TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[Law2022]

Sorry to hear that. Hope you get better results with your remaining apps. Do you mind sharing when did you apply?

Sorry to hear that. Hope you get better results with your remaining apps. Do you mind sharing when did you apply?

Thanks! July 14th. Good luck to you !

 

[ArashSh]

Thanks! July 14th. Good luck to you !

Thanks! Good luck to you too.
I applied on June 29 but haven't heard back and honestly, don't know how I should take that😅 Nothing helps the stress obviously

 

[Law2022]

Thanks! Good luck to you too.
I applied on June 29 but haven't heard back and honestly, don't know how I should take that😅 Nothing helps the stress obviously

I’m sure you’ll be just fine. Sending positivity your way!

 

[Jaysen]

I was starting to think I'd never be able to say this but - I've just been offered a training contract at one of my top choice firms!!

I'm still in a slight state of disbelief and shock as I was thinking about giving up after this cycle, and I just wanted to let people know who may be feeling disheartened after rejections and not know where they're going wrong - this was my fourth cycle. I have loads of paralegal and non-legal experience and despite a couple of final round interviews early on I didn't get beyond application form stage for ages, and could not figure out where I was going wrong.

To be honest I still don't know! Application forms that I thought were v strong got nowhere, and firms I thought I was perfect for because of my experience still rejected me. 10 mins after I got the call to offer me the TC I got rejected by another firm at application form stage! This process is really demoralising, but I'm proof that if you keep at it you'll eventually get there.

I am by no means an expert but here is what I've learned:

- application forms are a skill in themselves (which is something I didn't realise for a long time) - use resources on TCLA and youtube (I can recommend some videos I used) to break down what makes a good answer.
- figure out your weaknesses and work on them. as a slightly older applicant (I did other things in my early-mid 20s) my commitment to law was questioned a lot. I now have three years of paralegal experience to back my interest in law despite my earlier career path, and that's been really helpful in interviews.
- sometimes you can do everything right and it still won't work out: my second cycle I got through three intense interviews to the final round at one firm and (as I thought) nailed every assessment, but got told in my feedback that I "didn't seem committed enough to the firm". I still find that one baffling because it was genuinely my first choice at the time and if they really thought that why take me all the way through to the final interview?!
- there is no magic formula to this, it's just a lot of hard work and (I think) a lot of luck.

I'm super happy to send people resources I found helpful/generally chat if you're struggling with the process.

Also - this is the first year I've used TCLA and I have found it all hugely helpful - but special thanks to @Jessica Booker, @Jacob Miller @Dheepa @Jaysen for answering my questions with so much patience as I'm sure they're ones they've been asked a million times before.

Absolutely delighted for you, well done

 

[Jacob Miller]

For those who are working full time, will you be applying for Vac Schemes or TCs?
Firms recruit more from Vac Schemes but it may not be possible to take time off >.<. Thoughts?

I've written about this quite extensively in the past - you may want to check out my article on the topic to give you some help in breaking down the right applications for you:

Should you apply for a vacation scheme or a training contract? Finding your best application type!

Introduction The pathway to a training contract at a commercial law firm can be bumpy. More often than not, candidates will make multiple applications, to multiple firms, usually across multiple application cycles. With that in mind, understanding whether one should consider applying for a...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Jacob Miller]

I was starting to think I'd never be able to say this but - I've just been offered a training contract at one of my top choice firms!!

I'm still in a slight state of disbelief and shock as I was thinking about giving up after this cycle, and I just wanted to let people know who may be feeling disheartened after rejections and not know where they're going wrong - this was my fourth cycle. I have loads of paralegal and non-legal experience and despite a couple of final round interviews early on I didn't get beyond application form stage for ages, and could not figure out where I was going wrong.

To be honest I still don't know! Application forms that I thought were v strong got nowhere, and firms I thought I was perfect for because of my experience still rejected me. 10 mins after I got the call to offer me the TC I got rejected by another firm at application form stage! This process is really demoralising, but I'm proof that if you keep at it you'll eventually get there.

