During a VI, if you go onto another tab on your laptop during the preparation time e.g. to research or to look at notes, does this flag in their system/look bad?
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Congratulations to you both!! This is amazing news, and I hope you both celebrate well over the weekend!Irwin Mitchell Training Contract!!! Im so happy and cant believe it
Hey!
For Question One, I would avoid giving an answer stating that you would just "guess" or give a solution that you weren't confident in - the client would absolutely rather that you take a moment to think about the steps you'd take and why. Usually firms want to hear that you'd be honest, manage the client relationship professionally, and then take steps to find the correct answer.
So, for example: "I'd avoid giving inaccurate advice off the top of my head. I would acknowledge the question, let the client know I'd like to check the position properly, and then either research it myself or speak to a supervisor/colleague before coming back to them promptly"
An answer such as the above shows traits such as honesty, attention to detail, and a willingness to ask for help where appropriate - this is generally much better than pretending to know everything, particularly as a trainee!
For Question Two, I think this is usually just an opportunity to mention anything important that hasn't naturally come up elsewhere. For example, you could use it to highlight a key experience or skill that you haven't been able to mention, or explain something contextual in your application. Equally though, if you feel that you have covered everything already, it is also completely fine to say something fairly short and polite rather than forcing in new information for the sake of it.
I hope that assists!
Hi!
I'd say that with the "tell me about a time you failed" question, firms are usually much more interested in your self-awareness and how you responded afterwards than the actual failure itself.
You don't need to pick some huge catastrophic failure, but I also wouldn't choose something that sounds overly polished or like a disguised strength (e.g. "I work too hard"). Usually, the strongest answers are situations where something genuinely did not go to plan, you took accountability for it, and then you changed something in your approach moving forward.
A structure that I would always try to follow is to explain:
- What happened
- Why it didn't go well
- What you learned from the experience, and
- What you changed afterwards
Some examples that come to mind are things such as:
- Not preparing effectively for something
- Struggling with workload management initially
- A group project that did not go well
- An unsuccessful application/interview cycle
- Underperforming in a module or exam compared to expectations.
The key is to make sure that the ending is constructive and shows growth, rather than leaving the story open-ended or on a negative note
Hey!
Congratulations on the vacation scheme!
I personally think this is a matter of preference - when I applied for my DTC last year, I mentioned my upcoming vacation schemes in my work experience section as they would become more relevant at the later interview/AC stages.
However, I can't imagine it makes a huge amount of difference either-way (+ is very unlikely to do harm), so I would go with the approach that you feel most comfortable with
Hi!
I'd say that it really depends on the structure of the VI itself and what the firm has explicitly said about the preparation time. If it is unlimited prep time, I think what you said is generally fair - it is likely fine to have notes/open tabs in the background, as long as you are not actually looking away or switching tabs during the recording itself. I did a similar thing during a VI with unlimited prep time in the past and was still progressed, so I think it is unlikely to negatively impact your score.
If it is limited prep time though, I'd personally say it is probably not the best use of time to be Googling or switching between tabs. You would be better off using that time to quickly structure your answer so that it is clear and concise when you start recording.
Either way, I'd always prioritise sticking to any explicit instructions that the firm gives, just to be on the safe side!
Thank you! Can’t quite believe itCongratulations to you both!! This is amazing news, and I hope you both celebrate well over the weekend!
W&C zoom interviews were this week. AC and partner interview invites will go out Friday/Monday. Whether this is the first batch, or the only batch, I'm not sure
Anyone else got a call from BM!?
A call?? Did grad rec call you?
Sorrry
I heard that, but i only finished tests late on the 14th and you'd think this week, less than two weeks later would be too soon to get through the video/telephone interviews. Im hoping there's another batch
I hope there is another batch, this was just from my experience of doing 3 interviews with the firm from 17th-27th. The firm is also known for reviewing applications on a rolling basis which will likely have some effect
Do Graduate Recruitments even call for informing you have moved on to the next stage of an AC? I thought this was reserved to only when you get a TC.
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No, sorry! Just asking if anyone has!
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