TCLA General Discussion Thread 2022-23

[legallybrunette22]

I would add onto @Jessica Booker's comment and say if the firms is recruiting paralegal through an external recruiter (like EJ Legal), then you should immediately reach out the recruiter on LinkedIn about the role if the job post shows who the recruiter is as opposed to just submitting in your CV. This is because recruiters will give the firm a shortlist of candidates for the firm to choose from. In my experience, I tend to have more success with my CV getting forwarded by the recruiter to the law firm after reaching out to the recruiter and speaking to them about my experiences and background.

This is so helpful thank you! Just checking, when you say to reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn do you mean to send them a private message on LinkedIn? Sorry I'm still getting my head around recruiters and how they work

 

[RANDOTRON]

This is so helpful thank you! Just checking, when you say to reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn do you mean to send them a private message on LinkedIn? Sorry I'm still getting my head around recruiters and how they work

Yes. When you send a connection request, you can send a personalised note along with it. I usually give a short introduction of myself, state my interest for that particular role, and ask to have a chat about it in my note. If they accept your connection request, they'll arrange a call with you and usually ask for your CV then.

 

[legallybrunette22]

Yes. When you send a connection request, you can send a personalised note along with it. I usually give a short introduction of myself, state my interest for that particular role, and ask to have a chat about it in my note. If they accept your connection request, they'll arrange a call with you and usually ask for your CV then.

Ah great thanks so much!

 

[ssolicitorz]

So I got the invite for simmons tests on the 3rd november and it said that I have 10 calendar days from tomorrow (4th november) to complete it. Does that mean I can complete it tomorrow? Just dont want to have to rush to complete it now as something has popped up and will be busy tonight now.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

So I got the invite for simmons tests on the 3rd november and it said that I have 10 calendar days from tomorrow (4th november) to complete it. Does that mean I can complete it tomorrow? Just dont want to have to rush to complete it now as something has popped up and will be busy tonight now.

Yes - it will include the 14th

 

[OrangePasta]

Hi! I've recently started my law journey and applied to many applications on Apply4Law. I have been getting very frustrated about having to input my cv for each firm manually. That said, I was wondering if there was a quicker way to input my CV? If maybe there was an application for this or someone had coded a program to do this automatically?

 

[j.s.cox]

Hi! I've recently started my law journey and applied to many applications on Apply4Law. I have been getting very frustrated about having to input my cv for each firm manually. That said, I was wondering if there was a quicker way to input my CV? If maybe there was an application for this or someone had coded a program to do this automatically?

I believe you can use Link My Locker on Apply4Law. It should be an option to select on each Apply4Law before you properly enter your application.

 

[WorriedSick2]

@Jessica Booker Hi , I was invited to my firms seat fair. I was wondering about the note taking etiquette. is it okay if I take my phone and write whatever info I get/deem relevant into my phone(as opposed to a notebook/pen).Or would that be seen as unprofessional? Sorry for this weird question, this is my first time doig such a thing, and I am travelling to the office, so no idea where notebooks/bags, would be stored.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Hi , I was invited to my firms seat fair. I was wondering about the note taking etiquette. is it okay if I take my phone and write whatever info I get/deem relevant into my phone(as opposed to a notebook/pen).Or would that be seen as unprofessional? Sorry for this weird question, this is my first time doig such a thing, and I am travelling to the office, so no idea where notebooks/bags, would be stored.

I think this is fine. You may just want to tell the person you are listening to that you'll be taking notes on your phone.

I'd also try to keep taking notes (whether on the note pad or a phone) to a minimum while you are talking to/listening to the person speak, and then write up your notes more after the conversation has finished.

 

[OrangePasta]

I believe you can use Link My Locker on Apply4Law. It should be an option to select on each Apply4Law before you properly enter your application.

Unfortunately, I don't think it works for resumes. Only A level/GCSE/university results.

 

[Strawberries]

Hi @Jessica Booker do you think your interviewer saying best of luck after an interview is a bad sign? Or a polite expression? Also, what’s the usual turnover time from interview to decision for vacation schemes?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker do you think your interviewer saying best of luck after an interview is a bad sign? Or a polite expression? Also, what’s the usual turnover time from interview to decision for vacation schemes?

It is just a polite expression - I use it all the time when interviewing people and meeting them etc.

It can very massively between firms, unfortunately. It can be anything from hearing back the same day to not hearing back for a couple of months until all the interviews are completed. I would say hearing back within 5-7 working days is the "norm" though.