I am by no means an expert but here is what I've learned:

- application forms are a skill in themselves (which is something I didn't realise for a long time) - use resources on TCLA and youtube (I can recommend some videos I used) to break down what makes a good answer.
- figure out your weaknesses and work on them. as a slightly older applicant (I did other things in my early-mid 20s) my commitment to law was questioned a lot. I now have three years of paralegal experience to back my interest in law despite my earlier career path, and that's been really helpful in interviews.
- sometimes you can do everything right and it still won't work out: my second cycle I got through three intense interviews to the final round at one firm and (as I thought) nailed every assessment, but got told in my feedback that I "didn't seem committed enough to the firm". I still find that one baffling because it was genuinely my first choice at the time and if they really thought that why take me all the way through to the final interview?!
- there is no magic formula to this, it's just a lot of hard work and (I think) a lot of luck.

I'm super happy to send people resources I found helpful/generally chat if you're struggling with the process.

Also - this is the first year I've used TCLA and I have found it all hugely helpful - but special thanks to @Jessica Booker, @Jacob Miller @Dheepa @Jaysen for answering my questions with so much patience as I'm sure they're ones they've been asked a million times before.

Extremely kind of you to give us such a lovely shout out!

Really appreciate your kind words and many, many congratulations!!!

 

[Paige]

I was starting to think I'd never be able to say this but - I've just been offered a training contract at one of my top choice firms!!

I'm still in a slight state of disbelief and shock as I was thinking about giving up after this cycle, and I just wanted to let people know who may be feeling disheartened after rejections and not know where they're going wrong - this was my fourth cycle. I have loads of paralegal and non-legal experience and despite a couple of final round interviews early on I didn't get beyond application form stage for ages, and could not figure out where I was going wrong.

To be honest I still don't know! Application forms that I thought were v strong got nowhere, and firms I thought I was perfect for because of my experience still rejected me. 10 mins after I got the call to offer me the TC I got rejected by another firm at application form stage! This process is really demoralising, but I'm proof that if you keep at it you'll eventually get there.

I am by no means an expert but here is what I've learned:

- application forms are a skill in themselves (which is something I didn't realise for a long time) - use resources on TCLA and youtube (I can recommend some videos I used) to break down what makes a good answer.
- figure out your weaknesses and work on them. as a slightly older applicant (I did other things in my early-mid 20s) my commitment to law was questioned a lot. I now have three years of paralegal experience to back my interest in law despite my earlier career path, and that's been really helpful in interviews.
- sometimes you can do everything right and it still won't work out: my second cycle I got through three intense interviews to the final round at one firm and (as I thought) nailed every assessment, but got told in my feedback that I "didn't seem committed enough to the firm". I still find that one baffling because it was genuinely my first choice at the time and if they really thought that why take me all the way through to the final interview?!
- there is no magic formula to this, it's just a lot of hard work and (I think) a lot of luck.

I'm super happy to send people resources I found helpful/generally chat if you're struggling with the process.

Also - this is the first year I've used TCLA and I have found it all hugely helpful - but specialyou thanks to @Jessica Booker, @Jacob Miller @Dheepa @Jaysen for answering my questions with so much patience as I'm sure they're ones they've been asked a million times before.

Congratulations and it's posts like this that remind me to not give up. Thank you for writing this because sometimes I feel like all I see is everyone getting a TC at their dream firm whilst im still here trying to get passed the first round. So thank you for writing such an honest post if you could please send me over any resources that your used I would really appreciate it. Also if you have any general advice on how to deal with rejections that would be great too. Again, congratulations

 

[Dwight]

A&O will recruit a fair number of people form direct TCs given their total TC numbers, so I don’t think this is an issue, especially if you are confident they are the right firm for you and you have legal work experience/other vacation schemes.

Thank you for clarifying, @Jessica Booker. I thought that having no prior work experience with A&O would be a make or break. How do you suggest I show interest in A&O in the application. Perhaps I should talk about all the events I have attended with the firm and what I learnt in the work experience section (from their FAQs last year, I believe they welcome talking about open days and other networking events).

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you for clarifying, @Jessica Booker. I thought that having no prior work experience with A&O would be a make or break. How do you suggest I show interest in A&O in the application. Perhaps I should talk about all the events I have attended with the firm and what I learnt in the work experience section (from their FAQs last year, I believe they welcome talking about open days and other networking events).

