TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Fried Frank or Paul Hastings responses?

Think Paul Hastings is non rolling


Anyone heard from W&C except that one person who got the VI a few weeks ago?

 

[nliro85]

Any firms to apply for before 31st July other than AG

 

[Maddy]

Anyone received a WG test invite who recently submitted for Hogan Lovells?

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

for w&c direct tc, is there a separate partner presentation after the ac or does that happen on the same day?

 

[cwhite233]

Does anyone have any advice on the following question(s) for Paul Hastings? My approach was to list out my skills (roughly 2 -3) that would suite me to a career at the firm and elaborate on these which I think answers the second question, but grateful if someone could confirm! Or is the idea here to answer the first and second question separately?

Why are your skills/attributes suited to a career at Paul Hastings? Why should we offer you a Training Contract? (200 words max) *

 

[Donuttime]

Any firms to apply for before 31st July other than AG

Hogan Lovells, Paul Hastings, Stephenson Hardwood

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Maybe I'm just overthinking the entire application process because I've been looking at forms for months, but:
I do find some of these application stages a bit strange.

Like, how is a firm choosing who to interview based on a few 200-word application questions lol.

Especially when some of those questions are rather generic and ask about what skills a good solicitor has. Surely we're all saying similar things within reason anyway.

I can get behind pre-recorded interviews, and somewhat understand WG and SJ tests (as much as I despise them).
But, a few questions with a limited word count, and then straight to an interview?!? I can't get my head around it.

I think I just wish some firms were a bit more transparent with their shortlisting + what type of person / criteria they actually want.

 

[Zaidoz10]

Hey guys, for the qualifications section of the Addleshaw app, do I add a new qualification for each grade of my A levels and uni degree? Or do I just do one qualification for each and put my overall grade? Thank you!

 

[nliro85]

Hogan Lovells, Paul Hastings, Stephenson Hardwood

Thank you but applied for 2 of those VS already and PH they are asking for strict grade requirements at A Levels and at degree. Also did do placement at SH recently.

 

[Deleted member 31571]

Thank you but applied for 2 of those VS already and PH they are asking for strict grade requirements at A Levels and at degree. Also did do placement at SH recently.

what are the strict requirements at degree level at PH? Just a 2.1 no?

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Maybe I'm just overthinking the entire application process because I've been looking at forms for months, but:
I do find some of these application stages a bit strange.

Like, how is a firm choosing who to interview based on a few 200-word application questions lol.

Especially when some of those questions are rather generic and ask about what skills a good solicitor has. Surely we're all saying similar things within reason anyway.

I can get behind pre-recorded interviews, and somewhat understand WG and SJ tests (as much as I despise them).
But, a few questions with a limited word count, and then straight to an interview?!? I can't get my head around it.

I think I just wish some firms were a bit more transparent with their shortlisting + what type of person / criteria they actually want.

200 words is such an absurdly tiny amount too. The one that really baffles me is Mayer Brown though which has no application questions or cover letter

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Maybe I'm just overthinking the entire application process because I've been looking at forms for months, but:
I do find some of these application stages a bit strange.

Like, how is a firm choosing who to interview based on a few 200-word application questions lol.

Especially when some of those questions are rather generic and ask about what skills a good solicitor has. Surely we're all saying similar things within reason anyway.

I can get behind pre-recorded interviews, and somewhat understand WG and SJ tests (as much as I despise them).
But, a few questions with a limited word count, and then straight to an interview?!? I can't get my head around it.

I think I just wish some firms were a bit more transparent with their shortlisting + what type of person / criteria they actually want.

These things are always horses for courses.

For every person who hates a short application, another hates writing longer answers/statements. For everyone who likes a video interview, there is someone who despises them.

With applications, it’s rarely about the just the application questions though, they are looking at your academics, extra curriculars and work experience too.

I’d say it’s generally easy to make decisions on 80% of applications, and the remaining 20% are much more subtle reasons for why they have been unsuccessful over the next candidate. There are things they look for, but what that is can vary significantly from firm to firm. Although I would say many firms are actually providing this information in their marketing materials.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

200 words is such an absurdly tiny amount too. The one that really baffles me is Mayer Brown though which has no application questions or cover letter

Try the Withers application! Theirs are only 60 words!

 

[EzeLaylor]

for w&c direct tc, is there a separate partner presentation after the ac or does that happen on the same day?

Are you through to the AC - following both the VI and TI ?!?

 

[Donuttime]

Are you through to the AC, following both the VI and TI then?

Does White and Case require both Vi and Ti? Or is that just for their TC ?

 

[EzeLaylor]

Does White and Case require both Vi and Ti? Or is that just for their TC ?

Just for TC I think

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Are you through to the AC - following both the VI and TI ?!?

no no i havent heard after the app stage, i was just asking because it was confusing..

 

[EzeLaylor]

no no i havent heard after the app stage, i was just asking because it was confusing..

Oh okay - Yes the TC is a very different process from the vac scheme one with so many different aspects.

Hopefully you hear back soon.

 

[lawyerdreams]

what are the strict requirements at degree level at PH? Just a 2.1 no?

From PH's website: "We are looking for individuals with distinguished academic credentials. We expect candidates to have high level of achievement both at A Level (or equivalent) and degree level. This would normally mean an upper second or first class degree and a majority of A grades at A Level."

 

[A worried graduate]

Maybe I'm just overthinking the entire application process because I've been looking at forms for months, but:
I do find some of these application stages a bit strange.

Like, how is a firm choosing who to interview based on a few 200-word application questions lol.

Especially when some of those questions are rather generic and ask about what skills a good solicitor has. Surely we're all saying similar things within reason anyway.

I can get behind pre-recorded interviews, and somewhat understand WG and SJ tests (as much as I despise them).
But, a few questions with a limited word count, and then straight to an interview?!? I can't get my head around it.

I think I just wish some firms were a bit more transparent with their shortlisting + what type of person / criteria they actually want.

It’s often the cv/experiences too