TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Jessica Booker]

How much should you talk about past vacation schemes in a personal statement if there is also a work experience section in the application? Right now I'm just drawing on it to back up my motivation for commercial law as well as specific practice areas. I don't go in much detail of concrete work I've done or skills I build, as it is in the work experience section. Not sure if the section is always read though, or if it's only read if the personal statement is deemed good. Thanks!!

Definitely no need to repeat it - I would focus more on what you enjoyed about the work/how that motivates you to do the job you are applying to, rather than focusing on what you did.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I can’t quite believe I’m writing this… I have now received two Training Contract offers over the last week!!! 🤩🥳🥳 It feels completely surreal.

I want to say a massive thank you to the whole of the TCLA team, especially @Jessica Booker who has always been there to answer any questions or reassure me on a phone call. I also want to say thank you to anyone who has helped me along my journey, I couldn’t have done it alone!

The process of getting a TC involves (at least it did for me) plenty of rejection and disappointment, so my tips are to:

(1) Join lots of forums on TCLA and interact with as many people you can. I have had my nerves calmed/questions answered by countless people on this platform.

(2) Paralegal if you are a graduate. This might not be for everyone, but working for a law firm has taught me so much about the “work of a trainee”. It definitely helped my applications/interviews!

(3) Get TCLA Gold Membership. I remember thinking at the start, omg this is expensive / I’m not sure whether I should do it - but in the end decided that 5 hours working behind a bar was worth being able to view countless *successful* applications. And I was right! Even if you only subscribe for a couple of months, get on there and read what a successful application looks like. Have an application reviewed! This will help you more than anything else if you can’t get through that first stage!!

I’m always happy to answer any questions that anyone might have, just DM me!

This is amazing news!! Double the congratulations on two offers (and thank you for your kind words!).

 

[WAL007]

Got invited to Dentons test and video interview. I do not think I have done well enough to go through to the next stage

 

[Jaysen]

Does anyone know whether if you join TCLA Premium Bronze, you get access to a database of previous successful applications?

Yes you do

 

[Jaysen]

I can’t quite believe I’m writing this… I have now received two Training Contract offers over the last week!!! 🤩🥳🥳 It feels completely surreal.

I want to say a massive thank you to the whole of the TCLA team, especially @Jessica Booker who has always been there to answer any questions or reassure me on a phone call. I also want to say thank you to anyone who has helped me along my journey, I couldn’t have done it alone!

The process of getting a TC involves (at least it did for me) plenty of rejection and disappointment, so my tips are to:

(1) Join lots of forums on TCLA and interact with as many people you can. I have had my nerves calmed/questions answered by countless people on this platform.

(2) Paralegal if you are a graduate. This might not be for everyone, but working for a law firm has taught me so much about the “work of a trainee”. It definitely helped my applications/interviews!

(3) Get TCLA Gold Membership. I remember thinking at the start, omg this is expensive / I’m not sure whether I should do it - but in the end decided that 5 hours working behind a bar was worth being able to view countless *successful* applications. And I was right! Even if you only subscribe for a couple of months, get on there and read what a successful application looks like. Have an application reviewed! This will help you more than anything else if you can’t get through that first stage!!

I’m always happy to answer any questions that anyone might have, just DM me!

This is amazing to read. Really well done - you should be very proud of yourself

 

[Davina20]

Got invited to Dentons test and video interview. I do not think I have done well enough to go through to the next stage

Keep the faith and if anything, it is a learning curve Were the maths questions in the test quite hard and what sorts of video interview questions were there?

 

[tiffany87]

Yes you do

How long does it usually take for the premium database membership request to be approved?

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

Any pointers for someone making a direct TC application after being rejected from the vacation scheme assessment centre in the same cycle? I sent a DSAR for my feedback so am very clear on the action points. Contacted graduate recruitment about what to highlight and they mentioned mainly changes you made from the feedback received but also why commitment to the firm itself (especially if via direct TC).

Was there anything else to keep in mind based on your experiences? (This is for Macfarlanes btw - chaotic assessment centre)

 

[Jessica Booker]

How long does it usually take for the premium database membership request to be approved?

If you PM me proof of purchase, I can do this as soon as I see the message. Unfortunately I don’t have access to information outside of the forums so wouldn’t be able to see this information, hence why I would need it sent to me.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Any pointers for someone making a direct TC application after being rejected from the vacation scheme assessment centre in the same cycle? I sent a DSAR for my feedback so am very clear on the action points. Contacted graduate recruitment about what to highlight and they mentioned mainly changes you made from the feedback received but also why commitment to the firm itself (especially if via direct TC).

Was there anything else to keep in mind based on your experiences? (This is for Macfarlanes btw - chaotic assessment centre)

How long since your VS?

 

[CorporateCrocodile]

If anyone has interviewed with Fried Frank please, please PM me! Have absolutely no idea what to expect

 

[kmo20]

Has anyone heard from BCLP post test?

 

[Louise59]

If anyone has interviewed with Fried Frank please, please PM me! Have absolutely no idea what to expect

Hi - congrats!! When is your interview ?

 

[laurabeaumont]

I can’t quite believe I’m writing this… I have now received two Training Contract offers over the last week!!! 🤩🥳🥳 It feels completely surreal.

I want to say a massive thank you to the whole of the TCLA team, especially @Jessica Booker who has always been there to answer any questions or reassure me on a phone call. I also want to say thank you to anyone who has helped me along my journey, I couldn’t have done it alone!

The process of getting a TC involves (at least it did for me) plenty of rejection and disappointment, so my tips are to:

(1) Join lots of forums on TCLA and interact with as many people you can. I have had my nerves calmed/questions answered by countless people on this platform.

(2) Paralegal if you are a graduate. This might not be for everyone, but working for a law firm has taught me so much about the “work of a trainee”. It definitely helped my applications/interviews!

(3) Get TCLA Gold Membership. I remember thinking at the start, omg this is expensive / I’m not sure whether I should do it - but in the end decided that 5 hours working behind a bar was worth being able to view countless *successful* applications. And I was right! Even if you only subscribe for a couple of months, get on there and read what a successful application looks like. Have an application reviewed! This will help you more than anything else if you can’t get through that first stage!!

I’m always happy to answer any questions that anyone might have, just DM me!

This is AMAZING news! Congratulations, so so happy for you!

 

[lolamcd1]

Anyone heard from boodle or harbottle?

 

[CorporateCrocodile]

Hi - congrats!! When is your interview ?

Next Thursday

 

[Louise59]

Next Thursday

Good luck for your interview, I am sure you will do well . A week of preparation then you will be all ready !!

 

[Londoner271]

Has anyone heard back from GT for 2024/2025 post AC? Does anyone know whether they send rejection emails?

 

[lolita98]

Has anyone heard back from GT for 2024/2025 post AC? Does anyone know whether they send rejection emails?

my friend has been offered the TC about 2 weeks ago

 

[wz_13]

what is the point of questions asking what you do outside work and study - what could be some things a firm is looking out for if anyone has any insight?