TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[M0M007]

For Ashurst I am pretty sure they said we will hear back by the 18th of may

19th May right?

 

[Fd321]

If I am writing a cover letter to be sent as an attachment to an email, is it necessary to include the firm's address and my address on the cover letter still or is it not required? Would save me a lot of space!

My tip is include it, but just make your font size as small as it can without looking noticeably small (you can decrease the font size by .5s) and make your margins on a custom setting, play around with them until they look a pretty standard size but are narrower than usual. Hope this helps as I usually include the address even if sending over email as a formality

 

[Untilwinter]

Anyone know the actual deadline for BM VI?
It says 7 days but does that mean by Tuesday? By monday? Or the time we got the email?

 

[Jedward87]

Anyone know the actual deadline for BM VI?
It says 7 days but does that mean by Tuesday? By monday? Or the time we got the email?

It’s from when you received the email - so 7 days from the receiving moment, I don’t think the bank holiday would add a day or anything. Best of luck!

 

[Phoebe123451]

Hi guys - has anyone been successful in securing an interview/AC/VS from Goodwin? I'm writing a direct app now and a few of the questions are quite new to me - please let me know if you have any advice!

 

[zizszhplum]

My tip is include it, but just make your font size as small as it can without looking noticeably small (you can decrease the font size by .5s) and make your margins on a custom setting, play around with them until they look a pretty standard size but are narrower than usual. Hope this helps as I usually include the address even if sending over email as a formality

thank you so much, this really helps

 

[spamelinazoid]

Does anyone know how long the VI for Bakers is per question? 1 minute, 90 secs? My email didn't say, and I cant find info in it online

 

[Samir_O]

when referencing a deal that makes you interested in applying to a firm, how recent does it need to be?

 

[Denver]

when referencing a deal that makes you interested in applying to a firm, how recent does it need to be?

At an application workshop I’ve been told no older than max 3 years, ideally within the last year.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Hello, everyone. Just wanted your take on whether it's still worth applying to BCLP via the Direct TC route, especially since it's been open since September 2022 and is rolling (app deadline is May 31). Thanks in advance.

 

[mome101]

Hello, everyone. Just wanted your take on whether it's still worth applying to BCLP via the Direct TC route, especially since it's been open since September 2022 and is rolling (app deadline is May 31). Thanks in advance.

I think there’s still a substantial time to apply, so I’d say definitely apply if you like the firm

 

[BM99]

Has anyone encountered people who attempted to change their careers from accounting to law, and succeeded in the end? @Jessica Booker Can you please share whether you have encountered candidates like that?

I have not secured a TC yet but because of family reasons, I have to settle down at an accounting firm now (Tax) and can only wait for the cycle to begin before I can start applying again. I am just afraid that my experiences at the firm doing tax will not be recognised by law firms, and it will be super difficult to transfer back to law...

 

[Phoebe123451]

Has anyone encountered people who attempted to change their careers from accounting to law, and succeeded in the end? @Jessica Booker Can you please share whether you have encountered candidates like that?

I have not secured a TC yet but because of family reasons, I have to settle down at an accounting firm now (Tax) and can only wait for the cycle to begin before I can start applying again. I am just afraid that my experiences at the firm doing tax will not be recognised by law firms, and it will be super difficult to transfer back to law...

Hi - I'm by no means an authority on anything but I thought I'd just add this to give some peace of mind: I've met MANY career changers at open days etc, some of whom came from fields that were completely unrelated to law (far more so than tax). I did a vac at a big U.S. firm and met one of the future Trainees, who was in his late 20s and had been apart of the Air Force, so I really think it should be ok!!

 

[Untilwinter]

Hello, everyone. Just wanted your take on whether it's still worth applying to BCLP via the Direct TC route, especially since it's been open since September 2022 and is rolling (app deadline is May 31). Thanks in advance.

I have submitted on the deadline for multiple firms with a rolling deadline and made it through the app stage. Its def worth having a go

 

[Fuelled By Caffeine]

When answering questions for a video interview, what do people find to be the best strategy? Trying to cover a number of points or going into depth on a single point or example?

For instance, when answering a commercial awareness question (such as something on the challenges faced by law firms), is it better to cover several points with less depth or to answer with a single detailed point?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Has anyone encountered people who attempted to change their careers from accounting to law, and succeeded in the end? @Jessica Booker Can you please share whether you have encountered candidates like that?

I have not secured a TC yet but because of family reasons, I have to settle down at an accounting firm now (Tax) and can only wait for the cycle to begin before I can start applying again. I am just afraid that my experiences at the firm doing tax will not be recognised by law firms, and it will be super difficult to transfer back to law...

Yes, I have recruited many career changers in my time and still seem them regularly via TCLA and my professional network. That includes people who have worked in accountancy.

Your experience will be considered as work experience - just not legal work experience. The main challenge for career changers is explaining why you want to make the change and why you are willing to start a career from scratch (your previous career is unlikely to fast track your career progression as a lawyer, and you will be at the bottom of the work food chain).

 

[Lawyerscup]

When answering questions for a video interview, what do people find to be the best strategy? Trying to cover a number of points or going into depth on a single point or example?

For instance, when answering a commercial awareness question (such as something on the challenges faced by law firms), is it better to cover several points with less depth or to answer with a single detailed point?

I was wondering as well @Jessica Booker do you know by any chance? Thank you

 

[CallumJR]

Completely bombed my Baker McKenzie VI - no chance you could have prepared for those questions.

Very annoying when you spend so much time drafting an app, passing WG and then in 15min mess up your entire application.

 

[O]

Completely bombed my Baker McKenzie VI - no chance you could have prepared for those questions.

Very annoying when you spend so much time drafting an app, passing WG and then in 15min mess up your entire application.

same here

 

[LawInTheNorth]

Completely bombed my Baker McKenzie VI - no chance you could have prepared for those questions.

Very annoying when you spend so much time drafting an app, passing WG and then in 15min mess up your entire application.

The questions must’ve still been based on the firm? Or were they really completely out of the blue?