TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Deleted member 3712]

From experience of previous cycles, do Freshfields, Linklaters and Clifford Chance reopen applications for the TC later in the year? Anyone know when if yes? Aware their deadlines are early December for TC currently.

 

[Deleted member 3712]

Has anyone done the Simmons & Simmons test? If so, does anyone have any advice?

Will pm you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

From experience of previous cycles, do Freshfields, Linklaters and Clifford Chance reopen applications for the TC later in the year? Anyone know when if yes? Aware their deadlines are early December for TC currently.

They all typically reopen for law students/graduates in the summer - usually late May to June/July.

 

[the english lawyer]

Has anyone heard from W&C post final partner interview? I know we’ve varyingly heard end of Nov/early Dec but it’s coming up on 5 weeks since the interview. Has anyone sent an check in email?

they told me we should hear by end of this week

 

[samni]

they told me we should hear by end of this week

Thanks for the update!!

 

[Deleted member 3712]

They all typically reopen for law students/graduates in the summer - usually late May to June/July.

Not for non-law applicants?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Not for non-law applicants?

For many firms, unfortunately not as there would not be enough time to bring someone on to a GDL course that September. Some firms do though, its worthwhile checking with each firm's eligibility requirements.

 

[average_jo123]

In Clifford Chance's TC application form it asks for details re any instances where you've not managed to convert to a TC following a vac scheme.

The question on the CC application is specifically worded this way —

If your answer to the above question was 'no' we would appreciate any detail you feel comfortable providing. Please write N/A if this is not applicable to you.​

Can anyone offer some guidance on how I should approach answering this? I really don't want my whole application to be seen in a bad light just because I failed to convert / did not word my response to this question properly. Also, I think I would much rather disclose the fact that I've failed to convert to a TC following a vac scheme rather than try to hide it at this stage, but I just want to word it well to show that I've improved as a candidate since that rejection.

For context, I failed to convert because the scheme I was on (as far as I'm aware) was mostly un-assessed and I screwed up the final interview and written exercise. For the interview, the feedback I got was I wasn't listening to the interviewers carefully enough and I wasn't answering their questions. Same with the written exercise — I think I misread the question and ended up missing the point and my response didn't really answer the question.

I've had success with winter vac scheme interviews and written exercises since then, so I think that's a good indicator that I've definitely improved in my interview technique/verbal communication skills and attention to detail when it comes to written exercises. But I'm not sure if it's appropriate to list having success with vac scheme assessments since the TC rejection as evidence that I've improved as a candidate. I remember speaking to an interviewer (interviewer was grad rec) about my TC rejection at a winter vac scheme interview I had recently and she actually noted that it's good that I have shown resilience in continuing to apply for winter vac schemes despite this setback last summer, that I chose not to take criticism personally and that I took ownership of the mistakes I made instead of blaming it on external factors - so I suppose in my response I could mention smth along the lines of my attitude towards feedback, utilising feedback to improve myself and remaining resilient?

Should I, instead, include other examples of how I've shown proactiveness in growing in my verbal communication skills and attention to detail since I got the feedback? Also, how long should my response to this question be (there is no word limit)?

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated - especially if you've had to communicate this in a direct TC application before and had success with progressing to AC!

 

[AvniD]

In Clifford Chance's TC application it asks "In no more than 250 words, what are your motivations for applying to Clifford Chance?" Could anyone give some guidance? Should I focus on just why exactly Clifford Chance or also include my motivations for going into commercial law in general? Struggling a bit to wrap my head around how to answer it and would really appreciate any advice.

Hi @cls33, I'd stick to focusing on your motivations for working at Clifford Chance. Something along the lines of what do you like about the firm ➡️ how do you know you like it (from an open day, webinar, research etc.)➡️ why is this important to you. Repeat this for 2-3 points of motivation. Does that help?

 

[AvniD]

In Clifford Chance's TC application form it asks for details re any instances where you've not managed to convert to a TC following a vac scheme.

The question on the CC application is specifically worded this way —

If your answer to the above question was 'no' we would appreciate any detail you feel comfortable providing. Please write N/A if this is not applicable to you.​

Can anyone offer some guidance on how I should approach answering this? I really don't want my whole application to be seen in a bad light just because I failed to convert / did not word my response to this question properly. Also, I think I would much rather disclose the fact that I've failed to convert to a TC following a vac scheme rather than try to hide it at this stage, but I just want to word it well to show that I've improved as a candidate since that rejection.

