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Hi, I'm a 2nd year going into 3rd year this October. I did my work experience as a paralegal in a firm in Easter and now I'm travelling in Korea until I get back to the UK in October. I can't get any work experience abroad, but I want to find something to do that I can mention during interviews so that my 2nd year summer doesn't look like a complete gap in time. I'm planning on applying for a remote internship.

Whilst abroad I'm going to do research for my dissertation, but I also want to develop my soft skills and Korean language ability, so I was thinking of doing volunteering and framing my travels in a productive light. Would this be enough to say that I've done something over the summer, or would firms look at this negatively?

Hi all

I have recently been offered a TC in my second year and I am keen to accept it but I want to apply to some london ones next year now I have the experience of a vac scheme.

however I am unsure whether this is allowed. In my contract it says nothing about me rescinding the contact before the LPC starts- it is only when they begin to fund the LPC is that I am bound to finish the training contract.

any advice on this would be much appreciated!!

Hi all

I have currently been offered a TC in my second year but I want to apply to others now I am more experienced in the application process. In my contract it says nothing about rescinding before the LPC starts. It only says once I start the lpc and they fund it that I am bound to finish the training the contract. Am I allowed to apply to firms next year and possibly reject the firm in July/august time if I get a better offer?

Speaking in video interviews or face-to-face interviews can be daunting for some, and understandably so. It's an unfamiliar environment with the added pressure of time and an overarching theme of 'I need to get this job within X timeframe'.

Here are my top 3 tips for you to feel more confident in such scenarios and ace assessments that depend on you speaking well-

• Practice- this is 100% a cliché but there really is no other way to get better at public speaking than through practice. Start slow- begin by picking an interview question (you can check out the TCLA question bank here), looking at yourself in the mirror and practising your answer. Observe where you're going well and the stages at which you stumble and take note of this. Then graduate to practising with your careers service/family/friends and ask them to give you tips on where you can adjust your tone, enunciation and pace. Keep doing this till you get to a place of comfort with how you're delivering your answers.
  
  
• Know your stuff- Something that's bound to trip you up while speaking, irrespective of how well you speak, is if you have no clue what you're talking about. Expect this to happen if your motivations for being a lawyer or working in commercial law are unclear and underdeveloped, or if your commercial awareness is lacking. The only way to avoid this is to take the time and make the effort to reflect on your experiences and figure out your motivations and put the work into honing your commercial awareness. I highly recommend picking a minimum of one business story each day and analysing 1) what it's about 2) how this impacts law firms and their clients and 3) what lawyers can do to help their firms and clients overcome/maximise the potential of this impact.
  
  
• Accept that you're nervous- this is important because the more you try to fight the fact that you're going to be tested in an unfamiliar environment and this will likely make you nervous and anxious, the more nervous and anxious you will get about this fact. It's a vicious cycle and everyone falls victim to it from time to time! During your interview, keep some water next to you, take a few deep breaths and tell yourself that not only is it normal to trip up here and there while speaking, but that this is also expected. The whole point of an interview at the grad level is to see if you have the confidence to acknowledge where you've made a mistake and move on from it swiftly without letting it impact the rest of your performance. You have to know and register that even if you don't speak amazingly, you really do still have a good shot at getting the job if you're able to make the best of the chance you have left.

I hope you find this useful and that you add to this thread with things you've found helpful while improving your speaking skills!

Hello

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone knew how to get a CV reviewed by a professional or an automated CV screener specialised in the legal field? I will qualify in the coming months and would like to update my CV, but am not sure what employers are looking for in a CV at an NQ level. I have found lots of automated CV screeners online, but these are not tailored to legal CVs. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Hi,

I have been trying to fill out the Weil, Gotshal & Manges Training Contract Application. Under university education the firm requires the list of modules studied along with the corresponding grade in it. Space has been provided only for 3 modules per year of university. I had opted for more than 3 modules per year and can't seem to add in all my subjects.

I have contacted Graduate Recruitment regarding this but haven't received a reply back yet. Since the deadline is in a few days, was hoping someone in the forum could help me out in how more than 3 modules can be added to the form. Thanks!

Hello everyone,

This week I received an invitation to an Assessment Centre for DWF (Direct Training Contract route) and I wanted to ask if anyone had any tips/previous experience or someone I could reach out to. The format is group exercise, proofreading exercise and a panel interview.

Anything helps!

Many thanks,
Alex

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Hi,

Hope you’re good! I’m currently going into third year wanting to get a training contract/ vacation scheme in a London city firm, hopefully magic circle. I go to Durham University currently going into third year, doing PPE.


I’m just concerned about my grades - I averaged a 65 in my second year with a 71 in one module with two modules being 61 letting me down. In first year I averaged 61, and I’m hoping to bring my average up to 70+ to secure a high 2:1 or first class degree.

In terms of work experience I have a couple of criminal mini Pupillages including one business crime one, won a debating competition at uni, have mooting experience and hosted a news show and news investigation on our student radio station. Also used to be youth mp in sixth form and won an award for this. Don’t have any internships but a Morgan Stanley three day work experience in 2019. Also doing forage internships this summer. Have good A levels as well: A*A*AA.

