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

[kr253]

Do you guys put your work experiences that are short term? I've had about 5 jobs that I would do only during summer holidays so I've only held each for about 3/4 months. Would this be received badly to GR? Would appreciate your insight on this @Jessica Booker

Additional question, I'm being headhunted for a promotion but at another company, but have only been in my current role for less than 6 months.

Would it be better to have more experience on my CV, or to stick with one place for longer to demonstrate commitment?

(I'd love to get some advice and talk about this to somebody as it has specific details if possible also!)

Re your question about the headhunter, I would look at it as a question of whether there is more to be gained/learned in your current role? If you feel you've got as far as you can in your role (despite being there for a short amount of time) then absolutely consider the other role. If you feel there's still loads of potential and opportunities in your current role, then I would be tempted to stay and get more from it. Happy to discuss further if you want to pm me!

 

[samni]

A firm requires the following on my CV: a full classification and percentage breakdown of all academic results.

Does this ALSO require a full module breakdown of my (equivalent) A-level and GSCE results? (other than summaries). I'm afraid the CV is going to look colossal with so many module breakdowns.

Oh well, maybe I should stay on the safe side and include everything?

I would think that they just mean university - I don't think many people even know their percentage breakdowns for A-levels and GCSE

 

[samni]

Do you guys think talking about a specific deal the firm is involved in, or a specific practice area and its work is a necessity in an application?

I personally don't think so for a deal as I've not come across one that has an actual personal link to my motivations beyond a general interest! From what I've heard from multiple grad rec teams, they'd prefer something genuine than a deal put in for the sake of it

I have however talked about practice areas in my apps, but each time it's been specific to my interests and I don't think I'd put it in if it wasn't

 

[S87]

I’m sure others have more well-thought views on this, but I don’t think there’s any harm in lumping some together under one work experience entry. For instance, I often held several jobs during the summer. For one of my entries, I write down the main job I did at a bookstore and then in my description I also mention other part-time work I did during this time (e.g. working as a barista, tutoring, etc.). I also describe how holding multiple jobs helped me manage my time, develop customer service skills, etc.

However I wouldn’t take a ‘lumping’ approach to those jobs that offered me significant experience. My vac scheme at V&E was only a week, but I don't lump that together with other vac schemes. Rather I’d enter each vac scheme separately. Again, the nature and type of job you did may determine whether you lump them together with others.

Just my view Very curious what others might think.

Personally, I would include them. I worked on many short projects an include them all.

 

[ssolicitorz]

If there is no word limit for a cover letter, what do you guys suggest setting for yourself?

 

[YJ]

I have my second year grades. I got a 69 average but two of my results are concerning. I got a 2:2 in one module and a 49 in a non-law module. However my other modules are all 1st (4/6). Do you think law firms will care much about the two poor grades

 

[Asil Ahmad]

If there is no word limit for a cover letter, what do you guys suggest setting for yourself?

It depends on the firm application like NRF have 750 words, Ashurst have 1,000 words and White and Case say 800 words so it depends. Which firm are you doing a cover letter for particularly.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do you guys put your work experiences that are short term? I've had about 5 jobs that I would do only during summer holidays so I've only held each for about 3/4 months. Would this be received badly to GR? Would appreciate your insight on this @Jessica Booker

Additional question, I'm being headhunted for a promotion but at another company, but have only been in my current role for less than 6 months.

Would it be better to have more experience on my CV, or to stick with one place for longer to demonstrate commitment?

(I'd love to get some advice and talk about this to somebody as it has specific details if possible also!)

I would include as much employment as possible - Short term placements are common so it won’t be perceived negatively.

If always go with the higher levels of responsibility if that was the only consideration of moving jobs. You shouldn’t stick somewhere just because of how flightly you might be perceived if you moved. A recruiter for an entry level role really isn’t going to care about things like that in the grand scheme of things.

 

[ssolicitorz]

I have my second year grades. I got a 69 average but two of my results are concerning. I got a 2:2 in one module and a 49 in a non-law module. However my other modules are all 1st (4/6). Do you think law firms will care much about the two poor grades

I'd say it depends on you first year modules- If you have consistent 2:1s and 1sts in those, I think that would demonstrate that these 2 grades are just outliers and are just unlucky, uncharacteristic results. But having an overall 2:1 is the most important thing so as long as you have that, they won't throw out your applicition. Will be hugely firm dependent on whether they care a lot about individual marks or not.

 

[lolamcd1]

What are the best firms to apply for if I am considering doing family law in the future?

 

[Adrian_S]

What are the best firms to apply for if I am considering doing family law in the future?

Both Withers and Farrer & Co are great for family law Give ‘em a look!

 

[Scandi]

What are the best firms to apply for if I am considering doing family law in the future?

Charles Russell Speechlys too!

