General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[websterl]

Hi, I was wondering how far back people go when they include details of work experience. For reference, I started university in 2015 and graduated in 2019. Do you think it is ok to include work experience (unrelated to law) that I completed in 2015? Thanks

 

[WannabeLawyer]

If our exams clash with a vac scheme then I’m guessing there’s no way out of it? I have an interview for a spring vac scheme but I think the internship clashes with my exams in April...

Congrats on the interview! Which firm is it for?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I am in the process of completing the Baker McKenzie application and I'm finding there are a lot of overlaps between my explanation of my work experiences and my answers to their application questions.

For example in response to their accomplishments question, I've outlined that I am proud of the excellent feedback I received during an internship, which I also mentioned when discussing the internship in the work experience section. Should I cut these overlaps out or are they ok?

Keep the work experience section factual and focused on what you did. Focus the competency question on the feedback

 

[LS12]

Keep the work experience section factual and focused on what you did. Focus the competency question on the feedback

Thank you!

 

[arbitracion]

anyone heard from Latham Winter VS?

Not yet!

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

For questions such as 'What important rewards do you expect in your career at X'; 'What do you hope to get out of a career at X' is anyone able to give any pointers.

Obviously for lots of people it will be making partner etc, but not sure if that's personal/unique enough!

Thanks

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

For questions such as 'What important rewards do you expect in your career at X'; 'What do you hope to get out of a career at X' is anyone able to give any pointers.

Obviously for lots of people it will be making partner etc, but not sure if that's personal/unique enough!

Thanks

For most people it won’t be making partner

 

[Law123]

Hi, @Jessica Booker

I'm doing a cover letter for a paralegal role, in your opinion what would be the best line spacing, margins and font size? Sorry if this has been answered before. I'm very confused as different careers websites say different things, with one stating that all margins should be 1, I think this is too narrow, so I'm not sure? Thank you for your help!

 

[LS12]

Hi, @Jessica Booker

I'm doing a cover letter for a paralegal role, in your opinion what would be the best line spacing, margins and font size? Sorry if this has been answered before. I'm very confused as different careers websites say different things, with one stating that all margins should be 1, I think this is too narrow, so I'm not sure? Thank you for your help!

I know this was directed at Jessica, but having successfully secured a paralegal role I thought I might offer advice. I used size 12 font and 1.5 spacing. I could have probably dropped to size 11 but my year 7 ICT teacher’s angry face came to mind whenever I make it smaller than size 12. As for margins I used the standard margins in word. Seriously I think content and layout (addresses, addressing to the right person, and correct sign off) are more important than stuff like margins (regarding you don’t make any wild choices like size 9 font and no margins at all lol)

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi, @Jessica Booker

I'm doing a cover letter for a paralegal role, in your opinion what would be the best line spacing, margins and font size? Sorry if this has been answered before. I'm very confused as different careers websites say different things, with one stating that all margins should be 1, I think this is too narrow, so I'm not sure? Thank you for your help!

single line spacing, nothing lower than font size 10, margins not too narrow. If the page looks crowded, no one will want to read it. Normally margins would be 2 or more on all sides

 

[Velikilawyer123]

For questions such as 'What important rewards do you expect in your career at X'; 'What do you hope to get out of a career at X' is anyone able to give any pointers.

Obviously for lots of people it will be making partner etc, but not sure if that's personal/unique enough!

Thanks

I seriously wonder about those questions as well. When you're applying for a TC, you're still so early in your (legal) career that it's hard to know what it is you look forward to the most. I'd imagine most people either have vague ideas of wanting to make partner or moving in-house / elsewhere (which at any rate I don't expect you should really be mentioning to a firm, at least not at such an early stage), but beyond that? I don't know, I'd also really appreciate someone's input on how they approach these types of questions.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I seriously wonder about those questions as well. When you're applying for a TC, you're still so early in your (legal) career that it's hard to know what it is you look forward to the most. I'd imagine most people either have vague ideas of wanting to make partner or moving in-house / elsewhere (which at any rate I don't expect you should really be mentioning to a firm, at least not at such an early stage), but beyond that? I don't know, I'd also really appreciate someone's input on how they approach these types of questions.

I think people are looking at this too superficially. It isn’t just about the financial rewards. Think more about the career satisfaction piece - why do you want to do the day job for 10+ years and be happy on that journey (rather than reaching the destination).

 

[OB]

For questions such as 'What important rewards do you expect in your career at X'; 'What do you hope to get out of a career at X' is anyone able to give any pointers.

Obviously for lots of people it will be making partner etc, but not sure if that's personal/unique enough!

Thanks

Client interaction? Exposure to international jurisdictions? Secondments? Top-quality training?

 

[LS12]

@Jessica Booker when mentioning my law degree in a cover letter is law capitalised? thanks

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker when mentioning my law degree in a cover letter is law capitalised? thanks

Depends on context. If it is a title then yes, if you are just talking about your degree then no. Examples below are correct:

University of a Manchester, Law LLB

During my law degree

 

[LS12]

Depends on context. If it is a title then yes, if you are just talking about your degree then no. Examples below are correct:

University of a Manchester, Law LLB

During my law degree

thank you so much

 

[Daniel Boden]

For questions such as 'What important rewards do you expect in your career at X'; 'What do you hope to get out of a career at X' is anyone able to give any pointers.

Obviously for lots of people it will be making partner etc, but not sure if that's personal/unique enough!

Thanks

For me the biggest reward is the opportunity to work with incredibly smart people every day and continually learn something new. Also, the opportunity to become one of the best in your field at a particular practice area and work internationally etc. could also be considered important rewards

 

[Velikilawyer123]

I think people are looking at this too superficially. It isn’t just about the financial rewards. Think more about the career satisfaction piece - why do you want to do the day job for 10+ years and be happy on that journey (rather than reaching the destination).

Ah I see, yeah that's a great way to approach it you're right! Thanks!

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

Client interaction? Exposure to international jurisdictions? Secondments? Top-quality training?

For me the biggest reward is the opportunity to work with incredibly smart people every day and continually learn something new. Also, the opportunity to become one of the best in your field at a particular practice area and work internationally etc. could also be considered important rewards

Thank you both, really helpful!

 

[Law2022]

Has anybody else had an email from NRF inviting them to apply for a 2023 training contract? My application for a 2022 TC was not reviewed because of the disruption surrounding second-semester grades & covid.
Has anybody been successful in their application to NRF and have any tips? I am in the process of rewriting my cover letter as I feel like it definitely needs improvement!