TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

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Jessica Booker

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If you don't have any experience with a firm, how would you go about justifying applying there or wanting to train there?
You don’t have to have experience with the firm - most applicants won’t have anyway meaningful interaction anyway.

Research will help focus your answers. It’s also important to be self-reflective - try to work out what is important to you, whether it’s the type of work, cultural aspects, ways of working, training opportunities etc.

You’ll then lead with yourself. This is actually the most important part of an application. Your answers are not really about the firm, they are actually about you first. You then just have to align the firm with what those wants/aspirations are.
 
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AvniD

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If you don't have any experience with a firm, how would you go about justifying applying there or wanting to train there?
I would suggest looking out for any virtual events of webinars they may be doing or reading articles posted by the firm on their website/socials to show that you have put in the effort to get to know the firm beyond just its practice areas and rankings. You could also follow current trainees on social media to get an insight into what working at the firm is like and the things that set its TC apart.

Apart from these things, ensuring that you undertake really in-depth research is very important, as @Jessica Booker said. I used these research grids that a future trainee on had posted about on Instagram and they were exceedingly helpful in organising my research and giving me pointers on what I should be looking at.
 

sxw517

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    How recent should a news story be when discussing at interview?
    I always try and find something that I can talk about that's within the month.

    I dont know whether this is a reflection of me as a cynical person, but I feel that if its not as recent as possible, it may seem to the interviewer like I just use the same article for every interview and dont stay up to date with current affairs.
     
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    AvniD

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    How recent should a news story be when discussing at interview?
    It depends- it could be something that happened 6-12 months ago but has seen developments more recently, within a month or so. It could also be a completely fresh news story which is less than a couple months old. As long as you stay within 6-12 months from the date of your interview, it should be okay. The focus is more on whether you've understood the implication of the news story for the parties involved and possibly the firm and its clients.
     
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