TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys,
I would like to have your opinion on this matter.
I am answering the infamous question why this firm? Among my reasons, I mentioned that the seats offered attract me as they mirror my academic and professional career and proceeded to describe my experiences. Given I spoke about my work in other questions, should I focus more on the seats offered and the kind of deals/cases that the firm has done?
I hope I making sense.

You don’t really need to describe your experiences in these type of questions. You can reference them, but you rarely need to describe what you did, especially if the details are included in your work experience section. Try to ensure your answer to such questions is more forward looking rather than relying on past experiences.

You don’t necessarily need to list deals with though. There are other reasons you could want to apply to the firm - cultural reasons, opportunities you would receive, how the firm would train you (not just the seats but the practical ways they train trainees). If there are types of deals that you can link clearly back to your motivations or you, then it’s fine to include them. But generally they can feel quite dropped in and often don’t add anything to the answer.

 

[AvniD]

Hi guys,
I would like to have your opinion on this matter.
I am answering the infamous question why this firm? Among my reasons, I mentioned that the seats offered attract me as they mirror my academic and professional career and proceeded to describe my experiences. Given I spoke about my work in other questions, should I focus more on the seats offered and the kind of deals/cases that the firm has done?
I hope I making sense.

If you want to mention seats (this is something I did in my applications), then I would recommend doing in a manner that allows the reader to instantly 1) understand why you like those seats 2) known why you liking those seats is linked to your application.

So, if you say that you like XYZ seat then ➡️ explain how you know you like this seat (something you read, some work experience etc.)➡️ demonstrate why you like it (what do you like about the seat AND why does it attract you- maybe it links to something you studied, an interest of yours etc.)➡️ round it off with why the fact that you can do this seat at this firm in particular stands out to you (maybe the way the department is organised attracts youth it, a deal they've done, a ranking they hold etc.)

Does this make sense?

 

[S87]

You don’t really need to describe your experiences in these type of questions. You can reference them, but you rarely need to describe what you did, especially if the details are included in your work experience section. Try to ensure your answer to such questions is more forward looking rather than relying on past experiences.

You don’t necessarily need to list deals with though. There are other reasons you could want to apply to the firm - cultural reasons, opportunities you would receive, how the firm would train you (not just the seats but the practical ways they train trainees). If there are types of deals that you can link clearly back to your motivations or you, then it’s fine to include them. But generally they can feel quite dropped in and often don’t add anything to the answer.

If you want to mention seats (this is something I did in my applications), then I would recommend doing in a manner that allows the reader to instantly 1) understand why you like those seats 2) known why you liking those seats is linked to your application.

So, if you say that you like XYZ seat then ➡️ explain how you know you like this seat (something you read, some work experience etc.)➡️ demonstrate why you like it (what do you like about the seat AND why does it attract you- maybe it links to something you studied, an interest of yours etc.)➡️ round it off with why the fact that you can do this seat at this firm in particular stands out to you (maybe the way the department is organised attracts youth it, a deal they've done, a ranking they hold etc.)

Does this make sense?

@Jessica Booker and @AvniD thank you for your replies.

I wrote about my interests in the IP and International arbitration seats. During my undergrad I completed copyright research and furthered my interest during the LPC by undertaking the Commercial and IP module, I also took part in a commercial arbitration hearing before the LCIA. So, I am excited by the perspective of expanding on my knowledge and experiences during my tc seats.

 

[AvniD]

@Jessica Booker and @AvniD thank you for your replies.

I wrote about my interests in the IP and International arbitration seats. During my undergrad I completed copyright research and furthered my interest during the LPC by undertaking the Commercial and IP module, I also took part in a commercial arbitration hearing before the LCIA. So, I am excited by the perspective of expanding on my knowledge and experiences during my tc seats.

The gist of this sounds good- don't forget to link it back to why the seat at this firm in particular stands out to you!

 

[S87]

The gist of this sounds good- don't forget to link it back to why the seat at this firm in particular stands out to you!

Yes, I like the fact that the IP firm works on the full range of IP matters and it is very multidisciplinary whereas the arbitration team is not just investment but also very commercial focused.

Thank you very much for your help, it means a lot!

 

[reesal98]

Are we gonna gonna hear back from ES regarding the VI for the direct TC (London)?

Have you done the VI? Or waiting to hear if you got one?

 

[John Travoni]

Have you done the VI? Or waiting to hear if you got one?

The latter

 

[thefutureladylawyer]

Are we gonna gonna hear back from ES regarding the VI for the direct TC (London)?

Grad Rec told me we would hear by the end of next week. I applied for Cardiff

 

[S87]

is apply4law down?

 

[Scandi]

Come on England!⚽

 

[thefutureladylawyer]

Come on England!⚽

Would the boys have gotten a yellow card for what Chloe Kelley did?

 

[Jessica Booker]

is apply4law down?

Wouldn’t be surprising - the applicant tracking systems are notorious for not being able to deal with peaks of applications being made across multiple firms on 31 July and 31 January.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Would the boys have gotten a yellow card for what Chloe Kelley did?

Yes - players are yellow carded for taking their shirts off. Happened when a Liverpool player scored on their debut in the Community Shield yesterday.

 

[thefutureladylawyer]

Yes - players are yellow carded for taking their shirts off. Happened when a Liverpool player scored on their debut in the Community Shield yesterday.

Thank you for the info, was still an incredible game

 

[Scandi]

@Jessica Booker - Hi. What does a 'Notice period' mean in Accutrainee's online application?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker - Hi. What does a 'Notice period' mean in Accutrainee's online application?

If you are in employment, you typically have to work a notice period. This could be anything from a couple of days to potentially even six months. The firm just needs to know what your notice period is as part of their recruitment process.

 

[al2020]

S&M Interview! Any tips? I'm a bit nervous as I haven't done a vacation scheme yet with any firm, but I have recently completed a 5-week stint with a human rights law firm overseas.

Hi - congrats on the SM interview. Be sure to check out the Slaughters interview experiences section here for a flavour of the questions you might get. I did my TC interview at Slaughters a couple of weeks ago, so I can confirm that the experiences outlined are similar to mine. Best piece of advice I can give is to know your CV inside out, prep for the written exercise, and most importantly, be yourself. Good luck, you've got this!

 

[NaimK]

Hogan Lovells WG test invite

Is this invite automatic as part of the application or is it indicative of a successful first step?

 

[Scandi]

Hogan Lovells WG test invite

Is this invite automatic as part of the application or is it indicative of a successful first step?

Same! It seems like it's a successful first step, but that HL will take a holistic approach to progress to the AC

 

[Bradley Draper]

Same! It seems like it's a successful first step, but that HL will take a holistic approach to progress to the AC

Congrats guys! I just received my invite too!