TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[YJ]

For Freshfields, how do I input my GCSE grades. There isn't an option for numbered grades

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know how NRF guaranteed interview scheme works - I think I am eligible.

I have submitted app (deadline was Sunday midnight) and called nrf multiple times before deadline but never got through. Slightly worries, I won’t be considered eligible.
Does anyone have any advice ?

@Jessica Booker @Dheepa @James Carrabino

You will need to meet all the basic eligibility criteria to ensure you are eligible. If you meet this, you will be invited to interview.

When you submitted your application won’t be taken into consideration, so I wouldn’t worry about what you did this.

 

[Jessica Booker]

For Freshfields, how do I input my GCSE grades. There isn't an option for numbered grades

I suspect you don’t need to include them.

 

[ssolicitorz]

Does anyone know if you can apply to Hogan Lovells TC if you were rejected for the winter 2021 vac scheme?

 

[James Carrabino]

Hi everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your summers and that your direct TC apps are going well

I have not been on the forum much recently since I have been focusing primarily on reviewing applications for TCLA's premium members, so I apologise if any of you have reached out, tagged or messaged me. I will be back on here in a few weeks, but I just wanted to come online today to share a brief post because today is a memorable day for me.

Many of you know my story to some extent and I have written about it more in depth here, but on this exact day last year I received two post-vac scheme rejections and my hopes of receiving a training contract from the three vac schemes I had completed suddenly vanished.

July 13th 2021 was a tough day but that evening my friend sent me this list from LawCareers.Net and this one from Chambers Student, outlining the upcoming direct training contract deadlines.

I submitted one application the following day on July 14th and another one on July 15th, both of which ultimately ended up in training contract offers.

I couldn't be in more of a different position now than I was at this time a year ago - now I am well settled into my legal studies and the application process feels long behind me, whilst at the time I felt that I was nowhere near my goal!

I just had someone message me on LinkedIn the other day to tell me that they were inspired to submit direct TC applications after hearing about my own experience and that despite being rejected after 4 vacation schemes, they just received a direct TC offer from their dream firm! These are the kinds of stories that make me so happy to work for TCLA and to be able to share my advice

I encourage all of you who are feeling discouraged about the process for one reason or another to submit some direct TC applications before the upcoming deadlines. How about one tomorrow and one the next day - because you really never know what will happen 😉

Good luck with everything and please feel free to reach out!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hi everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your summers and that your direct TC apps are going well

I have not been on the forum much recently since I have been focusing primarily on reviewing applications for TCLA's premium members, so I apologise if any of you have reached out, tagged or messaged me. I will be back on here in a few weeks, but I just wanted to come online today to share a brief post because today is a memorable day for me.

Many of you know my story to some extent and I have written about it more in depth here, but on this exact day last year I received two post-vac scheme rejections and my hopes of receiving a training contract from the three vac schemes I had completed suddenly vanished.

July 13th 2021 was a tough day but that evening my friend sent me this list from LawCareers.Net and this one from Chambers Student, outlining the upcoming direct training contract deadlines.

I submitted one application the following day on July 14th and another one on July 15th, both of which ultimately ended up in training contract offers.

I couldn't be in more of a different position now than I was at this time a year ago - now I am well settled into my legal studies and the application process feels long behind me, whilst at the time I felt that I was nowhere near my goal!

I just had someone message me on LinkedIn the other day to tell me that they were inspired to submit direct TC applications after hearing about my own experience and that despite being rejected after 4 vacation schemes, they just received a direct TC offer from their dream firm! These are the kinds of stories that make me so happy to work for TCLA and to be able to share my advice

I encourage all of you who are feeling discouraged about the process for one reason or another to submit some direct TC applications before the upcoming deadlines. How about one tomorrow and one the next day - because you really never know what will happen 😉

Good luck with everything and please feel free to reach out!

I was wondering why you hve not been on the forum for ages.

Also I agree the webinar with you @AvniD inspired me to go down the direct TC route so thank you very much.

 

[ssolicitorz]

Does anyone know how to approach paralegalling applications. As they are practice area specific, just wanted to ask how the structure should be (do you still talk about why commercial law for example), and the detail required when discussing the practice area. Any advice/samples would be much appreciated

 

[IT7]

Hi, I understand the standard format for a cover letter is Why Commercial Law, why the firm, and why you. However, if you explain "why you" through your "Why the firm" answer (i.e. explaining why your skills/experiences would be suitable for the firm), would that be fine? Or do firms prefer a 3 sub-part structuring and necessarily want a section dedicated to "Why You"?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know how to approach paralegalling applications. As they are practice area specific, just wanted to ask how the structure should be (do you still talk about why commercial law for example), and the detail required when discussing the practice area. Any advice/samples would be much appreciated

I advise focusing on the job description and trying to align your evidence in terms of skill set to the specifics of what they are looking for.

