TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[jwantsatc]

Bit of a mini rant here that I feel like others can relate to - but why is it so darn hard to get a TC ?! I understand that getting a job in today's market is difficult no matter what field you are in , but it seems like these days so many people are applying for vacation schemes and training contracts. It is what it is, but i'm genuinely curious about why there seem to be a billion people (and it seems to be more each year) that are trying to get into commercial law - and obviously there isn't enough room for everybody. So, does anyone know why everyone and their mother wants a training contract?!

 

[AS24]

Does anybody work as an analyst and would be happy to help me with my CV?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Bit of a mini rant here that I feel like others can relate to - but why is it so darn hard to get a TC ?! I understand that getting a job in today's market is difficult no matter what field you are in , but it seems like these days so many people are applying for vacation schemes and training contracts. It is what it is, but i'm genuinely curious about why there seem to be a billion people (and it seems to be more each year) that are trying to get into commercial law - and obviously there isn't enough room for everybody. So, does anyone know why everyone and their mother wants a training contract?!

A few reason why I think it is actually a little more competitive these days (but only slightly - it’s always been competitive):

- SQE making the qualification process more open - this is making some people consider the career who might have been put off by the GDL

- Redundancies is other key sectors such as Finance and Tech - makes people more to more stable sectors, of which law has always been much more stable in terms of graduate vacancy numbers

- AI / ChatGPT - has increased application numbers. People are applying to more firms as they are finding it quicker to do so due to AI.

I don’t think it’s wildly different or more competitive than previous years though - it’s always been competitive. The only time I know it was less competitive was pre social media but back then some firms were still asking for hand written and posted applications!

 

[A worried graduate]

A few reason why I think it is actually a little more competitive these days (but only slightly - it’s always been competitive):

- SQE making the qualification process more open - this is making some people consider the career who might have been put off by the GDL

- Redundancies is other key sectors such as Finance and Tech - makes people more to more stable sectors, of which law has always been much more stable in terms of graduate vacancy numbers

- AI / ChatGPT - has increased application numbers. People are applying to more firms as they are finding it quicker to do so due to AI.

I don’t think it’s wildly different or more competitive than previous years though - it’s always been competitive. The only time I know it was less competitive was pre social media but back then some firms were still asking for hand written and posted applications!

It seems that the paralegal market has fell off a cliff though.

 

[user254]

Hi everyone - if you miss a firm’s call following an AC and you have tried calling them back after they left a message and couldn’t get through, should you try again a few hours later or wait for them to call/email? Don’t want to spam them but also would reallllllly like to know the outcome of my TC app 😅

 

[bluebell]

Does anyone know which dates the WFW AC runs on - when I logged on there were only 2 options to book (neither of which really work for me) - Are those the only two dates or were there more which have now been booked up? Not sure if worth emailing GR..?!

 

[FTS209990]

Hi everyone - if you miss a firm’s call following an AC and you have tried calling them back after they left a message and couldn’t get through, should you try again a few hours later or wait for them to call/email? Don’t want to spam them but also would reallllllly like to know the outcome of my TC app 😅

I’d call again and leave a message, unless they said they’ll call you again in their voicemail. Good luck 🤞🏼

 

[Izzy1026]

Been a month since my VI for WFW, time to take it as a PFO 🫥 Judging from the thread responses last year they do not seem to give Acs in batches

 

[Zaidoz10]

Been a month since my VI for WFW, time to take it as a PFO 🫥 Judging from the thread responses last year they do not seem to give Acs in batches

Wouldn’t lose hope just yet. Someone told me yesterday that they have yet to do their VI. Might be different this year

 

[Izzy1026]

Wouldn’t lose hope just yet. Someone told me yesterday that they have yet to do their VI. Might be different this year

Thank you for the encouragement. I hope tomorrow or next week can bring some good news to our inboxes 🤞

 

[RonRod13]

Bit of a mini rant here that I feel like others can relate to - but why is it so darn hard to get a TC ?! I understand that getting a job in today's market is difficult no matter what field you are in , but it seems like these days so many people are applying for vacation schemes and training contracts. It is what it is, but i'm genuinely curious about why there seem to be a billion people (and it seems to be more each year) that are trying to get into commercial law - and obviously there isn't enough room for everybody. So, does anyone know why everyone and their mother wants a training contract?!

TLDR: it all comes down to money...

Basically, things have gotten so stratospherically expensive within the past 2 or 3 years to the point that if you're not in a position like banking/ consultancy/ commerical law/ entrepreneur etc. you will find yourself struggling on an average entry level salary especially if you dont have the luxury of living with parents.

This is also coupled with much more international competition since there has been a massive increase in the number of international students being accepted into universities. This is because unis are esentially being forced to take on more internationals since they pay more tuition fees compared to domestic students and unis need to keep up with their own rising costs.

And, many law firms are reducing their intake to save on costs especially as most of them keep putting up salaries and need to fund this cost by taking on less trainees.

 

[lawyerletsgo]

did my VI last week for WFW - should i be worried no AC invite? also got BCLP PFO

 

[therealslimshady]

Given the competitive legal market, what alternative careers are law graduates considering?

 

[Sarah.lyon]

After some advice please - there's a couple of direct training contract applications still open until later this month that I'm interested in. I've not had enough time to research/prepare as much as I'd like so trying to weigh up whether it's worth rushing an application now or just waiting until applications re-open in September. Is there any harm in submitting an application that isn't the best i.e would it reflect poorly on me in the next application cycle?

 

[Jessica Booker]

It seems that the paralegal market has fell off a cliff though.

Summer is generally bad for paralegal roles. It will likely pick up in September.

Think it is also general retention of more paralegals in roles though, in part where some are looking to qualify via paralegal roles and then because there aren’t as many people moving from role to role.

 

[A worried graduate]

Summer is generally bad for paralegal roles. It will likely pick up in September.

Think it is also general retention of more paralegals in roles though, in part where some are looking to qualify via paralegal roles and then because there aren’t as many people moving from role to role.

What would you advise that I focus on at this moment as a grad?

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Really rough knowing people are just applying for the money when you know this is what you want to do

 

[A worried graduate]

Really rough knowing people are just applying for the money when you know this is what you want to do

People who are going for everything get caught out in the end so don't worry

 

[hehostressed]

Has anyone heard back from Browne Jacobson and Rpc

 

[Lawyering13]

Do you get notified if you passed Macs SJT, and if so, when?