TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[wannabe_solicitor]

Bestie apply!

We must have the same audacity that firms reject us with!

and you know never know what will happen!

Feel free to dm me for rants etc

The same audacity I giggled hahahhahahaha. I agree tho defo apply!!!!!! Nothing to lose apart from your time…

 

[TortillaTC]

Has anyone heard positively from Hogan Lovells after completing the WG?

 

[AlarmedBookkeeper448]

The same audacity I giggled hahahhahahaha. I agree tho defo apply!!!!!! Nothing to lose apart from your time…

Literally take the shot ! You got this !

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

Macfarlanes gave me my first Direct TC AC Would appreciate any advice!

I'm in the same situation so if anyone does have any advice I would also really appreciate gaining any insight you may have!

 

[Vdfrz20]

Hi all, I have an upcoming strength-based video interview for Eversheds Sutherland TC. Would really appreciate some tips from anyone who has done it before.

lmao, when did you hear back from them? I received a message a few weeks ago saying that they are swamped and they will get back to us asap.


welp- I guess its a pfo


Best of luck with your VI btw

 

[Vdfrz20]

Yeah i got an email 2 weeks ago saying they filled the TC spaces through the vac scheme so won't be progressing my app

WHAT????????

 

[Vdfrz20]

Has anyone heard back from WFW post-VI?

nope, emailed the grad rec yesterday about this. waiting for the PFO email lol

 

[BonanzaBih_]

I don't mean to be a downer but I was wondering if anyone had any insight. I could only really apply for direct TCs this year for reasons. I sent like nine apps while doing the SQE, and all were rejections w/ only getting as far as the VI round twice. Next season I'll be able to apply for vac schemes again, but I just feel really awful and disheartened. I know everyone must feel like way quite a bit but I was wondering if anyone knows if I might have better chances for vac schemes apps because this season was just brutal. I have a bit of legal experience and think I'm writing good apps but I just know really know what else to do.sorry for the vent and thank you for any insight if possible!

Hey, I was the same as you, could only apply to DTC’s whilst doing the SQE and only made it to one AC. However this cycle I went back to vac schemes only and got 5 AC’s, 3 schemes and a TC. So it definitely gets better and remember DTC apps are harder for a reason!

 

[Vdfrz20]

I have a genuine question wrt to WG tests.

Is it easily detectable if you use chatgpt? Does grad rec immediately flag it? Or?

Would love jessica’s insight on this

 

[trainee4u]

I have a genuine question wrt to WG tests.

Is it easily detectable if you use chatgpt? Does grad rec immediately flag it? Or?

Would love jessica’s insight on this

she's no longer with TCLA.

there are ai tools specifically to cheat on recruitment tests.
but that is.... cheating.
i wouldn't really rely on chatgpt to get the answer right either.

 

[t-0147]

Assessment day! But, I live in a different country and they invited me in person. I can only hope they can accommodate and i can attend online...

Update on this, they basically said "we will get back to you if anything comes up". Such a shame...

 

[farrow]

she's no longer with TCLA.

there are ai tools specifically to cheat on recruitment tests.
but that is.... cheating.
i wouldn't really rely on chatgpt to get the answer right either.

Yeah I got to agree. Also, it will become clear during the in-person assessments or during the TCs that tools were utilised.

Let us not forget that TC does not mean being kept on as a NQ. Plenty go back out into the market because they did not perform well enough against their peers to be retained.

 

[farrow]

Update on this, they basically said "we will get back to you if anything comes up". Such a shame...

I'm curious as to why apply and get that far, and then be unable to make it? Out of curiosity.

Like, I wouldn't apply for a job in Australia if I could not attend the required in-person job interview.

 

[farrow]

Hey, I was the same as you, could only apply to DTC’s whilst doing the SQE and only made it to one AC. However this cycle I went back to vac schemes only and got 5 AC’s, 3 schemes and a TC. So it definitely gets better and remember DTC apps are harder for a reason!

Yeah, next cycle I'm amending my approach to the above.

 

[FfffNnn13]

I'm curious as to why apply and get that far, and then be unable to make it? Out of curiosity.

Like, I wouldn't apply for a job in Australia if I could not attend the required in-person job interview.

You are aware that there are many international law students and graduates, right? Some of them can’t afford to be in the UK now

 

[farrow]

You are aware that there are many international law students and graduates, right? Some of them can’t afford to be in the UK now

Yes of course. However if you cannot make a core part of the interviewing process, does that not factor in whether you apply in the first place?

I’m just surprised, that’s all.

 

[yk1906]

You are aware that there are many international law students and graduates, right? Some of them can’t afford to be in the UK now

Exactly! Also, do they know that some people require a visa to enter the UK? With my 3rd country citizenship I also have to wait for 2-3 months for home office to make a decision on a 6-months visitor visa. And it costs quite a lot, too. When I hear law firms that do not provide for a virtual AC opportunity talk about inclusivity and not caring about your university (ha-ha), I laugh out loud.

 

[yk1906]

Yes of course. However if you cannot make a core part of the interviewing process, does that not factor in whether you apply in the first place?

I’m just surprised, that’s all.

Some law firms do not explicitly mention they do not have virtual ACs.

 

[FfffNnn13]

Yes of course. However if you cannot make a core part of the interviewing process, does that not factor in whether you apply in the first place?

I’m just surprised, that’s all.

I understand where you are coming from. Yes, but at the same time these firms don’t mention whether it will held virtually or in person. Also, if push comes to shove and if one is desperate enough and with enough finances of course, they would be prepared to travel to the UK to attend the AC.

Another thing is that a lot of the bigger firms advertise that they can sponsor international students, therefore they should be prepared to accommodate the process while bearing in mind that the candidate might be abroad.

So all of these factors can make up the reasons why international candidates would apply.

 

[farrow]

Some law firms do not explicitly mention they do not have virtual ACs.

I would assume that the majority of ACs are back to being in-person, as the accommodations due to Covid fade into obscurity.