TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Applicant7874652]

People who are still waiting for Bakers post Amberjack, its likely PFO right

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Any advice on how to prepare for a pre-recorded video interview. I imagine common Qs are Why Law, Why this firm, Describe a recent news article and how it might be affecting law firms/deal.

Are we expected to speak off the cuff? Or is it really a test of how well and comprehensively you've prepped a range of questions, and can flexibily adapt them to the question variant and timing.

Grateful for any and all tips! @Abbie Whitlock i've seen you're an absolute legend when explaining these types of questions so no worries if not but any insight would be appreciated!

Hey!

Thank you for the kind words - that's my ego boost of the day, haha!

From my experience, pre-recorded interview tend to sit somewhere in the middle. I definitely wouldn't recommend trying to answer completely off the cuff, but equally, I don't think they are looking for a memorised script (+ I wouldn't recommend trying to write a script for every possible question).

I found it particularly helpful to have a strong idea of how I would answer the more common topics/questions (e.g. "why law", "why this firm", recent news story question, strengths, motivations, etc.) and then practise adapting those points to slightly different question wording. It often sounds stronger if you can clearly explain your experiences and motivations well, rather than simply trying to recall a perfectly memorised answer. For motivational questions in particular, I do think these are ones that you can prepare for more directly in advance. As long as you have a solid understanding of why you want to pursue law, why you are interested in that particular firm, and can support those motivations with your own experiences, you'll be in a strong position regardless of the exact wording of the question.

In terms of preparing for competency questions, one thing I found really helpful was creating a mini bank of my own experiences. Rather than trying to prepare answers to every competency question imaginable, I listed my key experiences and examples, and then noted the different skills and attributes I could discuss within each one (e.g. teamwork, resilience, communication, leadership, etc.). This meant that if I was asked a competency question that I hadn't specifically prepared for, I already had a range of examples I could draw from and adapt accordingly.

I also really wouldn't underestimate delivery, and this is something I particularly struggled with in pre-recorded video interviews. As it is pre-recorded, there is no interviewer in front of you to help carry the conversation or to build rapport with, so things like energy, structure, and clarity are even more important. I've found that a concise and well-structured answer that is delivered confidently will usually land better than a longer answer where you are trying to cram in every point you've prepared. It is easy to think you have to come across as 'robotic' or scripted for a pre-recorded video interview, but I think it is really important to try and show your personality and enthusiasm through your answer.

For commercial awareness questions, I would focus less on predicting the exact story that they might ask about and instead focus on being comfortable discussing a few recent developments and, crucially, why they matter to the firm, its clients, and the wider market. It is this analysis of the commercial deal that is likely to make you stand out, rather than just being able to recite the facts of the news story itself. There isn't necessarily one right answer, so I'd just make sure that you can clearly articulate your thought process and how you have reached the conclusions you are making.

If you are given some preparation time before you have to record each question, I'd use that to quickly jot down your main points and create a rough structure to follow, rather than trying to script the entire answer word-for-word. It also helps to run the answer through your head before recording, just to make sure that it flows logically and covers all of the points that you want to make. I'd also ensure that you are incorporating your own experiences where you can in order to back up any points that you are making!

Wishing you the best of luck - I'm sure you'll smash it!!

 

[luvfrompluto]

Hi, does anyone know if Baker and W&C allow for virtual ACs for those not in the UK/ sponsor their visas for attending ACs in the UK? Urgent! @Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen

W&C holds in-person ACs, at least for the DTC. You can email the early careers team to check if they can be done virtually but this may be difficult since there's a group exercise.

 

[DiploSha361]

@Abbie Whitlock - what an incredibly useful answer. I really, genuinely appreciate you taking the time to help me (/anyone else preparing)!!

 

[TCapplicant1005]

People who are still waiting for Bakers post Amberjack, its likely PFO right

It seems like it

 

[floral.tcla]

Hey!

Thank you for the kind words - that's my ego boost of the day, haha!

From my experience, pre-recorded interview tend to sit somewhere in the middle. I definitely wouldn't recommend trying to answer completely off the cuff, but equally, I don't think they are looking for a memorised script (+ I wouldn't recommend trying to write a script for every possible question).

I found it particularly helpful to have a strong idea of how I would answer the more common topics/questions (e.g. "why law", "why this firm", recent news story question, strengths, motivations, etc.) and then practise adapting those points to slightly different question wording. It often sounds stronger if you can clearly explain your experiences and motivations well, rather than simply trying to recall a perfectly memorised answer. For motivational questions in particular, I do think these are ones that you can prepare for more directly in advance. As long as you have a solid understanding of why you want to pursue law, why you are interested in that particular firm, and can support those motivations with your own experiences, you'll be in a strong position regardless of the exact wording of the question.

In terms of preparing for competency questions, one thing I found really helpful was creating a mini bank of my own experiences. Rather than trying to prepare answers to every competency question imaginable, I listed my key experiences and examples, and then noted the different skills and attributes I could discuss within each one (e.g. teamwork, resilience, communication, leadership, etc.). This meant that if I was asked a competency question that I hadn't specifically prepared for, I already had a range of examples I could draw from and adapt accordingly.

I also really wouldn't underestimate delivery, and this is something I particularly struggled with in pre-recorded video interviews. As it is pre-recorded, there is no interviewer in front of you to help carry the conversation or to build rapport with, so things like energy, structure, and clarity are even more important. I've found that a concise and well-structured answer that is delivered confidently will usually land better than a longer answer where you are trying to cram in every point you've prepared. It is easy to think you have to come across as 'robotic' or scripted for a pre-recorded video interview, but I think it is really important to try and show your personality and enthusiasm through your answer.

For commercial awareness questions, I would focus less on predicting the exact story that they might ask about and instead focus on being comfortable discussing a few recent developments and, crucially, why they matter to the firm, its clients, and the wider market. It is this analysis of the commercial deal that is likely to make you stand out, rather than just being able to recite the facts of the news story itself. There isn't necessarily one right answer, so I'd just make sure that you can clearly articulate your thought process and how you have reached the conclusions you are making.

If you are given some preparation time before you have to record each question, I'd use that to quickly jot down your main points and create a rough structure to follow, rather than trying to script the entire answer word-for-word. It also helps to run the answer through your head before recording, just to make sure that it flows logically and covers all of the points that you want to make. I'd also ensure that you are incorporating your own experiences where you can in order to back up any points that you are making!

Wishing you the best of luck - I'm sure you'll smash it!!

Thank you Abbie!!! I and I’m sure many others find this incredibly helpful and reassuring. I was wondering how you might ask rogue personality type questions which assess how you think like I‘be revently heard of questions asking about pop references or how you form opinions which is like such a different league!! Sorry ik this is ridiculously niche but in risk adverse fashion I just want to be super prepared! Have a fantastic and restful weekend!!