General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[TCLA Community Assistant]

When HSF ask "tell us what skills, attributes and qualities you would bring to the role", can resiliency count as one of them? Or is it asking for more legal, technical skills

yes, that counts. Any skills could be relevant here

 

[dosblancos7]

yes, that counts. Any skills could be relevant here

Thank you!

 

[Popal]

Hey guys, is anyone else still in the application process for Ashurst 2022 training contracts? I just received an update email saying I’d receive a further update in the next month... thought I had been rejected after so long had passed!!

 

[Velikilawyer123]

In short, find the positives of the firm that you are applying to that are very different to the firms you worked with and emphasise them.

Without reminding the reader that this is what my previous firms lacked?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Without reminding the reader that this is what my previous firms lacked?

In many instances it will be completely obvious, so it won’t need stating. But even if that wasn’t the case “lacking” isn’t really the language you want to be using

 

[Camilla]

Without reminding the reader that this is what my previous firms lacked?

I've have done a similar thing with open days in the work experience section. I would always include one or two lines to explain to the recruiter what I liked about the open day, what I didn't (not in so many words) and how that has led to me applying to the firm that I am applying to now.

For example: "I attended X firm's open day and this helped me to realise that a structured training programme is important to me because of X reason, but that I would prefer to train at a firm with a smaller intake because of X reason, which is why I am drawn to this firm" ect.

 

[Crastle]

Does anybody know if there are any firms that recruit a year in advance rather than two years?

 

[DrowninginSQE]

Seeing people confirming training contract offers at White & Case on my LinkedIn for those with direct TC apps still in the running...

Anyone got an AC from W&C who hasn't done a TC?

 

[SPS]

Hi all:
I applied for a TC at HFW over 2 months ago and haven't heard anything back! Is that normal? should I take it as a good or bad sign? I tried emailing the graduate recruitment team but no luck there neither. :/ Any advice will be much appreciated

 

[hdd]

Hi everyone, long-time lurker here. Although I haven’t posted much, I check these forums almost every day. The people on TCLA and their stories have helped me greatly in what I can safely say has been the most taxing two years of my life!

Yesterday, I received a training contract offer. It took two cycles and no fewer than 31 applications, four interviews and a vac scheme to get there.

If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to put yourself out there and talk to people who are on the same journey as you. I didn’t for a long time and all those rejections hurt that much more when the only people I told didn’t understand the TC process properly.

Of course, I can’t recommend a TCLA premium subscription enough. The courses, case studies and application reviews have been invaluable. Thank you to Jaysen and to everyone else who has contributed to them!

I’m a slightly older career changer. If there is anyone who is in a similar position, feels a bit on the outside and would like to have a chat, please feel free to message me!

 

[J123]

Congrats! What date did they give you for the AC?

Wednesday!

 

[Jaysen]

Hi everyone, long-time lurker here. Although I haven’t posted much, I check these forums almost every day. The people on TCLA and their stories have helped me greatly in what I can safely say has been the most taxing two years of my life!

Yesterday, I received a training contract offer. It took two cycles and no fewer than 31 applications, four interviews and a vac scheme to get there.

If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to put yourself out there and talk to people who are on the same journey as you. I didn’t for a long time and all those rejections hurt that much more when the only people I told didn’t understand the TC process properly.

Of course, I can’t recommend a TCLA premium subscription enough. The courses, case studies and application reviews have been invaluable. Thank you to Jaysen and to everyone else who has contributed to them!

I’m a slightly older career changer. If there is anyone who is in a similar position, feels a bit on the outside and would like to have a chat, please feel free to message me!

This is incredible news, really well done . 31 applications shows some fantastic determination!

 

[Ifmhouse4]

Does anybody know if there are any firms that recruit a year in advance rather than two years?

Hi there, quite a few do I believe! such as Dorsey and Whitney, and Slater Gordon.

 

[Sam55]

Seeing people confirming training contract offers at White & Case on my LinkedIn for those with direct TC apps still in the running...

Anyone got an AC from W&C who hasn't done a TC?

From what I’ve seen it’s people who have done vac schemes. I guess grad rec are waiting to see how many people accept the TC before progressing any direct TC applicants!

 

[Deleted member 320]

Hey guys, is anyone else still in the application process for Ashurst 2022 training contracts? I just received an update email saying I’d receive a further update in the next month... thought I had been rejected after so long had passed!!

I did the test in Jan/ Feb havent heard a peep. I'm so sick of emailing them. A good sign you got that email. I didnt even get that.

 

[Deleted member 320]

Hi all:
I applied for a TC at HFW over 2 months ago and haven't heard anything back! Is that normal? should I take it as a good or bad sign? I tried emailing the graduate recruitment team but no luck there neither. :/ Any advice will be much appreciated

I too applied to HFW. Havent heard anything either. However, i know theyve had a rough time of it because of corona - so doesnt really suprise me.

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Hi all! I'm currently about to send in my HSF application but when I tried logging in, it said my account had been temporarily locked? Should I create a new account, seeing as the deadline for the application is 2nd October (ie: tomorrow). Thank you!

 

[AH97]

When it comes to the cover letter, is it a good idea to talk about jobs not related to law or not related to their clients, if there was transferable skills involved? Or should this not take up much of my application. I did modelling a few years ago and feel like I have a lot of transferable skills (and also was my only job for a good year and a half alongside uni) but don’t want them to think it’s irrelevant.

Non-legal work experience is just as valuable, if not more so, than legal work experience as you'll have definitely developed relevant transferable skills! Also, you'll usually have done that work experience for much longer therefore it's a much stronger example. It also makes your application more unique.

 

[M1999]

Non-legal work experience is just as valuable, if not more so, than legal work experience as you'll have definitely developed relevant transferable skills! Also, you'll usually have done that work experience for much longer therefore it's a much stronger example. It also makes your application more unique.

Thanks so much for your reply! I just feel like I struggle with making the connections without it sounding too generic/like a stretch, and when you’re using examples of what you did it feels like you’re drifting away from commercial law haha. But thank you I will definitely make sure to include it

 

[0603]

Hi all! I'm currently about to send in my HSF application but when I tried logging in, it said my account had been temporarily locked? Should I create a new account, seeing as the deadline for the application is 2nd October (ie: tomorrow). Thank you!

Hi, that happened to me a few weeks back to. Give it a few hours should unlock. If it still doesn’t maybe try re-setting your password.