Training Contract journey of an International candidate

[yk1906]

Hi everyone!
I am an international candidate aiming to secure a TC via direct route! Will post my updates here, this is my list so far:

Freshfields - SJT (automatic) - WG invite - PFO
Trowers - Post-SJT (automatic) PFO
Mayer Brown - SJT (automatic) - PFO
Withers - SJT invite - PFO
Dentons - applied
BCLP - SJT (automatic) - PFO
Reed Smith - SJT and VI
Macfarlanes
W&C
Watson Farley
RPC


Would really appreciate any recs on applications and a general discussion!

 

[Amma Usman]

Love to see this! So exciting… keep going! Re the references, I‘d recommend letting them all know as soon as possible, stating presumed deadlines and seeing whether they have capacity - cause these tend to take a lot of time to get from professors/working professionals, etc.

 

[yk1906]

Love to see this! So exciting… keep going! Re the references, I‘d recommend letting them all know as soon as possible, stating presumed deadlines and seeing whether they have capacity - cause these tend to take a lot of time to get from professors/working professionals, etc.

Oh, thank you! I did contact my academic referee in the morning, no reply yet... And my professional one gave his consent already, luckily.

 

[Amma Usman]

Oh, thank you! I did contact my academic referee in the morning, no reply yet... And my professional one gave his consent already, luckily.

Perfect ! Best of luck. You’ll smash it… can’t wait to follow your journey as it progresses!

 

[yk1906]

Perfect ! Best of luck. You’ll smash it… can’t wait to follow your journey as it progresses!

Thanks a lot!!

 

[yk1906]

Sooo, not so many updates yet, but got a rejection from BCLP last week and got accepted to a very prestigious London uni for an LLM. Contemplating, since I do not have the money to pay for it but will apply for a scholarship. I know it's a bit unrelated, but does anyone has an opinion on LLMs to secure a TC? Does this even help? Mind I am in no way connected to the UK, so this could be a good option for me.

 

[Amma Usman]

Sooo, not so many updates yet, but got a rejection from BCLP last week and got accepted to a very prestigious London uni for an LLM. Contemplating, since I do not have the money to pay for it but will apply for a scholarship. I know it's a bit unrelated, but does anyone has an opinion on LLMs to secure a TC? Does this even help? Mind I am in no way connected to the UK, so this could be a good option for me.

Huge congratulations on the LLM! It’s a great way to secure a TC. I know of people that have applied to vac schemes during that period and were able to convert that into a TC, since you will have had the student visa eligibility to take part in these during your LLM. Alternatively, direct TCs are also another option.

I am sure you will find this thread helpful - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....eme-vs-direct-tc-applications-2024-2025.9147/

 

[yk1906]

Huge congratulations on the LLM! It’s a great way to secure a TC. I know of people that have applied to vac schemes during that period and were able to convert that into a TC, since you will have had the student visa eligibility to take part in these during your LLM. Alternatively, direct TCs are also another option.

I am sure you will find this thread helpful - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....eme-vs-direct-tc-applications-2024-2025.9147/

Thanks a lot! I hope I will secure funding for the LLM, and waiting for TC's progress in the meantime...

 

[yk1906]

Latest update -- got a VI with Reed Smith! Very excited, as this is my first VI ever and I am very motivated to train with the firm. Any advise would be appreciated

 

[Amma Usman]

Latest update -- got a VI with Reed Smith! Very excited, as this is my first VI ever and I am very motivated to train with the firm. Any advise would be appreciated

This is so amazing to hear! Reading on your progress really excites me

With video interviews, there usually tends to be a pattern. In my experience, they usually centre on your reaction to a certain situation, or you explaining how you demonstrated a particular skill or competency. The truth is, it is impossible to prepare for every type of question that could come up. But I always say this - once you know your experiences well, then whatever question you are asked, you will be able to ace it. That’s the truth. Once I understood this, preparing for interviews, whether that be VIs, or real-life in-person ones, become easier. When answering, aim to follow the STAR format, but don‘t be too strict or rigid with that, as how you write STAR will be vastly different to how you orally speak it in order to make it flow. You essentially want to make it sound natural and personable. You also want to make it impactful. How you make it impactful is by not talking quickly, taking breaks to collect your thoughts, while still being mindful of time.

