TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Asil Ahmad]

Does everyone get sent the Hogan Lovells test or is it selective?

Everyone gets sent it.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker , I hope you are doing well. Could you please tell me, in an interview:

(i) For 'Why Commercial Law' - let's say I tell the interviewer that I want to do Commercial law because I like writing and putting my ideas on paper and I also explain properly where I have done this and what exactly I enjoyed during the process - should I also go into the details of how good I am at writing , for example mentioning any accolades that I may have won recognising my writing abilities? Is the last part necessary or can I leave it out in an interview?

(ii) In general, does Grad Rec like if the applicant can recite a great deal of facts + awards and other textual details verbatim or does it come across as "trying too hard" or "too polished and not relaxed and conversational enough"?

(iii)- If I am asked "Why law", should I clarify if they mean why I want to become a commercial lawyer or why I chose to study a law degree?

(iv)- Is it okay if my "Why law, why the firm and why me" answers are slightly longer than usual? I have tried chopping them down but I feel that every detail that I mention is important to me. Will the interviewer stop me midway or tell me to be brief?

Thanks in advance.

(i) be mindful that what you are mentioning isn’t always what a lawyer does (eg putting their ideas down on paper), and that writing could be also seen in many different roles. For instance, I could easily ask a follow up question like “why not something like journalism or public policy” in response to your answer. You don’t have to go into why you are good at that skill though - a brief reference is fine, but it needs to be linked more to your motivations rather than your skill set. Sometimes there is overlap where people like utilising their strengths, but you still need to focus on the motivational side of this.

(ii) if anything the opposite. They don’t want you to recite facts no matter how polished your delivery is. They want to hear you talk about things with opinions and analysis not recite facts.

(iii) yes, you can do this if you are not sure the context of what they are asking.

(iv) I would suggest keeping your answers focused. If they are long, you are potentially going to lose the message of what you are saying. It’s not really about whether the points are all important to you. It’s about prioritising your answer for impact. You need to make sure the points are going to be important to your interviewers too.

 

[CorporateCrocodile]

Is it worth wasting words to write Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in the personal statement, or is using Freshfields throughout ok?

I imagine if law firms didn't let you use their shortened names, anyone applying to 'Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom' would have a tough time with word count.

 

[Kodak123]

Does everyone get sent the Hogan Lovells test or is it selective?

I didn’t get sent an invite after I sent my application. When did you send yours?

 

[kmo20]

Everyone gets sent it.

Thank you I submitted nearly 3 weeks ago and just wondering if anyone else has had to wait this long?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Thank you I submitted nearly 3 weeks ago and just wondering if anyone else has had to wait this long?

I thin k they do take time to send it. But try emailing them to ask about it.

 

[Fd321]

Has anyone heard from MTG post assessment day?

 

[AB]

Hi all,

Does anyone have any tips for the BCLP tc interview ( applied 1 June/ heard back last Wednesday) ?

 

[EliteWhovian]

Hey guys is it worth applying to white n case for their direct TC if I didn't succeed with their vac scheme earlier this year?

 

[bibss]

I submitted my TC app to Sullivan & Cromwell 30 mins ago and already got the so-called 'holding email'. Unlike what other people have speculated on this forum in the past, I don't think receiving this email means anything in particular at this point 🤣🤣 I'd love to work in grad recruitment for a day just to get an insight of how this all works in practice!!

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

Just looked at the Sullivan and Cromwell trainee intake on LinkedIn and its mostly all Oxbridge grads with top grades 😅- not sure if worth the time spent applying lol

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

I submitted my TC app to Sullivan & Cromwell 30 mins ago and already got the so-called 'holding email'. Unlike what other people have speculated on this forum in the past, I don't think receiving this email means anything in particular at this point 🤣🤣 I'd love to work in grad recruitment for a day just to get an insight of how this all works in practice!!

Majority of automated responses especially if they are using the Allhires service!

 

[bibss]

Just looked at the Sullivan and Cromwell trainee intake on LinkedIn and its mostly all Oxbridge grads with top grades 😅- not sure if worth the time spent applying lol

Their app is not that bad - only a cover letter. I think it's worth a shot!

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

Are you expected to upload a CV for the Freshfields application?

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

Their app is not that bad - only a cover letter. I think it's worth a shot!

Completely valid point tbh, I did find the lack of application questions odd though - assuming they are relying on cover letter and grades

 

[laurabeaumont]

@Jessica Booker I have a done the Scottish Legal Diploma but am thinking of applying to some English firms - where on the application should I mentioned the diploma as a qualification, if at all (I know it won't really count for anything)? And should I mention why I'm applying for an English firm in the first place after obtaining the Scottish diploma?

Thanks

Hi @islasorna ,

Qualifications like the SLD usually go alongside university degrees (etc)! You should also definitely explain why you are switching to English firms!

Laura

 

[Jessica Booker]

Are you expected to upload a CV for the Freshfields application?

No

 

[Jessica Booker]

I would just add it HAS changed this year and you do need to send a CV - but ONLY for module results as there isn’t a field elsewhere on the new application system. The rest of the cv won’t be read but make sure your module results are in there.
I’ve mentioned this before on this forum and will do so again - Freshfields previously used Taleo for TC apps where the CV field was completely obsolete but this year they are using Workday for the first time. Workday is different as it doesn’t have a module results field, hence the form instructs you to upload a CV which shows your module results.

A CV wouldn’t be necessary if this is the case - just your module results as an attachment (eg a transcript).

 

[ComplianceChange]

A CV wouldn’t be necessary if this is the case - just your module results as an attachment (eg a transcript).

Just got the Freshfields app over the line, actually very proud of how much progress I've made since my initial app draft (that I never sent) 3+ years ago.

Also, there is a freetext box to input module grades for university and A-level results!

 

[NJS]

Anyone here who has experience with McDermott will and emery or is a trainee there?