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

[John Doe]

Actually...by the look of things, it seems like Ince has progressed quite deep into their Direct TC recruitment. It appears that they have been giving out Video Interview invites for 2023/24 TC in January 2022. So, is it still worthwhile to apply for their TC?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Has anyone applied to Ince? I am looking at their application form and I am slightly not sure what "Were you eligible for a contextualised university offer?" means. What is a contextualised university offer?

Thank you!

This article on TSR might help: What are contextual offers, who gets them and how can I apply for one? | The Student Room

 

[John Doe]

This article on TSR might help: What are contextual offers, who gets them and how can I apply for one? | The Student Room

Thank you Jessica!

 

[Georgina]

It's probably a long shot, but has anyone heard back from DACB yet?

 

[George Maxwell]

I always think this is why commercial law but why at an international law firm.

But would also want any advice on this also.

This is different to why this firm as from my understanding.

Hey @Asil Ahmad!

I am a little unclear; what would you like advice on? Very happy to help if I can!

Covid and Brexit have brought many changes and challenges to a number of sectors over recent years. Please discuss one of the sectors you believe has been affected.

The above is an Addleshaw Goddard app question.

When they say 'sector', are they specifically referring to industry sectors or can we choose to talk about a practice area for our answer?

They also mentioned the word 'sector' in another Q whereby they referred to the legal sector. I just want to be sure before I attempt to answer the question.

@James Carrabino @Jessica Booker

Hey @NaimK,

I think that Jess is definitely right that this is wanting you to mention the wider impact on specific industries/business sectors. However, if you have some word count left at the end of your answer, it will not hurt to mention the practice areas that might be engaged and why their practice might be well-suited to deal with this issue (perhaps based on previous experience). This isn't a must, but if you are keen to demonstrate legal knowledge in a commercial setting, it could work.

Hope that helps!

Hi Jess, should the focus of the job be what a trainee does, NQ associate, or partner? Would it be shallow to present an understanding of what a trainee does, if the goal is to become a partner? But if I talk about what I'm interested at a partner level, would it be too far? Hope my question makes sense!

Hey @lawnoob,

To add my two cents, I would definitely focus on being a junior lawyer. I think it could come across as presumptive/naïve to speak about partnership when you haven't yet entered the profession, given how few people make it (and actually want to make it too!).

I think being ambitious is important, but in this case, I think it is best to speak about the broader themes of being a lawyer at any level (e.g., being highly detail-orientated, the ability to think logically and problem solve), and then focus on the specifics of being a junior lawyer (specifically a trainee/early NQ).

This is only my opinion though, and others may disagree; arguing that being ambitious and speaking about partnership is appropriate

 

[CamilleL]

Hi everyone,

Just a general question. I am going to start practicing for the Watson Glaser (for the 3rd time in 3 years).

I used Assessment Day practice tests so far, but I don't think I've really made any progress with them.

I am thinking about purchasing JobTestPrep's package this time. Has anyone used it and can give a feedback? Or any other practice test provider?

Any advice is welcome!

Thank you

 

[psr23]

Can GDL grads apply for the Freshfields TC during the summer application window?

 

[Legalmel_99]

It's probably a long shot, but has anyone heard back from DACB yet?

Should hear from them 2nd week of June at the latest ☺️

 

[TC fiend]

Can GDL grads apply for the Freshfields TC during the summer application window?

Yes, you’re a law grad for their purposes once you’ve finished the GDL

 

[GXA123]

will field fisher open their apps again?

 

[Tonye]

Anyone heard back regarding the HSBC/Mayer Brown trainee role?

I have. I'm currently doing the second round of assessments

 

[show_me_the_tc]

Hi everyone,

Just a general question. I am going to start practicing for the Watson Glaser (for the 3rd time in 3 years).

I used Assessment Day practice tests so far, but I don't think I've really made any progress with them.

I am thinking about purchasing JobTestPrep's package this time. Has anyone used it and can give a feedback? Or any other practice test provider?

Any advice is welcome!

Thank you

I paid for this package and I found it really useful. There is a document for each section of the WG detailing the logic behind it and all of the things to look out for which I printed out and scribbled on, and then within your portal, you can repeatedly practice questions within the areas you're struggling with (mine was assumptions!). I did this process for about a week straight, after which I achieved 97th percentile in a WG, which I put entirely down to this process!

 

[littlecat]

Has anyone heard back from Lewis Silkin after the pre-selection exercises?

 

[CC77]

Shoosmiths PFO!

 

[George Maxwell]

Hi everyone,

Just a general question. I am going to start practicing for the Watson Glaser (for the 3rd time in 3 years).

I used Assessment Day practice tests so far, but I don't think I've really made any progress with them.

I am thinking about purchasing JobTestPrep's package this time. Has anyone used it and can give a feedback? Or any other practice test provider?

Any advice is welcome!

Thank you

Hey @CamilleL,

I am sorry to hear that you didn't find the Assessment Day package helpful.

To add to what @show_me_the_tc has said; I think they they are right in that JobTestPrep is much better at explaining/helping you improve, whereas Assessment Day is purely useful for practicing purposes (and is less good for gaining a basic understanding and explaining the logic behind the right answer).

I would really recommend Joe Mallet's course (which is now part of TCLA's premium offering). I paid for this when Joe was just selling the course over lockdown and I found it really helpful. I bought a few books online about general aptitude tests too, but honestly found Joe's course far more useful. There may well be some preparatory books worth looking at though (arguably instead of the JobTestPrep package, which is very expensive - although pretty comprehensive).

Very happy to help further if I can with this. Let me know if you would like advice on anything else 🚀

 

[iamJW]

Is the Dentons TC rolling? Wondering if it is worth my while to apply since I saw people had telephone interviews already

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Is the Dentons TC rolling? Wondering if it is worth my while to apply since I saw people had telephone interviews already

I wanted to know this also.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hey @Asil Ahmad!

I am a little unclear; what would you like advice on? Very happy to help if I can!


Hey @NaimK,

I think that Jess is definitely right that this is wanting you to mention the wider impact on specific industries/business sectors. However, if you have some word count left at the end of your answer, it will not hurt to mention the practice areas that might be engaged and why their practice might be well-suited to deal with this issue (perhaps based on previous experience). This isn't a must, but if you are keen to demonstrate legal knowledge in a commercial setting, it could work.

Hope that helps!

Hey @lawnoob,

To add my two cents, I would definitely focus on being a junior lawyer. I think it could come across as presumptive/naïve to speak about partnership when you haven't yet entered the profession, given how few people make it (and actually want to make it too!).

I think being ambitious is important, but in this case, I think it is best to speak about the broader themes of being a lawyer at any level (e.g., being highly detail-orientated, the ability to think logically and problem solve), and then focus on the specifics of being a junior lawyer (specifically a trainee/early NQ).

This is only my opinion though, and others may disagree; arguing that being ambitious and speaking about partnership is appropriate

Thank you for this sorry for it.

I am so sorry I actually forgot what I meant by this.

Thank you very much for your reply.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is the Dentons TC rolling? Wondering if it is worth my while to apply since I saw people had telephone interviews already

This is from their website:

 

[F12M34L]

I wanted to know this also.

Its rolling