TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[InterestInPublicLaw]

@Jessica Booker @ZNadeem

Hi there, I am trying to seek advice about obtaining character reference for the application of Government Legal Profession Trainee scheme. They require 3 types of references.

Instructions below:
"Please enter details of three referees below. Please note that your references must cover the last 3 years.

1. Academic: Please provide an academic reference.

2. Employment: Please provide a maximum of six employment references covering all employment in the most recent three years.

3. Character reference: Please provide a character reference. This should be someone who has known you for the full three-year period but is not a family member."

My question focuses on character reference? Is it okay to put a long time friend who is a practising barrister? I appreciate a friend is not the best but because the deadline is less than 24 hours away I dont have time to ask and I dont really have close mentors. Also not sure about how important references are if anyone has any insights into the GLP scheme?

Another related question is do you think it's mostly fine if I provide more employment and character references post-application / when I reach latter stages?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker @ZNadeem

Hi there, I am trying to seek advice about obtaining character reference for the application of Government Legal Profession Trainee scheme. They require 3 types of references.

Instructions below:
"Please enter details of three referees below. Please note that your references must cover the last 3 years.

1. Academic: Please provide an academic reference.

2. Employment: Please provide a maximum of six employment references covering all employment in the most recent three years.

3. Character reference: Please provide a character reference. This should be someone who has known you for the full three-year period but is not a family member."

My question focuses on character reference? Is it okay to put a long time friend who is a practising barrister? I appreciate a friend is not the best but because the deadline is less than 24 hours away I dont have time to ask and I dont really have close mentors. Also not sure about how important references are if anyone has any insights into the GLP scheme?

Another related question is do you think it's mostly fine if I provide more employment and character references post-application / when I reach latter stages?

Yes, a friend can be used for your character reference. They should be someone who knows you well and for a good period of time (they say minimum of three years, but I think it is better if you can find someone who has known you for longer) and who is in a respected profession, so a barrister would be that.

You will need to provide all details for them to obtain employment references for the last three years as per the instructions at this stage. You may find you don’t have to provide anything more than this if you secured the role as they may only want references from the last three years. If they needed a longer period, they would inform you of this during the onboarding processes - but I just wouldn’t worry about this now.

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Yes, a friend can be used for your character reference. They should be someone who knows you well and for a good period of time (they say minimum of three years, but I think it is better if you can find someone who has known you for longer) and who is in a respected profession, so a barrister would be that.

You will need to provide all details for them to obtain employment references for the last three years as per the instructions at this stage. You may find you don’t have to provide anything more than this if you secured the role as they may only want references from the last three years. If they needed a longer period, they would inform you of this during the onboarding processes - but I just wouldn’t worry about this now.

Thank you Jessica, that's helpful!

 

[Babablacksheep]

Does anybody have any tips on how to prepare for the role-play exercise?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anybody have any tips on how to prepare for the role-play exercise?

I don’t think you can prepare properly in all honesty. The exercise is going to be designed for you to think on your feet and respond to information as you have been given it.

You can consider what a trainer’s role is though and consider the realistic expectations that will be set of a trainee. It is hard to say what the scenario you will face will be but it’s likely to be either interacting with a client or a colleague.

In these instances, it’s going to be rare for you to be expected to “advise” them on the spot - it is more likely that it is more how you engage with them, and how you gather information from them by asking relevant questions.

One common role play is that a client has arrived at the office and you have to meet them as the partner who they are due to meet is running late. In these instances, a trainee would not be expected to start the meeting, they would generally be expected to just engage the client until the partner is there - it’s much more about engaging in small talk and keeping the client occupied rather than starting to engage with them in legal advice.

 

[sunshine101]

Has anyone heard from Ashurst who applied on the deadline?

 

[amrita6399]

Has anyone heard from Orrick, post submission of Direct TC application?

 

[Eajob]

Anyone still waiting on Bristows post final interview?

 

[johnnn821]

Anyone heard back from Hill Dickinson post AC?

 

[futuretrainee417]

Hi all,

Has anybody had any movement from Shoosmiths today? I've not heard anything and there's an hour to go.

 

[trainee4u]

Does anyone have any tips for my Withers TC interview?

Your first interview will be 50 minutes talking to a partner and member of the HR team. If you do well at interview, you’ll be invited back to the second stage of the process.

 

[James Wakefield]

Does anyone have any tips for my Withers TC interview?

Your first interview will be 50 minutes talking to a partner and member of the HR team. If you do well at interview, you’ll be invited back to the second stage of the process.

Congrats! Happy to dm you.

 

[B101]

Does anyone know where to find a comprehensive insight into firm deals. I find that information on the firms page is very brief and surface level, especially to use in an interview.

 

[Tintin06]

Does anyone know where to find a comprehensive insight into firm deals. I find that information on the firms page is very brief and surface level, especially to use in an interview.

The Lawyer is decent for headlines. Then other sites for the info. Just put the headlines into Google.

 

[BillSikes]

Hi all,

Has anybody had any movement from Shoosmiths today? I've not heard anything and there's an hour to go.

No. This is not a surprise unfortunately

 

[BillSikes]

Shoosmiths rejection just come through!

 

[SamiyaJ]

I am currently 39,000 feet up in the sky and just received 1st stage interview invite with Farrer & Co!! My first ever one!! I’m so happy 😭😭😭

If anyone has done it before or can share any tips then please do message me! I need all the help I can get lmao. I think it also involves doing an attendance note? I’ve never done one before.

Thank you so much in advance 🫶🏾

 

[tiredlaw]

Has anyone heard from PMC?

 

[FCL25]

Shoosmiths PFO! However, this time with the following interesting caveat which I’m not so sure what to think of:

“However, we were impressed with your application, and you did score highly, so you have been placed on our reserve list. This means in the event that someone declines their place on the assessment day, you may be invited at relatively short notice to an assessment day in our Leeds office on Tuesday 8th July.”

Has anyone else received a PFO like this? I’m assuming it’s very unlikely someone declines their place since it’s only so few people who make it to that point 😂 the annoying thing is the lack of certainty…

 

[farrow]

Yeah Shoosmiths said no thank you. Not sad about it though, don’t think it was a good culture fit.