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Search results

  1. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Not as many points as possible as you won’t explain why they are relevant or important to you. Realistically I’d expect people to only cover around 3 points in a 90 second interview once their is rationale/evidence to back up what they are saying
  2. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    You can apply - there’s nothing stopping you, but if ultimately you got an offer and you know you’d be disappointed that you took this TC, I don’t think you should apply.
  3. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    I suspect the GSA is the Training Contract opportunity. Like all firms they will be looking for a clear alignment to them. They know they won’t be most candidates first choice, and so they tend to look closely at motivations, and ultimately a difficult or time intensive recruitment process will...
  4. TCLA Community Assistant

    Advice on 'current commercial issue' questions

    This would be a commercial issue as it impacts firms and their clients, as well as the wider economy. I would tread somewhat carefully about this though as: 1) if you mean the incoming changes the Labour government are suggesting they will implement, it will be more theoretical rather than...
  5. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    They offer solicitor graduate apprenticeships so you wouldn’t need funding as you would be studying alongside your TC. Smaller or boutique firms can often have a more intense application/recruitment process to ensure they are getting the right candidates. They tend to not want to encourage lots...
  6. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    If you have been applying for two years, you have been very ahead of the typical application cycle. Most non-law students won’t be securing placements until their final year, so I wouldn’t take the last two years as an indication of what might happen this year. There will be many more...
  7. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    This varies from firm to firm, but most likely about 6-8 weeks before you onboard as a trainee, but some will do it before you onboard to law school. Some ask for academic references before they make offers or even before final interview stage though. If they don’t respond, they will suggest...
  8. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    As we come to the end of the summer, I will be closing this thread later today/tomorrow morning. All future vacation scheme posts can be put in the 2024-25 vacation scheme thread!
  9. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

    Not at all - the next one will be just as good though!
  10. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

    Just to mention I will be closing this thread after today and any new posts can be put in the 2024-25 thread I have just created.
  11. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

    Plenty of people do this, and plenty of people don't. It is highly unlikely to influence the outcomes from the assessments. However, I think it is generally a polite and nice thing to do. If you do email (and don't worry to those who have not in the past, its really not that important), keep...
  12. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Hi everyone, With a new recruitment cycle starting in the next few weeks, we thought it best to start a new master thread to discuss direct training contract applications for the 2024-2025 application cycle. You can find the 2023-24 cycle thread here. Best of luck to everyone for this...
  13. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    With some firms opening their applications for winter, spring and summer schemes in the coming weeks, we thought it was time to open a new thread for a new application cycle. Please use this master thread to discuss anything related to vacation scheme applications for the 2024-2025 application...
  14. TCLA Community Assistant

    Walk it like I talk it

    Loving the use of the GIFs! Look forward to hearing more about your journey over the coming weeks and months.
  15. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    I am reading the feedback notes second hand, but I think the focusing on the doorway point is not really the issue - the scores seem to be 14/15 for an interview and 13/15 for vacation scheme supervisor/performance - this level of performance is likely to be more than strong enough and the...
  16. TCLA Community Assistant

    Paralegal Application- Should I mention my TC offer?

    This is a tricky balance as detailing you have got a TC is a positive and some roles actively recruit future trainees. However, these tend to be interim roles, rather than permanent ones. It might be worthwhile trying to speak to the recruiter/recruitment team before applying to see if they...
  17. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

    It's not that there is no point - it just maybe more difficult to meet their expectations for how long they want you to stay with the firm/in the role.
  18. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    Age is a completely different matter though and really is not a barrier. I’ve recruited too many trainees that are many years older than you are now (and some that are decades older) to know your age won’t be a problem. Just because they are earning that now doesn’t mean your journey will be...
  19. TCLA Community Assistant

    .

    1) yes, you would need to disclose this. You’d also need to account for any time studying otherwise it would look like you had a significant gap out of education or employment. 2) on a background check you usually have to declare any studies or employment and so should include that details...
  20. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

    You don’t have to disclose this unless asked, but be mindful they may ask about your longer term career aspirations and so you may wander into this subject through such interview questions. It’s not an issue if the role is a fixed term contract - it might prove more problematic if they are...

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