TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[ComplianceChange]

Would trying to learn a language in your spare time be considered a non-academic interest?

It would be

 

[TheTCcommune]

Freshfields started sending WG invites last Friday. Hopefully, they will send more (if not it’s game over for all of us🤣)

Do you know if they send them out in batches or all at once? Hoping for the best here 😅

 

[Cryingtiger]

Do you know if they send them out in batches or all at once? Hoping for the best here 😅

I know last year, they sent it out in batches! Stay positive! 👍🏻

 

[islasorna]

Hi! For those who are working and doing TC applications at the same time, how do you normally negotiate time off to do a law firm AC with your workplace? As sometimes law firms don't give you loads of time in advance to apply for time off and would I have to give a reason?

(for context, it's a new job, a startup, non-law related but it's my backup option).

I'd also like any advice on this! I'm in a similar boat, but a law-related job. And I'm especially wondering if people in full-time employment (law or not) are able to get time off complete vacation schemes as they can be 2-4 weeks long.

I'm currently in the interview process for a full-time paralegal position, and I've made in clear that I do intend to get a TC somewhere and qualify but that I want the professional legal experience. However, it's only really dawned on me that, if I get this paralegal position, I probably wouldn't be able to apply to this firm's TC because they only hire through their vacation scheme, and I'm not sure whether I'd really want to use up pretty much all of my annual leave on the vacation scheme (my personal choice, but I would take it as unpaid leave).

For people in law-related jobs, how is completing AC's and VS's normally handled? And will firms be kinder if its their VS?

 

[LO]

Does anyone know when we can expect to hear back from Freshfields post Watson Glaser? Thank you!

 

[Fd321]

PFO from Collyer Bristow and Withers post application

If you don’t mind me asking, when did you get your CB PFO as I haven’t heard either way yet?!

 

[massiveattack]

WFW video interview! This is my first VI, any tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[lawapplicant]

Eversheds Manchester app have said they are taking in no direct TC apps as they are full from VS.

beyond ridiculous.

 

[Emilia]

If you don’t mind me asking, when did you get your CB PFO as I haven’t heard either way yet?!

I only got it this afternoon by email

 

[jnice]

I'd also like any advice on this! I'm in a similar boat, but a law-related job. And I'm especially wondering if people in full-time employment (law or not) are able to get time off complete vacation schemes as they can be 2-4 weeks long.

I'm currently in the interview process for a full-time paralegal position, and I've made in clear that I do intend to get a TC somewhere and qualify but that I want the professional legal experience. However, it's only really dawned on me that, if I get this paralegal position, I probably wouldn't be able to apply to this firm's TC because they only hire through their vacation scheme, and I'm not sure whether I'd really want to use up pretty much all of my annual leave on the vacation scheme (my personal choice, but I would take it as unpaid leave).

For people in law-related jobs, how is completing AC's and VS's normally handled? And will firms be kinder if its their VS?

For me - I had a full time job at a law firm as an admin assistant. My advice would be transparency. I let the partners in my team that my aspiration is to be a lawyer. I was applying for vacation schemes at multiple firms, including at the firm I was working at (via the internal route). I ended up getting invited to 2 ACs this cycle - I took annual leave for both but didn’t let them know that I was invited to ACs just in case they didn’t go well (because they were the first ACs I’ve ever done). Ended up securing VSs for both and as soon as I got the offers - I let the partners know the day after and told them I planned to take unpaid leave to attend. They happily signed off on them and was about to attend both (one in spring for 2 weeks and one in summer for 3 weeks).

Overall - my advice is to be transparent and let them know so when it does eventually happen, it doesn’t come as a shock.

 

[19vanessat]

For me - I had a full time job at a law firm as an admin assistant. My advice would be transparency. I let the partners in my team that my aspiration is to be a lawyer. I was applying for vacation schemes at multiple firms, including at the firm I was working at (via the internal route). I ended up getting invited to 2 ACs this cycle - I took annual leave for both but didn’t let them know that I was invited to ACs just in case they didn’t go well (because they were the first ACs I’ve ever done). Ended up securing VSs for both and as soon as I got the offers - I let the partners know the day after and told them I planned to take unpaid leave to attend. They happily signed off on them and was about to attend both (one in spring for 2 weeks and one in summer for 3 weeks).