It’s very simple - clear research about the firm and aligning what the firm offers to your career aspirations.

 

[rb26]

Has anyone contacted Teacher Stern recently?

My last email from them was telling us that we would hear back around mid-June, and I've had radio silence since.

 

[ssolicitorz]

Any news from W&C, HL or Macfarlanes?

 

[pbyrne]

Congratulations and it's posts like this that remind me to not give up. Thank you for writing this because sometimes I feel like all I see is everyone getting a TC at their dream firm whilst im still here trying to get passed the first round. So thank you for writing such an honest post if you could please send me over any resources that your used I would really appreciate it. Also if you have any general advice on how to deal with rejections that would be great too. Again, congratulations

Thank you! I'm really glad you found it helpful - definitely don't give up!

In terms of guides on writing applications and research etc, I watched a lot, but the two channels I found to be genuinely the most useful were these:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLgasrnDE3pP_TYTmDrmSTQ

https://www.youtube.com/user/idinsab

I also use podcasts on Spotify to help with commercial awareness. A lot of law firms have their own and you can search for the names, but I also used Law Pod UK, Mlex Market Insight, FTAdviser Podcast (and actually all the FT podcasts), Law in Action, The LawCareers.Net podcast, any of the Economist podcasts, Commercial Awareness with Watson's Daily, Thinking Commercially, and then sector specific podcasts based on my interests which you can just search for by keyword.

Re dealing with rejections, there's no real answer to that because it does just suck. I would suggest (if possible) to take a day or two to let the sting pass, do something that makes you happy or that you're good at to give you a bit of a boost, and avoid doing other apps straight after getting one. Also I reassessed which firms I was applying to. I used to get so depressed/frustrated seeing people getting TCs who hadn't left uni yet, but made me realise I was probably applying to firms that wouldn't suit me if they were mostly recruiting from current undergrads. Once I focused on firms I still liked but placed a higher premium on work experience than uni or school achievements I saw more results.

I have every confidence it'll happen for you, it's just a matter of time! Good luck - v happy to help in any way I can

 

[pbyrne]

Extremely kind of you to give us such a lovely shout out!

Really appreciate your kind words and many, many congratulations!!!

Thank you!!

 

[pbyrne]

Absolutely delighted for you, well done

Thanks again Jaysen!

 

[pbyrne]

FYI for anyone waiting - PFO from Dorsey.

 

[Paige]

Thank you! I'm really glad you found it helpful - definitely don't give up!

In terms of guides on writing applications and research etc, I watched a lot, but the two channels I found to be genuinely the most useful were these:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLgasrnDE3pP_TYTmDrmSTQ

https://www.youtube.com/user/idinsab

I also use podcasts on Spotify to help with commercial awareness. A lot of law firms have their own and you can search for the names, but I also used Law Pod UK, Mlex Market Insight, FTAdviser Podcast (and actually all the FT podcasts), Law in Action, The LawCareers.Net podcast, any of the Economist podcasts, Commercial Awareness with Watson's Daily, Thinking Commercially, and then sector specific podcasts based on my interests which you can just search for by keyword.

Re dealing with rejections, there's no real answer to that because it does just suck. I would suggest (if possible) to take a day or two to let the sting pass, do something that makes you happy or that you're good at to give you a bit of a boost, and avoid doing other apps straight after getting one. Also I reassessed which firms I was applying to. I used to get so depressed/frustrated seeing people getting TCs who hadn't left uni yet, but made me realise I was probably applying to firms that wouldn't suit me if they were mostly recruiting from current undergrads. Once I focused on firms I still liked but placed a higher premium on work experience than uni or school achievements I saw more results.

I have every confidence it'll happen for you, it's just a matter of time! Good luck - v happy to help in any way I can

Thank you for providing me with these resources. I definitely think that the podcasts will help me a lot as I only really read the Financial Times but sometimes I find that listening to something is a lot better. I think that's what makes me feel rubbish as well seeing loads of candidates get through who are still in uni and stuff. I definitely think that is a really good piece of advice thank you I think I will take a step back and reassess what firms I am applying to. That's also a good tip as well at its been a few years since I have done my A levels I think I should concentrate on firms who placed an emphasis on experience etc.

