TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[mfuturetrainee]

if you get an AC invite during one of the days of your vac scheme, is it worth calling in sick for one day to attend the AC for a final round tc? @Jessica Booker

 

[MiddleEast]

Hi all. My summer VS with white & case starts next week and it includes presentation, assessment, interviews. Any insights I would truly appreciate. All the best,

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

if you get an AC invite during one of the days of your vac scheme, is it worth calling in sick for one day to attend the AC for a final round tc? @Jessica Booker

Unless you have no desire to secure a TC with your VS firm, no, this would not be a good idea at all.

It would be better to be upfront and ask whether you could take time off to attend the other firm’s process.

But the better approach would be to ask the interviewing firm for an alternative date.

 

[trainee4u]

if you get an AC invite during one of the days of your vac scheme, is it worth calling in sick for one day to attend the AC for a final round tc? @Jessica Booker

That's fundamentally dishonest, which is a barrier to working in the law. Similar stunts have gotten people banned for life from the profession.

 

[SM2001]

Hi all, I have recently been invited to attend the Shoosmiths Assessment Centre and have never attended an AC before so I would appreciate the insight.

If possible, does anyone have any insight into the Shoosmiths AC specifically, or if anyone can offer advice generally for the following:
- Pair exercises
- Group exercises
- Presentations/client meeting
- A strengths based interview

I would also appreciate any suggested resources to help prepare. Thank you!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

That's fundamentally dishonest, which is a barrier to working in the law. Similar stunts have gotten people banned for life from the profession.

I have never heard of a vacation scheme student being reported to the SRA for something like this. A firm would just not consider the candidate for a TC if they found out.

 

[GV]

Does anyone know when Reed Smith will start to get back to people?

 

[abbiewhitlock03]

Does anyone know when Reed Smith will start to get back to people?

I got a test and VI invite from them on Friday so I think they’ve started sending them out

 

[imperial_topaz23]

I got a test and VI invite from them on Friday so I think they’ve started sending them out

Amazing!! Well done - no doubt you'll ace it. 🥳 Do you mind sharing when you submitted your application?

 

[abbiewhitlock03]

Amazing!! Well done - no doubt you'll ace it. 🥳 Do you mind sharing when you submitted your application?

Thank you so much!! 😁 I submitted my application on the 22nd of May, so quite early on!

 

[amrita6399]

I got a test and VI invite from them on Friday so I think they’ve started sending them out

Congratulations 🎉

I'm still waiting to hear from RS. I wanted to know how many questions does the VI have and also, I believe the test is a SJT?

Thank you!

 

[mfuturetrainee]

Unless you have no desire to secure a TC with your VS firm, no, this would not be a good idea at all.

It would be better to be upfront and ask whether you could take time off to attend the other firm’s process.

But the better approach would be to ask the interviewing firm for an alternative date.

thank you! I was just posing it as a hypothetical as ive submitted a few apps which im due to hear back from within that timeline so I was just wondering- super helpful, thank you!

 

[abbiewhitlock03]

Congratulations 🎉

I'm still waiting to hear from RS. I wanted to know how many questions does the VI have and also, I believe the test is a SJT?

Thank you!

Thanks!! I haven’t completed the test yet as I’m on a scheme this week, but I’ll DM you! Yes, I believe it is an SJT

 

[Sunshinepink]

Hey everyone, I just did the Hogan Lovells WG practice before the real one and got: Total Score 62%, Evaluating Arguments 100%, Recognising Assumptions 50%, Drawing Conclusions 54% (for the practice) before doing some notes to see where I had gone wrong so I could do better on the real one. I have never practiced before but I am so adamant that I will get a TC in the next intake so I am really trying. Does anyone know if these scores are good and perhaps any tips for the recognising assumptions and drawing conclusions?

 

[amrita6399]

Thanks!! I haven’t completed the test yet as I’m on a scheme this week, but I’ll DM you! Yes, I believe it is an SJT

Thank you! And good luck with your scheme😊

 

[Amma Usman]

I got a test and VI invite from them on Friday so I think they’ve started sending them out

Congrats on this!

@Andrei Radu ‘s carefully crafted and detailed guide will help - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....de-for-competency-interview-preparation.9380/

 

[trainee4u]

I have never heard of a vacation scheme student being reported to the SRA for something like this. A firm would just not consider the candidate for a TC if they found out.

Here is an example of a trainee who was banned from the profession for lying about her reason for absence.

It is dishonest, which is a bar to working in the law:

Stephanie Merrill - 7008990

Control of non-qualified staff (section 43/99 order)

www.sra.org.uk

 

[cccm.]

Hey everyone! I applied to Mayer Brown for the direct training contract and made it to the second-to-last stage — the Life at Mayer Brown test. I completed and passed it around mid-May, but I’ve noticed I never received a confirmation of submission. On the portal, it still just says “Deadline Passed” instead of “Finished.” Has anyone else experienced this? Just wondering if this is normal or if there might be an issue.

 

[Amma Usman]

if you get an AC invite during one of the days of your vac scheme, is it worth calling in sick for one day to attend the AC for a final round tc? @Jessica Booker

As Jess said, unless you have no passion to secure a TC with your VS firm, then this is not advisable. I had once gotten two ACs during a VS, but turned them down because my interest in training at the firm I was doing a VS at, was greater. Ultimately, communication is key, as well as balancing your interests.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey everyone, I just did the Hogan Lovells WG practice before the real one and got: Total Score 62%, Evaluating Arguments 100%, Recognising Assumptions 50%, Drawing Conclusions 54% (for the practice) before doing some notes to see where I had gone wrong so I could do better on the real one. I have never practiced before but I am so adamant that I will get a TC in the next intake so I am really trying. Does anyone know if these scores are good and perhaps any tips for the recognising assumptions and drawing conclusions?

It’s so lovely that you’re practicing from now. There’s a course on TCLA which goes through the WG that should help.

I’ve linked below:

The Corporate Law Academy

classes.thecorporatelawacademy.com

In terms of the scores, passing thresholds differ between cycles, so it’s unlikely to say anything definitive on this.