TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[gazdgazd11]

I'm curious but has anyone heard of people that failed ACs because of being bad players in group exercises? How common are they? I feel they are quite pointless as I feel grad rec fails no one because of them, I'd be really curious to hear @Amma Usman and anyone else who is able to contribute

I know people that failed ACs cause of that

 

[Amma Usman]

Is it worth mentioning to grad rec that you have a stutter during an AC? I don't want it to come off as an excuse as my stutter isn't terrible and just appears when I say certain words, but I also don't want it to be something which hinders me getting considered for the TC

It’s generally okay if you occasionally stumble over your words during an interview. That alone is very unlikely to lead to a straight and outright rejection. Many firms are aware that interviews can make even the most confident candidates nervous, and they often take that into account. In fact, they know that nerves typically fade once you're settled into a role, so a bit of hesitation in your speech isn’t a dealbreaker.

What tends to matter more is the overall clarity and structure of your answers. If your responses are still coherent, well-organised, and you’re clearly trying to convey your points thoughtfully, then you’re still on strong footing. This is especially true if your communication improves as the interview goes on or, in the context of an assessment centre, where they’ve had multiple chances to observe you in different settings. One moment of stumbling will likely be balanced out by stronger moments elsewhere.

I’ve been in situations where I felt I wasn’t articulating myself perfectly at first, but I focused on delivering more precise and composed responses as the interview progressed. As long as you’re adapting and giving yourself room to recover, it really doesn’t reflect poorly on you.

 

[zplookingforaTC]

Reed Smith VI🔥🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥


Also just submitted macfarlanes too; good day for grinding HARD💪🏿

Annoying that slaughters is only law 😭😭😭

 

[Amma Usman]

I'm curious but has anyone heard of people that failed ACs because of being bad players in group exercises? How common are they? I feel they are quite pointless as I feel grad rec fails no one because of them, I'd be really curious to hear @Amma Usman and anyone else who is able to contribute

In my opinion, the main skill law firms, and even any organisation, are trying to test by placing group exercises is the extent to which you are a team player. How well you work in a team. From my perspective on this, it can be a real dealbreaker if you are set a task and are unable to work with your team and solve it together. You will find that it’s even sometimes better working in a team, as there’s more collective knowledge to utilise, ultimately helping your contribution be better. Taking turns to speak helps. If there’s also someone in your team that appears a bit shy or less engaged, offer to make them feel at home and involved by asking for their own thoughts on a matter. This not only improves your candidacy, but also makes them feel valued as a team member, which anyone would love to feel.

My overarching reason for saying all these is looking at the work law firms, and in fact virtually any successful profession, produces. All hinging on the collaborative effort of many people. Teamwork is what ensures the tough days are gone through quicker and more efficiently.

Feel free to let us know if you’ve got any more questions at all. This was a really good one.

 

[Amma Usman]

Reed Smith VI🔥🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥


Also just submitted macfarlanes too; good day for grinding HARD💪🏿

Annoying that slaughters is only law 😭😭😭

Ayyyyyyy. Love this for you keep going xxxx

 

[amrita6399]

Reed Smith VI🔥🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥


Also just submitted macfarlanes too; good day for grinding HARD💪🏿

Annoying that slaughters is only law 😭😭😭

Congratulations 🎉 🎉

When did you submit your Reed Smith Application?

Additionally, is MacFarlanes rolling basis?

 

[SamiyaJ]

Omg HFW AC!!! I forgot I even applied?! I applied in November lmao.

It’s a virtual AC, any tips/advice would be so appreciated!

 

[Tintin06]

I'm curious but has anyone heard of people that failed ACs because of being bad players in group exercises? How common are they? I feel they are quite pointless as I feel grad rec fails no one because of them, I'd be really curious to hear @Amma Usman and anyone else who is able to contribute

Yes, I've seen that happen before. Sometimes better to say less, truthfully. Shyness is forgive-able, domineering behaviour isn't. Negotiation exercises aren't a wrestling march. Ideally be easy to work with. Firms constantly work with each other.

 

[James Wakefield]

I'm curious but has anyone heard of people that failed ACs because of being bad players in group exercises? How common are they? I feel they are quite pointless as I feel grad rec fails no one because of them, I'd be really curious to hear @Amma Usman and anyone else who is able to contribute

I feel like a lot of people fall down on these and they’re actually a common reason for people not getting offers.

 

[LegallyStressedOut]

Orrick Watson glaser invite ✅

 

[trainee4u]

I'm curious but has anyone heard of people that failed ACs because of being bad players in group exercises? How common are they? I feel they are quite pointless as I feel grad rec fails no one because of them, I'd be really curious to hear @Amma Usman and anyone else who is able to contribute

100%.

For example an online group exercise that I did was about the green belt. The instructions were to NOT do background research

As it happened people were mistaken in their understanding of green belt, which is specifically about defined 'belts' around about half-a-dozen named cities , and NOT 'the countryside' in general. So there were people basically talking rubbish about the green belt, but the problem was that there were specific instructions to perform the task in two halfs with specific cut-off times, and if you, as I, were blathering on worrying about the facts instead of trying to bring the task to a conclusion, you'd fail and get rejected.

This particular group exercise was directly run by the firm, and there was no one-to-one interview, so absolutely they were rejecting people based on poor group skills

 

[Tintin06]

Reed Smith VI🔥🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥


Also just submitted macfarlanes too; good day for grinding HARD💪🏿

Annoying that slaughters is only law 😭😭😭

What’s the deadline for the VI? I’ve also applied for their TC. Congrats on getting to that stage.

 

[zplookingforaTC]

What’s the deadline for the VI? I’ve also applied for their TC. Congrats on getting to that stage.

Congratulations 🎉 🎉

When did you submit your Reed Smith Application?

Additionally, is MacFarlanes rolling basis?

A few weeks back I applied for RS and I have till next Monday my friends💪🏿

 

[Tintin06]

A few weeks back I applied for RS and I have till next Monday my friends💪🏿

Thanks - that’s really helpful to know.

 

[Sunshinepink]

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.

Thank you so much!

 

[rosedunn]

Is it over if we haven’t got orrick test…

 

[amrita6399]

Is it over if we haven’t got orrick test…

It's not over until you get a PFO🤞

 

[lawyersum]

Anybody heard from Slaughter's direct TC?

 

[IBartlett]

Any news from BCLP or Arnold & Porter?

I heard back from BCLP almost immediatley after doing the critical thinking test with a no. I am yet to hear back from Arnold & Porter.

 

[TortillaTC]

Did people receive RS online test and VI together or VI after passing the test?