TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Joey green]

Any news from Mayer brown?

 

[pb15]

Expecting Ashurst and Fried Frank PFOs. More so from Ashurst than FF. But FF has a compressed timeframe.

ACs on 10th June - my birthday. Maybe another set of WG invites tomorrow.

Hey, im in the same boat as you re FF. How do you know that interviews will be on 10 june? Do they tend to send batches of WG?

 

[yk123489]

Thank you for clarifying.

I read this as that you need to put all your overall results on your CV but not a breakdown of the modules, as these will be on the online application form. I could be wrong though.

Normally with changes in formatting, even extensive academic results can usually be presented in no more than half a page of a CV, so I would look at the formatting/line spacing and see if this helps to condense it down if you want to keep it all in.

Hi! Can anyone confirm the Slaughter CV module requirement please? I am an international LLM student with all education obtained outside of UK and I have lots of entries. E.g., I have completed 97 modules in 4 years of my LLB. Right now my CV is around 2,5 pages long...

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi! Can anyone confirm the Slaughter CV module requirement please? I am an international LLM student with all education obtained outside of UK and I have lots of entries. E.g., I have completed 97 modules in 4 years of my LLB. Right now my CV is around 2,5 pages long...

These are reasons why I am pretty sure you don't have to list all modules in your CV.

Reading their website they say you have to include all of this information in the online application form. There is no reference to including this information in the "preparing your CV" section of their website: https://www.slaughterandmay.com/careers/early-careers/apply/

They do reference your CV needing to be no more than two pages though.

 

[Raspberry44]

Hello @ReedSmithBecca,
I was wondering whether the DTC application process will be the same as for the VS and if not, could you outline what the process will be? Many thanks!

 

[yk123489]

These are reasons why I am pretty sure you don't have to list all modules in your CV.

Reading their website they say you have to include all of this information in the online application form. There is no reference to including this information in the "preparing your CV" section of their website: https://www.slaughterandmay.com/careers/early-careers/apply/

They do reference your CV needing to be no more than two pages though.

I agree but there is this info in their FAQs which makes me confused:

"Yes - please include all your academic results on your CV, as well as on your application form.

On your CV, you should list these in chronological order, starting with the most recent. This doesn’t need to take up too much space- you can list them horizontally.

You will also need to include all these results on the online application form that you’ll complete to submit your CV and cover letter. Please make sure that you include all completed module results for undergraduate and postgraduate study – even if they don’t count towards your degree." (https://www.slaughterandmay.com/careers/early-careers/apply/application-faqs/#applications )

It seems like they want us to include our results in both CV and application... Anyway, I have managed to make 2 pages out of 2,5!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I agree but there is this info in their FAQs which makes me confused:

"Yes - please include all your academic results on your CV, as well as on your application form.

On your CV, you should list these in chronological order, starting with the most recent. This doesn’t need to take up too much space- you can list them horizontally.

You will also need to include all these results on the online application form that you’ll complete to submit your CV and cover letter. Please make sure that you include all completed module results for undergraduate and postgraduate study – even if they don’t count towards your degree." (https://www.slaughterandmay.com/careers/early-careers/apply/application-faqs/#applications )

It seems like they want us to include our results in both CV and application... Anyway, I have managed to make 2 pages out of 2,5!

Academic results are different to module grades though. I think they expect you to include all your qualifications on your CV but not necessarily your individual modules related to those qualifications. There is no reference to modules in the details about what you have to include in the CV, but there is on the online application section.

It is not to say you couldn't add some details to the CV, particularly to highlight information like relevant modules, high grades, or year averages. But I don't think any partner at Slaughters is going to want to read 97 modules for one degree alongside however many more for other qualifications' modules too.

I think it would actually be more risky to prioritise this information over other evidence in your CV or cramming too much information into a two page CV to meet the page limit.

