TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Deleted member 37508]

I would wait, they are doing first stage interviews till the end of the month and they don’t give that much notice before the interview

Agreed.

Plus it’s a direct TC not a vacation scheme there is no deadline for them to notify you realistically.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Gotcha, thanks for the advice!!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Not

At what point of the recruitment process will GR contact your references? And what happens if one reference doesn't respond to them?

I think they ask for references when they are pretty sure they will make an offer (that's at least what I experience w a MC firm)

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Not sure if I'm being silly but I feel like applying early for things is kind of working against me for TC and vac schemes. Everything I applied for super early (basically first week they came out) I haven't heard anything back, whereas ppl who applied right before the deadline have heard back!

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Not sure if I'm being silly but I feel like applying early for things is kind of working against me for TC and vac schemes. Everything I applied for super early (basically first week they came out) I haven't heard anything back, whereas ppl who applied right before the deadline have heard back!

A lot of firms who don’t have run winter schemes, and claim to be rolling basis, won’t start getting back to people until January.

From September until December, grad rec teams are generally busy running events.

 

[legally.brown]

CC emailed me this morning saying “I am pleased to confirm that as you previously completed and passed the test within the last two recruitment cycles with us, you do not need to do the test again this year.”

I was under the impression WG are valid only for the same recruitment cycle; ie - You get an open day and you don’t have to do the WG for TC again.

Anyone else get this email?

 

[CanOz]

Just received a video interview invitation from CMS.

Does anyone have any advice on what to expect and how to prepare?

 

[gazdgazd11]

Just received a video interview invitation from CMS.

Does anyone have any advice on what to expect and how to prepare?

Congrats! How long after submitting the application have you received the test? I’ve just applied now

 

[needatccccc]

CC emailed me this morning saying “I am pleased to confirm that as you previously completed and passed the test within the last two recruitment cycles with us, you do not need to do the test again this year.”

I was under the impression WG are valid only for the same recruitment cycle; ie - You get an open day and you don’t have to do the WG for TC again.

Anyone else get this email?

No it's valid for 2 consecutive cycles

 

[Deleted member 37508]

No it's valid for 2 consecutive cycles

CC emailed me this morning saying “I am pleased to confirm that as you previously completed and passed the test within the last two recruitment cycles with us, you do not need to do the test again this year.”

I was under the impression WG are valid only for the same recruitment cycle; ie - You get an open day and you don’t have to do the WG for TC again.

Anyone else get this email?

Yes. If you took the Watson Glaser today and you passed it would be valid 2 cycles after this one. The next time you would need to take it would be 2027.

 

[CanOz]

Congrats! How long after submitting the application have you received the test? I’ve just applied now

Thanks! I submitted the application on 03/10 and received the WG test on 14/10

Best of luck to us all!

 

[SamiyaJ]

I applied to Linklaters WVS but was rejected. Am I still eligible to still apply for the 2027/2028 TC? If so, can I re-take the 2 tests or are they valid for a year like CC? The website isn’t very clear and the training contract deadline forum on here doesn’t specify anything so I am assuming I can?

Any clarification would be much appreciated.

 

[Deleted member 37508]

I applied to Linklaters WVS but was rejected. Am I still eligible to still apply for the 2027/2028 TC? If so, can I re-take the 2 tests or are they valid for a year like CC? The website isn’t very clear and the training contract deadline forum on here doesn’t specify anything so I am assuming I can?

Any clarification would be much appreciated.

I’m not sur if you can reapply I think you can but you cannot redo the tests. I applied for the VS after being rejected for the open day. They bypass the WG and Capp test. You’d be stuck with the same scores as before.

 

[SamiyaJ]

I’m not sur if you can reapply I think you can but you cannot redo the tests. I applied for the VS after being rejected for the open day. They bypass the WG and Capp test. You’d be stuck with the same scores as before.

Thank you for clarifying!

 

[m25]

I would personally suggest trying to find something else to highlight. Although undoubtedly the situation would have been incredibly difficult, Covid was something that many millions of people had to manage at that time, and although a death of a family member will compound the situation significantly, death is something many (if not most) candidates have to also manage too, whether during Covid or at any other times.

I think it is important to find something that is more unique to you and really focuses on your pride on your involvement or achievement in something. It could be something you are passionate about or something you have dedicated energy, time or resources to that have ensured success. Try to pick something more "optional" rather than something you had to do, like school exams. This will show you choose to do something, rather than had to do something. I think this then has a much more positive focus on your achievements too.

You can reference the mitigating circumstances of the family member's death elsewhere in applications too - so this can be referenced elsewhere.uu

In terms of examples I have recently seen in applications they have included:

- Raising money for charity
- Setting up a side hustle/business
- Being part of a sports team that were successful
- Organising an event that was appreciated by the attendees
- Raising awareness of a particular topic
- Implementing a new system or process at work that led to efficiencies or cost savings
- Being a mentor or tutor and seeing their mentees/students succeed

Hi, is it recommended to use abbreviations of lengthy words like GRE, GMAT or AI or use their full names?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi, is it recommended to use abbreviations of lengthy words like GRE, GMAT or AI or use their full names?

