2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

[Jessica Booker]

I was recently offered a TC (woo! - couldn't have got there without this forum) and I wondered whether anyone knows if all the information about pre-employment checks is usually contained in the offer? The offer says it's conditional on the receipt of two written references (amongst other things: right to work, no SRA character issues) but that's it. The firm said they'll take up the references 3 months before and be in touch with other paperwork then. I had expected it to be a bit more comprehensive than that, and I know that taking up other employment history checks might be a bit time-consuming in my case because of various complexities to do with modes of employment and durations not matching payslips etc. so this had been on my mind.

I'll cross whichever bridge is required in the end, but just wondered whether @Jessica Booker had any insights. Would you have expected details of other pre-employment checks (e.g. stuff about Vero etc.) to have been mentioned at this stage/part of the conditions of the offer?

First of all, congratulations 🥳

Might just be the firms approach to only ask for two references. Hard to know whether they really need all references or not though. The reference to two references might just be for those who haven’t been in employment for instance.

There usually isn’t much detail in the employment offer/contract of what the vetting process consists of, just that you need to complete and pass it.

Probably best to speak to the firm directly to get clarity.

All these processes can be easily done even if there are issues like your pay not lining up with employment dates - as long as there is a reasonable explanation and evidence of some kind, it’s nothing to worry about really.

 

[Tarnjeet]

@Jessica Booker Could you please help me with the following:

1)I remember a while ago you mentioned how to calculate reserve TC places (i.e. places for direct TC candidates after places are taken up by vacation scheme)- could you please mention how to do this again?

2)I graduated a couple weeks ago and didn’t apply to Ashurst’s vacation scheme but plan to apply to their direct TC application (are they likely to ask why I didn’t apply to their vacation scheme/will this be looked down on?)

3)I start a paralegal role next month (i.e after I send of my application), can I use this as an entry for the work experience section? If not, is there generally somewhere else you would talk about a future role?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker Could you please help me with the following:

1)I remember a while ago you mentioned how to calculate reserve TC places (i.e. places for direct TC candidates after places are taken up by vacation scheme)- could you please mention how to do this again?

2)I graduated a couple weeks ago and didn’t apply to Ashurst’s vacation scheme but plan to apply to their direct TC application (are they likely to ask why I didn’t apply to their vacation scheme/will this be looked down on?)

3)I start a paralegal role next month (i.e after I send of my application), can I use this as an entry for the work experience section? If not, is there generally somewhere else you would talk about a future role?

1) it's only a rough estimation. But number of vac scheme places x 75%, then times that number again by 75%. Then subtract that number from the number of TCs.

2) no - not a problem at all. Plenty of people will be applying in a similar situation to you. If you get to interview you might be asked, but it’s not relevant/important for an application form.

3) it will either need to be a very short work experience entry (eg with practical no detail, at best the department you will be sat in). Alternatively any cover letter type answers or extra information sections would also be an appropriate place to mention the upcoming role.

 

[ellensdaleoriginal]

Completing the Eversheds application and would be grateful if anyone had any input regarding one of the questions. The question is, "When have you delivered a piece of work where quality was an important factor?" Does this need to be some form of written work like an article, essay, work experience task etc. or could it be something like organising and hosting a charitable fundraising event? I guess I am slightly unclear about what 'piece of work' means in this context...

 

[Anon 11031]

Completing the Eversheds application and would be grateful if anyone had any input regarding one of the questions. The question is, "When have you delivered a piece of work where quality was an important factor?" Does this need to be some form of written work like an article, essay, work experience task etc. or could it be something like organising and hosting a charitable fundraising event? I guess I am slightly unclear about what 'piece of work' means in this context...

A piece of work could be anything. In fact, it probably would be better to pick an example outside of academia! ☺️

 

[MLF]

Completing the Eversheds application and would be grateful if anyone had any input regarding one of the questions. The question is, "When have you delivered a piece of work where quality was an important factor?" Does this need to be some form of written work like an article, essay, work experience task etc. or could it be something like organising and hosting a charitable fundraising event? I guess I am slightly unclear about what 'piece of work' means in this context...

