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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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I think (i) depends on the type of firm. I personally feel like it really works well for me when I answer 'why law' with some personal story and what made me realize that this is the right field for me. For example, the fact that it is a service-industry and the human interaction. Definitely talk about why you decided to change careers, what type of development will Law give you that accounting didn't. Definitely don't keep it general (they will forget you if it is general).
I once made a Partner laugh by saying that I appointed myself as a mediator during family debates and he thought it was funny that it was the reason I thought I'd be a good lawyer. Always just try to make it personal!
Jessica Booker
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Do you mean in an application or at interview (as my advice would be slightly different depending on the answer)?
I am beyond delighted to have accepted a TC offer with WBD 🎉🍾
I have been a long time lurker and semi frequent poster on TCLA, but I am so grateful for the community here - just knowing other people are going through the same thing has been invaluable!
This was my third cycle and I am a career changer, and I was lucky enough to receive FOUR TC offers through direct TC applications this cycle. I thought it might be useful to pay something back to this community and explain the main changes I made this cycle that meant I was able to be so successful...
Firstly it may sound obvious but one of the biggest things I changed was the firms I was applying to. I thought much harder about what I actually wanted from a career in commercial law, and what I wanted from the firms I was applying to. For me, this meant prioritising work/life balance, culture and location, as well as firms' sector expertise. Looking back, my PFOs in my first few cycles were blessings in disguise - I would have hated working at those firms!
The other HUGE thing that I changed was getting legal work experience. As a career changer, I went into my first few cycles a bit naively assuming that my incredibly useful and transferrable work experience in a totally different industry would be recognised as such by firms, but I got strings of PFOs that left me sure that some of my applications weren't even being read since I couldn't tick a "legal work experience" box. After getting a paralegal role, I progressed to AC in 100% of my apps this cycle. I know there are some on this forum who don't think legal experience is necessary, and in principle I agree, but paralegalling was the biggest game changer in my applications!
Sorry for the long post but just to add that this isn't intended to be bragging in any way, I just hope it's helpful to some people who are in the same position I was in this time last year! I will be sticking around TCLA if anyone has any qs!
I have been a long time lurker and semi frequent poster on TCLA, but I am so grateful for the community here - just knowing other people are going through the same thing has been invaluable!
This was my third cycle and I am a career changer, and I was lucky enough to receive FOUR TC offers through direct TC applications this cycle. I thought it might be useful to pay something back to this community and explain the main changes I made this cycle that meant I was able to be so successful...
Firstly it may sound obvious but one of the biggest things I changed was the firms I was applying to. I thought much harder about what I actually wanted from a career in commercial law, and what I wanted from the firms I was applying to. For me, this meant prioritising work/life balance, culture and location, as well as firms' sector expertise. Looking back, my PFOs in my first few cycles were blessings in disguise - I would have hated working at those firms!
The other HUGE thing that I changed was getting legal work experience. As a career changer, I went into my first few cycles a bit naively assuming that my incredibly useful and transferrable work experience in a totally different industry would be recognised as such by firms, but I got strings of PFOs that left me sure that some of my applications weren't even being read since I couldn't tick a "legal work experience" box. After getting a paralegal role, I progressed to AC in 100% of my apps this cycle. I know there are some on this forum who don't think legal experience is necessary, and in principle I agree, but paralegalling was the biggest game changer in my applications!
Sorry for the long post but just to add that this isn't intended to be bragging in any way, I just hope it's helpful to some people who are in the same position I was in this time last year! I will be sticking around TCLA if anyone has any qs!
Jessica Booker
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TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
- Aug 1, 2019
- 14,505
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This is amazing news - congratulations on not only starting your career with WBD but also all the other success you have had this cycle.
I imagine we’ll hear back on Wednesday, if they still intend to let us know ‘by the end of August’ that is…
That's awesome! I'm going to Southampton for a 2024 start!
Just bombed the W&C VI :/
Do you guys think it's seen really badly when the recording cuts off during near the end of your answer?
Do you guys think it's seen really badly when the recording cuts off during near the end of your answer?
Hello all! It’s good to see some familiar names still around and really exciting to have new members.
I am about to enter my third proper cycle. Last year started off brilliantly. Almost all my apps progressed to test or VI stage. I was disciplined and motivated and kicking ass. And then my parent had a major health scare, I had to rush to their country to support them and I failed every VI.
I sort of stepped away from this process for the past 6 months. I am a career changer but had stayed at a job I’d outgrown while applying for TC. I decided I’d had enough so set aside this process, and instead applied for and have now begun a governance role in a financial services firm. So, now refreshed, I’m back.
If you’ve stayed with me for this long, thank you and here’s my question: how do I reapply to those firms where I got through the application stage. I know I need to practice and do better at VI but my apps were really good and were successful. Obviously I can update them re my new job but apart from that not much has changed. I still want a career in law for the same reasons as before; my feelings towards the firms, which were well-bolstered by research and attending events, remain steady. Any tips on how to refresh my applications?
Thank you so much!
I am about to enter my third proper cycle. Last year started off brilliantly. Almost all my apps progressed to test or VI stage. I was disciplined and motivated and kicking ass. And then my parent had a major health scare, I had to rush to their country to support them and I failed every VI.
I sort of stepped away from this process for the past 6 months. I am a career changer but had stayed at a job I’d outgrown while applying for TC. I decided I’d had enough so set aside this process, and instead applied for and have now begun a governance role in a financial services firm. So, now refreshed, I’m back.
If you’ve stayed with me for this long, thank you and here’s my question: how do I reapply to those firms where I got through the application stage. I know I need to practice and do better at VI but my apps were really good and were successful. Obviously I can update them re my new job but apart from that not much has changed. I still want a career in law for the same reasons as before; my feelings towards the firms, which were well-bolstered by research and attending events, remain steady. Any tips on how to refresh my applications?
Thank you so much!
hey, i did the w&c vi for the vac scheme earlier this year and progressed to ac despite my first answer being cut off mid sentence, my second answer being half the allotted time length, and part of my answers being a nervous jumbled mess. so don't worry too much - as long as the content is good they don't mind!
This is really reassuring, thank you so much
Feels like I bungled them so badly to the point I'm embarrassed GR has to see them haha, fingers crossed they come across a bit better when replayed!
Congrats for the interview invite! Just wondering if you had your interview already if you did how did it go and was it in person? I havent heard back yet so I'm guessing it's a rejection but still wondering how it went for you
)Don't worry. I thought I bungled my interview at WBD. I left wanting to cry but I was just offered a Tc for them! Sometimes our brains make us criticise ourselves so much to the point we think negatively of our experiences.This is really reassuring, thank you so much
Feels like I bungled them so badly to the point I'm embarrassed GR has to see them haha, fingers crossed they come across a bit better when replayed!
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