 

[Jammo58]

Have people received invites to NRF Watson glaser for the summer direct TC yet? I applied on 4th, deadline was 11th July.

 

[LceoH]

Hey everyone,

This might be a bit of a longer post, so bear with me please! Also I’m really sorry if this isn’t the right place for this, I just didn’t really know where else to post this. I’m at a bit of a crossroads right now in my life – I completed my undergraduate degree in Law in 2021 and am now close to completing my LLM (admittedly a bit of a “panic masters”). Ever since my first year at university, I feel like there has been a lot of emphasis placed on going down the commercial law path (by my course mates and family members), specifically becoming a solicitor at a City law firm. Throughout the years I have doubted whether this path is the right one for me, as I have always had a strong interest in human rights, however, I have also recently become quite interested in Cyberlaw, IP and data protection. I chose to do a masters because during the third year of my undergrad I felt extremely panicked and uncertain about what I wanted to do with my life. Now, more than a year after completing my bachelor’s degree, I am in the same exact position. I don’t know what I want to do with my life nor what my “dream job” would look like – and I guess this is okay, but it also means that I have absolutely no idea where to go from here. I am, however, quite certain I want to become a solicitor in the future. I have tried to use my uni's career service, but I haven't found it to be particularly helpful.

I applied for a couple of TCs throughout the year and managed to get to the AC stage recently at Ashurst, however, I was ultimately unsuccessful with all of my applications. I am now panicking because I need to find a job starting in September, but the job hunt seems to be getting increasingly more difficult for me. I have stopped applying for TCs right now as most deadlines have passed and the intake date is 2024 anyways, so it does not solve my immediate unemployment issue. Adding further complexity to this is the fact that I cannot leave London, therefore I have to find a job here and cannot consider other locations. I have mostly been applying for paralegal jobs, as I am quite certain I want to work within the legal industry, but after all these rejections, I am becoming more and more insecure about whether I am “good enough”. I know I am not the only one who feels this way, as rejections are hard for anyone to accept, but I guess I am just looking for some words of encouragement or potentially any guidance/suggestions as to relevant positions/job titles to look for when conducting my job search? Is there anyone else here who was in my position a while back and has managed to overcome this or perhaps anyone who is in this position currently? If so, I would love to talk to you/hear your thoughts! Thank you so much in advance.

 

[Adrian_S]

Hey everyone,

This might be a bit of a longer post, so bear with me please! Also I’m really sorry if this isn’t the right place for this, I just didn’t really know where else to post this. I’m at a bit of a crossroads right now in my life – I completed my undergraduate degree in Law in 2021 and am now close to completing my LLM (admittedly a bit of a “panic masters”). Ever since my first year at university, I feel like there has been a lot of emphasis placed on going down the commercial law path (by my course mates and family members), specifically becoming a solicitor at a City law firm. Throughout the years I have doubted whether this path is the right one for me, as I have always had a strong interest in human rights, however, I have also recently become quite interested in Cyberlaw, IP and data protection. I chose to do a masters because during the third year of my undergrad I felt extremely panicked and uncertain about what I wanted to do with my life. Now, more than a year after completing my bachelor’s degree, I am in the same exact position. I don’t know what I want to do with my life nor what my “dream job” would look like – and I guess this is okay, but it also means that I have absolutely no idea where to go from here. I am, however, quite certain I want to become a qualified solicitor in the future. I have tried to use my uni's career service, but I haven't found it to be particularly helpful.

I applied for a couple of TCs throughout the year and managed to get to the AC stage recently at Ashurst, however, I was ultimately unsuccessful with all of my applications. I am now panicking because I need to find a job starting in September, but the job hunt seems to be getting increasingly more difficult for me. I have stopped applying for TCs right now as most deadlines have passed and the intake date is 2024 anyways, so it does not solve my immediate unemployment issue. Adding further complexity to this is the fact that I cannot leave London, therefore I have to find a job here and cannot consider other locations. I have mostly been applying for paralegal jobs, as I am quite certain I want to work within the legal industry, but after all these rejections, I am becoming more and more insecure about whether I am “good enough”. I know I am not the only one who feels this way, as rejections are hard for anyone to accept, but I guess I am just looking for some words of encouragement or potentially any guidance/suggestions as to relevant positions/job titles to look for when conducting my job search? Is there anyone else here who was in my position a while back and has managed to overcome this or perhaps anyone who is in this position currently? If so, I would love to talk to you/hear your thoughts! Thank you so much in advance.