General examples include:

• Tell me about a recent news story that interests you and why. How would it impact our clients?
• Tell me about a time you showcased perseverance.
• Why are you choosing to apply to X firm and what makes you think you are a great fit (yes, even the most rather straightforward questions like this can be asked).

So you see how when I say knowing your experiences in and out will help get you through the associated challenges of preparing for this stage.

I have complete faith in you to ace the VI, and please do let us know if you’ve got any questions at all.

There’s also a really helpful guide on VIs by @Andrei Radu, which I have linked to help - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....de-for-competency-interview-preparation.9380/

 

[yk1906]

This is so amazing to hear! Reading on your progress really excites me

With video interviews, there usually tends to be a pattern. In my experience, they usually centre on your reaction to a certain situation, or you explaining how you demonstrated a particular skill or competency. The truth is, it is impossible to prepare for every type of question that could come up. But I always say this - once you know your experiences well, then whatever question you are asked, you will be able to ace it. That’s the truth. Once I understood this, preparing for interviews, whether that be VIs, or real-life in-person ones, become easier. When answering, aim to follow the STAR format, but don‘t be too strict or rigid with that, as how you write STAR will be vastly different to how you orally speak it in order to make it flow. You essentially want to make it sound natural and personable. You also want to make it impactful. How you make it impactful is by not talking quickly, taking breaks to collect your thoughts, while still being mindful of time.

General examples include:

• Tell me about a recent news story that interests you and why. How would it impact our clients?
• Tell me about a time you showcased perseverance.
• Why are you choosing to apply to X firm and what makes you think you are a great fit (yes, even the most rather straightforward questions like this can be asked).

So you see how when I say knowing your experiences in and out will help get you through the associated challenges of preparing for this stage.

I have complete faith in you to ace the VI, and please do let us know if you’ve got any questions at all.

There’s also a really helpful guide on VIs by @Andrei Radu, which I have linked to help - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....de-for-competency-interview-preparation.9380/

Thank you so much, Amma!

 

[Amma Usman]

Thank you so much, Amma!

You’re welcome! Another thing I want to add is that while it is important to prepare for SJT type VI questions, there are some situations where you need to know specifics about the firm you are applying to, such as a recent deal that has interested you and why, their values and which appeal to you (and why), and so on. I guess with any application to a firm you will need to know these types of things anyway, but it is worth highlighting that specific questions on these may crop up even at VI stage. In any case, adequate research helps. It also helps speaking to any trainees or lawyers at the firm, so that when you are answering a question on values, for example, you can reference having that novel experience too. This helps position you as a candidate that not only thinks they know what they want, but have gone above and beyond to researching if and whether that firm can truly cater towards that.

 

[yk1906]

You’re welcome! Another thing I want to add is that while it is important to prepare for SJT type VI questions, there are some situations where you need to know specifics about the firm you are applying to, such as a recent deal that has interested you and why, their values and which appeal to you (and why), and so on. I guess with any application to a firm you will need to know these types of things anyway, but it is worth highlighting that specific questions on these may crop up even at VI stage. In any case, adequate research helps. It also helps speaking to any trainees or lawyers at the firm, so that when you are answering a question on values, for example, you can reference having that novel experience too. This helps position you as a candidate that not only thinks they know what they want, but have gone above and beyond to researching if and whether that firm can truly cater towards that.

You are 1000% right

 

[yk1906]

Just to keep myself on track this application cycle:

1) Slaughters (DTC) - applied - rejection
2) Milbank (VS) - applied - Stage 1 assessment - Stage 2 assessment - rejection
3) Freshfields (DTC) - applied - Stage 1 assessment - Stage 2 assessment -
4) Linklaters (DTC) - applied - SJT (automatic) - WG (automatic) -
5) Clifford Chance (DTC) - WG (automatic) - rejection
6) AO Shearman (DTC) - SJT + VI (automatic) -
7) Sidley Austin (VS) - applied -
8) Dentons (DTC) - applied -
9) Travers Smith (DTC) - applied - rejection
10) Mayer Brown (DTC) - applied -
11) Gowling WLG (DTC) - applied - Arctic Shore test (automatic) -rejection
12) Gibson Dunn (VS) - applied - Test (automatic) - on hold -
13) Taylor Wessing (VS) - applied - test -
14) Irwin Mitchell (DTC) - applied - test + VI (automatic) -
15) Skadden (VS) - applied - rejection
16) Eversheds (VS) - applied - SJT (automatic) - rejection
17) Willkie (VS) - applied - rejection
18) Fieldfisher (DTC) - applied - on hold -
19) Goodwin (DTC) - applied -
20) Kirkland & Ellis (VS)- applied -
21) Weil (VS) - applied - SJT+VI - rejection
22) Katten - applied -
23) Bristows - applied -

