TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[trainingcontracttbd]

Does anyone have any insights on FF's Stage 2 assessment? Willing to trade!

 

[lloy291]

I have a Jones Day interview next week - does anyone else have one/done one?

Can I ask how long between initially applying and receiving interview email?

 

[sservice]

Has anyone done the Mayer Brown OA and VI?

Willing to trade with FF stage 2 and Macfarlanes VI.

 

[Lawstoodent]

Can I ask how long between initially applying and receiving interview email?

around 2 days

 

[TortillaTC]

Applied to HLC winter vac scheme on 15 September and no 1st stage test so far - is it automatic as in sent to everyone who meets the eligibility criteria, or they filter people out on a basic level (eg if they don’t like their profile)?

 

[tldrba]

HLC just confirms your eligibility before sending the tests. I would assume that they are sending them in batches, haven’t heard of anyone that has sent an application in the past week or so to have received the first stage test as well.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi, just a quick question. The NRF application has a work experience section and has 'role description' as the place you input specific details. There is no word count nor preference whether to write in prose as to the role. Should I speak about tasked with x, did y and resulted in z. Or a simple role description (what the main day to day obligations are)...any advice much appreciated.

Hi! Maybe someone with NRF experience will be better suited to answer but I would say to treat this as the other work experience sections. I personally would do the former method, going into more detail, particularly as there is no word count. I would still keep it within 150-250 words as that is the general industry standard.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hellooo!! So I've just quit my new job after 3 months to go back to my old one (they offered me my old role back with continuous service). I'm applying for VS/TCs this cycle and mentioned the new job on one application so far. Do I HAVE to include it on applications from now on, or is it okay to leave it off? Worried a 3-month stint looks flaky, but it just wasn't the right fit!

Hi! I personally would avoid doing anything that seems like withholding any information. I very much doubt that 3 months would be something that removes you from the application stage. If anything, they may ask you at interview stage but you will be able to prepare a response for that.

However, technically, you might not *have* to include it in the sense most firms don't demand *every* work experience, but rather ask you to include what you wish to include. So there is a judgement based decision there, but I personally would err on the side of caution and include it.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Any advice would be great! How are people structuring their CV to DLA Piper? are you adding grades for A-Levels etc or just doing the standard work CV style?

Hi! I never applied to DLA unfortunately but I would probably include the A Levels etc. in an education section fitted at the top of your CV, above where your work experience starts but below your name !

 

[elizabethkate]

how do you navigate speaking about your work when its relevant to the firm you're applying to but its confidential work?

 

[MZJxLadha]

Applied to HLC winter vac scheme on 15 September and no 1st stage test so far - is it automatic as in sent to everyone who meets the eligibility criteria, or they filter people out on a basic level (eg if they don’t like their profile)?

When I applied, I received the test within an hour so I think it’s auto

 

[Novaa]

how do you navigate speaking about your work when its relevant to the firm you're applying to but its confidential work?

Hellooo!! I describe the work without naming the client or using internal project names or terminology.

So rather than: "I worked on the XYZ project/case/deal for XYZ, which included XYZ"

I’d say: "I worked on a network infrastructure upgrade across a hospitality company's portfolio. This involved presenting to stakeholders at different levels and scheduling engineers across multiple sites. As a result, I achieved XYZ."

It still shows the scale, the sector and your impact without giving anything confidential away. Unless someone digs into your employer, that client could be ANYONE.

 

[Novaa]

Hi! I personally would avoid doing anything that seems like withholding any information. I very much doubt that 3 months would be something that removes you from the application stage. If anything, they may ask you at interview stage but you will be able to prepare a response for that.

However, technically, you might not *have* to include it in the sense most firms don't demand *every* work experience, but rather ask you to include what you wish to include. So there is a judgement based decision there, but I personally would err on the side of caution and include it.

Makes sense!! I did think that hiding it could cause problems later down the line. Thank you!!