TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker , I just found out that I accidentally forgot to include my secondary school grades in my Freshfields application form. ALthough I have included them in my CV and the voluntary disclosure questionnaire (diversity), will that significantly impact my application? Should I email the graduate recruitment and tell them that I want to add the information?

I don’t think it will significantly impact your application, but I would email it to make it clear. They may not check your CV and are unlikely to be able to see the information in the diversity questionnaire (as this is only for reporting purposes).

 

[ShayAS]

Hii guys, I was wondering if someone could give me some insight. I am looking to apply for the Freshfields 2025 TC and I noticed that there is a section to upload your CV and a separate section for work experience. How do I approach this? Do I submit my CV then give more details in the work experience section?

Thanks in advance

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker - Thank you so much for your time and attention in helping us all!! When it comes to the cover letters for TC, I'm thinking a possible strategy would be to state the key traits the firm is looking for, and then state how I meet these/give examples, in the following format:

Dear so and so,

-Why commercial law, why this firm, why I am the ideal candidate

(sentence linking last paragraph with below)

Resilience: (explain how I meet this trait/give examples)

Team work: (explain how I meet this trait/give examples)

etc...

-Conclusion


I feel using the above would cut down on 'unnecessary words', and avoid turning the cover letter into a story, if that makes sense? For each trait identified, I would give a specific example, probably follow the STAR framework.

Please let me know what you think, if it's rubbish do tell me! I haven't written a cover letter in a while! thanks

I don’t think you’ll have the word count to cover individual competencies. I think you can just weave these competencies into the why you aspects in a more concise way.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hii guys, I was wondering if someone could give me some insight. I am looking to apply for the Freshfields 2025 TC and I noticed that there is a section to upload your CV and a separate section for work experience. How do I approach this? Do I submit my CV then give more details in the work experience section?

Thanks in advance

You don’t need to upload your CV - it’s just optional but probably won’t even be looked at.

 

[barbara]

Idk what to expect with Skadden.
I applied mid November. I haven't received a rejection email yet. I see they have also extended the deadline to 08 january.

 

[bibss]

Idk what to expect with Skadden.
I applied mid November. I haven't received a rejection email yet. I see they have also extended the deadline to 08 january.

Just noticed they reopened applications! Really weird....

 

[Rina]

Bird & Bird VI!

 

[Ghassen]

Middle East TC VI for Clyde & Co.
Any ideas please ?

 

[BetsyBoard]

Bird & Bird VI!

Congratulations!!!!! Can I ask when you applied? I'm still waiting

 

[rose888]

has anyone heard from A&O?

 

[mckelly]

What format did people upload their Freshfields app in considering that there is no longer a template? Did you include a CV?

 

[Rina]

What format did people upload their Freshfields app in considering that there is no longer a template? Did you include a CV?

Just PDF'd a Word document for the cover letter, and the CV is not reviewed, it's just a requirement for the website

 

[AvniD]

One of the questions in a training contract application I’m applying for asks: ‘what areas of law that our firm specialises in are of particular interest to you?’

How would I go about answering this in terms of structure and how many areas should I list? I was thinking 2 or maybe 3, but I don’t want it to sound ‘wishy washy’ in that they have a good reputation in these areas etc - any help would be hugely appreciated 😊

The structure I'd personally follow is stating the area specialism you're interested in ➡️ justifying your interest (through work ex, extracurriculars, open days, webinars etc.) ➡️ stating what you like about the area specialism at the law firm (the clientele, type of work, the way the teams reorganised etc.)

 

[lw2000]

Anyone have any tips for first stage interview at Fieldfisher?

 

[futuretrainee202X]

Idk what to expect with Skadden.
I applied mid November. I haven't received a rejection email yet. I see they have also extended the deadline to 08 january.

I do wonder if it's a system error. If it is not, this might indicate those who have not received a rejection are placed in the "maybe" pile and they invite further applications low-key to expand the candidate pool.

 

[hopefullawyer123]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I hope you are well.

How do I go about approaching a question which says ‘ what are the things that have shaped you into the person you are today?’

do I need to link this to a career in commercial law/ being a lawyer?

& what type or examples would be suitable? for example, is talking about work experience suitable or are they looking for something abit deeper


thanks!

 

[PirateShip]

For anyone who applied to Freshfields, when you go to view your application are you not able to see the file you uploaded as your personal statement?

I'm getting that typical anxiety I didn't upload a file/uploaded the wrong file and would have liked to check to confirm 😂

 

[BM99]

For anyone who applied to Freshfields, when you go to view your application are you not able to see the file you uploaded as your personal statement?

I'm getting that typical anxiety I didn't upload a file/uploaded the wrong file and would have liked to check to confirm 😂

Yes I can’t see my module grades and my personal statement as well.

And I get that anxiety as well, like I’m still worried that I might forgot to put in marks for modules haha

 

[Highnumberofapplicants]

Hi! Just to check, there’s no pre made format into which we need to put our freshfields personal statement into right?

 

[Aspiring Lawyer]

Personal statement/cover letter - we all know that it is not good practice to state qualities without any evidence. However, instead of stating a particular quality outright, such as being a team player and then giving an example, how about simply giving the evidence and leaving it to the recruiters to infer that themselves?