I was wondering what my chances of getting a winter or summer vacation scheme in my final year are in magic circle or silver circle firms in London given this background? I know a lot of people apply with firsts or high 2:1s in second year , I know I could’ve done better just put effort in the wrong places and really believe that I can pull it up. Also wanted to know what the difference between taking an accelerated law degree and a GDL is as I am doing a non law degree ( PPE)?

Any help would be great.
Thanks so much!

I was rather stumped when I came across this question. I was thinking of talking about turning down family engagements to focus on paralegal and training contract applications over the years. Really unsure on what angle to tackle this question from.

From a netural point of view, this one hell of a question.

Hey everyone!

My name is Erin, I'm the Operations Executive at TCLA.

I am excited to announce our next Premium Academy Webinar, "Reflections on a training contract and 300+ mock interviews: a Magic Circle trainee’s perspective on case studies" with the brilliant Mahesh!

Case Study Interviews​

It’s one thing to talk about yourself and your experiences in an interview, but it’s another thing to be able to go toe to toe with a partner on a mock M&A deal, financing transaction or dispute.

Case study interviews assess your commercial aptitude. Can you identify the most important issues? Can you understand the interplay between the legal and commercial concerns? Do you show an enthusiasm for problem solving and an ability to discuss your thought process?

In our next session for the Premium Academy, join Mahesh.

Mahesh has delivered over 300 mock interviews with TCLA. He is a current trainee solicitor at a magic circle firm.

Mahesh previously completed three vacation schemes and secured four training contracts at leading Magic Circle, US, and Silver Circle firms.

You will learn...​

• How best to approach and prepare for case study interviews
• What gets noticed during interviews and how to give a great first impression
• How to manage different work streams effectively
• Why firms use case study interviews

How Do I Sign Up?​

Simply join us on TCLA Premium and find the links in the TCLA Premium Forum.

Get A Free Subscription To Premium​

Once again, we're also giving one free premium subscription away today. All you have to do is share your best interview tip in this thread and we'll select one winner at 4pm.

We'll be running this giveaway each week, so don't worry if you don't win this time!

Hi all,

As the title says, I'm currently applying for paralegal roles in London and wanted to know when I should expect to hear back from firms after making an application? As a general rule of thumb, if there has been no response for over 2 weeks, should I expect rejection and move on to other applications?

Also, does this also apply to recruitment agencies? I have not had much success eliciting a response from them and was curious as well about what your experiences have been like with paralegal applications through agencies.

Thanks so much!

Hi guys,

I've been preparing for my first AC and I've found these short videos extremely helpful. Idin has been such a blessing. I hope this helps someone just as much as it helped me. My AC is on the 25th, so wish me luck!

Why commercial law- Login to view embedded media Why this firm- Login to view embedded media Answering competency questions- Login to view embedded media Researching the law firm- Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Before your Assessment Centre- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsPvNzRFod4&t=3s&ab_channel=IdinSabahipour

All the best!

Should I self-fund the LPC/SQE or look for another career?


Just a bit about my personal circumstances:

I'm a 2021 Law LLB grad from an ex-poly non-Russell group (first class)
120 UCAS

I've been working but the work isn't skilled and I come from an under-represented background.

I secured 1 Vac scheme for a full service law firm, but my other training contract applications have folded (mostly after online video interviews).

I made several paralegal applications but due to lack of experience I haven't got a job offer yet.

I'm interested in a career in commercial law, but also looked into consulting and recruitment.


I'm concerned about self-funding and spending time studying and potentially not even securing paralegal roles, so I would like to know what I should take into consideration when thinking about self-funding?

Would it be wise to go into further study?

What alternatives are there that are realistic substitutes and less competitive?


Thank you

Should I commit to the LPC in September at ULaw?

Some context about me and my situation:
A) I do not have a training contract, and this is my first round of TC applications.

B) I attend a non russell group university and will be graduating this year (2022). I graduated first in my year (1/170 students) and was awarded numerous academic/extra curricular prizes. I also have some legal experience via volunteering.

C) I am hoping to study an academic masters (LLM/ equivalent at top uni next year (2023) (been encouraged to by multiple lecturers at my uni). This in theory would be after my LPC. Then hopefully move on to start training contract 2024.*

My questions
1. Do law firms (specifically magic/silver circle / top international commercial law firms) disadvantage those who self fund their own LPC?

2. Should I defer this year LPC place and do something else, start my academic LLM in 2023 and then have better luck with TCs

Any advice would be much appreciated,

Thank you.

* I understand the realities of direct TC apps.

Hi everyone,

We're hiring for two roles at TCLA, one is part time and one is full time. Both roles are fully remote to start on the 5th September 2022.

This role is ideal for someone with a training contract offer or with graduate recruitment experience in the legal sector. We will also accept applicants outside of this space.

You will work within our product team where we support thousands of aspiring lawyers in their applications to the largest global law firms.

We support candidates to improve the standard of their writing, a skill that is fundamental not just to the legal profession but to almost every form of communication in the professional space.

If you enjoy proofing and have strong attention to detail skills, this role would suit you well!

You can learn more and apply here .

Applications close on 5 August 2022. We review all applications on a rolling basis so we encourage you to apply early. The start date for both roles is 5 September 2022.

Best,
Jaysen