TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Ferran_]

Have ppl alr started getting bakers summer assessments and VIs?

 

[M85672]

HI sorry, did PC say their CL should be 1 page : O there's no way I can fit it in that haha. Would 1.5 pages be a bad idea? Thank you!!

So at the webinar they said 1 page ideally, 2 pages max. So in theory they did say that it should be fine. But others have told me to try to keep it to a page - and I’m super paranoid so. If I’m unable to cut it down I will just send it off how it is, mine is currently 1.5 too!

 

[M85672]

I still haven't received the Milbank test and I applied on Tuesday lol

 

[zara elles]

I've completed a few VI's recently where when asked questions similar to the application I have used similar examples in both. For example used the same commercial topic, or used the same reasons for wanting to join the firm. Given that I havent heard back from them yet, I'm starting to think that this may not have been the best idea - is this a non-issue or should I be avoiding this going forward? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

I've completed a few VI's recently where when asked questions similar to the application I have used similar examples in both. For example used the same commercial topic, or used the same reasons for wanting to join the firm. Given that I havent heard back from them yet, I'm starting to think that this may not have been the best idea - is this a non-issue or should I be avoiding this going forward? Any advice would be appreciated!

Hey @zara elles personally, I don’t see this as being an issue.

The reason being that:

1. You’re being asked about skills you’ve most likely already mentioned in your application form, so repetition is guaranteed
2. You’re VI is a chance to hear from you and not an application form, it’s a chance to go into more detail about those experiences you mentioned in the application form (this time using STAR).
3. The VI is most likely assessed externally (aside from your application form) and both aren’t marked side by side - so whoever is assessing your videos isn’t cross referencing to your application form to mark you down everytime you repeat something.

I appreciate that you may think otherwise, but maybe the issue is that you’re not going into enough detail in your VI answers, or highlighting specifically how that experience meets that skillset. Other than that, there’s the nuances of tone and delivery that need to be considered as well.

It’s definitely a difficult part of the process to pin down, but my first suggestion would be to reflect on how you’re explaining it as opposed to what it is you’re saying.