2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

[Tushar]

Obligatory not Jessica but what they're looking for is resilience and other skills they prioritise (snoop around online, theyve talked on websites like LegalCheek about their key competencies e.g. organisational skills) so it's fine as long as you show that, doesn't need to be personal

Thanks!

 

[WRM19]

Hey guys, does anyone have any tips for an AC with BCLP? I wondered if the case study includes a written element? Thanks in advance!

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Hello! Hope you are doing fine.
I need some help regarding this Dentons application form question- "Tell us about a challenge you have overcome that showcases your ambition and drive"
Does the answer need to be about something personal that I have overcome or can it be about a challenge I faced and then I overcame it? For instance, I started an initiative to help more than 5000 underprivileged workers as part of the legal aid society of my law school, especially when it was difficult to do so during the lockdown as there were restrictions on movements and everything. Would this be fine?

Thank you for your time!

On the face of it, it sounds like a good example but you need to focus on the challenge behind it. It could have been quite easy to to do this 5,000 people, but for the next person on the next programme, it could have been really difficult to deliver it to 50 people! So explain the challenge/difficulties/obstacles/stresses, rather than just the example.

 

[Tushar]

On the face of it, it sounds like a good example but you need to focus on the challenge behind it. It could have been quite easy to to do this 5,000 people, but for the next person on the next programme, it could have been really difficult to deliver it to 50 people! So explain the challenge/difficulties/obstacles/stresses, rather than just the example.

Yes. Will use the STAR approach

 

[Jessica Booker]

Yes. Will use the STAR approach

With this particular question, with the S and T parts, emphasise the difficulty/complexity!

 

[Anon 11031]

Well, I just got my Fieldfisher test results. Strengths being:
- relationship builder
- collaboration
- adaptability

Weakness:
- drive

That kind of concerns me, the last thing I want to come across as us unenthusiastic with no motivation 😬😔

 

[annaliseleech]

Well, I just got my Fieldfisher test results. Strengths being:
- relationship builder
- collaboration
- adaptability

Weakness:
- drive

That kind of concerns me, the last thing I want to come across as us unenthusiastic with no motivation 😬😔

I don't think you should be too concerned about the test result, it seems like the feedback is quite general and most candidates have very similar results. I'm sure it's not conclusive as to whether you will go to the next round.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks so much! @Jessica Booker would the 2024 TC intake applications usually open this year (Sept-Dec 2021) for law students or only in May/June 2022 after the summer VSs are over?

If you are a law student applying for 2024 intakes, then I would recommend applying for vacation schemes in the Autumn and then applying for training contracts the following summer. Some firms may allow you to apply early for a training contract, but I would say it is rare for most firms to offer TCs before your penultimate year results are in. There are some exceptions, like being fast-tracked from a first year programme, but the general trend would be apply for Spring/Summer vacation schemes from August-January, and then TCs (if needed) in May-July.

 

[Veep9]

Hello, can anyone who’s done the last stage interview for Fox Williams’ VS tell me what it’s like please? Thank you!

 

[Georgina Evans]

Hello, can anyone who’s done the last stage interview for Fox Williams’ VS tell me what it’s like please? Thank you!

I would also love to know this

 

[John Travoni]

Has anyone heard back from the Fieldfisher TC post online test, regarding the next step?

 

[Anon 11031]

@John Abram Not yet, when did you complete the tests?

 

[RoughWood]

Has anyone heard back from the Fieldfisher TC post online test, regarding the next step?

I heard back within a week of getting my results

 

[John Travoni]

@John Abram Not yet, when did you complete the tests?

2 days ago.

 

[Anon 11031]

2 days ago.

I got an email today that says, they'll review my test and application and be in touch within 14 days. I think maybe they've had an increase in apps over the last few days!

 

[John Travoni]

I got an email today that says, they'll review my test and application and be in touch within 14 days. I think maybe they've had an increase in apps over the last few days!

Have you received your test results ?

 

[Anon 11031]

Yeah, I received them at about 11pm on Monday evening. I did the test at around 9pm on Saturday. So, a little over 48 hours

 

[Careerchanger2021]

Has anyone heard back from Bird & Bird post ac?

 

[Dheepa]

Well, I just got my Fieldfisher test results. Strengths being:
- relationship builder
- collaboration
- adaptability

Weakness:
- drive

That kind of concerns me, the last thing I want to come across as us unenthusiastic with no motivation 😬😔

Will never forget that my HSF test results came back with the exact opposite of what law firms want - disorganised, dislikes complexity, prefers working alone. By some miracle still made it to the AC that year. These tests really just work in mysterious ways 🧐 so I wouldn't be too worried about the results. For what its worth, yours seem pretty positive to me!

 

[Anon 11031]

Will never forget that my HSF test results came back with the exact opposite of what law firms want - disorganised, dislikes complexity, prefers working alone. By some miracle still made it to the AC that year. These tests really just work in mysterious ways 🧐 so I wouldn't be too worried about the results. For what its worth, yours seem pretty positive to me!

If I'm being honest, these tests seem to do a pretty good job of pinpointing my weaknesses! I'm very much a 'happy to do anything' sort of person most of the time, and don't really care what the end goal or objective is for me.

Although that's usually more of a personal thing, I care about what it means for a business but not for me - if that makes any sense at all? My points of improvement were to celebrate achievements more etc. It's probably a fair comment, I probably need to be kinder to myself!

After thinking about it I'm a little less worried. I would have been more worried if it came back and said I was a horrible team-worker or something!