General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Helena]

I cannot believe I get to say these words, but I have been offered a training contract with Freshfields!!

I have always maintained that the right firm is out there for us all and that we will eventually make it over the line with them when the time is right, and I hope that I can reinforce how truthful this is through my experience! The setbacks and challenges are just paving the way for us to get that all-important "yes" right when you want it the most.

I will be forever grateful to you all for the kindness, encouragement and support you have given me. I also just want to say a special thank you to @Jaysen, @Raam, @Daniel Boden, @Maddie R and @Jessica Booker - you are such wonderful people and friends. I am so excited for this next chapter!

Alice I’m utterly elated for you. Your tenacity and determination have shone through and despite all your own tribulations, you have always been there to help others. I cannot think of anyone more deserving. So happy for you. Enjoy this glorious moment.

 

[Alice G]

Congratulations @Alice G! Really pleased for you. All your hard work has paid off.

Thank you so much Paul, I really appreciate that!

 

[Alice G]

Alice I’m utterly elated for you. Your tenacity and determination have shone through and despite all your own tribulations, you have always been there to help others. I cannot think of anyone more deserving. So happy for you. Enjoy this glorious moment.

Thank you so so much Helena!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

1. Tbh 99% of people that already have a training contract and paralegal are literally only doing it for the money and to bridge the time before they start their TC. So thanks for stating the obvious.

2. I know this is going to be controversial and trigger the people on this forum that have/are self funding the LPC but it's kinda true. All the people that I know that are self funding have been rejected multiple cycles and are getting desperate so they self fund which I think is a really bad idea. Not to say those that are getting rejected year after year won't make it. Plenty of success stories on this forum of people that have made it after multiple application cycles. However, people need to be realistic and face the truth. Although I really like the supportive environment of this forum, people need to be realistic with their future options and prospects.

Not everyone will share this view but sometimes you have to put yourself in the shoes of a recruiter, especially at firms where competition is fierce and places are limited. I can so see why some firms may think "what's wrong with them", especially if the individual has done multiple vacation schemes and cycles and fails to covert any of them into TC offers.

I am not one to encourage self funding but this is bad advice on a number of levels.

Vast majority of people who become solicitors will self fund their GDL and/or LPC.

Only a small minority of firms will sponsor the LPC. And even smaller minority sponsor both. So this idea that you are at a disadvantage of self funding is ridiculous and at best would only apply to the small number of commercial firms at the very top end of the market.

In days gone by firms who did sponsor might have had this attitude. But that's when their attitudes to diversity full stop we're pretty limited. The world of graduate recruitment has changed massively, even in the last 10 years and now much more objective information is considered rather than subjective views like how good a candidate you are based on if you self-funded or not.

The ONLY concern a recruiter should have when recruiting someone who has completed the LPC is what are they going to do with their time out (if that's relevant). Firm’s who sponsor typically recruit 2-3 years in advance, and there is always a thought that someone could qualify with another firm in that time. However, many people explain rationally what they would do.

Given that many firms who do sponsor are recruiting people who have self funded, there is clearly no issue in choosing to self fund in itself.

However, what you have to do before choosing to self fund (or not) is to ensure you are an eligible candidate in the first place (some self-funders wouldn't get past a A-level requirement filter, usually a high international student cohort that won’t secure visas) and that your CV has the basics to get you through an application process. You then need to continue to build your CV as anyone else would.

And this is where everyone goes wrong, whether they choose to self-fund or not. They either don’t have the basics on their application to start with or think that by doing something in particular, a golden ticket (whether it’s a paralegal job, LLM, LPC) to a TC will happen. There will be plenty of non-self funders working/travelling who are also not securing TCs. People like you are just not aware of them because they are not in your immediate circle of classmates.

There is nothing ”realistic” or ”truthful” about your post. It's just an opinion of view based as a small amount of experience and a short-sighted view.

 

[Asmee DC]

Been invited to an AC at Trowers if anyone could offer any tips for the AC I would be so grateful!

Congrats!! Which location did you apply to?

 

[nymi]

Thank you and I am sure you will get something soon!

I know people have been invited to AC so not sure what the hold up is...

Any idea approximately how many people have been invited to the AC?

 

[bethbristol]

Hogan Lovells VS offer!!

 

[Ifmhouse4]

Congrats!! Which location did you apply to?

Hey it is for the London office! Thank you

 

[Andre]

I may quit.

 

[Lumree]

Anyone else received a holding email from Travers today?

 

[Miki3999]

I got this from TS today:

"Thank you for your application for a training contract.

Your application is important to us and we value your continued interest in the firm. Due, however, to the higher than normal acceptance rate of offers, we do not currently anticipate holding any more interviews between now and July

We will therefore be in touch regarding your application during August."

hmmmmmmmm

 

[Daniel Boden]

I'm absolutely delighted to announce I've just been offered a place on Gibson Dunn's summer vacation scheme!

After 3 rejections post-AC this cycle, this really is the confidence boost I've needed

Hope others have similarly good news this week!

 

[J32]

I'm absolutely delighted to announce I've just been offered a place on Gibson Dunn's summer vacation scheme!

After 3 rejections post-AC this cycle, this really is the confidence boost I've needed

Hope others have similarly good news this week!

This is amazing news and you thoroughly deserve it! Congrats Dan, make sure you celebrate

 

[Lumree]

Anyone else received a holding email from Travers today?

Well I’ve just received a rejection from them as well for the VS! Suppose I’m just on hold for the TC

 

[Deleted member 5185]

Hello all, has anyone had a rejection from Travers Smith post vac scheme application ? I’m wondering whether I should send a follow up email but don’t want to bother grad recruitment.

 

[Pallatablelawyer]

I'm absolutely delighted to announce I've just been offered a place on Gibson Dunn's summer vacation scheme!

After 3 rejections post-AC this cycle, this really is the confidence boost I've needed

Hope others have similarly good news this week!

Absolutely delighted for you man !

 

[W]

I may quit.

Why so?

 

[Velikilawyer123]

Has anyone heard any responses from

Ropes & Gray
Milbank
Gibson Dunn
Goodwin Proctor

Nothing from Milbank or Gibson

 

[W]

Nothing from Milbank or Gibson

Same re Gibson post app

 

[SG]

Received email from Travers saying all their vac schemes are full