TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[cgc]

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?

I assume they are looking to see the depth of your character. All of your experiences make you unique and mean you bring diversity of thought and experience to an organisation.

 

[Jessica Booker]

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?

They want to see that you keep yourself busy, have interest that keep you grounded (eg you are not a workaholic) and that you potentially do things that align with their values.

 

[wz_13]

They want to see that you keep yourself busy, have interest that keep you grounded (eg you are not a workaholic) and that you potentially do things that align with their values.

i see! Would spending time with family and friends as one of these things be a weak answer (i can connect this with communication skills and nurturing relationships perhaps)

 

[Jessica Booker]

i see! Would spending time with family and friends as one of these things be a weak answer (i can connect this with communication skills and nurturing relationships perhaps)

Not really - this is something everyone ultimately does. It needs to be something more unique and also ideally something that either hones skills/knowledge, or has a positive impact on others.

 

[NJS]

Han anyone received a Browne Jacobson AC invite?

 

[ComplianceChange]

Took 2 years off to pursue other career paths and have come back! Just submitted my direct app for White & Case. ahhh

 

[ComplianceChange]

Apparently on a roll because I also just submitted my Weil app.
(I had drafted this one yesterday but Vantage portal was down for me)

 

[icl]

Anyone heard from Addleshaw, Eversheds or TLT direct TC app?

got rejected from TLT on tuesday

 

[hannah04]

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?

They ask cause they want to get more of a sense of your personality beyond what's on paper. For people still in university, I assume they want to hear about your extracurriculars (any clubs/sports/societies you have joined or have leadership roles in if applicable). For people who graduated or aren't part of any societies, I think they wanna hear about any personal hobbies then which are non-professional in nature and showcase something that you are interested in. For example playing an instrument/going on runs or bike rides/making art/learning a language for fun. It's a good opportunity for you to show them what makes you an interesting and holistic person.

 

[hirene]

Does Haynes and Boone send out rejection emails? Someone got to the 1st interview but I haven't heard anything so I'm sweating

 

[NMA]

Anyone know if you can apply to White & Case's direct TC in the same cycle after applying for their vac scheme but not progressing to the AC for it?

 

[Kodak123]

Anyone know if you can apply to White & Case's direct TC in the same cycle after applying for their vac scheme but not progressing to the AC for it?

Yes you can

 

[s.k.o]

Anyone feel like some of the feedback firms give after rejecting you are too generic ?

 

[Fd321]

Does withers send the test to complete to everyone post app? Or do they select you to do it?

 

[19vanessat]

just did one of those recorded video interviews for WFW! ahh those are so nerve-wracking, i feel so unnatural doing these haha, also felt like i got two words cut off at the end of an answer.. hopefully they don't mind it bc i was already clearly concluding

 

[legallyblonde500]

Just got an interview for Arnold & Porter's 2025 direct TC, it is in person and next Monday which is very soon. I was hoping someone had some insights about the written exercise and fee-earner interview. (Ie. is it competency based etc) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[islasorna]

got rejected from TLT on tuesday

Was that post-app or post-tests?

 

[RANDOTRON]

Just got an interview for Arnold & Porter's 2025 direct TC, it is in person and next Monday which is very soon. I was hoping someone had some insights about the written exercise and fee-earner interview. (Ie. is it competency based etc) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there, I didn't interview at A&P so I won't be able to comment specifically. However, I did find the following which I thought might be helpful. It is from 2018 so it might be outdated. I have also attached this link which lists 260+ common interview questions. Some of them are basically the same question, so I would not necessarily practice all of them.

Good luck!

When was your Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholar interview?

April 2018

What was it for?

Vacation scheme

Please describe the interview process at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholar.

First you are taken to a room to read a problem scenario on the EU regulation of [redacted] in electrical products. You play the role of a trainee and have to advise the client (the [redacted] manufacturer) on You are tasked with finding certain bits of information online (from a laptop) and you have to write a summary of your findings and send it to graduate recruitment in an email, who then pass it on the the 2 associates that will interview you.

You then get interviewed by the 2 associates who will ask you questions based on the scenario as well as motivation, competency and commercial awareness questions. After this you meet a trainee who will give you a tour of the office and answer any questions you have.

What advice would you give to future applicants for the Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholar interview?

You will be given around 30 minutes to prepare your answers for the scenario and the interview itself lasts for around 45 minutes. The trainee tour and questions will take around 20 minutes.

The interview is quite hard as they really stretch your commercial awareness. It would be useful to research the firm's practice areas and sectors before the interview. You can't really prepare for the problem scenario as they base it on a topic they know you won't have come across before. Just make sure you manage your time will and focus on the key bits of information that you find online. Make sure you have questions to ask the interviewers at the end and try to come across and friendly and confident.

 

[ZiHe77]

For those of who you have passed multiple recorded video interviews - how have you done it?

I've taken the approach of including structure, highlighting the firm, my experience and my ambitions, and attempting to appear as though I am having a nice chat with the computer screen by looking positive and conversational. Still, my success rate is very low! Anyone nailed it? What do you do!?

Is less more? I.e. to the question 'Why us?', rather than squeeze in 3 reasons why I like the firm, should I focus on one and really elaborate on it?

 

[spamelinazoid]

Did Bakers actually send anyone a rejection email post-AC yet?