AI is fine but the other ones are not - for instance, I don’t know what they are so they are clearly not commonly used terms everyone would know

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

Hi, I just received my feedback report from BCLP after completing the assessment. Has anyone who has been either successful/unsuccessful please share their 3 strengths and 1 area of development

Thank you!!

 

[SamiyaJ]

CMS PFO post WG. I took the test on Monday so I must’ve done really bad for them to reject me 2 days later. This test will be the end of me, why don’t I get it 😭😭 I’ve been trying so hard to understand the logic but clearly a lot of it is not clicking. Argh!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Just received a video interview invitation from CMS.

Does anyone have any advice on what to expect and how to prepare?

Hiya @CanOz

Amazing job on reaching the video interview stage! I wanted to share a couple of thoughts and threads that really helped me when I was preparing for VIs:

• This classic thread by the legendary AliceG, which I found invaluable when I started doing VIs: Video Interviews: Tips and Tricks
• A more recent and equally helpful guide by Erin: How to Prepare for a Law Firm Video Interview

In terms of preparation, I’ve said this once before (and I’ll keep saying it as many times as I need to): the key is to practice as much as possible. Speaking directly to a camera under timed conditions can feel odd, but the more you practice, the easier it becomes. Additionally, make sure to distill your research on the firm into clear and concise points so you can speak confidently about any points that you might want to draw on.

Another tip I’d suggest which is related to that last point I made is this: avoid writing out a full script for every type of question that you anticipate coming up. This can make it harder to stay flexible, and it's easy to get thrown off if a question doesn’t go as expected. Instead, I’d suggest preparing bullet points or prompts for key themes or any research you want to cover. Practicing these with friends or family can also help you speak naturally and clearly about your research and motivations.

Best of luck with your VI! 😊

 

[Sad_Old_Grad]

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam!

I am currently frantically completing my 500-word statement for my CC application and am struggling. I was wondering if you might be able to provide some pointers/advice on what I have done so far? Any advice would be hugely appreciated!

Just for some context - I am a non-law grad (I did the GDL), so most of my extracurriculars are related to an earlier time in my life/academic ventures. What I particularly struggle with is the 'achievement I am most proud of'.

In no more than 500 words, please tell us about your extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility and an achievement of importance which you are most proud of. How will these experiences help you excel as a Clifford Chance lawyer?


A passionate linguist with a multicultural upbringing, I have always been deeply interested in languages, reflected in my choice to study Russian and Czech (primarily literature) at university. Fluent or proficient in six languages, I actively seek opportunities to apply my linguistic skills.



At Oxford, I co-founded Linguatute, a platform supporting language students and Oxbridge applicants. We created tailored study programmes and tutoring materials, combining my love for languages with entrepreneurial initiative. This venture also exposed me to business operations, intellectual property law, and employment contracts, providing practical insights into legal and organisational challenges relevant to a legal career.

My interest in language extends into the artistic realm. I co-founded the Percy Shelley Poetry Society, creating a space for people from various disciplines to write and critique poetry. Although the society did not continue after my graduation, I secured funding from my college to host poetry evenings, fostering a creative community. I also translated Czech poems for the Oxford Lieder Festival, balancing linguistic accuracy with artistic interpretation—an experience that enhanced my translation skills and creativity.

Currently, I am honing my translation abilities in a legal context, working on anti-dumping laws and Chinese steel exports to Russia. This has involved interpreting poorly written or ambiguous English, refining my ability to convey nuanced meaning in complex legal documents.

I am also a dedicated musician, performing in concerts and competitions from a young age. At 13, I performed on Welsh national television as a finalist in the Urdd National Eisteddfod and have placed in several major competitions. At 14, I gained a place at the highly competitive Royal College of Music Junior Department, supported by a generous bursary. This experience taught me discipline, focus, and the ability to perform under pressure—qualities that will serve me in my professional career.

My passion for music, combined with a belief in its accessibility for all children, led me to offer free music lessons to disadvantaged children during school. One of my students later attended the Wells School on the strength of her musical ability. At university, I continued this initiative by providing free piano accompaniment to soloists for exams and concerts, enabling them to focus on performance without the financial burden of hiring an accompanist.

My commitment to helping disadvantaged children extended into my legal studies. During my GDL, I volunteered to provide legal advice to parents of children facing permanent school exclusion. Despite my limited legal experience, I successfully assisted clients, often under tight deadlines. I quickly familiarised myself with new areas of law and legal procedures, explaining complex concepts in an accessible manner. I also honed my advocacy skills by representing clients at tribunals, refining my ability to present compelling arguments.

At university, I was elected undergraduate representative for Czech and Slovak. I advocated for students during the Covid-19 pandemic, successfully negotiating increased access to online resources and ensuring equal study room bookings for undergraduates and postgraduates. This role enhanced my negotiation and collaboration skills, highlighting my ability to balance competing interests and drive positive outcomes.

Unexpectedly, my proudest achievement stems from my first real job, where I was promoted to a managerial position within weeks, surpassing older staff. I was entrusted with financial responsibilities (which extended beyond my regular responsibilities) and earned the respect of my colleagues, reinforcing my leadership abilities and work ethic. This experience boosted my confidence and set the tone for my professional career.