2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

[ElleWoods]

Haha!

The combination of text speak and people who want to be lawyers who love a good acronym!

It means “Please f**k off”

Means a rejection but people have used this term to almost refer to it in a light hearted way or a quick rejection.

 

[Sonia_Kawaii]

On that note, what is PFO? Assume it means rejection but what do the letters stand for

Lol I was like that when I first joined TCLA. Had to Google it to find out what it meant

 

[glaw23]

So I am writing this personal statement for a firm, and I have done various volunteering over the years from high school (which I wouldn't normally include but it is more to show this is a long standing passion of mine) to the present day for different charities. Do I need to specify how much was raised for each charity? Because I'm not sure I can remember I barely remember what I did yesterday!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

So I am writing this personal statement for a firm, and I have done various volunteering over the years from high school (which I wouldn't normally include but it is more to show this is a long standing passion of mine) to the present day for different charities. Do I need to specify how much was raised for each charity? Because I'm not sure I can remember I barely remember what I did yesterday!

Not necessary to provide this detail for each charity. But for instance, you might want to highlight the ones you raised the most money for (an approximation is fine) or the charity fundraising you are most proud of (and explain why, rather than focusing on how much you raised). Specific detail is important - it’s what will make your application form more unique than everyone else who also mentions volunteering on their application. But it doesn’t always have to be the outcome (eg money raised) that makes your individual experiences impressive.

 

[glaw23]

Not necessary to provide this detail for each charity. But for instance, you might want to highlight the ones you raised the most money for (an approximation is fine) or the charity fundraising you are most proud of (and explain why, rather than focusing on how much you raised). Specific detail is important - it’s what will make your application form more unique than everyone else who also mentions volunteering on their application. But it doesn’t always have to be the outcome (eg money raised) that makes your individual experiences impressive.

The one I raised the most with and I am most proud of is the one during highschool. I am 23 now so I wasn't really wanting to use it for anything more than showing it is something I have enjoyed doing for a long time. Is it still okay to use this one as a specific example? My other one I am especially proud of is that I am a Mind Mental Health Campaigner but I haven't managed to do a whole lot for that as of late due to COVID (I'd normally do bake sales etc which aren't viable right now), so I haven't got as much to write about.

 

[MLF]

PFO from Howard Kennedy ... What a way to finish the week!

 

[MLF]

Further to the lovely end-of-week PFO from Howard Kennedy, I'd like to know a bit more about what is required to succeed during a VI.

In the 4 I've done so far, I passed 1 and failed 3. I'm not sure what I did wrong during the ones I failed and unfortunately, no feedback was provided. Maybe @Jessica Booker you would have an idea as to what they are after? Thanks

 

[John Travoni]

Fieldfisher are really slacking. It has been over a month and I still haven’t heard back post them online tests, and their turnaround time is within 14 working days

 

[Jacob Miller]

Further to the lovely end-of-week PFO from Howard Kennedy, I'd like to know a bit more about what is required to succeed during a VI.

In the 4 I've done so far, I passed 1 and failed 3. I'm not sure what I did wrong during the ones I failed and unfortunately, no feedback was provided. Maybe @Jessica Booker you would have an idea as to what they are after? Thanks

I don't know if you'll already be familiar with it, but this thread is a great resource for looking at VI's and may help you do a retrospective critique.

I would suggest not to be too discouraged, though - VI's are one of the most brutal filtering stages in my experience, and generally have a rather low success rate given the way they're used with most firms. To that end, the fact that you've had a successful conversion would indicate that you're not miles away from where you need to be.

 

[MLF]

I don't know if you'll already be familiar with it, but this thread is a great resource for looking at VI's and may help you do a retrospective critique.

I would suggest not to be too discouraged, though - VI's are one of the most brutal filtering stages in my experience, and generally have a rather low success rate given the way they're used with most firms. To that end, the fact that you've had a successful conversion would indicate that you're not miles away from where you need to be.

Thank you Jacob, I wasn't familiar with the thread but will definitely look at it now!

What is really discouraging is the lack of feedback if I'm honest - but thank you for the encouragements

 

[Sonia_Kawaii]

Further to the lovely end-of-week PFO from Howard Kennedy, I'd like to know a bit more about what is required to succeed during a VI.

In the 4 I've done so far, I passed 1 and failed 3. I'm not sure what I did wrong during the ones I failed and unfortunately, no feedback was provided. Maybe @Jessica Booker you would have an idea as to what they are after? Thanks

I really want to know too! I find VI’s extremely unnatural and for some reason they throw me off even if the questions are easy. Not sure how to do well

 

[Jacob Miller]

I've thankfully never had to do a video interview for a VS/ TC, but yes I generally agree that talking to a camera with nobody on the other side is quite an unnatural, unnerving experience where it's hard to really present the best version of yourself! They make you realise just how much we rely on reciprocity of things like tonality and body language in these contexts.

 

[John Travoni]

Has anyone heard back post the verbal reasoning test for the legal trainee scheme with the GLP?

 

[MLF]

Has anyone heard back post the verbal reasoning test for the legal trainee scheme with the GLP?

Nope, not yet

 

[MLF]

Nope, not yet

Just heard back actually! Invited to next stage!

 

[Noodles52]

Fieldfisher are really slacking. It has been over a month and I still haven’t heard back post them online tests, and their turnaround time is within 14 working days

which office did you apply for?

 

[John Travoni]

which office did you apply for?

London!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

The one I raised the most with and I am most proud of is the one during highschool. I am 23 now so I wasn't really wanting to use it for anything more than showing it is something I have enjoyed doing for a long time. Is it still okay to use this one as a specific example? My other one I am especially proud of is that I am a Mind Mental Health Campaigner but I haven't managed to do a whole lot for that as of late due to COVID (I'd normally do bake sales etc which aren't viable right now), so I haven't got as much to write about.

That is fine - lots of law firms like evidence of you sticking to things. We used to call it "stickability" at Freshfields.

I wouldn't worry about it being an older example as long as you have other more modern evidence elsewhere.

 

[glaw23]

Has anyone heard back post the verbal reasoning test for the legal trainee scheme with the GLP?

Just got rejected. On TSR a lot of people received their CRT invite about 20 mins ago

Edit: they emailed me twice to reject me twice! Rubbing salt in the wound

 

[BiancaM]

hello!! was wondering if anyone has heard back from the following firms? I don't really know what kind of timeframe I'm meant to expect?

27 Mar - RPC Hong Kong VS app received [automail], but heard back from London TC app online assessment invite yesterday
24 May - PM App received & under review,
3 Jun - BCLP App under review after online test

I don't know if it's appropriate to send another gentle reminder... thanks!