General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[futuretraineecity]

I'd advise against this - you will probably spread yourself too thin.

I'd focus on the competencies Baker McKenzie look for and make sure you just cover those. Firms don't make up new competencies to assess you against.

Yeah that makes sense, thank you!

 

[Alaw96]

I've just received an assessment centre invite from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner for a direct TC, however, I accepted a training contract at another City firm about three weeks ago. As a result, I will not be able to attend, I applied on the 7th of June if anyone is interested and still waiting to hear back!

 

[M777]

Anyone know roughly what Hogan Lovells' turnaround time is for direct TCs? I did the WG just over a week ago, do they normally take a few weeks or so to reply? I'm aware they have approximately 4000 applications a year, so it's not surprising.
Thank you!

 

[TTD20]

Does anyone have experience applying to paralegal roles? I was wondering if you generally hear back if you’re unsuccessful?

 

[S87]

Does anyone have experience applying to paralegal roles? I was wondering if you generally hear back if you’re unsuccessful?

Rarely!! but getting a non-legal role helped me to get my first paralegal role

 

[Jessica Booker]

I've just received an assessment centre invite from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner for a direct TC, however, I accepted a training contract at another City firm about three weeks ago. As a result, I will not be able to attend, I applied on the 7th of June if anyone is interested and still waiting to hear back!

Well you can attend unless you know you wouldn't accept the TC with BCLP over the one you have now...

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone have experience applying to paralegal roles? I was wondering if you generally hear back if you’re unsuccessful?

It can often be the case you will never hear back - which sucks.

My advice is to focus on contract and temp paralegal roles rather than perm ones. Also consider applying to other business admin roles within law firms that are not paralegal roles - sometimes a business development admin role, a compliance role, or a CSR admin role can be far more interesting (and better for your career development) than a paralegal role.

 

[tractor12]

I've just received an assessment centre invite from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner for a direct TC, however, I accepted a training contract at another City firm about three weeks ago. As a result, I will not be able to attend, I applied on the 7th of June if anyone is interested and still waiting to hear back!

If only you were allowed to transfer the AC to another candidate!! Congratulations on the TC offer!

 

[Jessica Booker]

As this thread is probably the busiest, I'd be grateful if everyone could have a look at the following and add their thoughts!

https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....nd-navigating-tcla-your-input-requested.2528/

 

[Crastle]

Anybody done the Browne Jacobson telephone interview?

 

[Lawgirl123]

So i'm slightly confused. I saw that Macfarlanes recruit on a rolling basis so I called up grad recruitment in July (a couple of weeks before the deadline) and asked if it would be better to apply in October (next cycle). Grad recruitment said they thought so as unlikely I'd be invited to an AC as I was applying so late. I have since noted on here that noone has heard back from them anyway (including people who applied last year) so not really sure why grad recruitment said that!?

 

[S87]

So i'm slightly confused. I saw that Macfarlanes recruit on a rolling basis so I called up grad recruitment in July (a couple of weeks before the deadline) and asked if it would be better to apply in October (next cycle). Grad recruitment said they thought so as unlikely I'd be invited to an AC as I was applying so late. I have since noted on here that noone has heard back from them anyway (including people who applied last year) so not really sure why grad recruitment said that!?

Because the fill the places quite quickly through their VS. Even if firms recruit through direct TC, they are more likely to hire via VS...e.g. DWF

 

[Jessica Booker]

So i'm slightly confused. I saw that Macfarlanes recruit on a rolling basis so I called up grad recruitment in July (a couple of weeks before the deadline) and asked if it would be better to apply in October (next cycle). Grad recruitment said they thought so as unlikely I'd be invited to an AC as I was applying so late. I have since noted on here that noone has heard back from them anyway (including people who applied last year) so not really sure why grad recruitment said that!?

Just sounds like first-come first-served with them not being great at getting back to candidates that apply later.

 

[LegalNim]

So i'm slightly confused. I saw that Macfarlanes recruit on a rolling basis so I called up grad recruitment in July (a couple of weeks before the deadline) and asked if it would be better to apply in October (next cycle). Grad recruitment said they thought so as unlikely I'd be invited to an AC as I was applying so late. I have since noted on here that noone has heard back from them anyway (including people who applied last year) so not really sure why grad recruitment said that!?

Surely there can't be any harm in applying this cycle and next cycle?

 

[Lawgirl123]

Yes I applied anyway. I was just trying to understand why people who applied months ago also haven't heard anything and then others have said grad rec are getting back to us in a few weeks. Think it's probably a case of them filling up their places very early on and their communication with applicants being slow / poor as Jessica said.

 

[c1070]

So i'm slightly confused. I saw that Macfarlanes recruit on a rolling basis so I called up grad recruitment in July (a couple of weeks before the deadline) and asked if it would be better to apply in October (next cycle). Grad recruitment said they thought so as unlikely I'd be invited to an AC as I was applying so late. I have since noted on here that noone has heard back from them anyway (including people who applied last year) so not really sure why grad recruitment said that!?

I got rejected in May and applied to their direct TC in late March aha if that helps! And I do know of a few other rejections around May time!

I might be mis remembering but I think a few direct TC AC invites went out in May too

 

[cgs97]

Has anyone heard back from Sidley Austin and Covington & Burling?

Nothing from either yet

 

[Law2022]

Yes I applied anyway. I was just trying to understand why people who applied months ago also haven't heard anything and then others have said grad rec are getting back to us in a few weeks. Think it's probably a case of them filling up their places very early on and their communication with applicants being slow / poor as Jessica said.

I haven’t heard anything back and I applied in April! I am hoping to hear back within the next few weeks as the wait is killing me now

 

[Lawgirl123]

I got rejected in May and applied to their direct TC in late March aha if that helps! And I do know of a few other rejections around May time!

I might be mis remembering but I think a few direct TC AC invites went out in May too

Ah no sorry to hear. Most of the posts i've seen in relation to Macs are from people saying they haven't heard back yet but now I feel my point is slightly redundant haha!

 

[Asmee DC]

Anybody done the Browne Jacobson telephone interview?

Yes, I have! I still haven't heard back yet tho