TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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Hey when was your first interview and did they phone you or email you to invite you? I had my first interview on Friday so I don’t know whether to take this as a rejection
Jessica Booker
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- Aug 1, 2019
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As @Jessica Booker said, firms simply do not have the resources to filter hundreds of paralegal candidates. I spoke to a recruiter at an agency before and the way that paralegal recruitment works (as they explained it to me) was that the firm goes to the agency with a paralegal position, the agency advertises it, receive resumes that they then screen (usually by matching your resume to the firm's requirement for the position, or having a quick phone call) and shortlist. They send the shortlist to the firm, who then choose the candidates they want to interview. The people at the law firm who handle paralegal position can be different to the ones who handle graduate positions (ie, vacation schemes/training contracts). Granted, there might be some overlap. I'll also add that just because you received a vacation scheme offer does not mean you'll get a paralegal position (what they look for is completely different), and being rejected from a paralegal position does not prejudice you form receiving a vacation scheme and training contract offer from the same firm.
As for getting a paralegal position if you received and accepted a TC offer at the firm, that is because firms tend to like to hire their own future trainees as paralegals. As explained to me by a firm's graduate recruitment, since you'll be working for them as a trainee anyways, they figure you may as well get to know the firm better and earlier while building your experience for your traineeship.
Hope that helps!
TC interview with BCLP!!!😍😍😍😍 I would greatly appreciate any tips or advice you may have!
It would be very helpful if you could share any insights about the types of questions asked or any particular areas of focus that BCLP tends to emphasise 😁
It would be very helpful if you could share any insights about the types of questions asked or any particular areas of focus that BCLP tends to emphasise 😁
Hi @Ghassen @M0M007 @zizszhplum
I'll add onto the information provided by @laurabeaumont and @OB that you can also reach out to someone who currently works at the recruitment agencies via LinkedIn to directly ask about a paralegal position (or ask if they have any openings), and send over your resume. So let's say you find a LinkedIn job post for a Funds paralegal position advertised by EJ Legal, the post might show who is responsible for this role (ie, the specific recruiter). If it doesn't, you can search for recruiter who work at the agency – they usually have "consultant" or "recruiter" in their job title (you can double-check this by clicking into their profile and see what they specialise in recruiting for). In any case, you can send them a connection request with a personalised note referring to the position.
In my experience, I find that I get a lot more responses when I do send them a note than just simply submitting an application – if they connect with you, they'll usually ask to see your resume anyways. Usually, if you have what they look for re the paralegal position, they'll ask to schedule a quick telephone call with you to speak more about the role and your background. Even if you don't get the position or they don't have any, they'll usually keep you on an email list.
Also as @OB said, you can totally work your way up from an admin role, just like how firms also recruit internal paralegals for training contracts (not every firm does this though).
I'll add onto the information provided by @laurabeaumont and @OB that you can also reach out to someone who currently works at the recruitment agencies via LinkedIn to directly ask about a paralegal position (or ask if they have any openings), and send over your resume. So let's say you find a LinkedIn job post for a Funds paralegal position advertised by EJ Legal, the post might show who is responsible for this role (ie, the specific recruiter). If it doesn't, you can search for recruiter who work at the agency – they usually have "consultant" or "recruiter" in their job title (you can double-check this by clicking into their profile and see what they specialise in recruiting for). In any case, you can send them a connection request with a personalised note referring to the position.
In my experience, I find that I get a lot more responses when I do send them a note than just simply submitting an application – if they connect with you, they'll usually ask to see your resume anyways. Usually, if you have what they look for re the paralegal position, they'll ask to schedule a quick telephone call with you to speak more about the role and your background. Even if you don't get the position or they don't have any, they'll usually keep you on an email list.
Also as @OB said, you can totally work your way up from an admin role, just like how firms also recruit internal paralegals for training contracts (not every firm does this though).
Hey, congrats! When did you submit your application and online test if you don't mind me asking? Thanks.
This is extremely helpful! Will do this tomorrow ! Thanks a lot appreciate this a lot
Did one for the vac scheme so maybe similar, from what I remember it’s SJT, maths and WG
We are still in the 2022-23 application cycle, during which you were in your penultimate year. So no, you won’t be a finalist until you start your final year in October, at which point we will be in the 2023-24 application cycle.
Congrats! I interviewed with them last year so I might be able to give you some advice.
I’d say right of the bat, make sure you answers are detailed. They really appreciate that - don’t answer your questions (especially motivational questions) the same way you would in a 2 min video interview. They want you to expand.
I was asked 1 commercial awareness question so I assume you will too. Again, go into detail, and expand on your answer as much as possible.
The interview was a really good experience though, they really try to reassure you and it wasn’t at all as scary as I thought it would be.
Make sure you are well read on the happenings in the firm/elements that set the firm apart (which add to your motivation to join the firm) - it will be very obvious if you haven’t done a good amount of research on the firm - as the questions tend to link back to this!
Definitely do some reading into the different practice areas/which ones you are interested in/why they interest you/ and what sets BCLPs training contract offerings apart from competitors!
GOOD LUCK!!!!
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