That is quite strange honestly. My only possible advice is maybe try to seem enthusiastic as you’re talking. I always try to smile and pause while I’m speaking at “natural points”. Coming across as excited to be there always goes a long way in my opinion. Sorry I can’t offer anything more helpful, it would easier to give you advice if you were rehearsing your responses.
-
TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.Join →
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Haha it’s okay, that’s good advice though thank you! My guess is because I was quite nervous I was a bit monotonous, I also think I may inadvertently memorised the why commerical law answer because my motivations remain the same and it’s the same question that comes up in every application/interview so maybe that’s why it came across rehearsed
Treat an interview like a conversation, not an interview. This will not only allow you to relax, it will also mean your answers come across as more natural/likeable. Ultimately, if you get to interview stage they believe you can do the job on paper. Your personality can do a lot of heavy lifting for you here, so make sure that comes through.
I don’t have any knowledge about CMS specifically but I had the same issue on a different firms VI and they reset it for me
I second @Prudentia's answer.
The best interviews I have had were the ones where I didn't feel like I was being interviewed, and was just chatting with the interviewer. Best way to get that flow going is a mix of practice, genuine enthusiasm and acting.
I remember one interview where the senior associate had to read a situational judgment scenario and ask me for my approach. I knew the scenario already because I had spoken to a future trainee who spilled the beans. I acted slightly confused, asked a few clarification questions, and then gave my prepped response.
I've done the same with a number of competency questions that I had already prepped - just say "that's an interesting question" or "I've never thought of it like that before", pause a couple seconds, then give a nice structured response. It's impressive because it makes the interviewer think you're able to organise your thoughts on the go, and they know that anyone can answer competency questions if given enough time to prepare.
The only ones for which I think sounding rehearsed is beneficial are questions about the firm you're interviewing for and a question such as "tell me about a recent commercial news story that drew your attention". In those situations it's good to show the interviewer that you prepared ahead.
Also, at the end of the day, you need a bit of luck to get an interviewer in a good mood who you vibe with. Nothing you can control there - except never interviewing on Monday!
besides supporting the team what really is the role of the trainee in a law firm? @Ram Sabaratnam @Abbie Whitlock
I am so confused. I tried checking for the status of my application but apparently I don't have an account??? I just registered for one now with the email in which I received my confirmation email (for applying) in early December. Did I apply with a guest account or something? How do I see my application LMAO
Did SandM accidentally delete my account instead when they tried to send me a PFO hence why I haven't heard back and why I have no account anymore?😂
Edit: ok nvm I think it was a glitch, I just somehow logged back into the old account and have no clue where the new account has gone 😭
Last edited:
That is strange! Tbh their application system is a little glitchy. I often have to click login twice before it lets me in. Glad you got in eventually, even if the new account has disappeared into the ether lol 😭
Hi!
Great question! Beyond "supporting the team", the role of a trainee is really about learning by doing while adding value in small but meaningful ways. When I was researching for my applications and vacation schemes last year, and from my notes post-VS, I noted the following:
- Drafting and reviewing documents: this could include first drafts of ancillary documents, or drafting letters or emails to clients.
- Conducting research: a lot of a trainees role will involving conducting legal or commercial research, and summarising the findings clearly for the team (which is why a lot of written tasks use this format)
- Managing elements of transactions or other logistics: this might involve document management, checklists, and tracking conditions or deadlines. During my placement year, I noted that a lot of the disputes trainees were in charge of ensuring that no court deadlines were missed!
- Reviewing and organising large volumes of material: this could be in relation to due diligence or disclosure documents.
- Communicating with clients, internal teams, and external solicitors: for example, requesting documents from the other side or updating clients on the matter. This will usually involve a level of supervision, such as sending a draft to supervisors first
- Attending calls and meetings: taking notes and following up on any action points discussed in the meeting. During my vacation schemes, I had the opportunity to attend a few client meetings, and it was almost always trainees taking the meeting notes!
I hope that helps!
Why there are more people like tooth fairy here who nvm themselves, glad it wasn't bald. Lol
Quick question - if you've been offered a TC by a firm but are still awaiting a response from another (competitor?) firm, would you email the latter to inquire when they're planning to get back to you? I'm thinking of notifying the latter that I've been offered a TC but am still interested in them (if they would have me!)
(copying in @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock & I welcome advice from anyone else too )
(copying in @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock & I welcome advice from anyone else too
)congratulations !!!!!!!!!!!!Quick question - if you've been offered a TC by a firm but are still awaiting a response from another (competitor?) firm, would you email the latter to inquire when they're planning to get back to you? I'm thinking of notifying the latter that I've been offered a TC but am still interested in them (if they would have me!)
(copying in @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock & I welcome advice from anyone else too
Hi!Quick question - if you've been offered a TC by a firm but are still awaiting a response from another (competitor?) firm, would you email the latter to inquire when they're planning to get back to you? I'm thinking of notifying the latter that I've been offered a TC but am still interested in them (if they would have me!)
(copying in @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock & I welcome advice from anyone else too
First of all, congratulations on your TC offer!! 🥳 I was in a similar situation last cycle, so thought I'd share how I approached it.
I would politely email the graduate recruitment team of the firm that you are still waiting to hear from, and just explain that you have received a TC offer but still remain interested in them and wondered if they had any update on when you can expect to hear back - this is completely normal, and can sometimes speed up decisions (though not always). I did the same after receiving my TC offer, and the other firm were able to get back to me a day or so later. Even if they aren't able to get back to you immediately, they may be able to provide you with a rough timeframe in which you can expect to hear back, which is always useful!
Sometimes they might ask who the TC offer is with (as I was asked this), but this is usually just so they can see who they are competing with in relation to talent. If you have a deadline for accepting the TC offer, I would just mention this in the email as it might be useful for the firm you are waiting to hear from to be aware of this.
I hope that assists, and best of luck with your decision!
Well done on A&OS TC🤗Quick question - if you've been offered a TC by a firm but are still awaiting a response from another (competitor?) firm, would you email the latter to inquire when they're planning to get back to you? I'm thinking of notifying the latter that I've been offered a TC but am still interested in them (if they would have me!)
(copying in @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock & I welcome advice from anyone else too
Similar threads
- Sticky
