TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Phoebe123451]

Oh really? Do you know if that was a rejection post-WG?

Yep - rejection post-WG. Interestingly, she also had received a WG extension so had completed it after the last WG deadline.

 

[sxw517]

Heard back from Weil with a WG invite.

 

[sxw517]

I wonder if Hogan will get back this week?

Also eagerly awaiting this - guessing no ones heard anything since WG

 

[Adrian_S]

If anyone did the final Farrer interview, can I ask when grad rec said they’d get back to us with a decision? I always forget to ask 😬

 

[the english lawyer]

If anyone did the final Farrer interview, can I ask when grad rec said they’d get back to us with a decision? I always forget to ask 😬

hey,
i had the final stage interview 2 weeks ago. they told me they would get back to me in a few weeks, but if i had another interview / offer i should let them know and they will try expedite the process.
i feel we will hear back by this week / next week latest.

 

[Adrian_S]

hey,
i had the final stage interview 2 weeks ago. they told me they would get back to me in a few weeks, but if i had another interview / offer i should let them know and they will try expedite the process.
i feel we will hear back by this week / next week latest.

thank you so much!

 

[the english lawyer]

has anyone heard from travers smith direct tc app?

 

[sa174m]

If anyone did the final Farrer interview, can I ask when grad rec said they’d get back to us with a decision? I always forget to ask 😬

They said they are still doing interviews this week. They told me they need 1-2 weeks to respond!

 

[Adrian_S]

They said they are still doing interviews this week. They told me they need 1-2 weeks to respond!

thank you so much! y’all are so helpful

 

[Alison C]

Just did my White & Case video interview.. I had prepared answers for just about every question that showed up and rehearsed them beforehand but when it came to the actual recording I was so nervous that I just couldn't stop stuttering 😭

I got invited to 2 video interviews last cycle and faced the same problem - got rejected from both after the car crash VIs lol. Rn I'm thinking I've screwed up yet another VI and ruined my chances again I'm just very disheartened that I'm not even getting through to AC because I'm struggling so much with VIs

I know that VIs are supposed to help bring your application to life, but can anyone here share tips on how not come across as too tense and how to keep your nerves under enough control to not stutter and speak too fast?

And from a grad rec perspective @Jessica Booker have you ever found yourself still progressing a candidate even though he/she stuttered a bit or seemed a little flustered but still managed to deliver good points across in the recording? Or is it so competitive that only the recordings with good substance in their answers, as well as being well-structured and well-composed (i.e. near perfect) get progressed to the next stage?

Also in case anyone wondering...
Opportunity I applied for: London 2024 Training Contract
Deadline: 15 July 2022
I applied on: 15 July 2022
Received VI invite: 17 August 2022 (you have 5 days from when you receive the invite to complete the VI on Launchpad) VI recordings are reviewed on a rolling basis.
VI format: 3 questions total; 15 seconds prep time before each question, recording lasts for 90 seconds. You are not allowed to re-record.

You're obviously writing really good applications and are just stumbling with something specific, which must be really frustrating. It's not clear if you've rehearsed the actual questions you were given or just something similar but if it's that nerves are getting the better of you, then one way to deal with that is just to normalise it as much as possible. Could you challenge yourself to speak out more in meetings at work or college? Could you practise videoing yourself using Zoom, every day before breakfast?

You don't comment on the content of your answers, only the pragmatics. I wonder if you should try something a bit leftfield like practising your answers to the rhythm of a piece of music? Or using a metronome (or another sound signal) to really give you a deeper sense of time and how many words to fit in? It might seem somewhat irritating at first but it might just allow you to take yourself to a different place mentally.

I know that when I'm having a rough time then regaining my sense of humour can be a great survival tactic. Maybe you can get yourself to laugh at the ludicrousness too, when the pain has dissipated. Then get out the verbal dance moves. And what a great answer you will have for 'overcoming a challenge'!

 

[Anna W]

Just received a call for a first round interview at Paul Hastings! For people who are still waiting, I was told they’re hoping to do first round interviews Thursday and Friday this week, and potentially Monday and Tuesday next week depending on people’s availability so they should be getting back to people soon!

 

[Adrian_S]

Just received a call for a first round interview at Paul Hastings! For people who are still waiting, I was told they’re hoping to do first round interviews Thursday and Friday this week, and potentially Monday and Tuesday next week depending on people’s availability so they should be getting back to people soon!

Congratulations! Was just hoping to ask when you applied? And is the first round interview the next stage after the written application?

 

[the english lawyer]

Just received a call for a first round interview at Paul Hastings! For people who are still waiting, I was told they’re hoping to do first round interviews Thursday and Friday this week, and potentially Monday and Tuesday next week depending on people’s availability so they should be getting back to people soon!

they call to luk re invite for first stage interview? that's wild.
congrats btw!

 

[Anna W]

Congratulations! Was just hoping to ask when you applied? And is the first round interview the next stage after the written application?

Thank you!!

