As weird as it may seem, I don’t think Linklaters recruits from the DTC route. If you’re in doubt, do you know anyone that got in through this in the last 5 years?
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Does anyone else find it so much nicer doing apps in spring rather than autumn/winter? It feels so much less bleak lol
I did the test last year - it's a pretty standard SJT test. I would just brush up your knowledge on their culture & core values, and any research on typical trainee tasks & responsibilities!
@Abbie Whitlock
Hope you're doing well!
I'm a bit confused about what to write for these questions:
1. In what ways have your academic studies, qualifications and work experience equipped you for a legal career?
2. Outside of formal education and work experience, what steps have you taken to prepare for a career in law, and why have these experiences been useful?
For Q1, I was thinking of talking about tutoring, volunteering at a charity shop, and some pro bono work. I'm more confused about Q2 and what to include. The only idea I have is mentoring younger students at university, but I'm not even sure if this is applicable. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Hope you're doing well!
I'm a bit confused about what to write for these questions:
1. In what ways have your academic studies, qualifications and work experience equipped you for a legal career?
2. Outside of formal education and work experience, what steps have you taken to prepare for a career in law, and why have these experiences been useful?
For Q1, I was thinking of talking about tutoring, volunteering at a charity shop, and some pro bono work. I'm more confused about Q2 and what to include. The only idea I have is mentoring younger students at university, but I'm not even sure if this is applicable. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Hey!
I am doing well, thank you - I hope you are too!
For Q1, I would focus on your formal experiences - for example, academics, jobs, and structure roles. The key part is to link what you have done (e.g. tutoring, charity work, pro bono) to skills that are relevant to law. This could be things like communication, commercial awareness, attention to detail, etc. It is important to then show how those skills will help you in your legal career!
For Q2, they are looking for what you have done beyond the obvious instances (e.g. studying a law degree) to show genuine interest in law. This is more about showing initiative and motivation, and good examples could include:
- Attending law firm events or open days
- Participating in mentoring
- Networking with lawyers or students
- Online courses / programmes (e.g. Forage!).
Hey I don’t know if this is good or bad but I looked and last year for Stephenson Harwood I got rejected 26 March…. Hoping this might not be the case as we approach the date
Has anyone got any insights on the BCLP strengths based interview?
I’m about to submit my DTC application for Macfarlanes but I have a holiday coming up and just wanted to check the time line of next steps. Is the first test automatic and how long are we given to complete? How long after that is the job sim sent (I’m not assuming I’ll get to this stage obv.!) and how long are you given to complete? Would love a bit of info (just on timings not content) before I submit if anyone could help please? Thanks v much!
When I applied for the vac scheme the first step is automatic and you’re given a week to do it and after that i Think it was pretty quick and it came about a week after. And then for the job sim it’s also a week!! Neither are times but there’s VI for the job sim
Hey!
Congratulations on the interview invite!!
Whilst I don't have any specific insights into BCLP's strengths based interview, I have written a few posts previously on strengths-based interviews more generally. I have quoted those below - hopefully they are a useful starting point!
Wishing you the best of luck with the interview!
Hi!
Just to add to Andrei's advice, I thought I'd share my past experiences with strengths-based interview questions!
For these types of of questions, the important element is to answer truthfully and be yourself. They are typically looking to see how you would handle specific problems, your general working style, and the traits that you naturally possess that would make you a good fit for the firm. In preparation for the interview, I would make a note of what your key strengths are, and how they align with the skills needed to be a trainee (and what the role involves).
If you are given a hypothetical scenario, I'd talk the interviewer through each step that you would take to address the situation, and how you would use your personal strengths to aid you in handling anything that comes up.
Additionally, I've also found that the questions can be reflective in nature and may ask you specific questions about your way of workings. For an interview I did on a vacation scheme, I was asked "What type of person are you under pressure?" (which definitely threw me off!). There isn't necessarily one right answer here, and I would take a moment to actually think your answer through and consider how you usually approach these situations. It might be helpful to reflect on your past experiences and weave these into your answer, so that the interviewer can see that you are rooting your answer in concrete examples.
I hope that helps!
Hey!
It's totally normal to feel nervous, but I'd try to remember that they've progressed you this far for a reason! From my experience with strengths-based interviews, I would try to build rapport with the interviewers by being warm, engaged and genuine - try to treat it as a discussion rather than a formal assessment (whilst still remaining professional, of course!). Interviewers are human too, and sometimes asking genuine questions about their roles and career journeys can go a long way to show your interest in the firm.
When answering strengths-based questions, I'd focus less on giving a "model answer" and more on explaining how you naturally think and work. They are likely trying to see what motivates you, what you enjoy doing, and how you respond in real situations. In a previous strengths-based interview I completed, I was asked questions such as "What kind of person are you under pressure?" - this definitely threw me off, but the important part is to just be honest! You don't need long STAR-style answers, as short and specific examples are usually more than enough to demonstrate your point.
It can also help to link your answers back to the kind of environment BCLP offers (e.g. collaboration, adaptability, etc.), while still remaining genuine. The goal is to show that your strengths would translate well into how trainees at BCLP actually work day to day, and that you are motivated to work in the kind of environment that BCLP has.
I hope that assists, and wishing you the best of luck with your interview - I'm sure you'll do great!
Thank you so much - this is greatHey!
Congratulations on the interview invite!!
Whilst I don't have any specific insights into BCLP's strengths based interview, I have written a few posts previously on strengths-based interviews more generally. I have quoted those below - hopefully they are a useful starting point!
Wishing you the best of luck with the interview!
Congrats! Sorry I don’t have any insights but I was just wondering when you completed the online test!
No worries - I completed it about 2 weeks ago
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