General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[TCLA Community Assistant]

If a firm asks for any deal they've done which has interested you, is that only limited to transactions? Or can it be advisory/litigious?

If a live interview question, I would reply back with this question to try and get clarity on whether you can or not.

 

[Jacob Miller]

If a firm asks for any deal they've done which has interested you, is that only limited to transactions? Or can it be advisory/litigious?

Have an example or two for each up your sleeve and ask the interviewer what they want - you might also wish to tailor it depending on what department the interviewer works in

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Have an example or two for each up your sleeve and ask the interviewer what they want - you might also wish to tailor it depending on what department the interviewer works in

I actually advise against this. Don’t try and tailor your answers to your interviewer. The interview isn’t about them, not you and you shouldn’t be forcing answers just because someone works in that area. Can make you come across are less genuine.

 

[Jacob Miller]

I actually advise against this. Don’t try and tailor your answers to your interviewer. The interview isn’t about them, not you and you shouldn’t be forcing answers just because someone works in that area. Can make you come across are less genuine.

Fair

It's the approach I took and I tended to find it was well-received. More than one way to skin a cat, though.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Fair

It's the approach I took and I tended to find it was well-received. More than one way to skin a cat, though.

I suspect it’s fine if you have a genuine interest in the area they are in but it’s risky on a number of levels otherwise. That risk will pay of for some though.

 

[Jony]

Hey - do you have any advice/pointers for beginners?

Haha plenty to learn from here! Youtube videos on understanding market fundamentals are a way to start. Download a paper trading account (trading fake money) and trade with low risk. I trade crypto, so you could start by seeing the different alt coins (the DeFI infrastructure for instance) and see how they work!

 

[Jony]

Just a question - does anyone have a compiled resource that shows when TCs are open for application? Am working on Baker now and I want to check other firms! (could do it manually, but wondering if there are any resources)

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hey - do you have any advice/pointers for beginners?

I day trade the forex market as my primary income and ran an educational consultancy on the same until about 2 weeks ago teaching folks how to trade, feel free to DM me.

 

[cryingoverTCs]

hi all! I was wondering if anyone had made a successful app to Bakers this year?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I am strangely getting several messages of late from people who are telling me there are errors on their application forms because the system is auto-filling entries for them, especially if they are using a friends laptop.

These errors tend to be pretty major ones - completely auto filling someone’s academic profile, so schools or universities attended are completely different, and in some cases even module results are basically the friends profile rather than the candidates.

For this to be happening enough for multiple people to message me about it in the last couple of weeks, suggests a few things:

1) if you are using another device that is not yours, be really careful things are not autofilling

2) It is vital you check every detail of your application. Don’t just proof read your written answers, you have the responsibility to check every little detail. Names, dates, grades etc.

3) These mistakes only cause stress later down the line. You have to go through a process of correcting yourself and then you get super anxious about how your oversight will be viewed by the firm. To save yourself from that stress, ensure you invest the time in fully reviewing the application.

 

[Tess72]

Just a question - does anyone have a compiled resource that shows when TCs are open for application? Am working on Baker now and I want to check other firms! (could do it manually, but wondering if there are any resources)

https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/law-firms/training-contract-deadlines presume you have seen the list of deadlines already. You could use that to help you work them out, there tend to be groups of firms with the same opening dates. In addition make sure you apply to the rolling ones early, in contrast a few firms ask you to apply later if necessary to ensure all relevant work experience is included in your application.

 

[bibss]

@Jaysen
Apologies if this is a stupid question in any way.

I am a Bronze member and, if I understand it correctly, I don't have access to the application review service. My question is: is it still possible for me to get applications reviewed, maybe by paying an extra each time I use the service? Or do I need to upgrade to silver?

Thank you

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

When you are reviewing applications and you find grammatical errors in the firm’s questions more so than in the candidate’s answers

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jaysen
Apologies if this is a stupid question in any way.

I am a Bronze member and, if I understand it correctly, I don't have access to the application review service. My question is: is it still possible for me to get applications reviewed, maybe by paying an extra each time I use the service? Or do I need to upgrade to silver?

Thank you

You can purchase individual reviews or you could upgrade.

There is more information here:

Application Review | The Corporate Law Academy

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Law123]

@Jessica Booker

Hi, I am applying for paralegal positions and one question on an application asks "Please list key skills/relevant experience that match you to this role" with a maximum of 250 words. On answering this would I actually list, for example, bullet points or is it more appropriate to write in paragraphs? Thank you!

 

[Dheepa]

@Jessica Booker

Hi, I am applying for paralegal positions and one question on an application asks "Please list key skills/relevant experience that match you to this role" with a maximum of 250 words. On answering this would I actually list, for example, bullet points or is it more appropriate to write in paragraphs? Thank you!

Hey, despite the word list, I'd always recommend writing in full sentences where the word count allows you to (which in this case it definitely does)

 

[Jacob Miller]

@Jessica Booker

Hi, I am applying for paralegal positions and one question on an application asks "Please list key skills/relevant experience that match you to this role" with a maximum of 250 words. On answering this would I actually list, for example, bullet points or is it more appropriate to write in paragraphs? Thank you!

with 250 words I would write in full prose rather than bullet points, I tended to only go for bullet points when I had less than 100 words for answers

 

[AY]

Kennedys getting back to people by the end of the w/c 22 February now for post online tests - presuming all direct TC applicants got that same email?

 

[Veep9]

Has anyone done a mock interview with aspiring solicitors. I have one booked and the confirmation says let us know which firm it’s with but I don’t know how to let them know? Do I just fill in the contact form on their website? Please help!

 

[cryingoverTCs]

(Sorry for posting again)
I'm trying to prep a covid commercial awareness story for an interview just in case they ask + I was thinking of talking about the changing face of the high street + how especially with the sale of both Debenhams' + Arcadia's IP, but not their stores, there are huge gaps in the high street

I found that there are experimental leisure centres now thinking of opening up + also other things like multi-use facilities (like buildings with work, leisure + retail in one space) - what can I say about how this affects law firms + any implications this might have? I feel like I'm onto something but I just don't know what