TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[small dreamer]

Hey - did anyone else receive an email from CC on thursday regarding an August newletter for future trainers and offer holders - I am not a future trainee or an offer holder

 

[bristol rovers]

How did people find the Penningtons first stage interview?

 

[LandLaw629]

How did people find the Penningtons first stage interview?

Hey. Which office did you apply for? I still haven’t heard anything but assume it’s a PFO.

 

[bristol rovers]

Hey. Which office did you apply for? I still haven’t heard anything but assume it’s a PFO.

London

 

[lhmb26]

I can’t believe it, but after 4 cycles I have finally got a TC, and it quite literally dropped in my lap.

June I got to final stage direct TC for a firm and was CERTAIN I got it. Only to find out 3 weeks later I was unsuccessful. I was so disappointed, I wholeheartedly believed I finally did it. But, I took another rejection on the chin and pretty much wrote off this cycle. I assumed this was over for 2025/26. I stopped submitting further applications and mentally prepared to brush myself off and start my 5th cycle later in the year, and do it all over again…

Then I get an interview invite in my inbox from a firm I forgot I applied to. I didn’t put 100% into the interview, because I had mentally accepted that this cycle was over. To no surprise to me, I received a reply saying I was unsuccessful, but had been put on the reserve list for the final-stage AC. I put it to the back of my mind and didn’t think about it at all. I had never made it off a reserve list before, so why was this time any different? The day before the AC the firm called and said someone dropped out and asked if I wanted to take the place. I quickly booked the day off of work and had 8 hours to prepare. I was so close to not going because I thought, what’s the point if everyone else has had weeks to prepare and I’ve had half a day. I thought maybe I should just save the train fare and energy and not go.

I ended up going to the AC with no real expectation of anything coming from it. I approached it with a completely different mindset than I ever have. I put no emotional weight on getting a place. When I left I didn’t agonise over all of my answers trying to tally up points on how I may have scored.

I have since recieved a TC offer from the firm. From reserve list to TC, I just couldn’t believe it. Out of all the final stages I’ve poured weeks and weeks of preparation into, the one time it all worked out was when it was dropped in my lap last minute with no preparation!

This was not the way I expected to end this slog, but I am soooo over the moon. I just wanted to share this so people know there is hope, even when you think there is none left! Your TC offer is probably much closer than you think, don’t give up!

 

[summersun]

I can’t believe it, but after 4 cycles I have finally got a TC, and it quite literally dropped in my lap.

June I got to final stage direct TC for a firm and was CERTAIN I got it. Only to find out 3 weeks later I was unsuccessful. I was so disappointed, I wholeheartedly believed I finally did it. But, I took another rejection on the chin and pretty much wrote off this cycle. I assumed this was over for 2025/26. I stopped submitting further applications and mentally prepared to brush myself off and start my 5th cycle later in the year, and do it all over again…

Then I get an interview invite in my inbox from a firm I forgot I applied to. I didn’t put 100% into the interview, because I had mentally accepted that this cycle was over. To no surprise to me, I received a reply saying I was unsuccessful, but had been put on the reserve list for the final-stage AC. I put it to the back of my mind and didn’t think about it at all. I had never made it off a reserve list before, so why was this time any different? The day before the AC the firm called and said someone dropped out and asked if I wanted to take the place. I quickly booked the day off of work and had 8 hours to prepare. I was so close to not going because I thought, what’s the point if everyone else has had weeks to prepare and I’ve had half a day. I thought maybe I should just save the train fare and energy and not go.

I ended up going to the AC with no real expectation of anything coming from it. I approached it with a completely different mindset than I ever have. I put no emotional weight on getting a place. When I left I didn’t agonise over all of my answers trying to tally up points on how I may have scored.

I have since recieved a TC offer from the firm. From reserve list to TC, I just couldn’t believe it. Out of all the final stages I’ve poured weeks and weeks of preparation into, the one time it all worked out was when it was dropped in my lap last minute with no preparation!

This was not the way I expected to end this slog, but I am soooo over the moon. I just wanted to share this so people know there is hope, even when you think there is none left! Your TC offer is probably much closer than you think, don’t give up!

Congratulations !!!!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I can’t believe it, but after 4 cycles I have finally got a TC, and it quite literally dropped in my lap.

June I got to final stage direct TC for a firm and was CERTAIN I got it. Only to find out 3 weeks later I was unsuccessful. I was so disappointed, I wholeheartedly believed I finally did it. But, I took another rejection on the chin and pretty much wrote off this cycle. I assumed this was over for 2025/26. I stopped submitting further applications and mentally prepared to brush myself off and start my 5th cycle later in the year, and do it all over again…

Then I get an interview invite in my inbox from a firm I forgot I applied to. I didn’t put 100% into the interview, because I had mentally accepted that this cycle was over. To no surprise to me, I received a reply saying I was unsuccessful, but had been put on the reserve list for the final-stage AC. I put it to the back of my mind and didn’t think about it at all. I had never made it off a reserve list before, so why was this time any different? The day before the AC the firm called and said someone dropped out and asked if I wanted to take the place. I quickly booked the day off of work and had 8 hours to prepare. I was so close to not going because I thought, what’s the point if everyone else has had weeks to prepare and I’ve had half a day. I thought maybe I should just save the train fare and energy and not go.

I ended up going to the AC with no real expectation of anything coming from it. I approached it with a completely different mindset than I ever have. I put no emotional weight on getting a place. When I left I didn’t agonise over all of my answers trying to tally up points on how I may have scored.

I have since recieved a TC offer from the firm. From reserve list to TC, I just couldn’t believe it. Out of all the final stages I’ve poured weeks and weeks of preparation into, the one time it all worked out was when it was dropped in my lap last minute with no preparation!

This was not the way I expected to end this slog, but I am soooo over the moon. I just wanted to share this so people know there is hope, even when you think there is none left! Your TC offer is probably much closer than you think, don’t give up!

Huge congratulations, that is an amazing achievement!! I was in a super similar situation when I received my TC, and it ended up being the firm I hadn't expected to succeed with - it just goes to show you never know when you'll get that one "yes"! We would love to have you in our future trainee group, if you'd be interested in joining!

I hope you take some time to celebrate!