that fine?
Hi @floral.tcla I think the interviewer will take control to make sure they can build rapport with you. However, you can make this easier by being personable - some laugh, some crack jokes, some offer a little sarcasm - essentially it's no different to connecting with people in daily life.

That being said, during the course of questioning, I don't think it's wise to revert back to them if they have a lot of questions to go through. You can save this till the end, when its your chance to ask them. I think referring to things they've said in their introduction/during the course of the interview to build your questions is a great way to achieve this, as it shows active listening, curiosity, and ability to develop a conversation.
 
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Hi @floral.tcla I think the interviewer will take control to make sure they can build rapport with you. However, you can make this easier by being personable - some laugh, some crack jokes, some offer a little sarcasm - essentially it's no different to connecting with people in daily life.

That being said, during the course of questioning, I don't think it's wise to revert back to them if they have a lot of questions to go through. You can save this till the end, when its your chance to ask them. I think referring to things they've said in their introduction/during the course of the interview to build your questions is a great way to achieve this, as it shows active listening, curiosity, and ability to develop a conversation.
Ah okay thanks that makes more sense!!
 

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