2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

[W]

Hi @Alice G

I hope you’re very well!

I wanted to ask after submitting a direct TC, how long did they get back to you to say you progressed to the next stage after doing the WG test?

 

[APP]

PFO AG just got mine this morning

Sorry to hear this! I hope you're okay

 

[LegalG]

Anthony Collins WG invite . Does anyone know if this is automatic for all applicants?

 

[glaw23]

Not exactly TC related but...

I have somehow gained an interview for a paralegal role with a good firm. It says I will be asked "a mix of questions based on your experience and capabilities" and a short written exercise at the end of the interview. Does anyone have any tips/advice about this or how to prepare for either the interview or written exercise?

This is my first legal role interview so I am extremely nervous. I really want this job 🥺

 

[JayC]

Did anyone have their AC with Morgan Lewis today?

 

[Matt_96]

Not exactly TC related but...

I have somehow gained an interview for a paralegal role with a good firm. It says I will be asked "a mix of questions based on your experience and capabilities" and a short written exercise at the end of the interview. Does anyone have any tips/advice about this or how to prepare for either the interview or written exercise?

This is my first legal role interview so I am extremely nervous. I really want this job 🥺

It sounds to me like they'll probably ask you about competency and career-focused questions. Things like when have you managed a tight deadline, how do you like to work within a team etc etc, as well as why become a paralegal and why this firm as opposed to any other.

The written exercise could be on anything. But given the nature of the role (research and drafting correspondence mostly) I would expect it to be something that requires you to either write a formal letter, research note or critique the problems with an existing one.

 

[LegalQ]

If anyone has any tips/advice for the Morgan Lewis AC please can you send me a message. Thank you

 

[Jessica Booker]

Not exactly TC related but...

I have somehow gained an interview for a paralegal role with a good firm. It says I will be asked "a mix of questions based on your experience and capabilities" and a short written exercise at the end of the interview. Does anyone have any tips/advice about this or how to prepare for either the interview or written exercise?

This is my first legal role interview so I am extremely nervous. I really want this job 🥺

This post may help:

Paralegal interview

Hi all, Just wondered if anyone had advice for paralegal interviews? How should I prep generally and what should I expect? Thanks!

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Legalmel_99]

Sorry to hear this! I hope you're okay

Thank you ❤️ I think I’m just going to take a break now, I got rejected for a TC at the final stage where I did my vacation scheme

 

[Anon 11031]

Thank you ❤️ I think I’m just going to take a break now, I got rejected for a TC at the final stage where I did my vacation scheme

Sorry to hear this Mel. ❤️

Sometimes it's good to give yourself a little break and time to reset. Get yourself some ice cream and order some takeouts. Try to watch some comfort TV shows/movies and just allow yourself to relax for a few days.

If you need to vent or anything, my DMs are always there.

 

[Noodles52]

I remember when I applied that there was an option to apply for '22 or '23 so I am wondering if they are dealing with '22 and then moving to '23. I mean, clearly I am just in denial about my pending PFO haha, but you have to live in hope. How long before it's appropriate to chase do you think, end of the week?

Considering it was the 31st to hear back regardless of the year applied for, I would say end of the week is perfectly fine! I'm not holding out much, but I have a couple I need to chase up as well.

 

[Noodles52]

I'm currently in the process of applying for another TC, this time at an independent firm rather than an international. The questions they ask are similar/the same as others I have answered in other applications, but they only allow for 800 characters max. Do I go quality with my answers and give maybe one or two examples for each answer, or try and list as many as possible with less of an explanation for each one? So far, my answers are more leaning towards the first way of qualitative writing.

For example: what qualities do I possess that make me a great candidate for a TC. I've answered with two that I genuinely think are really important and also ways in how I've demonstrated these in other areas, but I worry that I'm missing out others that they would rather a candidate answer with.

TIA x

 

[M&ALawyer]

I'm currently in the process of applying for another TC, this time at an independent firm rather than an international. The questions they ask are similar/the same as others I have answered in other applications, but they only allow for 800 characters max. Do I go quality with my answers and give maybe one or two examples for each answer, or try and list as many as possible with less of an explanation for each one? So far, my answers are more leaning towards the first way of qualitative writing.

