TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
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I've recently been invited to complete Morgan Lewis' telephone interview - if anyone has any insight or advice for being successful at this stage I would really appreciate it! I've never completed a telephone interview before.
Early June
Last night at 2AM. The US office must be handling the recruitment
I worked as a legal secretary for a conveyancing specialist firm which I have found extremely helpful for commercial law applications. I imagine a job as a conveyancing assistant would be similar! For example, if I am applying to a firm with a strong real estate practice I often talk about how my interest in real estate law was sparked by my time working at the conveyancing firm.
Twist it as real estate work?
Reed Smith online tests/VI invite! Does anyone have insight into these? From my understanding, they are quite long. Any tips apart from research the firm and prep your competencies?
Also, I sometimes have abnormal speech patterns due to health stuff (i.e. pause once every minute before saying a word for about 3 seconds becuase my brain is buffering even though I know what I want to say). Is this something I should make the firm aware of i.e. "I have this problem so please consider this when analysing my speech patterns and body language"? How would I even phrase this? I am not even sure if they do analyse things like this
Also, I sometimes have abnormal speech patterns due to health stuff (i.e. pause once every minute before saying a word for about 3 seconds becuase my brain is buffering even though I know what I want to say). Is this something I should make the firm aware of i.e. "I have this problem so please consider this when analysing my speech patterns and body language"? How would I even phrase this? I am not even sure if they do analyse things like this
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I think you definitely should make the firm aware of this. Even though I haven't checked their website, I am pretty sure the firm considers applicants' personal circumstances.
They say on the invite email to let them know of any necessary adjustments. I would do it as soon as possible.
- Sep 7, 2024
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Honestly, I don’t think it’s detrimental at all. Just because an experience isn’t recent or directly related to law doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. If it taught you something meaningful, challenged you, or helped you grow in a way that’s relevant to the competency, then it’s still a valid part of your story.
Yes, law firms might want to see what you’ve been up to more recently to get a sense of your current skillset and mindset, but that doesn’t mean older experiences suddenly lose their worth. If your examples from university or part-time jobs are stronger or show you in your best light, then absolutely use them. What matters most is the quality of your reflection - how well you explain what you did, what you learned, and how it shaped you.
So I’d say don’t disregard past experiences just because they’re a few years old. Instead, make them work for you. Be intentional about what each one is showing and try to strike a balance by mixing in at least one or two recent examples so they get a sense of what you’ve been doing more currently. But the past is still a very real and valuable part of your journey, and it can absolutely speak to the kind of professional you are today.
Hi everyone! I wanted to ask for some honest opinions, is it really worth paying for a TC coaching or mentoring programme? I’ve come across a few options, but they’re really expensive, and I’m unsure if the investment will actually make a difference.
I’m starting to feel a bit lost on this training contract journey. Last year was my first application cycle, and my application just kept stucking at the application stage, which I am aware of and now I am trying to do a really proper research and only to make high-quality, tailored application for a few firms that I really want to apply for the upcoming cycle. However, as I am graduating, I am not sure whether I should apply for paralegal/legal assistant role as now i actually need to support myself financially. In addition, as an international student, I don't think I have the luxury of unlimited application cycle, which adds up another pressure.
Therefore, if anyone has experience with coaching or has any advice on whether it’s truly helpful (or what worked for you instead), I’d really appreciate it!
I’m starting to feel a bit lost on this training contract journey. Last year was my first application cycle, and my application just kept stucking at the application stage, which I am aware of and now I am trying to do a really proper research and only to make high-quality, tailored application for a few firms that I really want to apply for the upcoming cycle. However, as I am graduating, I am not sure whether I should apply for paralegal/legal assistant role as now i actually need to support myself financially. In addition, as an international student, I don't think I have the luxury of unlimited application cycle, which adds up another pressure.
Therefore, if anyone has experience with coaching or has any advice on whether it’s truly helpful (or what worked for you instead), I’d really appreciate it!
Really hope we get something today because the wait is genuinely draining lol
So happy to say that I accepted a TC offer a few weeks ago, over the moon is an understatement 🥳🥳🥳 A huge thanks to TCLA for the support over the last two years ❤️
Has anyone done an interview for Freeths stage 1 interview before and got any tips on it?
Just got an invite
Just got an invite
- Sep 7, 2024
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- Sep 7, 2024
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- 1,450
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