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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

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Jessica Booker

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Graduate Recruitment
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re final offers: do they have to fill in the spaces? what if the candidate rejects the offer? im assuming they will give it to the next candidate but ive also been told everyone will find out if they got it on the same day..
No - they don’t have to fill all the spaces. Because of the time lag it’s easy for them to make later offers, even in the next cycle if needed. But some firms operate reserve candidate lists or keep candidates on hold while they wait back to hear from candidates accepting or declining.
 
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mdoeslaw

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  • Jan 9, 2023
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    might be a rlly silly q but I did a tc ac recently, they only give like 6 tcs and they told us we should hear back next week but someone already heard back this week w an offer, so do they usually space giving offers out or would it be possible they would've given all the offers out within that time frame (ac was on wed, then thurs and fri)? ik its only 6 tc places so cant be a lot of calls to make

    @Jessica Booker would love to know your thoughts? im rlly overthinking it ahaha
     

    leaaa2023

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    Jun 27, 2023
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    Hi all and @Jessica Booker; White & Case say they recruit 80% of trainees from their VS. I am wondering if I should apply to direct TC route or just wait til applications open up for VSs in October. I am a career changer, have 5+ years as a paralegal, and attending a Russell Group uni; but am wondering if I should wait and potentially increase my chances.. That would give me time to attend more events with W&C and increase my chances by just applying to the VS in October. Because if I rush and apply now and get rejected, that could likely affect my chances of getting a VS?
    Thoughts? thanks!
     

    Jessica Booker

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    Graduate Recruitment
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    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
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    Hi all and @Jessica Booker; White & Case say they recruit 80% of trainees from their VS. I am wondering if I should apply to direct TC route or just wait til applications open up for VSs in October. I am a career changer, have 5+ years as a paralegal, and attending a Russell Group uni; but am wondering if I should wait and potentially increase my chances.. That would give me time to attend more events with W&C and increase my chances by just applying to the VS in October. Because if I rush and apply now and get rejected, that could likely affect my chances of getting a VS?
    Thoughts? thanks!
    You could wait, but that will then be for a later recruitment cycle (most likely starting in 2027/2028 rather than 2026/27. So a big question would be if you are willing to wait that additional year?

    I am also not sure what the firm's reapplying policy is. If it is that you can apply once per recruitment cycle, then you could apply now and then in the Autumn (and I don't think there is any disadvantage if that is the case). It is only if you can only reapply within a period of time (say 6-12 months) then it would potentially be worthwhile waiting.
     

    desperateTCseeker1998

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    Jan 1, 2023
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    Does anyone know White and Case's reapplying policy? Can't find it anywhere and too late to email and ask now. I know less people are hired through the direct route so wondering whether I should wait and apply for Winter VS instead? But they will be in two different cycles so I imagine its fine? Just a question of whether they're a weird firm that has a 12 month rule instead of a cycle rule
     

    give.me.a.tc

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    Apr 12, 2023
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    might be a rlly silly q but I did a tc ac recently, they only give like 6 tcs and they told us we should hear back next week but someone already heard back this week w an offer, so do they usually space giving offers out or would it be possible they would've given all the offers out within that time frame (ac was on wed, then thurs and fri)? ik its only 6 tc places so cant be a lot of calls to make

    @Jessica Booker would love to know your thoughts? im rlly overthinking it ahaha
    Would advise that you send a polite message requesting for an update on your AC. Sometimes, all calls aren't made in a day. There are several reasons for this - including that they might have tried reaching out but are unable to due to network issues. Secondly, you might have done really well but on a waiting list. So, you might consider reaching out for an update.
     

    hannah04

    Legendary Member
    Jan 9, 2023
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    285
    might be a rlly silly q but I did a tc ac recently, they only give like 6 tcs and they told us we should hear back next week but someone already heard back this week w an offer, so do they usually space giving offers out or would it be possible they would've given all the offers out within that time frame (ac was on wed, then thurs and fri)? ik its only 6 tc places so cant be a lot of calls to make

    @Jessica Booker would love to know your thoughts? im rlly overthinking it ahaha

    I would wait until the end of the time frame (end of next week) before jumping to any conclusions - and even then, its not a rejection until you get the PFO email. I don't think firms usually call everyone on the same day anyway and there could be other reasons that person heard back earlier (maybe they told the firm they had another offer so needed to know quicker etc)
     

    Jmk

    Active Member
    Feb 3, 2021
    12
    71
    might be a rlly silly q but I did a tc ac recently, they only give like 6 tcs and they told us we should hear back next week but someone already heard back this week w an offer, so do they usually space giving offers out or would it be possible they would've given all the offers out within that time frame (ac was on wed, then thurs and fri)? ik its only 6 tc places so cant be a lot of calls to make

    @Jessica Booker would love to know your thoughts? im rlly overthinking it ahaha
    Do they have another AC day or was yours the only one?
     

    Jmk

    Active Member
    Feb 3, 2021
    12
    71
    Does anyone know White and Case's reapplying policy? Can't find it anywhere and too late to email and ask now. I know less people are hired through the direct route so wondering whether I should wait and apply for Winter VS instead? But they will be in two different cycles so I imagine its fine? Just a question of whether they're a weird firm that has a 12 month rule instead of a cycle rule
    You can reapply each year if you were rejected after application. I don’t think you can apply after the interview/vac scheme again. I applied three times and got through to the vac scheme on the third time.
     
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    Jmk

    Active Member
    Feb 3, 2021
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    71
    only one, which is why im a bit panicky
    I would wait. The candidate maybe heard back because maybe they had another TC offer and needed to make a decision on it. do you know if that’s the case? They usually send out offers and rejections at the same time so I think that individual has another offer!
     

    desperateTCseeker1998

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    Jan 1, 2023
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    You can reapply each year if you were rejected after application. I don’t think you can apply after the interview/vac scheme again. I applied three times and got through to the vac scheme on the third time.
    Thanks so much! When you say you don't think you can apply after the interview, do you mean VI or the in person interviews? I've never applied before but just curious
     

    jmak

    Star Member
    May 12, 2024
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    Thanks so much! When you say you don't think you can apply after the interview, do you mean VI or the in person interviews? I've never applied before but just curious
    I applied for a VS and they didn't have face to face (in person) interview before the VS. The process was 1) application 2) timed video interview (no people) 3) written assessment 4) video interview 5) vacation scheme. In the vacation during you have an interview with partners towards the end. I assume for the TC you have the assessment centre instead of the vacation scheme. I think after the VI if you get rejected you can't reapply because that interview is already with a member of grad recruitment and a partner. But don't quote me!
     
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    jmak

    Star Member
    May 12, 2024
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    You can reapply each year if you were rejected after application. I don’t think you can apply after the interview/vac scheme again. I applied three times and got through to the vac scheme on the third time.
    Also for context my academic and work experience were significantly different from the 1st and 3rd application. By the third time I had built up my CV with more work experience including over a year and a half in professional services and I got a masters. I'm not saying you need that but this was how I built up my CV. The trainees I met at the firm during the VS that went through the direct TC route were graduates and usually had experience working before or had done vacation schemes. My trainee buddy on the vac scheme for example worked at W&C in support services before applying for a direct TC. I think if you have excellent grades - high 2.1/1st and years of post-graduate work experience or at least one vacation scheme apply for a direct TC. The second time I applied to W&C was for a direct TC and I had never done a vac scheme before and I didn't get through the application stage. The third time I applied to W&C was for a vac scheme and it was my first ever vac scheme.
     
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