If you are concerned and feel it is important to include all module results, I would consider not writing out all the module titles and just listing the grades or find ways to cut down the titles - e.g. "Principles of Contract Law - 65%" could just be "Contract - 65%"

 

[yk123489]

Academic results are different to module grades though. I think they expect you to include all your qualifications on your CV but not necessarily your individual modules related to those qualifications. There is no reference to modules in the details about what you have to include in the CV, but there is on the online application section.

It is not to say you couldn't add some details to the CV, particularly to highlight information like relevant modules, high grades, or year averages. But I don't think any partner at Slaughters is going to want to read 97 modules for one degree alongside however many more for other qualifications' modules too.

I think it would actually be more risky to prioritise this information over other evidence in your CV.

Thank you, I totally agree with your reasoning personally, just want to be sure I do not mess up. I have sent them an enquiry just in case - will get back once they reply

 

[Tintin06]

If I’m honest, I don’t think they will be sending them in batches as interviews start on 10th June. You never know. Just I’m not really one for false hope.

@pb15 this is where I heard about Fried Frank's interviews. I would imagine the firm includes this date in its WG invite.

 

[FCL25]

After an insanely huge turn of events, I’ve just been offered an AC slot for Shoosmiths (after initially being declined but told they were impressed and put me on the reserve list)!

The AC is scheduled for the 8th July and it has been a few years since I did my first one (which flopped), so any help and advice on how to prep and what to expect will be really appreciated. Also, any additional insight into the firm and its strengths etc that I could draw upon would be helpful.

@Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

After an insanely huge turn of events, I’ve just been offered an AC slot for Shoosmiths (after initially being declined but told they were impressed and put me on the reserve list)!

The AC is scheduled for the 8th July and it has been a few years since I did my first one (which flopped), so any help and advice on how to prep and what to expect will be really appreciated. Also, any additional insight into the firm and its strengths etc that I could draw upon would be helpful.

@Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman

Congratulations on securing the assessment centre - it just shows you that firms have reserve or waiting lists for a reason!

What assessments are you expecting? If you can provide any details, it can help us with appropriate guidance for you.

 

[FCL25]

Congratulations on securing the assessment centre - it just shows you that firms have reserve or waiting lists for a reason!

What assessments are you expecting? If you can provide any details, it can help us with appropriate guidance for you.

Thanks Jessica, the email outlines the following of what to expect on the day:

- Paired exercise and a Group exercise: Assessors will observe behaviour and interaction with a group, taking note of both verbal and non-verbal behaviour.

- Presentation: Short verbal presentation to prepare and present to an assessor. Will be able to use AI to help prepare my presentation. Topic to be assigned on the day.

- Interview: Structured around a set of strengths-based questions.

- The day will also include informal networking events before and after the assessed activities.

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

Hi @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

Was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to clearly express an interest in a firm with a bigger intake. I know that i like it because of the diversity of the people and interacting with more personalities but is thzt going to sound convincing enough. Most of my past work experiences (non legal and legal) havz been in quite small-knit teams and im not sure how make it sound legit that i want a bigger intake?

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

Hi @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

Was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to clearly express an interest in a firm with a bigger intake. I know that i like it because of the diversity of the people and interacting with more personalities but is thzt going to sound convincing enough. Most of my past work experiences (non legal and legal) havz been in quite small-knit teams and im not sure how make it sound legit that i want a bigger intake?

For reference, i mean talking about it in an interview at an AC, not an application

 

[Amma Usman]

I have a group task at an AC which revolves around M&A/company integration and I'd love if someone could explain how to prepare and what are some things I should be aware of because I find it genuinely so hard to wrap my head around that side of law. Would appreciate any help from @Andrei Radu / @Amma Usman !!!

