2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

[Jessica Booker]

Sorry if this is a bit silly - but what is PFO?

Please f**k off

Lighthearted way of saying a rejection/unsuccessful application

 

[Cantab_95]

is it not a great sign if I haven't been sent the WG by Freshfields yet?

 

[packhorse]

is it not a great sign if I haven't been sent the WG by Freshfields yet?

I'm in the same position!

 

[Jacob Miller]

Remember that no news is good news folks! I've often been in this position, I rationalised this as a lot of firms will have almost 3 groups of candidates - 'definite yes', 'definite no', and 'borderline', and that it's usually those borderline candidates who might wait the longest as GR need to assess their applications more closely and more or less pit them against each other.

I could be way, way wrong though... @Jessica Booker are you able to clarify?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Remember that no news is good news folks! I've often been in this position, I rationalised this as a lot of firms will have almost 3 groups of candidates - 'definite yes', 'definite no', and 'borderline', and that it's usually those borderline candidates who might wait the longest as GR need to assess their applications more closely and more or less pit them against each other.

I could be way, way wrong though... @Jessica Booker are you able to clarify?

There are lots of reasons why people may not have heard back. Particularly at the moment, firms might be trying to work out how many candidates they could take on (could fluctuate a lot for a while loads of reasons in itself). That then impacts how many people they bring through to the next stage.

Also a lot of graduate recruitment people are probably also home schooling. Means that capacity to do things like screen applications are hit hard. This could be delaying recruitment processes. Just silly things like trying to print off applications at home won’t be as straight forward as in the office, and so actually screening could be slower too.

The “hold” theory is possible too of course, but there’s literally 101 reasons why someone may have not heard back while others have. I wouldn’t try to work out why (unless you want to have a conversation with the grad Rec team about it).

 

[LeilaScott]

I had a TC interview with Ashurst , and still havent heard? Most of my vac scheme seems to have been given their rejections or offers so I am wondering whether I should be worried? Apparently a few others havent heard back but it has been over 2 weeks - have sent an email to grad rec but also not received a reply so not sure how I should gauge it all I would be so grateful if anyone had any insight! @Jessica Booker i think maybe you would be best positioned to answer? Thanks!

 

[Jessica Booker]

I had a TC interview with Ashurst , and still havent heard? Most of my vac scheme seems to have been given their rejections or offers so I am wondering whether I should be worried? Apparently a few others havent heard back but it has been over 2 weeks - have sent an email to grad rec but also not received a reply so not sure how I should gauge it all I would be so grateful if anyone had any insight! @Jessica Booker i think maybe you would be best positioned to answer? Thanks!

Just try to be patient for another week or two. I am sure they will come back to you in due course.

 

[LeilaScott]

Just try to be patient for another week or two. I am sure they will come back to you in due course.

Thank you for the insight! Trying not to be too caught up in guessing what the wait means, hoping it just means i'm on the maybe pile which is better than nothing!

 

[Lily721]

Hi guys,

so I am wondering about the whole TC application process. Is it generally harder than if you were applying for a vacation scheme? So for example, at an interview, would there be higher expectations or need to score higher? I am just trying to understand if there are any differences in the recruitment process between a vac scheme and a TC.

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hi guys,

so I am wondering about the whole TC application process. Is it generally harder than if you were applying for a vacation scheme? So for example, at an interview, would there be higher expectations or need to score higher? I am just trying to understand if there are any differences in the recruitment process between a vac scheme and a TC.

I discuss this issue in part of one of my article series, which may help you understand the advantages/ disadvantages to TC vs VS apps:

Foundations of Commercial Law: Practice Areas, Firm Groups and Applications *Monday Article Series*

Introduction Something we’re very proud of at TCLA is the vast breadth and depth of advice that candidates have contributed to the forum. That doesn’t necessarily suit everyone, though – indeed, it can even be somewhat intimidating to those who are new to the world of commercial law. Maybe...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[HorsesForCoursesNeighNeighNeigh]

Well to make everything so much more nerve wracking (have yet to hear anything from FF!) I've just gone into my portal and found that my application was "updated" on Friday! But nothing in my email.