I picked something I did as part of my paralegal job. I think as long as you clearly explain why quality was important etc it's fine.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Completing the Eversheds application and would be grateful if anyone had any input regarding one of the questions. The question is, "When have you delivered a piece of work where quality was an important factor?" Does this need to be some form of written work like an article, essay, work experience task etc. or could it be something like organising and hosting a charitable fundraising event? I guess I am slightly unclear about what 'piece of work' means in this context...

Could be either. Just needs to demonstrate quality of some kind. Could be a presentation, could be written work, could be customer service, it could be delivering an event. Literally could be 101+ things.

 

[Sebastian Clark]

Oh my god first AC ever (firm is TLT) help help how do I prepare?

 

[Anon 11031]

Oh my god first AC ever (firm is TLT) help help how do I prepare?

Huge well done!

I would suggest checking out the AC materials in TCLA - I found them really helpful!

Also, since the firm is TLT (I didn't apply in the end but I remember their app form) I would try to build commercial awareness of what is going on in their key sectors - finance etc. They seem to have a heavy emphasis on commercial knowledge and understanding challenges their firm could be facing.

Other than this, I would just make sure to prepare competency examples and motivational answers quite well.

I'm sure you will do fantastic, so well deserved! 🎊

 

[MLF]

Received a PFO from BLM following an interview but they are referring to "my test score", I'm a bit confused... The lack of feedback also really annoys me ...

 

[N.9]

Sorry to sound like a highly broken record, but has anyone heard from Rosenblatt?

 

[kr253]

Oh my god first AC ever (firm is TLT) help help how do I prepare?

Congrats! I did an AC with them earlier this year and my account of it is here, along with other people's as well - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/tlt-interview-2021.3901/

Feel free to PM me if you have any other qs that aren't answered there!

 

[Asbi]

Received a PFO from BLM following an interview but they are referring to "my test score", I'm a bit confused... The lack of feedback also really annoys me ...

I have just received the same!

 

[SuperLawyer18]

Has anyone heard from Macfarlanes? If so, have you received a PFO or invited to an assessment centre?

 

[Jaysen]

Oh my god first AC ever (firm is TLT) help help how do I prepare?

Delighted for you, well done!

 

[Anon 11031]

Guys,

I am in tears.
I've been offered the final partner interview at Fieldfisher and I've passed the AC.

I can't believe it.

(I couldn't have gotten this far without all of your support, and I would like to personally thank @Alice G and @Jessica Booker for all of your kind words of encouragement.)

 

[Nnu]

Guys,

I am in tears.
I've been offered the final partner interview at Fieldfisher and I've passed the AC.

I can't believe it.

(I couldn't have gotten this far without all of your support, and I would like to personally thank @Alice G and @Jessica Booker for all of your kind words of encouragement.)

omg congratulations!! well deserved!!! good luck in the final interview!

 

[YFA]

Guys,

I am in tears.
I've been offered the final partner interview at Fieldfisher and I've passed the AC.

I can't believe it.

(I couldn't have gotten this far without all of your support, and I would like to personally thank @Alice G and @Jessica Booker for all of your kind words of encouragement.)

SUCH good news, so well deserved!!! Keep us updated

 

[Anon 11031]

omg congratulations!! well deserved!!! good luck in the final interview!

SUCH good news, so well deserved!!! Keep us updated

Thank you both so much!

I'll let you know ❤️

 

[Jaysen]

Guys,

I am in tears.
I've been offered the final partner interview at Fieldfisher and I've passed the AC.

I can't believe it.

(I couldn't have gotten this far without all of your support, and I would like to personally thank @Alice G and @Jessica Booker for all of your kind words of encouragement.)

You are doing really well, keep it up!