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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ftxx" data-source="post: 10992" data-attributes="member: 917">Hi all!Just wanted to share my TC story after applying for VS/TCs since 2015 (yep, 5 years of on-and-off applications). After around 20+ applications for both VSs and TCs, I have finally been offered a TC with a global law firm after participating in their vacation scheme. Funnily enough I was rejected by the same firm in 2016 - I had my heart set on this firm, I had met them on campus, talked to a graduate recruitment member over the telephone who emphasized that the firm looked at applications holistically (after talking about my mitigating circumstances) and went away from this call feeling like I had a real chance of getting past the applications stage at least. Unfortunately, just two weeks after submitting my application, I was rejected at the applications stage. I can remember being sat at my desk whilst revising for my upcoming exams, frantically checking my inbox after receiving the email notification and my heart dropping from the application rejection. I also remember crawling into my bed after feeling completely demotivated from revising and shedding a few tears (I know, so dramatic). After that rejection, I was just getting rejection after rejection. Out of the 20+ applications, I only got past the application stage with 4 of the firms (one for a video interview and three for AC invites). Out of them, I was only successful with two of those firms (both for VSs). It really is a challenging process and add to it my poor academic record (I'm talking not even one A grade in my GCSEs, average A-levels and a 2.2 average during my first and second year of university - I have mitigating circumstances but often times you'd have to be exceptional elsewhere to make up for the academics, which unfortunately I'm not), at times I felt like giving up. But you just have to keep going and be confident in your abilities. That confidence will come across both in your applications and when you're invited for interviews/assessment centres. I was up against candidates with excellent academics, impressive work experiences and positions they've held at school/uni and strong legal connections. In such a competitive process, despite being up against candidates like that, you have to believe that you have something unique to add to the firm. That ultimately comes from being confident throughout the journey. I feel incredibly fortunate when I look at the Linkedins of fellow future trainees of my firm and see that they attended private schools and top 10 universities, as despite not having any of those, I've still landed myself a TC at the same place. This isn't to brag, but to say that you'll be surprised where you end up when you're confident in your potential and make it known to others that you belong in that firm.I also want to emphasise that there is an element of luck with applications (which will definitely work in your favour when its your time!). I have a friend who has joined an MC firm, but during her application process, was getting rejected left, right and centre but all other firms, including small high-street firms. She still has no clue what made the MC firm tick and what influenced the smaller high-street firms to reject her at application stage. Personally, I was invited for ACs at two Silver Circle firms when I was also being rejected by small high street firms in between. Finally, use the resources available to us! The conversations I have had with future/current trainees through sources like Aspiring Solicitors, SEO London and of course this website, have been instrumental in my journey to securing a TC. I genuinely wouldn't have landed one without the incredible people who have gone out of their way to answer my many questions on their legal journey. People are so open to sharing their advice, there really isn't a better way to know what to do to get a TC than finding out by those that actually have.I hope that my essay above has motivated at least someone - gaining a TC isn't the easiest job and for some, maybe the hardest process they ever have to go through in life. But you just need to believe in yourself and your ability. Over the last few years, I have developed a mindset of 'if they can do it, why can't I?'. This type of mindset has definitely kept me going. There will be periods where you'll feel absolutely defeated (particularly after a string of rejections) but as cliche as this sounds, you just need to brush yourself off and keep going. All the best for those applying, please do message me if you need ANY help or wanting any advice. I'm more than happy to be contacted, even if you need some motivation. P.s. please please please don't scroll through your Linkedin feed religiously - seeing posts by people who have landed their 4x vacation schemes or who have the dilemma of choosing between two TC offers isn't going to make you feel any better. People won't post that they've been rejected by 10 other firms in the same application cycle.</blockquote>

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