I applied on the deadline and I think it is the next stage after the written application

 

[ashleigh22]

Could anyone please share some insight as to what kind of questions we can ask to find out the training structure of different firms? Eg what kind of things should we look out for specifically that make all training contracts different?

Thank you!

 

[gigi123]

Hey guys! Long time lurker but first time poster here

I was wondering if anyone here gone through an Experian background check (occupational history, credit, criminal check, etc)? I got offered a TC and the offer is conditional on passing the background check. Just wondering how intensive it is especially the occupational history part. The email from the firm said that I’ll need to supply references from all my employers over the last 5 years but one of my supervisors from a summer internship has since retired and is in very poor health. I don't think he'll be able to supply a reference. This was a remote internship at a small charity and my supervisor was really the only person I communicated with so I’m not sure who else could vouch for me other than the other intern on the project. Will Experian accept other proof that I worked there (ie email communication during the internship)?

Furthermore, my work experience has all been either University society-related, unpaid internships, or volunteer roles. No paid work experience at all. In this case, how will Experian check these? Some roles have been more formal than others so I have signed contracts/agreements with the organisations that I could supply Experian with but no payslips or formal employment contracts.

I've not yet been sent the link to the Experian Platform but I've been working everything up in my head and am starting to feel a bit nervous about these factors. Any insight would be very appreciated!

 

[mads_g]

Hi everyone

I've just been invited for an assessment day with Devonshires.

If any one has any experience interviewing or working with the firm I would love to hear any insights you can share! Please send me a private message

Thanks!

 

[LegalC]

Yes - might drop them an email bc in the application submission it said we could expect to hear by the end of August but it’s not looking good atm

I emailed on 8 August about when applicants would hear back and had no response 😬

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey guys! Long time lurker but first time poster here

I was wondering if anyone here gone through an Experian background check (occupational history, credit, criminal check, etc)? I got offered a TC and the offer is conditional on passing the background check. Just wondering how intensive it is especially the occupational history part. The email from the firm said that I’ll need to supply references from all my employers over the last 5 years but one of my supervisors from a summer internship has since retired and is in very poor health. I don't think he'll be able to supply a reference. This was a remote internship at a small charity and my supervisor was really the only person I communicated with so I’m not sure who else could vouch for me other than the other intern on the project. Will Experian accept other proof that I worked there (ie email communication during the internship)?

Furthermore, my work experience has all been either University society-related, unpaid internships, or volunteer roles. No paid work experience at all. In this case, how will Experian check these? Some roles have been more formal than others so I have signed contracts/agreements with the organisations that I could supply Experian with but no payslips or formal employment contracts.

I've not yet been sent the link to the Experian Platform but I've been working everything up in my head and am starting to feel a bit nervous about these factors. Any insight would be very appreciated!

Any reference process will try to be as thorough as possible so it can be quite intensive.

For the charity internship, they will try to contact someone else in the organisation that can verify you worked there. Its unlikely only one person knew of your placement and therefore they will typically seek confirmation from someone else (usually HR). If they cannot verify it, then they will seek alternative means. For instance, I had a recruitment agency who flat refused to confirm I had worked through them (as they had wiped my data from their systems were so much time had passed) and instead, I showed my bank statements that confirmed I received payments from them for the months I worked through them. Similar approaches can be taken, either with written confirmation of your placement you received at the time or even some form of personal reference from someone you know personally (non-family and in a recognised profession) who can say you did these roles. For instance, my work history is quite difficult to provide references for where I am self-employed, and so employers have taken references from a CFO I went to university with and also my accountant who "vouched" for my character.

University society involvement is unlikely to be checked - its not considered employment.

Any volunteer roles/unpaid internships (especially if they are you only forms of "employment") could be confirmed by alternative methods (like those listed above).

The only time you ever have to worry about reference checks is if you have lied - so generally there is nothing to worry about here.

 

[gigi123]

Any reference process will try to be as thorough as possible so it can be quite intensive.

For the charity internship, they will try to contact someone else in the organisation that can verify you worked there. Its unlikely only one person knew of your placement and therefore they will typically seek confirmation from someone else (usually HR). If they cannot verify it, then they will seek alternative means. For instance, I had a recruitment agency who flat refused to confirm I had worked through them (as they had wiped my data from their systems were so much time had passed) and instead, I showed my bank statements that confirmed I received payments from them for the months I worked through them. Similar approaches can be taken, either with written confirmation of your placement you received at the time or even some form of personal reference from someone you know personally (non-family and in a recognised profession) who can say you did these roles. For instance, my work history is quite difficult to provide references for where I am self-employed, and so employers have taken references from a CFO I went to university with and also my accountant who "vouched" for my character.

University society involvement is unlikely to be checked - its not considered employment.

Any volunteer roles/unpaid internships (especially if they are you only forms of "employment") could be confirmed by alternative methods (like those listed above).

The only time you ever have to worry about reference checks is if you have lied - so generally there is nothing to worry about here.

This was really helpful- thanks so much!