2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

[Dheepa]

Hi all,

I'm currently working on an application and I'm struggling with a specific part of the question. I need to explain the transferable skills I have, how I demonstrated them and how I will apply them as a trainee solicitor. I am fine with the first two parts but I'm not sure how to do regarding the last one.

Any ideas?

Many thanks

For the third part, I'd recommend being as specific as possible about the kind of day to day tasks trainees undertake and where the transferable skills you're talking about in the first part comes in. For example, we all know trainees need organisational skills yes, but why? Potentially because as a trainee you'd be managing deal signings/closings, so needing to keep track of hundreds of documents requiring signatures from different people across different time zones. Basically for the third part demonstrate your understanding of the role of a trainee.

 

[Jedward87]

I'm still waiting... it's been 3 weeks now, so starting to think that it's a no. Have you heard back yet?

I haven’t, I was told that I’d hear back between 2/3 weeks, and it’s past three weeks now. I’d bet it’s anytime this week but it’s just a bit frustrating, esp as other streams and offices have heard back.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Has Macfarlanes started giving out ACs for the TC? I've seen a few rejections on here but no ACs

I don't think so but I don't get how they recruit for direct TC as vacation scheme has not happened yet.

 

[northernlawstud]

I haven’t, I was told that I’d hear back between 2/3 weeks, and it’s past three weeks now. I’d bet it’s anytime this week but it’s just a bit frustrating, esp as other streams and offices have heard back.

What stream are you? I've still not heard back, I've applied for London Health

 

[Matt_96]

Has Macfarlanes started giving out ACs for the TC? I've seen a few rejections on here but no ACs

I don't know if this will help, but to provide some context, when I applied for Macs' direct TC last year, my AC invite was in late July. They might be running things differently this year with such an increase in applications.

 

[NextStageOfTheApplication]

PFO from Baker McKenzie

 

[MLF]

If this were me I would work on the basis that there are certain skills we all know a trainee has to have to complete their job to a high standard, and utilise one of them.

Take, for example, drafting skills and the ability to write to different audiences. I've built drafting skills over numerous platforms from working as a staff writer for a large magazine, to academic writing in University, to writing here in the forum, to consulting-based educational writing I do on the side.

I will apply those skills as a trainee because I will need to vary my writing style depending on the content, nature, and audience of the communication I'm making. E.g., if I am drafting a letter of advice which is to ultimately end up with a client, I need to explain things very differently to how I would need to write that same substantive content in a memo for a partner going into a meeting. Similarly, if I was drafting an update article for my practice area's section on the firm website, my writing style would be different again.

This question is asking you, in the simplest terms, to show that you have an understanding of the skills you need to become a solicitor and that you're capable of exercising them.

For the third part, I'd recommend being as specific as possible about the kind of day to day tasks trainees undertake and where the transferable skills you're talking about in the first part comes in. For example, we all know trainees need organisational skills yes, but why? Potentially because as a trainee you'd be managing deal signings/closings, so needing to keep track of hundreds of documents requiring signatures from different people across different time zones. Basically for the third part demonstrate your understanding of the role of a trainee.

Thank you so much both for your input, it makes more sense now!

 

[JoNo]

PFO from Baker McKenzie

I’m sorry to hear that mate, best of luck for your remaining apps.

May I ask when you applied?

 

[NextStageOfTheApplication]

I’m sorry to hear that mate, best of luck for your remaining apps.

May I ask when you applied?

Thanks! I applied on 11 March.

 

[Teniola Adigun]

I saw some earlier posts saying Linklaters isn't opening a direct TC summer window but I emailed them directly a few months ago and they told me that they will be opening one up and I should look out for it in summer!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

PFO from Baker McKenzie

Sorry to hear that don't worry I have not seen 1 positive from BM direct TC application so far join the BM PFO group lol.

 

[HF3000]

PFO from Baker McKenzie

 

[Amy_22]

PFO from Baker McKenzie. I applied on 28 Feb.

 

[lawgal101]

Weightmans should get back to us today

 

[Bea Ildem]

Hi Bea,

What online test does Howard Kennedy use?

Hi Matt,

They use the WG test.

 

[Sonia_Kawaii]

Weightmans should get back to us today

Did they email saying that they would? Have not heard from them lol

 

[lawgal101]

Did they email saying that they would? Have not heard from them lol

Yep, the email with the test invite states “You will then receive an e-mail from us no later than 15 April 2021 confirming the outcome of your application”... hoping that’s still the case and we hear today

 

[E.A]

Really sorry to hear about the Baker McKenzie PFOs. Has anybody heard back with positive news?

Nope, no news yet. Waiting and checking my email constantly! Trying to not get too excited though. Last year I got rejected post VI stage so let's see what happens this year

 

[Sonia_Kawaii]

Yep, the email with the test invite states “You will then receive an e-mail from us no later than 15 April 2021 confirming the outcome of your application”... hoping that’s still the case and we hear today

Oh right! Thanks for reminding me I'm honestly dreading emails from grad rec.. they've all been rejections recently

 

[AspiringSol]

PFO from BM too! Applied on the first day… ah always knew it was a long shot considering they only take 33 trainees and have a lot of VSs