TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Jessica Booker]

I wanted to know how to apply for those positions (i.e. from the firm website, from getting in touch on LinkedIn or any other way), if there's a particular process that needs to be followed, if it's better to go through recruiters or apply directly, how the interview processes for these are etc.

There is no set rules to this.

Some hiring is just done through professional networks (for instance if you have been the otherwise of a deal and the other firm thinks you are good)

Some hiring is done directly via firms’ recruitment departments.

Some hiring is done via agencies.

Recruitment processes vary massively - in a very similar way to graduate recruitment. It could be anything from a fairly informal interview to multiple stage interviews and assessments like research tasks or drafting exercises.

Unless you are coming up to qualification, I really wouldn’t worry about this yet. For anyone applying for TCs now, you won’t have to worry about this for another 4-5 years and things could be quite different by then, and very subject to where you qualifying into (department/firm) and which firms you are aiming to move to.

 

[spamelinazoid]

Was anyone given a schedule or something for their Baker McKenzie AC? I just got an email saying what the day will involve and when it will end, but no schedule or anything of the sort

 

[Humanoidlawyer]

Book recs on business and finance for dummies please, anyone? Preferably e-books.

 

[IT7]

There is no set rules to this.

Some hiring is just done through professional networks (for instance if you have been the otherwise of a deal and the other firm thinks you are good)

Some hiring is done directly via firms’ recruitment departments.

Some hiring is done via agencies.

Recruitment processes vary massively - in a very similar way to graduate recruitment. It could be anything from a fairly informal interview to multiple stage interviews and assessments like research tasks or drafting exercises.

Unless you are coming up to qualification, I really wouldn’t worry about this yet. For anyone applying for TCs now, you won’t have to worry about this for another 4-5 years and things could be quite different by then, and very subject to where you qualifying into (department/firm) and which firms you are aiming to move to.

Thank you for your response! Could you please tell me any well-known agencies that deal with lateral hiring? And do they usually charge you once you contact them?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you for your response! Could you please tell me any well-known agencies that deal with lateral hiring? And do they usually charge you once you contact them?

They don’t charge you, they charge the firm a percentage of your base salary once you are hired (usually somewhere between 15-25%).

Agencies will vary according to location, legal area you are working in etc.

Are you about the qualify in the next year? If not, please do not worry about any of this until you are at that stage.

 

[Samir_O]

Book recs on business and finance for dummies please, anyone? Preferably e-books.

I’d also appreciate recs too!

 

[latte23]

has anyone heard back from the aspiring solicitors and harbottle & lewis tc?

 

[bottles747]

For those who applied to Penningtons Manches Cooper, who did you address the cover letter to please? Thanks.

 

[bibss]

Is BCLP online test automatic?

 

[norothrow324]

Are there any current (or previous) success stories of non qualified law students from abroad (foreign degree) being sponsored for a visa and succeeding in getting a direct TC? Need some motivation - slowly giving up..

 

[Jessica Booker]

Are there any current (or previous) success stories of non qualified law students from abroad (foreign degree) being sponsored for a visa and succeeding in getting a direct TC? Need some motivation - slowly giving up..

I’ve recruited plenty and through TCLA know people who meet that criteria who have received offers this cycle.

 

[Law1099]

Are there any current (or previous) success stories of non qualified law students from abroad (foreign degree) being sponsored for a visa and succeeding in getting a direct TC? Need some motivation - slowly giving up..

Why don’t you see if firms offer sponsored tc’s? I vaguely remember some stating that they do not, but you could email grad Rec and ask.

 

[ScoUting]

Hello, looking for some advice. So I had an assessment center for Osborne Clarke but the night before and the morning of I contracted the norovirus and had to go to the hospital in the end so called to cancel. As it was the last AC for the Vac Scheme, it could not be re-arranged and my application was put on hold. I had already done one interview stage and presentation to get to this position so it seems a waste just to give up. I am wondering if it is worth emailing to ask if my vac scheme application could be converted to a direct TC application and how to go about doing this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sibs23]

Has anyone received a test invite for TLT direct TC yet? I am going on holiday next week so would prefer not to take my laptop away with me if I don't need to.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello, looking for some advice. So I had an assessment center for Osborne Clarke but the night before and the morning of I contracted the norovirus and had to go to the hospital in the end so called to cancel. As it was the last AC for the Vac Scheme, it could not be re-arranged and my application was put on hold. I had already done one interview stage and presentation to get to this position so it seems a waste just to give up. I am wondering if it is worth emailing to ask if my vac scheme application could be converted to a direct TC application and how to go about doing this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I don't think there is any harm in asking - the worse they are going to say is no, and then you are in no different a position than you are in now.

I would try to call them and discuss it - these things are typically better conveyed over phone and you also get a clearer indication of what will happen rather than waiting for a reply to an email.

 

[corplawperson23]

Hi, does anyone have any idea as to the difference between mid-market borrowing/lending and high-end / 'big-ticket' borrowing/lending? How would this impact the nature of work (if at all)?

 

[sxw517]

Probably splitting hairs, but what sounds better?

As a result, I am motivated to work for (firm name).

As a result, I was motivated to apply to (firm name).

 

[newtothis]

Probably splitting hairs, but what sounds better?

As a result, I am motivated to work for (firm name).

As a result, I was motivated to apply to (firm name).

It depends on the context of the sentence before.

If your reasoning is because you spoke to an employee at the event, then the latter sentence would be correct.

If you are referencing the firms’ marketing materials (eg. Deals they’ve done or company culture) then the former would be better I assume (but even then apply could still work).


I could totally be wrong though, but that’s my assessment of it.

 

[lolamcd1]

I got a rejection post-AC for the Farrer VS a couple of months ago. During the AC, grad recruitment encouraged those rejected to reapply to direct tc in the same cycle this summer. The questions are very similar and include cover letter for example. How much do you guys recommend changing my answers or is it ok to apply with the same answers i used for the VS?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Probably splitting hairs, but what sounds better?

As a result, I am motivated to work for (firm name).

As a result, I was motivated to apply to (firm name).

Generally “work” as you are framing it as being a longer term commitment and you are framing it as you see yourself working at the firm.