For context, I failed to convert because the scheme I was on (as far as I'm aware) was mostly un-assessed and I screwed up the final interview and written exercise. For the interview, the feedback I got was I wasn't listening to the interviewers carefully enough and I wasn't answering their questions. Same with the written exercise — I think I misread the question and ended up missing the point and my response didn't really answer the question.

I've had success with winter vac scheme interviews and written exercises since then, so I think that's a good indicator that I've definitely improved in my interview technique/verbal communication skills and attention to detail when it comes to written exercises. But I'm not sure if it's appropriate to list having success with vac scheme assessments since the TC rejection as evidence that I've improved as a candidate. I remember speaking to an interviewer (interviewer was grad rec) about my TC rejection at a winter vac scheme interview I had recently and she actually noted that it's good that I have shown resilience in continuing to apply for winter vac schemes despite this setback last summer, that I chose not to take criticism personally and that I took ownership of the mistakes I made instead of blaming it on external factors - so I suppose in my response I could mention smth along the lines of my attitude towards feedback, utilising feedback to improve myself and remaining resilient?

Should I, instead, include other examples of how I've shown proactiveness in growing in my verbal communication skills and attention to detail since I got the feedback? Also, how long should my response to this question be (there is no word limit)?

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated - especially if you've had to communicate this in a direct TC application before and had success with progressing to AC!

So you have some options here- either you don't provide any detail, provide some detail or go into a proper analysis of what worked and didn't the last time you did a vac scheme and how you've tried to improve on the aspects that were flagged to you. There is a tactful way to write this answer that ensures that your application is by no means jeopardised and I would highly recommend getting your answer reviewed by someone so that you can rest assured that you message is being converted in the way you're intending.

I would focus on the feedback you received + what you personally think didn't work and then go into the steps you've taken and feedback you've received following this experience that shows you've made improvements.

I'd cap the answer to about 200 words.

 

[AvniD]

I requested feedback from two direct TC interviews that I had over the summer and never recieved it.. do you think its too late to ask for it again?

This is strange, you ideally should have received this feedback and no, it's not too late to ask. I think it's best to get a second opinion here so am tagging @Jessica Booker as I'm not a 100% sure!

 

[Jessica Booker]

This is strange, you ideally should have received this feedback and no, it's not too late to ask. I think it's best to get a second opinion here so am tagging @Jessica Booker as I'm not a 100% sure!

Yes - agree that you can still ask for feedback.

Feedback is a time-consuming process and something that can easily fall by the wayside unfortunately (I have experienced this a lot), so you can often request it and someone doesn't come back immediately. There is no harm in chasing up and explaining receiving the feedback will help you with upcoming assessments/interviews you have.

 

[futuretrainee202X]

Hi everyone, I am wondering what the general hiring timeline would look like for Freshfield's direct TC (Spring 2024). Specifically, for the AC and final hiring decision. I have been invited to their Graduate Workshop so I think I have a good chance of receiving a WG test (crossed fingers!). Thanks!!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone, I am wondering what the general hiring timeline would look like for Freshfield's direct TC (Spring 2024). Specifically, for the AC and final hiring decision. I have been invited to their Graduate Workshop so I think I have a good chance of receiving a WG test (crossed fingers!). Thanks!!

I'd say about 8-12 weeks typically from application to offer. It can be quicker but I wouldn't be surprised if it was around this time.

 

[em2211]

Hi, has anyone heard back from BCLP since doing an HR interview? Was told I should hear an outcome within a week, and that was about 2.5 weeks ago! Thanks

 

[babylawyerjo]

Hi, has anyone heard back from BCLP since doing an HR interview? Was told I should hear an outcome within a week, and that was about 2.5 weeks ago! Thanks

was this for the Direct TC or Vac scheme? I was told the same for the vac scheme and I'm still waiting to hear back

 

[rose888]

does anyone know if Freshfields winter intake is rolling?

 

[B A]

Is it just me or is there nowhere to put GCSEs or GDL results in Freshfields application? And is the Postgraduate certificate in laws the same thing as the PGDL?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it just me or is there nowhere to put GCSEs or GDL results in Freshfields application? And is the Postgraduate certificate in laws the same thing as the PGDL?

The postgraduate certificate in law will be the GDL. They don't request GCSE information.

 

[samni]

Is it just me or is there nowhere to put GCSEs or GDL results in Freshfields application? And is the Postgraduate certificate in laws the same thing as the PGDL?

They actually ask that you put it where you put the degree details (same section, they ask it in the description) - at the app workshop they said you need to put them in but like they don’t use them as a standard for review