I’d also try to align any motivational evidence to that particular practice area/department too.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, I understand the standard format for a cover letter is Why Commercial Law, why the firm, and why you. However, if you explain "why you" through your "Why the firm" answer (i.e. explaining why your skills/experiences would be suitable for the firm), would that be fine? Or do firms prefer a 3 sub-part structuring and necessarily want a section dedicated to "Why You"?

The “why the firm/opportunity” should be more about what you will benefit from rather than why you will be suitable. It should be focused on motivations rather than proving your ability to do the job.

 

[AvniD]

Hi, I understand the standard format for a cover letter is Why Commercial Law, why the firm, and why you. However, if you explain "why you" through your "Why the firm" answer (i.e. explaining why your skills/experiences would be suitable for the firm), would that be fine? Or do firms prefer a 3 sub-part structuring and necessarily want a section dedicated to "Why You"?

I'd say 'why you' is a really good place to demonstrate what you think makes you stand out from the pool of applicants. Disclaimer- this will likely be the toughest section to write because it requires some serious introspection about your character traits that define who you are as a person. Most people will have the grades and work experience but not everyone has the things that make you 'you'. Use this section to show the firm how you have skills and abilities that transcend what a 'cookie cutter' law applicant possesses- this could be anything from your resilience, creativity and enthusiasm to your determination, big-picture vision and candour. Pick what you think aligns with the firm's ethos the best and back it up with strong examples to craft a convincing 'why you'.

 

[lawnoob]

Hey guys, is freshfields' eight seat tc structure not the same as multi specialist training? I read somewhere that there is a distinction between the two but not sure what it is

 

[golden99]

You will need to meet all the basic eligibility criteria to ensure you are eligible. If you meet this, you will be invited to interview.

When you submitted your application won’t be taken into consideration, so I wouldn’t worry about what you did this.

Thanks, do you think I should still email them @Jessica Booker ?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks, do you think I should still email them @Jessica Booker ?

I don’t think there is a need to contact them as your application is submitted.

the only reason you would need to is it if didn’t state on your form you wanted to be considered under the GIS system.

 

[malvern3142]

Did anyone do Latham & Watkins personality assessment? Would be interesting to see if there's much similarities in feedback reports on here.

My highlighted strengths were good judgement and effective communication

 

[Rob93]

Hey guys, is freshfields' eight seat tc structure not the same as multi specialist training? I read somewhere that there is a distinction between the two but not sure what it is

Assuming you're thinking of Slaughters' 'multi-specialist' programme here.

The idea with multi-specialist training/practice at Slaughters is the the practices are in fairly broad 'buckets.' So if you're in finance, you might do a bit of leveraged (loan) finance, some bonds work, some securitisation, maybe derivatives. These will often be distinctly siloed in other firms and comprise different seats (caveat I haven't looked at Slaughters' practice structure in nearly a year so these are just illustrative, but hopefully you get the idea).

Freshfields' 8-seat rotation just means that you have more, shorter seats and so can try your hand at a broader range of stuff compared with most firms with a 4-seat system. I'm not entirely clear how Freshfields structures their practice/how siloed their groups are, but the idea is that you get breadth by rotating more whereas the multi-specialist approach aims to have greater breadth within a single rotation.

 

[lawnoob]

Assuming you're thinking of Slaughters' 'multi-specialist' programme here.

The idea with multi-specialist training/practice at Slaughters is the the practices are in fairly broad 'buckets.' So if you're in finance, you might do a bit of leveraged (loan) finance, some bonds work, some securitisation, maybe derivatives. These will often be distinctly siloed in other firms and comprise different seats (caveat I haven't looked at Slaughters' practice structure in nearly a year so these are just illustrative, but hopefully you get the idea).

Freshfields' 8-seat rotation just means that you have more, shorter seats and so can try your hand at a broader range of stuff compared with most firms with a 4-seat system. I'm not entirely clear how Freshfields structures their practice/how siloed their groups are, but the idea is that you get breadth by rotating more whereas the multi-specialist approach aims to have greater breadth within a single rotation.

Oh wow thank you @Rob93! You've explained it really well. And you're right I was referring to Slaughters! Thank you for the differentiation.

 

[Adrian_S]

How did people get their results from the Latham SJT? Were they emailed out?

 

[YJ]

Did anyone do Latham & Watkins personality assessment? Would be interesting to see if there's much similarities in feedback reports on here.

My highlighted strengths were good judgement and effective communication

what weakness did it put for you. My strengths were effective communication and personal responsibility

 

[A.Diane01]

Hi all hope you're having a good Thursday!

I have a question - I have been invited to an interview on Tuesday in Liverpool however I am awaiting the outcome of a VS, and whether I have managed to convert to a TC. GR have said they will get back to us before the middle of next week (Wednesday).

For personal reasons, I find travel, interview etc a very challenging task.

I would much rather decline the spot in advance and (potentially) give someone else the chance of an interview if I have been successful during my VS.

To this end, would it be acceptable to get into contact with GR and ask whether I have been successful or not, so I can give the other firm good notice?

@Jessica Booker I would be forever grateful if you could advise?

Thanks in advance everyone!