1. Tbh 99% of people that already have a training contract and paralegal are literally only doing it for the money and to bridge the time before they start their TC. So thanks for stating the obvious.
2. I know this is going to be controversial and trigger the people on this forum that have/are self funding the LPC but it's kinda true. All the people that I know that are self funding have been rejected multiple cycles and are getting desperate so they self fund which I think is a really bad idea. Not to say those that are getting rejected year after year won't make it. Plenty of success stories on this forum of people that have made it after multiple application cycles. However, people need to be realistic and face the truth. Although I really like the supportive environment of this forum, people need to be realistic with their future options and prospects.
Not everyone will share this view but sometimes you have to put yourself in the shoes of a recruiter, especially at firms where competition is fierce and places are limited. I can so see why some firms may think "what's wrong with them", especially if the individual has done multiple vacation schemes and cycles and fails to covert any of them into TC offers.
Not sure what's meant by "be realistic and face the truth".
My view is:
The recruiter can have whatever impression he likes and nobody can deny the recruiter's impression of you makes a difference. But if impressions are what determine life or death then there wouldn't be a rigorous AC process involved. Your ability speaks to the recruiter and is concrete evidence of how good you are, and whether they want you. As someone who's been rejected numerous times I can tell you that after every single rejection I grow and learn significantly, and that going into the next interview, I am much more confident and comfortable, and demonstrate more skill and insight into, for instance, how a law firm works, how I should write advice for a client, and why actually, this particular firm wasn't for me and this firm is.
It might be argued, well, the fact that you were rejected so many cycles you have to fund your own LPC kind of suggests even if you've been growing you're really struggling to hit the mark. But no, that's assuming that everyone HAS experienced that many cycles. Some might have only started applying in their final year (after having had other experiences in their penultimate year, then turning to a career as a City lawyer).
And with regard someone who said "funding your own LPC is a really bad idea" - indeed, perhaps it may be better strategy to take a gap year before the LPC, and accumulate some work experience to beef up the CV as well as to get a wider perspective on the world, then re-apply and hopefully land something. But that's assuming people don't have visa expiry issues. Just something to bear in mind.
So, in summary, what I want to share with everyone is:
1. I agree with Daniel that one shouldn't limit oneself to a certain tier of firms - but that's quite another thing to say "face the reality".
2. With the strategy that Daniel suggested, you will land something, so go for it, then build your career from there.
3. There's no shame to not get into a certain firm because they have a prejudice against self-funders. Are you sure you believe in such a judgmental culture, when you are judged for your past and not on your present merits?
4. Let's not worry about what recruiters think because the hiring process can be very arbitrary and unfortunately the "you self-fund your own LPC" is only one of many arbitrary reasons you may be seen in a certain light. It can also be "you have a stutter", or "I had a bad breakfast and I don't like you." So why worry? Just focus on doing your best.
