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

[AspiringTrainee]

Hi @hunt4tc500 and @IsaacDundas congratulations on your AC invites! May I ask how many questions you were asked during the telephone interview? If I also may ask - what are the broader theme(s) of the telephone interview, were they competency/strengths or commercial awareness related?

Thank you! - As I applied for 2024 TC and have yet to receive a telephone interview invite, I'd much likee to know just in case I do get invited.

I was asked 7 set questions - they don't deviate from their question list. They are also fairly strict with the 30 minute time so try not to talk too much so to speak. I will say the questions are very standard competency-based questions and they will have your application open with it so you can always refer to your application, I did. They do say they will ask commercial questions, personally, I was not asked one but I did try to put my own experiences and the wider commercial context into every question. Definitely prepare the classic why law why them questions too.

 

[relentlesspursuit]

I was asked 7 set questions - they don't deviate from their question list. They are also fairly strict with the 30 minute time so try not to talk too much so to speak. I will say the questions are very standard competency-based questions and they will have your application open with it so you can always refer to your application, I did. They do say they will ask commercial questions, personally, I was not asked one but I did try to put my own experiences and the wider commercial context into every question. Definitely prepare the classic why law why them questions too.

@IsaacDundas I can confirm that they have 7 set questions (I was asked a follow-up to one but my interviewer made it clear that this was a detour). The questions are largely motivational and competency so if you prepare those in a flexible manner you should be fine (i.e. think deeper about your competencies).

 

[John Doe]

@hunt4tc500 and @IsaacDundas thank you both so much, and good luck with your applications!

Just in case you are not aware - I have opened a thread elsewhere on this Forum relating to Fieldfisher 2023/24 TC application, just to keep each other posted!

See: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/fieldfisher-2023-24-direct-tc-application.5120/

 

[AvniD]

Just did a Slaughter and May training contract interview. No idea how it went - some answers were good and others not so much. Really couldn’t get a feel from the partners either on how it went. Anyone had an experience with this?

I feel like sometimes interviewers purposefully do not show emotion or react to your answers but I'm unsure exactly why. It could be to not give away how they view your suitability as a candidate or to test how you behave under pressure or in uncomfortable situations. It's unsettling but you have a good shot in the circumstances you were presented with and that's really the best you can do.

 

[Law2022]

Did anybody apply to the Freshfields Dubai arbitration internship? I did not receive confirmation since submitting my application on Sunday

 

[TCApp2021]

Anyone still waiting on HL post-WG (direct TC)?

 

[relentlesspursuit]

Don’t worry lol!

this was my timeline:
Application: 3rd of December
Tests: 7th of December
Life at Mayer Brown: Around the 25th of December can’t remember exactly!

Okay thanks. Guess I can be a bit more patient 🤞 good luck with your AC!

 

[AAA_a]

Has anyone's Freshfields portal not been updated since submitting the direct TC application?

 

[Lawgrad98]

Does anyone know when the written exercise for Freshfields AC is sent? I have an AC early next week but haven't received the written task yet.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know when the written exercise for Freshfields AC is sent? I have an AC early next week but haven't received the written task yet.

I suspect you won’t get it until the day itself.

 

[hopefullawyer123]

My portal was updated in Jan but I haven’t heard back since my Freshfields TC app - not been invited to complete the WG. I know other people have already got to the AC stage. Am I correct in assuming this is a PFO?

 

[TC fiend]

Does anyone know when the written exercise for Freshfields AC is sent? I have an AC early next week but haven't received the written task yet.

I received mine about 5 days in advance and had just under 3 days to complete it.

 

[NS95]

I suspect you won’t get it until the day itself.

Hi! Actually they send it in advance and you have to complete it by a specific deadline. My AC with Freshfields is next week and my deadline for the written exercise was this Monday

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi! Actually they send it in advance and you have to completed by a specific deadline. My AC with Freshfields is next week and my deadline for the written exercise was this Monday

Thanks for clarifying!

 

[FT]

Does anyone know when the written exercise for Freshfields AC is sent? I have an AC early next week but haven't received the written task yet.

They are supposed to send it to you way in advance so if it isn't in your spam folder I would email grad rec. I had my AC today and had to remind them to send it to me yesterday - didn't get it until yesterday late evening.

 

[tc.la.vs]

So odd! Good luck too!

got my rejection today which sucks. gutted and losing hope tbh

 

[reesal98]

got my rejection today which sucks. gutted and losing hope tbh

Sorry to hear that. I think I will be rejected too. S&M is a particularly hard firm to get into. If you got an interview there, you can definitely get interviews at other places, so don't give up hope!

 

[reesal98]

Sorry to hear that. I think I will be rejected too. S&M is a particularly hard firm to get into. If you got an interview there, you can definitely get interviews at other places, so don't give up hope!

got my rejection today which sucks. gutted and losing hope tbh

Also, if you don't mind me asking, how did you find out? Was it via email?

 

[tc.la.vs]

thanks that's kind. will cross my fingers for you

was by email

 

[B A]

Has Freshfields just stopped giving out WGs? I haven't heard back post-app yet lol

Same I'm not sure why we've not heard back yet, might just assume it's a PFO at this point