TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
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Hi, guys!
Today it finally happened. I got offered a training contract!
It was a long journey. I had at least 10 unsuccessful interviews/vac schemes. I felt so discouraged every time, but I kept going and it worked!
Thanks to all of you, I wouldn’t make it without the TCLA support!
You are the best❤️
Today it finally happened. I got offered a training contract!
It was a long journey. I had at least 10 unsuccessful interviews/vac schemes. I felt so discouraged every time, but I kept going and it worked!
Thanks to all of you, I wouldn’t make it without the TCLA support!
You are the best❤️
Congratulations - this gives me some hope. What form was this for please?
congratulations! i can feel your relief and excitement
as someone on this forum once said: you were one of us, and now you aren't. im happy the tides turned in your favour
Congratulations! So many interviews, you were definetely in the right way. Good luck with the SQE and TC!
the worst part about this cycle has been getting to 3 ACs but not being able to attend 2 of them because they wouldnt give a virtual alternative to the AC even if I lived in a different country :/
Hey
Long time lurker and I appreciate all the info everyone's share on here. I am about to graduate this year and I have a Baker McKenzie AC coming up next Thursday and just received an invite to the Ashurst final round partner interview (I'm not able to select my date), would be grateful to get some advice
Please reach out to me too if you have it as well
Long time lurker and I appreciate all the info everyone's share on here. I am about to graduate this year and I have a Baker McKenzie AC coming up next Thursday and just received an invite to the Ashurst final round partner interview (I'm not able to select my date), would be grateful to get some advice
Please reach out to me too if you have it as well
Hi there, I'm preparing to apply for the direct training contract at Burges Salmon and would really appreciate your thoughts on the three long-answer questions:
Why have you chosen to apply to Burges Salmon for a training contract and what attracts you to our firm?(1,000 characters – approx. 140 words)
What aspects of the solicitor role do you find most interesting? (1,500 characters – approx. 210 words)
Burges Salmon offers a six-seat training contract across a wide range of practice areas. Discuss 3 areas that you would be most interested in spending time in. (2,000 characters – approx. 280 words)
I’m conscious there’s some potential overlap between the questions. For example:
– Q1 will likely include mention of practice areas but should focus more broadly on the firm’s appeal — e.g. sectors, approach, and culture. I think I would include Culture here as it’s the only place I can include.
– Q2 is about the solicitor’s role, but I imagine some references to practice areas and sectors are inevitable. For example, I would say I like exploring novel solutions for clients in light of regulatory, social, and economic changes across diverse practice areas and sectors, then give example.
– Q3 is clearly focused on specific departments, but again, sector interests and the type of work involved are closely tied to why I’d want to sit in them.
I haven’t started drafting yet, but I’m anticipating a bit of back-and-forth editing to avoid repetition while still building a coherent picture across the three responses. How do you go about keeping the answers distinct but cohesive? Will it be trying to mention different practices / sectors in the 3 questions?
I also wondered how many points are realistically expected given the character limits. For Q1, would one detailed reason (or one detailed and one brief) be enough? Since Q1 would be the only question that I could mention culture, it may become the central point, but it looks a bit weak if it becomes the only major point in Q1.
And for Q2, is it fine to focus on just two aspects of the solicitor role, explored in depth?
Thanks in advance for any insights!
Btw does anyone know if Burges Salmon recruits on a rolling basis? Checked the FAQ but didn't mention
Why have you chosen to apply to Burges Salmon for a training contract and what attracts you to our firm?(1,000 characters – approx. 140 words)
What aspects of the solicitor role do you find most interesting? (1,500 characters – approx. 210 words)
Burges Salmon offers a six-seat training contract across a wide range of practice areas. Discuss 3 areas that you would be most interested in spending time in. (2,000 characters – approx. 280 words)
I’m conscious there’s some potential overlap between the questions. For example:
– Q1 will likely include mention of practice areas but should focus more broadly on the firm’s appeal — e.g. sectors, approach, and culture. I think I would include Culture here as it’s the only place I can include.
– Q2 is about the solicitor’s role, but I imagine some references to practice areas and sectors are inevitable. For example, I would say I like exploring novel solutions for clients in light of regulatory, social, and economic changes across diverse practice areas and sectors, then give example.
– Q3 is clearly focused on specific departments, but again, sector interests and the type of work involved are closely tied to why I’d want to sit in them.
I haven’t started drafting yet, but I’m anticipating a bit of back-and-forth editing to avoid repetition while still building a coherent picture across the three responses. How do you go about keeping the answers distinct but cohesive? Will it be trying to mention different practices / sectors in the 3 questions?
I also wondered how many points are realistically expected given the character limits. For Q1, would one detailed reason (or one detailed and one brief) be enough? Since Q1 would be the only question that I could mention culture, it may become the central point, but it looks a bit weak if it becomes the only major point in Q1.
And for Q2, is it fine to focus on just two aspects of the solicitor role, explored in depth?
Thanks in advance for any insights!
Btw does anyone know if Burges Salmon recruits on a rolling basis? Checked the FAQ but didn't mention
Who else is so pissed at Howes Percival's application system which does not have the Save option beyond limited education info and Work experience 🤯
I wouldn't have thought so if closing is only 4 weeks or so away. They are new offices so I guess they are recruiting to fill the need for trainees ASAP because for their other offices its usually via vac scheme 2 years ahead like other firms tend to do.
Try to rewrite them more effectively. Showing how you’ve changed is important. Apply any feedback they gave you. Add it in to your narrative. I’m trying this approach for W&C. Like you I have progressed before.Hi everyone,
I'm planning to reapply to a firm where I made it through the initial stage last year. They've kept the application questions the same, and my motivations for applying haven’t really changed. Should I reuse some of my previous answers, or would that hurt my chances?
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You don’t have to change everything, but I think it is always important to refine and update answers where you can.Hi everyone,
I'm planning to reapply to a firm where I made it through the initial stage last year. They've kept the application questions the same, and my motivations for applying haven’t really changed. Should I reuse some of my previous answers, or would that hurt my chances?
Themes may stay the same for things like your motivations, but you may have more recent evidence of pursuing the career or building your knowledge/skills which would be important to highlight to show who you are as a candidate now, rather than the candidate you were in your last application.
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