Hey! I’m really glad you’re thinking so deeply about this. It’s a complex decision to make. I sympathise incredibly and have done pretty extensive work in refugee and social welfare law myself. I’d be happy to talk about this and will send you a DM

You’re definitely not in a bad position at all. And yes, you’re more than capable of being a commercial lawyer! That said, I’d also suggest that you keep applying for a variety of legal work experiences (vac schemes and open days) alongside applications for a paralegal job. This is because it can be difficult to know whether commercial law, human rights law, IP matters etc truly appeal to you without more firsthand experience. Short work schemes will help you make sense of where your interests truly lie.

Also, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number of trainees I’ve met (mostly at US firms) who came to commercial law after trying out many different careers. Speaking as a late career changer, I think applying for a variety of work experiences will be helpful on your TC journey. If you ultimately pursue commercial law, the breadth of work experience can be a way of demonstrating to a firm that you’ve really thought about your decision.

 

[Adrian_S]

Hey everyone,

This might be a bit of a longer post, so bear with me please! Also I’m really sorry if this isn’t the right place for this, I just didn’t really know where else to post this. I’m at a bit of a crossroads right now in my life – I completed my undergraduate degree in Law in 2021 and am now close to completing my LLM (admittedly a bit of a “panic masters”). Ever since my first year at university, I feel like there has been a lot of emphasis placed on going down the commercial law path (by my course mates and family members), specifically becoming a solicitor at a City law firm. Throughout the years I have doubted whether this path is the right one for me, as I have always had a strong interest in human rights, however, I have also recently become quite interested in Cyberlaw, IP and data protection. I chose to do a masters because during the third year of my undergrad I felt extremely panicked and uncertain about what I wanted to do with my life. Now, more than a year after completing my bachelor’s degree, I am in the same exact position. I don’t know what I want to do with my life nor what my “dream job” would look like – and I guess this is okay, but it also means that I have absolutely no idea where to go from here. I am, however, quite certain I want to become a qualified solicitor in the future. I have tried to use my uni's career service, but I haven't found it to be particularly helpful.

I applied for a couple of TCs throughout the year and managed to get to the AC stage recently at Ashurst, however, I was ultimately unsuccessful with all of my applications. I am now panicking because I need to find a job starting in September, but the job hunt seems to be getting increasingly more difficult for me. I have stopped applying for TCs right now as most deadlines have passed and the intake date is 2024 anyways, so it does not solve my immediate unemployment issue. Adding further complexity to this is the fact that I cannot leave London, therefore I have to find a job here and cannot consider other locations. I have mostly been applying for paralegal jobs, as I am quite certain I want to work within the legal industry, but after all these rejections, I am becoming more and more insecure about whether I am “good enough”. I know I am not the only one who feels this way, as rejections are hard for anyone to accept, but I guess I am just looking for some words of encouragement or potentially any guidance/suggestions as to relevant positions/job titles to look for when conducting my job search? Is there anyone else here who was in my position a while back and has managed to overcome this or perhaps anyone who is in this position currently? If so, I would love to talk to you/hear your thoughts! Thank you so much in advance.

also, while i’m here, legal cheek is having a great event on human rights law (for anyone also considering that career path).

Virtual student event TODAY: How to become a human rights lawyer — with Bindmans, Cornerstone Barristers and ULaw - Legal Cheek

Tuesday 19 July, 4pm to 6pm, taking place virtually

www.legalcheek.com

 

[LceoH]

Hey! I’m really glad you’re thinking so deeply about this. It’s a complex decision to make. I sympathise incredibly and have done pretty extensive work in refugee and social welfare law myself. I’d be happy to talk about this and will send you a DM

You’re definitely not in a bad position at all. I’d also say keep applying for a variety of legal work experiences (vac schemes and open days) while you apply for a job to keep you afloat. This is because it can be difficult to know whether commercial law, human rights law, etc truly appeal to you without more firsthand experience. Short work schemes at various places will help you make sense of where your interests truly lie.

Also, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number of trainees I’ve met (mostly at US firms) who came into commercial law after trying out many different careers. Speaking as a late career changer, I think applying for a variety of work experiences will be helpful on your TC journey. If you ultimately pursue commercial law, the breadth of work experience can be a way of demonstrating to a firm that you’ve really thought about your choice to pursue commercial law.

Thank you so much for your words of reassurance and advice, I really appreciate it. It's so nice to hear from someone who is a late career changer, especially because so often it feels like everyone knows exactly what they want to do with their lives right from the start! I will definitely have a look at the Legal Cheek event, it seems like it could be very useful. Once again thank you, have a nice day!

 

[Bradley Draper]

Have people received invites to NRF Watson glaser for the summer direct TC yet? I applied on 4th, deadline was 11th July.

Yet to receive mine too

 

[IT7]

Does anyone know what the general timeline is for the White & Case TC process? How long after the deadline do they usually schedule Video interviews, telephone interviews and final ACs?

 

[F12M34L]

Is it too late to apply for Macfarlanes' Direct TC? The deadline is on the 25th and it's on a rolling basis.