Thanks again for replying back to me and once again Congratulations, just replying back to me with this message has already helped me so much. I will now go away and start to reflect a lot more on the process ready for the next cycle.

 

[BrerRabbit]

Thank you! I'm really glad you found it helpful - definitely don't give up!

In terms of guides on writing applications and research etc, I watched a lot, but the two channels I found to be genuinely the most useful were these:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLgasrnDE3pP_TYTmDrmSTQ

https://www.youtube.com/user/idinsab

I also use podcasts on Spotify to help with commercial awareness. A lot of law firms have their own and you can search for the names, but I also used Law Pod UK, Mlex Market Insight, FTAdviser Podcast (and actually all the FT podcasts), Law in Action, The LawCareers.Net podcast, any of the Economist podcasts, Commercial Awareness with Watson's Daily, Thinking Commercially, and then sector specific podcasts based on my interests which you can just search for by keyword.

Re dealing with rejections, there's no real answer to that because it does just suck. I would suggest (if possible) to take a day or two to let the sting pass, do something that makes you happy or that you're good at to give you a bit of a boost, and avoid doing other apps straight after getting one. Also I reassessed which firms I was applying to. I used to get so depressed/frustrated seeing people getting TCs who hadn't left uni yet, but made me realise I was probably applying to firms that wouldn't suit me if they were mostly recruiting from current undergrads. Once I focused on firms I still liked but placed a higher premium on work experience than uni or school achievements I saw more results.

I have every confidence it'll happen for you, it's just a matter of time! Good luck - v happy to help in any way I can

Very useful info and great advice! Many congratulations on securing the TC.

 

[Dheepa]

I was starting to think I'd never be able to say this but - I've just been offered a training contract at one of my top choice firms!!

I'm still in a slight state of disbelief and shock as I was thinking about giving up after this cycle, and I just wanted to let people know who may be feeling disheartened after rejections and not know where they're going wrong - this was my fourth cycle. I have loads of paralegal and non-legal experience and despite a couple of final round interviews early on I didn't get beyond application form stage for ages, and could not figure out where I was going wrong.

To be honest I still don't know! Application forms that I thought were v strong got nowhere, and firms I thought I was perfect for because of my experience still rejected me. 10 mins after I got the call to offer me the TC I got rejected by another firm at application form stage! This process is really demoralising, but I'm proof that if you keep at it you'll eventually get there.

I am by no means an expert but here is what I've learned:

- application forms are a skill in themselves (which is something I didn't realise for a long time) - use resources on TCLA and youtube (I can recommend some videos I used) to break down what makes a good answer.
- figure out your weaknesses and work on them. as a slightly older applicant (I did other things in my early-mid 20s) my commitment to law was questioned a lot. I now have three years of paralegal experience to back my interest in law despite my earlier career path, and that's been really helpful in interviews.
- sometimes you can do everything right and it still won't work out: my second cycle I got through three intense interviews to the final round at one firm and (as I thought) nailed every assessment, but got told in my feedback that I "didn't seem committed enough to the firm". I still find that one baffling because it was genuinely my first choice at the time and if they really thought that why take me all the way through to the final interview?!
- there is no magic formula to this, it's just a lot of hard work and (I think) a lot of luck.

I'm super happy to send people resources I found helpful/generally chat if you're struggling with the process.

Also - this is the first year I've used TCLA and I have found it all hugely helpful - but special thanks to @Jessica Booker, @Jacob Miller @Dheepa @Jaysen for answering my questions with so much patience as I'm sure they're ones they've been asked a million times before.

Ahh this is amazing, congratulations!!! And thank you for the shoutout too - always nice to hear the advice is helpful!! ☺️

 

[YJyj]

Any news from W&C, HL or Macfarlanes?

Invite to video interview this morning from White & Case TC

 

[Deleted member 2707]

I'm still shaking but I was just offered a TC from Macfarlanes! Had a SH interview 20 minutes later in which I completely just lost focus but I can't believe I am here right now and honestly I am just shocked beyond belief. TCLA has been such a huge help and if anyone needs any help just PM me.