For example: what qualities do I possess that make me a great candidate for a TC. I've answered with two that I genuinely think are really important and also ways in how I've demonstrated these in other areas, but I worry that I'm missing out others that they would rather a candidate answer with.

TIA x

Hi there,

I would definitely go with the quality answer approach you have. This way you can demonstrate exactly how you've developed the qualities they are looking for. Just providing a list I believe may be a bit arbitrary if you're not able to explain/justify in sufficient detail the qualities you have in the list.

I would also say there is likely no one glove fits all approach with the qualities (as long as they are relevant) so I wouldn't worry too much about missing out some you think they are are looking for. There are a number of qualities which would likely make you a good candidate for the TC at the firm and the character count does not allow you to explain in enough breadth. Personally, I always tried to give three qualities that made me a good candidate for the firm and this approach worked out fine.

Just one example for each quality you have should be fine. Perhaps there may also be a way to combine examples to fit the word count. For instance, "I have developed [X quality] in [work experience 1] and [work experience 2] where I consolidated my [relevant skills] through conducting [ABC tasks]'. Of course, there are a number of valid ways to answer this question and you don't necessarily have to use work experiences etc.

Best of luck!

 

[Bee6]

Hi everyone - hope you all are well! please may I know if Freshfields' WG test is timed and if so, how many questions and how long is the test? Thank you!

 

[Bee6]

Hi, me again. I was also wondering, for Freshfields, does it matter if I submit my WG test earlier/later? Will submitting it earlier increase my chances of securing an AC with them? @Jessica Booker what are your thoughts? Thank you! 😊

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, me again. I was also wondering, for Freshfields, does it matter if I submit my WG test earlier/later? Will submitting it earlier increase my chances of securing an AC with them? @Jessica Booker what are your thoughts? Thank you! 😊

No - it has no impact along as you do it within the deadline set.

 

[Dheepa]

I'm currently in the process of applying for another TC, this time at an independent firm rather than an international. The questions they ask are similar/the same as others I have answered in other applications, but they only allow for 800 characters max. Do I go quality with my answers and give maybe one or two examples for each answer, or try and list as many as possible with less of an explanation for each one? So far, my answers are more leaning towards the first way of qualitative writing.

For example: what qualities do I possess that make me a great candidate for a TC. I've answered with two that I genuinely think are really important and also ways in how I've demonstrated these in other areas, but I worry that I'm missing out others that they would rather a candidate answer with.

TIA x

Hey!

Some firms do list the key qualities they're looking for in trainees on their website or graduate brochures. I'd suggest trying to see if the firm you're applying to has this information and that way you can be more certain that you're covering the qualities they want to see the most. If they don't have this information then I'd agree with @M&ALawyer that as long as the skills you are highlighting are relevant, you're in the clear!

 

[AMey]

Sorry to keep asking the same sort of questions, but did anyone apply to Ropes & Gray for their direct TC starting Sept 2021? The deadline was Sunday and I was just wondering what the timeline is/what comes after the application!

I haven’t heard anything yet either. Would be interested if you have any update. I believe there’s a short scheme running from 16th to 20th August!

 

[hopefullawyer101]

Has anyone heard back from Freshfields post WG?

 

[Noodles52]

Hi there,

I would definitely go with the quality answer approach you have. This way you can demonstrate exactly how you've developed the qualities they are looking for. Just providing a list I believe may be a bit arbitrary if you're not able to explain/justify in sufficient detail the qualities you have in the list.

I would also say there is likely no one glove fits all approach with the qualities (as long as they are relevant) so I wouldn't worry too much about missing out some you think they are are looking for. There are a number of qualities which would likely make you a good candidate for the TC at the firm and the character count does not allow you to explain in enough breadth. Personally, I always tried to give three qualities that made me a good candidate for the firm and this approach worked out fine.

Just one example for each quality you have should be fine. Perhaps there may also be a way to combine examples to fit the word count. For instance, "I have developed [X quality] in [work experience 1] and [work experience 2] where I consolidated my [relevant skills] through conducting [ABC tasks]'. Of course, there are a number of valid ways to answer this question and you don't necessarily have to use work experiences etc.

Best of luck!

Thank you for this!!