Pending:
Forsters
Trowers and Hamlins
Morrison Foerster
Addleshaw Goddard
Lewis Silkin
CRS
Osborne Clarke
Greenberg Traurig
Hill Dickinson
Harbottle & Lewis
Hogan Lovells
Withers
Ashurst
Stephenson Harwood
King & Spalding
Baker McKenzie
White and Case
Fried Frank
BCLP
Morgan Lewis
Macfarlanes
HFW
Reed Smith
Sullivan Cromwell
Paul Hastings

 

[yk1906]

Already applied to 14 firms -- around 30 more to go! I am kind of on a 'gap' year, so I have plenty of time putting my soul into every application. I feel really motivated tbh, even despite Travers PFO. This year, I am hoping to at least receive some ACs.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Already applied to 14 firms -- around 30 more to go! I am kind of on a 'gap' year, so I have plenty of time putting my soul into every application. I feel really motivated tbh, even despite Travers PFO. This year, I am hoping to at least receive some ACs.

That's an amazing mindset to have - getting that many applications out already shows real dedication and motivation, and taking the time to tailor each one will definitely pay off. I'm sorry to hear about the Travers Smith rejection, but remember that they happen to everyone - even the strongest of candidates. What matters is that you remain motivated and are looking ahead still, which is great!

With the time you have this year and the effort you are putting in, I'm sure ACs are within reach. Keep going - I can't wait to see updates of your successes this cycle!

 

[yk1906]

That's an amazing mindset to have - getting that many applications out already shows real dedication and motivation, and taking the time to tailor each one will definitely pay off. I'm sorry to hear about the Travers Smith rejection, but remember that they happen to everyone - even the strongest of candidates. What matters is that you remain motivated and are looking ahead still, which is great!

With the time you have this year and the effort you are putting in, I'm sure ACs are within reach. Keep going - I can't wait to see updates of your successes this cycle!

Thank you! I will for sure update when I receive an invite.

Tbh, this forum helps me so much both mentally and in terms of making my apps much stronger than last year’s!! Thanks so much, Abbie, for your kind words.

 

[yk1906]

With many deadlines approaching, I am soooooo excited for December. I hope it won't disappoint! Preparing final touches on my Eversheds app, before having a mini break to submit Willkies next week.

 

[yk1906]

Just to keep myself on track this application cycle:

1) Slaughters - applied - rejection
2) Milbank - applied - Stage 1 assessment - Stage 2 assessment -
3) Freshfields - applied - Stage 1 assessment - Stage 2 assessment -
4) Linklaters - applied - SJT (automatic) - WG (automatic) -
5) Clifford Chance - WG (automatic) - rejection
6) AO Shearman - SJT + VI (automatic) -
7) Sidley Austin - applied -
8) Dentons - applied -
9) Travers Smith - applied - rejection
10) Mayer Brown - applied -
11) Gowling WLG - applied - Arctic Shore test (automatic) -
12) Gibson Dunn - applied - Test (automatic) -
13) Taylor Wessing - applied - test -
14) Irwin Mitchell - applied - test + VI (automatic) -
15) Skadden - applied -
16) Eversheds - applied - SJT (automatic) -
17) Willkie - applied -

Four rejections already, but let's keep going... Honestly, rejections don't make me doubt myself on a broader scale. I will still apply as many times as needed. I know I have an excellent profile (with international experience, USPs, etc), but I need to brush up on my app answers and VIs for sure
And I hope everyone on this forum feels this way, we just need to keep pushing, and luck will be on our side

 

[yk1906]

Officially sent 20 applications! More to follow...