TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[Jessica Booker]

What grades do you need for W&C? I have done most of the application form but I only managed to scrape a low 2:1 this year. Is it still worth sending it in?

If you have done most of the application form, why not just apply anyway? You’ve out most of the effort in, I think it is at least worthwhile submitting it - you have nothing to lose by doing so.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Shoosmiths training contract offer!

Honestly the strangest feeling getting the offer. It’s all you think about and then you get offered it and for whatever reason it is the biggest surprise.

Absolutely delighted. But this is only the start.

Amazing news! Congratulations and incredibly well done.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello everyone and @Jessica Booker , I am attending Tees Law's (a regional firm) TC assessment centre on Thursday. There is a group exercise. The only info I have about it is that it is an interactive group role play which lasts 30 mins (in groups of 10). The assessment criteria is based on my interaction and decision-making as part of a group (teamplay). There is no further information on it, however.

As this is my first assessment centre, could I get some advice on how to better prepare for this? What will this group exercise typically entail?

I don’t you think can prepare for it as such. Group exercises are designed in a way that candidates shouldn’t be able to prepare and it is more about reacting to the situation you are presented with and adapting to the dynamics of the group.

Just go in with a willingness to collaborate with everyone else (don’t dominate proceedings), and try to be flexible/adaptable in your thinking and approach. Make sure you get your ideas forward, get consensus for those ideas from your group, and be supportive (where appropriate) of good ideas of other people.

General group exercise advice:

• Try not to be someone completely different to who you are
• Contribute
• There are lots of roles and responsibilities to take on - it doesn't matter what you do but find a way to contribute beyong adding your ideas
• Have an opinion
• Support each other
• Keep an eye on the time
• Try to come to a conclusion/judgement/outcomes

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

people who have applied to w&c via the direct tc route previously, when do they hold their ACs? Thanks.

 

[Marissa]

Slaughter PFO. I knew I shouldn’t have bothered applying.

 

[adrk1234]

Does anyone know how long Hogan Lovells takes to respond after WG test completion. Was invited yesterday for their 2027 TC, beleive it is rolling just wanted an estimate. Thanks!

 

[ThelawgraduateX]

Has anyone still not heard from Haynes and Boone? Should I give up at this point😂

 

[Maddy]

@adrk1234 was the WG test invite automatic after the submission?

 

[Deleted member 9747]

Has anyone still not heard from Haynes and Boone? Should I give up at this point😂

I was rejected a while ago

 

[hannah04]

Anyone know if Freshfields WG tests are selective or automatic from prior experience?

I believe it is selective.

 

[Arvee Specktour]

Has anyone heard back from Orrick post WG?

 

[adrk1234]

@adrk1234 was the WG test invite automatic after the submission?

Believe it was selective as I applied a month ago and only just got it. It also says “invited” on the email. But it is rolling so I assume they send them out every day, not in one batch

 

[Gday33]

Anyone else heard from RPC other than the other day? Still no rejection which is giving me hope 😂

 

[studentgrad]

Has anyone heard back from HFW for their direct training contract?

Been 2 weeks since this post but has anyone still not heard from HFW for the TC?

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

I don’t you think can prepare for it as such. Group exercises are designed in a way that candidates shouldn’t be able to prepare and it is more about reacting to the situation you are presented with and adapting to the dynamics of the group.

Just go in with a willingness to collaborate with everyone else (don’t dominate proceedings), and try to be flexible/adaptable in your thinking and approach. Make sure you get your ideas forward, get consensus for those ideas from your group, and be supportive (where appropriate) of good ideas of other people.

General group exercise advice:

• Try not to be someone completely different to who you are
• Contribute
• There are lots of roles and responsibilities to take on - it doesn't matter what you do but find a way to contribute beyong adding your ideas
• Have an opinion
• Support each other
• Keep an eye on the time
• Try to come to a conclusion/judgement/outcomes

Thank you! @Jessica Booker . One further question - I am also going to do a presentation I prepared in advance and cue cards will be accepted. I wonder do you think it's okay if I just take maybe 1-2 pieces of paper with me to the presentation instead of using cue cards? How do law firms / grad rec feel about using pieces of paper in a presentation?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you! @Jessica Booker . One further question - I am also going to do a presentation I prepared in advance and cue cards will be accepted. I wonder do you think it's okay if I just take maybe 1-2 pieces of paper with me to the presentation instead of using cue cards? How do law firms / grad rec feel about using pieces of paper in a presentation?

It isn’t really about the method of notes, it’s more about making sure they are pointers rather than a heavily scripted set of notes that will come across more like a rehearsed speech rather than a natural conversation. If every have told you that you can have cue cards, you’ll be able to have paper of some format (or even notes on a device). It’s more about how heavily you have to rely on them.

 

[SemperParatus]

when does everyone think we will hear back from Freshfields?

 

[Catherine25]

Has anyone heard from Dentons/Stephenson Harwood/Morgan Lewis for direct TC?

 

[Iwantatcpls]

Has anyone received anything from Freshfields?

 

[SemperParatus]

Has anyone received anything from Freshfields?

Nope