2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

[to law or not to law?]

does anyone know if BCLP is rolling?

Yeah they are according to their website

 

[to law or not to law?]

I don’t think so. In the confirmation email, they said we should hear by the 30th June

Thanks for clarifying!

 

[Jooooopp7]

Theres a questions on the simkins app that states: 'Being a solicitor at Simkins requires you to be resilient, commercially aware and get on with clients and colleagues alike. Give an example of where you have demonstrated these skills previously, and how you might apply the same at Simkins.'
would you know whether they are looking for one example that covers all these or different examples for each one? I am currently struggling to think of one that covers all three skills - I feel like a lot of my examples/past work experience cover at least two but then not the third especially since having commercial awareness limits the examples to those from a commercial setting - unless I am interpreting this wrong! Thanks for your help!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Theres a questions on the simkins app that states: 'Being a solicitor at Simkins requires you to be resilient, commercially aware and get on with clients and colleagues alike. Give an example of where you have demonstrated these skills previously, and how you might apply the same at Simkins.'
would you know whether they are looking for one example that covers all these or different examples for each one? I am currently struggling to think of one that covers all three skills - I feel like a lot of my examples/past work experience cover at least two but then not the third especially since having commercial awareness limits the examples to those from a commercial setting - unless I am interpreting this wrong! Thanks for your help!

It doesn’t have to be a commercial setting. For instance, and example could be you running a society event - you may have to be commercially aware then to work out how to price tickets, how to ensure the suppliers provide value for money, understanding what will be popular with your membership etc.

Commercial awareness can be anything where you have looked at something and thought there is an opportunity to make something better to either make more money or provide a better service/product to your customer base.

I suspect though that many examples will really demonstrate one or two of the qualities clearly and may be less strong on one of the others. I’d still try to weave all the qualities they are looking for in, but I wouldn’t worry if one isn’t as obvious/clear.

 

[Anon 11031]

@Jessica Booker If a firm tells you you'll have an update by 'late May' when you sent a VI at the beginning on April, when is it appropriate to send a follow-up email?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker If a firm tells you you'll have an update by 'late May' when you sent a VI at the beginning on April, when is it appropriate to send a follow-up email?

I’d probably wait until the 7th June.

 

[Lumree]

Interview invite with Fieldfisher! Any tips/insights would be massively appreciated!!

 

[John Travoni]

Interview invite with Fieldfisher! Any tips/insights would be massively appreciated!!

Omggg congratulations. If you don’t mind me asking, when did you complete the online tests, and what strengths did you get?

 

[Anon 11031]

Interview invite with Fieldfisher! Any tips/insights would be massively appreciated!!

Hi, I haven't got an invite but I did go to the workshop last night and they gave a lot of info about each stage if you want me to DM you that?

 

[Lumree]

Omggg congratulations. If you don’t mind me asking, when did you complete the online tests, and what strengths did you get?

Thank you!

I completed them on Sunday. My strengths were relationships, resilience and adaptability. However, I would take that with a pinch of salt as ultimately we have no idea how they balance these strengths, especially when they’re considered alongside the app!

 

[Lumree]

Hi, I haven't got an invite but I did go to the workshop last night and they gave a lot of info about each stage if you want me to DM you that?

Hi! That would be incredible thank you much!

 

[Anon 11031]

Thank you!

I completed them on Sunday. My strengths were relationships, resilience and adaptability. However, I would take that with a pinch of salt as ultimately we have no idea how they balance these strengths, especially when they’re considered alongside the app!

What was your weakness? Mine were pretty similar to yours but I completed the test on Saturday so I'm hoping I'll hear back soon!

 

[Anon 11031]

Hi! That would be incredible thank you much!

Sure, no worries. I will have to send them after work (I finish at 4). But I'll be as comprehensive as I can be

 

[Lumree]

What was your weakness? Mine were pretty similar to yours but I completed the test on Saturday so I'm hoping I'll hear back soon!

Drive - which I think I remember being yours too? Fingers crossed!

 

[Jooooopp7]

It doesn’t have to be a commercial setting. For instance, and example could be you running a society event - you may have to be commercially aware then to work out how to price tickets, how to ensure the suppliers provide value for money, understanding what will be popular with your membership etc.

Commercial awareness can be anything where you have looked at something and thought there is an opportunity to make something better to either make more money or provide a better service/product to your customer base.

I suspect though that many examples will really demonstrate one or two of the qualities clearly and may be less strong on one of the others. I’d still try to weave all the qualities they are looking for in, but I wouldn’t worry if one isn’t as obvious/clear.

thank you so much for your help, thats cleared things up!

 

[LegalNim]

AC invite from Fieldfisher

 

[RobH]

Oh really? I had my AC last week and was told by grad rec mid this week... When was your AC?

Tuesday this week...

 

[Abel040]

AC invite from Fieldfisher

Congratulations! Can I ask how long after your phone interview did you hear back?

 

[rosie.l]

Has anyone received the dates for their Ashurst final TC interview yet??

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Has anyone received the dates for their Ashurst final TC interview yet??

No idea and am here waiting for someone to post they got an AC. Apparently, they said at the webinar yesterday that they receive 800-1200 applications for a direct training contract.