Congrats on the AC! Nothing to add to the team’s wonderful responses on this, but here are two more sources in the form of case studies which should also aid in your prep:

Mock M&A Case Study: Analysis

Hello everyone! I hope you’re all having a fantastic day. We’re entering the season of assessment centres (ACs) at law firms, and a hot topic for many of these ACs is Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)! So, in this thread, I’ll be guiding you through a short fictitious M&A case study and highlighting...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies! *Monday Article Series*

Hi all, please see below the third of my Monday Article Series! This week is my definitive guide to case studies. It's a long one - you might want to go get a coffee and settle in! Introduction This week’s Monday Article will cover how to approach law firm case studies, one of the most...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Best of luck! We know you’ll do wonderful, and do let us know if you’ve got any more questions.

 

[LawInTheNorth]

For the work experience section for Reed Smith, do they prefer prose or are bullet points okay? Also, should I just state my responsibilities or mention the skills I gained which are relevant to those of a solicitor? I know every firm has different preferences so just checking.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

Was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to clearly express an interest in a firm with a bigger intake. I know that i like it because of the diversity of the people and interacting with more personalities but is thzt going to sound convincing enough. Most of my past work experiences (non legal and legal) havz been in quite small-knit teams and im not sure how make it sound legit that i want a bigger intake?

Hi,

This is a great question, and here’s one way to look at it:

You could frame a larger intake as a signal of a firm’s direction: not just growing in size, but scaling with precision. It reflects a steady pipeline of high-value work, confidence in the firm’s infrastructure to support and develop talent, and a forward-facing strategy that doesn’t just meet market demand, but anticipates it.

Another thing is that what may initially appear as a “large” cohort, when viewed in isolation, may actually sit within the context of a firm that’s consistently expanding. So yes, the intake is sizeable - but for good reason. It’s proportionate to the firm’s ambition, deal volume, and continued investment in its people. That, in itself, can be a strong point of attraction which you could argue.

 

[Amma Usman]

For the work experience section for Reed Smith, do they prefer prose or are bullet points okay? Also, should I just state my responsibilities or mention the skills I gained which are relevant to those of a solicitor? I know every firm has different preferences so just checking.

Hiya @LawInTheNorth , I have tagged @ReedSmithBecca as I’m sure she’ll have more thoughts on this.

Best of luck with the app!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hello @ReedSmithBecca,
I was wondering whether the DTC application process will be the same as for the VS and if not, could you outline what the process will be? Many thanks!

Hi there @Raspberry44,

I have quoted a few posts by @ReedSmithBecca which should cover the answers to these questions. Do let us know if you have any more questions at all, and we’ll be more than happy to help out. Best of luck with the app!

No, as the initial application process is the same, candidates can only apply to one early careers role each academic year. This doesn't include Open Days but would include the VS, sorry.

No, as outlined on the application form, candidates can only apply to one Early Careers role per cycle. This is because the initial application stages (including VI) are exactly the same process and marked on the same criteria. I appreciate that you may have decided to apply to the TC vs the Vac Scheme if it had been an option at the time, but the outcome would have been the same since it is exactly the same application process. It's a positive development that we've been able to open this additional route in response to business needs, but we need to ensure it's a fair process and so can't allow previous candidates to apply again in the same academic year.

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

Hi,

This is a great question, and here’s one way to look at it:

You could frame a larger intake as a signal of a firm’s direction: not just growing in size, but scaling with precision. It reflects a steady pipeline of high-value work, confidence in the firm’s infrastructure to support and develop talent, and a forward-facing strategy that doesn’t just meet market demand, but anticipates it.

Another thing is that what may initially appear as a “large” cohort, when viewed in isolation, may actually sit within the context of a firm that’s consistently expanding. So yes, the intake is sizeable - but for good reason. It’s proportionate to the firm’s ambition, deal volume, and continued investment in its people. That, in itself, can be a strong point of attraction which you could argue.

If i talked out what you mentioned as the answer "why a larger intake" from a more technical perspective, would it then be okay to say how that it also aligns with me by talking about a customer service role i have (hospitality) where i work in slightly larger teams (25ish) with quite a diverse set of people (different nationalities, ages, etc.)?