TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[wannabe_solicitor]

I'd say focus on their values. There's not much else to do. There was a good video once. It was top 10 trainee skills. Paul Gascoyne made it, IIRC. I don't know where it's gone.

This video could be helpful though.

I do think being consistent helps. Especially on those sliding answer questions.

This is helpful, thanks!! also kinda panicking, does the Ashurst test include WGT- like questions? going through the practice ones and Cappfinity has some WGT in there?!

 

[MaryAra299]

Has anyone taken the mayer brown tests? Do they have vi element and how was your experience? Was it too hard? Asking because I received an invite after app and the practice tests I did were kinda easy and I don't buy that the actual tests would be that easy.

 

[RaniaH062002]

Anyone got advice for the Ashurst test that have done it? currently practicing it- I assume it's got WG style questions too (because they want us to suffer) and behaviour questions? How did you find it?

 

[Khagrammmmmm]

Hi guys, has anyone progressed with Curtis?

I understand that they will only get back to successful candidates.

 

[A worried graduate]

Has anyone taken the mayer brown tests? Do they have vi element and how was your experience? Was it too hard? Asking because I received an invite after app and the practice tests I did were kinda easy and I don't buy that the actual tests would be that easy.

First test has no VI but the second does

 

[MaryAra299]

First test has no VI but the second does

Thanks! Is it amberjack or capaffinity?

 

[mandamasochist]

For those of you lucky folk who’ve got a response from Hill Dickinson, which seat did you get put into?

For context I put mine as shipping but haven’t heard back yet!

 

[Tintin06]

Thoughts on the graduate apprenticeship route? Running out of TC applications here. Are they much harder to get? Just started thinking about this option.

Also anything from Hogan Lovells today? Would also like to manage expectations. What are my chances with HL? A few VSs and work experiences. A-Level grades: AAA; GCSEs were: ABBBBCCC. Mitigating circumstances were for GCSEs. Degree: 62.5% (History and Politics - Oxford).

I often get imposter syndrome honestly. So none of this = humble brag.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

What are my chances with HL? A few VSs and work experiences. A-Level grades: AAA; GCSEs were: ABBBBCCC. Mitigating circumstances were for GCSEs. Degree: 62.5% (History and Politics - Oxford).

I could never figure out what HL is looking for, even having attended their VS. I think you have a shot just as much as anyone

 

[A worried graduate]

Thoughts on the graduate apprenticeship route? Running out of TC applications here. Are they much harder to get? Just started thinking about this option.

Also anything from Hogan Lovells today? Would also like to manage expectations. What are my chances with HL? A few VSs and work experiences. A-Level grades: AAA; GCSEs were: ABBBBCCC. Mitigating circumstances were for GCSEs. Degree: 62.5% (History and Politics - Oxford).

I often get imposter syndrome honestly. So none of this = humble brag.

Personally, Grad apprenticeships seem slightly easier to get than TCs as those who have taken SQE1 can’t apply and in-house roles tend to be less competitive in general as they aren’t advertised

Still will be hard though

 

[Logan1101]

Thoughts on the graduate apprenticeship route? Running out of TC applications here. Are they much harder to get? Just started thinking about this option.

Also anything from Hogan Lovells today? Would also like to manage expectations. What are my chances with HL? A few VSs and work experiences. A-Level grades: AAA; GCSEs were: ABBBBCCC. Mitigating circumstances were for GCSEs. Degree: 62.5% (History and Politics - Oxford).

I often get imposter syndrome honestly. So none of this = humble brag.

Oxon should give you a leg up, consider applying for US firms. I also have a low 2.1(RG) but a low 2.1 from Oxford is probably worth more.

It's a rigged game, you just have to learn how to play it. I actually abhor the whole recruitment process but this is what firms are forced to do as applications far exceed spaces. I have friends who have never made it to an AC after over a hundred applications, and know people who have been unemployed for months looking for a secretary/paralegal role. It's a cruel Neoliberal world that we live in.

 

[ilovegardening1111]

Hi all, would you say it’s a good idea to train in-house at a financial/insurance firm? And there’s a chance you will undertake one seat (litigation) in private practice during your time there at a reputable commercial law firm. Could I go back to private practice? Even though I’ve only done one seat in it

 

[Ali2020]

I did it yesterday, went terribly! 😅 Had 1 motivational and 3 competency based questions

oh wow, best of luck...hoping you smashed it!! Thank you for the tips on what to expect I was scared it might be something on commercial news 😫

 

[Ali2020]

Has anyone heard back from Sky after completing the MCQs...I ran out of time and missed 1 questions eurgh

 

[Ali2020]

Hi everyone,

Did anyone hear anything from Howard Kennedy after the contextual recruitment survey? Thank you so much!

Hey I completed it 24 March and haven't heard anything still either....

 

[legallyells]

For those of you lucky folk who’ve got a response from Hill Dickinson, which seat did you get put into?

For context I put mine as shipping but haven’t heard back yet!

business services in london was mine!

 

[confusedbird]

did anyone receive an email post completing the SJT for Ashurst?
Haven't received anything and wondering if it even got recorded (i went till the end and it said the assessment was over but just overthinking it)

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thoughts on the graduate apprenticeship route? Running out of TC applications here. Are they much harder to get? Just started thinking about this option.

Also anything from Hogan Lovells today? Would also like to manage expectations. What are my chances with HL? A few VSs and work experiences. A-Level grades: AAA; GCSEs were: ABBBBCCC. Mitigating circumstances were for GCSEs. Degree: 62.5% (History and Politics - Oxford).

I often get imposter syndrome honestly. So none of this = humble brag.

To me, graduate apprenticeships are no different to training contracts - you just do your SQE training alongside working rather than ahead of the TC. Otherwise they are the same opportunity.

 

[norothrow324]

did anyone receive an email post completing the SJT for Ashurst?
Haven't received anything and wondering if it even got recorded (i went till the end and it said the assessment was over but just overthinking it)

I got my feedback report (if you can really cal it that, quite short and pretty boiler plate). Nothing else before though so you should be fine so long as you clicked submit. Took a day to get the report

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi all, would you say it’s a good idea to train in-house at a financial/insurance firm? And there’s a chance you will undertake one seat (litigation) in private practice during your time there at a reputable commercial law firm. Could I go back to private practice? Even though I’ve only done one seat in it

I think its good if you want to work in-house long term, and especially if you have an interest in financial services or the insurance industry.

Moving to private practice is not going to be straight forward if your experience is mainly in-house, even with a six-month secondment to a private practice firm. You will be competing in a job market where people have mainly worked in private practice. Those people will have worked with a broader range of clients, have gained work experience across practice areas and got used to more private practice process knowledge like business development, time recording etc.

It is not to say it will be impossible, it just will be more difficult than if you have trained in private practice. It may be more possible for firms that have a financial services/insurance sector focus, because your sector knowledge may be in more demand.

People may think it might be easy to impress on a six month secondment to the private practice firm and potentially be hired by them, but sometimes there are terms in secondment agreements that restrict firms/in-house teams from nabbing talent from one another.