 

[manifestingg]

Is anyone doing the city consortium SQE and available to help with a few questions I have about programme and timetable? I’m due to start in Feb 2023 but have no idea what’s going on!
Many thanks

 

[failedlegallyblonde]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to start my LPC next September after securing a training contract to start in 2024. I am very tempted to study my LPC online to save costs on both course fees and then associated travel costs, as well as saving 3 hours a day which I would spend commuting. However, I am concerned that this may not be considered as highly as an in-person LPC and I am worried I will not receive the same quality teaching online that I would do if I studied in person. If anyone could share their views or experiences on this that would be much appricated!

 

[julia_2022]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to start my LPC next September after securing a training contract to start in 2024. I am very tempted to study my LPC online to save costs on both course fees and then associated travel costs, as well as saving 3 hours a day which I would spend commuting. However, I am concerned that this may not be considered as highly as an in-person LPC and I am worried I will not receive the same quality teaching online that I would do if I studied in person. If anyone could share their views or experiences on this that would be much appricated!

I’m currently studying the in-person LPC in London. In my opinion, this is a much more positive experience than studying online. Last Thursday, due to the tube strikes, all of our classes were held online and many people experienced tech issues which meant they couldn’t participate properly. Also, it felt quite lonely sitting in your flat compared to actually going to a physical class and getting to chat to people before and after the lesson. Being in-person gives you the opportunity to get to know people from other law firms as well.

I think, on the whole, the actual education quality is the exact same but when it comes to social interaction, studying in person is much more enjoyable.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to start my LPC next September after securing a training contract to start in 2024. I am very tempted to study my LPC online to save costs on both course fees and then associated travel costs, as well as saving 3 hours a day which I would spend commuting. However, I am concerned that this may not be considered as highly as an in-person LPC and I am worried I will not receive the same quality teaching online that I would do if I studied in person. If anyone could share their views or experiences on this that would be much appricated!

I would recommend considering the SQE rather than the LPC from next year.

Although the LPC is still a route available, most firms will have moved to the SQE by 2025 when you will be looking to start a TC. So you could just be paying for a very expensive exemption for SQE1 by completing the LPC.

 

[failedlegallyblonde]

I would recommend considering the SQE rather than the LPC from next year.

Although the LPC is still a route available, most firms will have moved to the SQE by 2025 when you will be looking to start a TC. So you could just be paying for a very expensive exemption for SQE1 by completing the LPC.

Hi Jessica,

I have already secured a training contract and it is in my contract that I need to complete the LPC before commencing in September 2024

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica,

I have already secured a training contract and it is in my contract that I need to complete the LPC before commencing in September 2024

Ah apologies for the misunderstanding! No one cares about the "status" of the LPC, it is literally just a process that needs to be completed, so if studying it online works better for you, go for it. No one will never know any difference. I can't comment on the difference in the quality of the teaching etc though.

 

[AvniD]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to start my LPC next September after securing a training contract to start in 2024. I am very tempted to study my LPC online to save costs on both course fees and then associated travel costs, as well as saving 3 hours a day which I would spend commuting. However, I am concerned that this may not be considered as highly as an in-person LPC and I am worried I will not receive the same quality teaching online that I would do if I studied in person. If anyone could share their views or experiences on this that would be much appricated!

I am personally more drawn to in person teaching because it's a way of keeping yourself accountable to your studies. I feel like you can alter/choose the level of commitment to your studies when you're learning online because you can turn your video and mic off and the pressure to participate is removed.

By studying in person, you also engage more with the content because of the impact of your environment and you can also form more of a connection with your peers, with whom you can form study groups, share revision ideas with etc.

I don't think you'll receive the same quality of education online, but I believe there may be ways around the concerns I've mentioned above if you go into the LPC very intentionally. And which mode you choose won't matter to your law firm so just pick what works best for you!

 

[DTB]

Hi all! I would love advice on 'discussing a commercial story' both in the context of apps and interviews.
For apps, what would be a good structure to follow and what kind of story would be good - it should be something commercial and not legal right such as a new law or new rules by FCA?

The thing I am most struggling with for both is what story to pick - macro or micro. For instance at a micro level I have been following the twitter deal and I find it interesting but I don't see how I can link this back to a law firm in both apps and interviews, what would be the greater implications of the twitter deal? Also, I assume it would be more relevant to firms that have more of a tech base? Alternatively there are macro topics like ESG greenwashing and new disclosure rules. This is something that could apply to all firms?

I want to start building a bank where I can discuss this in an interview, but I don't want to have to chose a new story for each firm but something that will apply to all? I am really struggling with linking back micro topics like made.com back to law firms. I would greatly appreciate advice on this, examples of past topics people have used and whether I am thinking too much about the macro vs micro.

@AvniD any advice would be greatly appreciated!