Does anybody know if it's possible to see their emails to you anywhere on the portal? Or perhaps this will mean I'll get an email from them on Monday...

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

Well to make everything so much more nerve wracking (have yet to hear anything from FF!) I've just gone into my portal and found that my application was "updated" on Friday! But nothing in my email.

Does anybody know if it's possible to see their emails to you anywhere on the portal? Or perhaps this will mean I'll get an email from them on Monday...

TC Interviews are being held between March-August - I applied for the TC in October and yet to hear anything but to be honest I wasn't expecting to hear anything until mid-Feb! Still loads of time to hear

 

[bibss]

Well to make everything so much more nerve wracking (have yet to hear anything from FF!) I've just gone into my portal and found that my application was "updated" on Friday! But nothing in my email.

Does anybody know if it's possible to see their emails to you anywhere on the portal? Or perhaps this will mean I'll get an email from them on Monday...

May I ask when you applied? Trying to figure out if they follow some order in reviewing applications or if it is just random. Best of luck with your outcome!!! 🍀🍀

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you for the insight! Trying not to be too caught up in guessing what the wait means, hoping it just means i'm on the maybe pile which is better than nothing!

It could mean an awful lot of things - I’d try not to over think it for the time being

 

[Bugsy Malone]

Well to make everything so much more nerve wracking (have yet to hear anything from FF!) I've just gone into my portal and found that my application was "updated" on Friday! But nothing in my email.

Does anybody know if it's possible to see their emails to you anywhere on the portal? Or perhaps this will mean I'll get an email from them on Monday...

Hey - my portal said updated on the 18th Jan and then I was sent WG invite on 21st, so they didn’t send it automatically after first viewing my app

 

[HorsesForCoursesNeighNeighNeigh]

Hey - my portal said updated on the 18th Jan and then I was sent WG invite on 21st, so they didn’t send it automatically after first viewing my app

Thanks Flora! That's really helpful

 

[Lily721]

I discuss this issue in part of one of my article series, which may help you understand the advantages/ disadvantages to TC vs VS apps:

Foundations of Commercial Law: Practice Areas, Firm Groups and Applications *Monday Article Series*

Introduction Something we’re very proud of at TCLA is the vast breadth and depth of advice that candidates have contributed to the forum. That doesn’t necessarily suit everyone, though – indeed, it can even be somewhat intimidating to those who are new to the world of commercial law. Maybe...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Thank you! I have read it before and found it very useful.


But I was wondering more about the difference in difficulty of the recruitment process between a vac scheme and a direct TC. Logically, I think that the process of applying for a direct TC would be more demanding and challenging, with higher expectations of candidates. @Jessica Booker do you have any thoughts?

 

[Jacob Miller]

Thank you! I have read it before and found it very useful.


But I was wondering more about the difference in difficulty of the recruitment process between a vac scheme and a direct TC. Logically, I think that the process of applying for a direct TC would be more demanding and challenging, with higher expectations of candidates. @Jessica Booker do you have any thoughts?

My understanding, from the (albeit limited) conversations I've had on the matter with recruiters that I know personally, is that one is not necessarily easier or harder than the other - that they're looking for broadly the same ability level etc irrespective. I know that some firms have an extra couple of components to the assessment process for direct TC apps though as they don't obviously get the same amount of contact time with the candidate, so that could perhaps be considered 'harder'... but, then again, the constant assessment and v tiring nature of vacation schemes themselves aren't easy, so I think it's a swings and roundabouts kinda thing to be honest

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you! I have read it before and found it very useful.


But I was wondering more about the difference in difficulty of the recruitment process between a vac scheme and a direct TC. Logically, I think that the process of applying for a direct TC would be more demanding and challenging, with higher expectations of candidates. @Jessica Booker do you have any thoughts?

The only difference is you can take a bit of a gamble on a candidate for a vacation scheme, as the risk is relatively low. But then that person has to perform on the vac scheme itself to then get a TC offer.

So a Direct TC process might be more stringent but a vac scheme to TC process is much more considered, with some initial processes being less stringent but the end processes being much more thorough.

 

[gg332dd]

Is anyone still waiting to hear from Orrick for last year's application