Hey guys, I’d like some advice from the forum as I’m trying to decide whether to continue applying to TCs in the next cycle if this one doesn’t work out. Objectively speaking, I feel like I’ll be a lot older than my peers when the TC starts (either 30/31 depending on entry). I’ll also lose out on almost 2 years of work experience in my own country as I’m not from the UK. The process itself has been very disheartening so far, and while I’d really like to get a TC and have been working towards it, I’m not sure I can take another cycle of this. This was my 2nd cycle, and it hasn’t been very kind to me. I realise it’s a subjective decision, but I’d truly appreciate any advice on what I should do. Thank you.
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
That Bakers VI was unexpected and interesting
Could you please share how many seconds we get for preparation and for speaking, if possible?
If a TC is what you want then you have to keep going. It’s not unusual for it to take people multiple cycles before they land one. I’m about the same age as you, and the way I see it is that the time will pass anyway. I would rather be working towards something I want than give up because I think I might be “too old.” How old the rest of your cohort are is irrelevant at the end of the day. Plenty of people have changed careers in their 30s if not later. It’s completely understandable that you’ll feel burnt out, but the only way to secure the TC offer is to keep going. You’ll get there eventually!
Hi!
I just wanted to say that I really don't think being 30/31 when starting a TC is "old" at all! There are plenty of trainees who come into law later, whether they changed careers, did further study, worked abroad, or simply took longer to break in to an increasingly competitive industry. In many cases, that extra work (+ life!) experience becomes a strength rather than a disadvantage that will hold you back.
I also think it is important not to underestimate how much work this process is and how emotionally draining it can be, which I can imagine is heightened as an international applicant. Two cycles of applications and uncertainty can wear you down, so it does make complete sense that you are questioning whether you want to put yourself through another round. However, half of the battle with breaking into this career is having the resilience to keep going despite setbacks, as unfortunately a lot of strong candidates do not secure a TC on their first or second cycle.
From my own experience, on every vacation scheme I've done there have always been a few people around the 30/31 age range - they are often career changers, people who had been paralegalling for a few years, or candidates who had legal experience in another jurisdiction before applying in the UK. They have never stood out negatively in a cohort or seemed "behind" anyone else. If anything, they often came across as more grounded and confident because of the experience they brought with them, particularly as plenty of people who complete vacation schemes may still be in university and have little experience with the professional working world. If you can show how that experience will make you a good trainee, firms will really value that perspective and the potential it brings.
I also remember a recent post that Jaysen made (which I have quoted below) where he mentioned it often takes people around three cycles to secure a TC. A lot of people who eventually get offers are not doing so on their first attempt, and this process is unfortunately incredibly competitive. I think it is quite easy to feel behind when you see people posting their TC offers online, but people rarely post the rejections, unsuccessful cycles, or setbacks that came before those successes. You are often seeing the final outcome rather than the full picture, and I think that can really distort how "behind" you feel compared to others.
I don't think there is a "right" answer here, and it really comes down to whether the long-term outcome of becoming a solicitor stills feels worth the short-term cost to you personally. However, I definitely wouldn't make the decision purely based on age or feeling behind your peers, as in practice people enter the profession at all different stages in their professional lives.
Whatever you do decide, I'd take comfort in the fact that none of this effort will be wasted. Even if you are no longer interested in pursuing a career as a solicitor, the skills, resilience, and interview experience that you have built through the process will still carry value in other fields or career paths too. I really hope you do not lose confidence in yourself, as many strong future trainees are in exactly the same position as you right now, even if it does not always feel that way. All it takes is that one yes!
I'm sorry
Most people I speak to take three cycles. The first cycle is learning 'what to do', the second is learning how to do well, and the third is pulling it all together from the start of the cycle.
But it's only your first cycle! So it definitely does get better. Often, it's not the case that you did anything wrong, but that there were other candidates who stood out.
STAR should be really specific. I'd pick one very clear example of one situation, focus most of your answer on the actions you took, and talk about your answer in a way that is memorable. I encourage every applicant to make a point to show off, not in the way you deliver your answers, but in being very precise about what you did that went above and beyond.
I know it's rubbish to get rejected, and please give yourself time to recover. The best thing you can do is separate the rejection from your identity as an applicant. The more you associate a rejection with 'maybe I'm not good enough for this', the more you're likely to give up. But if you're able to see the rejection as a data point: 'Okay, I didn't get this one. I should work out why, and then move on to the next one', the more you're likely to last the time it takes to get the training contract.
Bit of a rant but I really don't recommend an evening interview to anyone. You wake up early and have poor sleep becuase of stress, spend the day just stressing more, then by the time you get to the interview you are tired and your brain is fried. Let's hope I can pull through...
@Abbie Whitlock Hi abbie!
I have a final direct training contract interview coming up and was wondering if you have any advice? I know for a final interview after a vac scheme you’re meant to talk about your experience on the scheme but because i haven’t done a vac scheme i’m not sure how my answers are meant to differ from the previous interviews. Do you have any advice?
I have a final direct training contract interview coming up and was wondering if you have any advice? I know for a final interview after a vac scheme you’re meant to talk about your experience on the scheme but because i haven’t done a vac scheme i’m not sure how my answers are meant to differ from the previous interviews. Do you have any advice?
It's been a week since I did the first mcfarlanes test... should I assume no invite for the second test yet is bad news?
Anyone heard from S&C DTC, and what was the consensus on their timelines for DTCs last year?
Is the cover letter to be kept at a single page or 1.5 pages can also work?
haha I agree. I had one on call as well and the whole day was just ruined. get it over and done with in the morning if you can.
on another note...this reminded me of the time where I swear I booked a morning AC slot and arrived at the office in time, but then was told I actually booked the evening slot...so amidst humiliation I had to wander around London for a few hours (after waking up early and travelling for a few hours on the train!) before going back to the firm haha (always double check fellas...)
got invited to reed smith's application form stage!
omg this is what i needed after the flood of rejections
omg this is what i needed after the flood of rejections
Similar threads
- Locked
- Sticky
Latest posts
-
-
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27
- Latest: Abbie Whitlock
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26- Latest: mandamasochist
-
Pinsent Mason Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre London 2025- Latest: itumeleng67
Top Members
Posts
-
This leaderboard is empty.
-
Abbie Whitlock
- +86
- 46
Non Billable
- +87
- 16
Jaysen
- +85
- 15
Gioiabwear Yong
- +98
- 13
WillKitchen
- +91
- 7
-
Abbie Whitlock
- +89
- 761
Novaa
- +375
- 411
Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner
- +636
- 365