Overall - my advice is to be transparent and let them know so when it does eventually happen, it doesn’t come as a shock.

Hey, thanks for this - would you say your advice would be the same if the job is non-law related? [re taking leave to attend ACs] as I don't want to come across like I'm not interested in my intern job because I would rather have a secure backup option this September. they said after 3 months of internship they'll evaluate if there's full time roles available.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Would trying to learn a language in your spare time be considered a non-academic interest?

Yes

 

[Jessica Booker]

I'd also like any advice on this! I'm in a similar boat, but a law-related job. And I'm especially wondering if people in full-time employment (law or not) are able to get time off complete vacation schemes as they can be 2-4 weeks long.

I'm currently in the interview process for a full-time paralegal position, and I've made in clear that I do intend to get a TC somewhere and qualify but that I want the professional legal experience. However, it's only really dawned on me that, if I get this paralegal position, I probably wouldn't be able to apply to this firm's TC because they only hire through their vacation scheme, and I'm not sure whether I'd really want to use up pretty much all of my annual leave on the vacation scheme (my personal choice, but I would take it as unpaid leave).

For people in law-related jobs, how is completing AC's and VS's normally handled? And will firms be kinder if its their VS?

If it’s at the same firm, it’s unlikely you would need to take annual leave to attend the scheme. It’s only if it’s another firm you will.

 

[hannah04]

If an application question asks you to "provide 3 suggestions for how law firms can support net-zero goals", should each of your suggestions link back to steps the law firm has actively taken in that area, even if the question doesnt explicitly ask you to talk about the firm's position?

 

[Jessica Booker]

If an application question asks you to "provide 3 suggestions for how law firms can support net-zero goals", should each of your suggestions link back to steps the law firm has actively taken in that area, even if the question doesnt explicitly ask you to talk about the firm's position?

I would actually recommend the opposite. The firm is not looking for you to tell them what they have already done, they are looking for your originality of thought on the topic.

 

[LlamaLaw]

I'd also like any advice on this! I'm in a similar boat, but a law-related job. And I'm especially wondering if people in full-time employment (law or not) are able to get time off complete vacation schemes as they can be 2-4 weeks long.

I'm currently in the interview process for a full-time paralegal position, and I've made in clear that I do intend to get a TC somewhere and qualify but that I want the professional legal experience. However, it's only really dawned on me that, if I get this paralegal position, I probably wouldn't be able to apply to this firm's TC because they only hire through their vacation scheme, and I'm not sure whether I'd really want to use up pretty much all of my annual leave on the vacation scheme (my personal choice, but I would take it as unpaid leave).

For people in law-related jobs, how is completing AC's and VS's normally handled? And will firms be kinder if its their VS?

Hey, thanks for this - would you say your advice would be the same if the job is non-law related? [re taking leave to attend ACs] as I don't want to come across like I'm not interested in my intern job because I would rather have a secure backup option this September. they said after 3 months of internship they'll evaluate if there's full time roles available.

I applied for direct entry TCs only (which I appreciate limits the options) as I couldn't really find a way to make taking an extended period of holiday for a VS work. Plus, if you're already in work you can use that as a source of experience, development, etc regardless of whether it's in law.

That said, I think if you're working in a job that firms would expect you to be in while looking for a VS/TC, the firm might be more understanding of needing to take a bigger chuck of time off.

For ACs which should only be a day anyway (or interviews) I just said I was taking the day off and no further details. You have a leave allowance and it's really yours to use as you see fit, they don't really need to know what you use it for. They shouldn't see it as not being interested, as your leave is part of your contractual (and legal!) entitlement.

Can't speak to the experience of this within a law firm but hopefully others can.

 

[Civ457]

Does anyone have any experience with the collyer bristow interview/assessment?? Would be really grateful for any tips!!

 

[hannah04]

I would actually recommend the opposite. The firm is not looking for you to tell them what they have already done, they are looking for your originality of thought on the topic.

Thanks for your input Jessica! So would you say that it's perfectly fine if the firm isn't mentioned at all in the answer? (Also does your suggestion differ if the full question asks "provide 3 suggestions of how law firms like us can help support...etc...")

 

[F99]

Is anyone still waiting on BCLP post-test (direct TC)?

 

[kmo20]

Is anyone still waiting on BCLP post-test (direct TC)?

Not sure whether to expect PFO now as it has been so long