TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Jessica Booker]

Luckily, I do have some WFH weeks I can take (taking a week next week) so that would be a massive help and I’m saving my annual leave in case I do manage to get a WVS. Stupid question but if I get a VS, do I have to declare this to my current employer?

You may have to - you'll need to check your employment contract terms, but it is a fairly standard clause that other forms of employment or things like being a director/trustee of a business/organisation have to be declared. I'd check your employment contract before you decide your application strategy anyway.

 

[SamiyaJ]

You may have to - you'll need to check your employment contract terms, but it is a fairly standard clause that other forms of employment or things like being a director/trustee of a business/organisation have to be declared. I'd check your employment contract before you decide your application strategy anyway.

Will do, thank you Jessica.

 

[Ray33]

Have you heard anything yet... I'm still waiting😭

Nothing yet sadly.

 

[LLB0711]

just got confirmation from PH grad rec that they've reached out to candidates for interviews this week, so if you haven't heard back, it's a PFO

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

just got confirmation from PH grad rec that they've reached out to candidates for interviews this week, so if you haven't heard back, it's a PFO

Did anyone on here actually get an interview lol?

 

[VMS]

PFO from the HSF Social Mobility Open Day for me as well... Well, that bodes well for the VS app I'm working on 🤣 (I laugh or I wilt)

 

[Amma Usman]

Hello, does anyone have any advice for Gibson Dunn cover letter (especially middle east one), and who should we address it to ?

Hey @Soniastudent , thanks for your question! I remember having these same inquiries when I was drafting my cover letters. Here are a few tips based on your specific concerns:

Recipient:​

• Generally, this would be ‘Hiring Manager’ or ‘Graduate Recruitment Team’. You could include this at the start of your cover letter before the main body.

General Advice (Cover Letters):​

• In a cover letter for a commercial law firm, it would be good to cover your motivations for a career in the profession. Why have you decided to go into law? Why is it ’commercial’ law you want to go into? What it is about a career in this specific profession you want, that other jobs in say marketing or investment banking may not offer you? Really dig deep into your passions, interests, and work experiences to answer this. This shows demonstrated interest. Another thing candidates often forget is that you don’t necessarily need legal work experience to show demonstrated interest. Leverage all your experiences.
• Another focal point is to address the reasons why a particular firm appeals to you. Avoid generic points like stimulating work or an international presence - a lot of law firms, and indeed professions outside law, offer this. Firms will have specialties across a broad range of practices but will generally specialize in some practices more than others. Thoroughly explore a firm‘s practice offerings.
• Leverage any extracurriculars or achievements as this would suggest an ability to juggle multiple commitments - soft skills for lawyers. You would want to dig deep into your past involvements to answer this. Often times as candidates, we forget about how much we have done and how valuable these are to employers.

Middle East Office:​

• In a law firm, you will often find that certain offices engage in certain types of work and deal with certain types of clients based on local expertise. In the Middle East region, you will mainly see that clients of law firms tend to be within the energy sector, for example. For your specific inquiry on Gibson Dunn, it would be worth researching on the types of clients/deals the firm works with in the Middle East. From this, explore why they appeal to you and the type of work you want to do later on.
• Gibson Dunn recently opened an office in Riyadh, so has a strong and growing presence in this region. If you are applying for a scheme in the Middle East, you would also want to research about recent and proposed future developments the firm is engaging in, as this will show good commercial awareness.

I hope this helps. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions!

 

[👩🎓]

Hi, @Jessica Booker, an application question I am working on, states what has inspired you to pursue a training contract with us, and how would you contribute to the firm. How would you suggest answering this? Would you expect to see a separate paragraph on each or would you weave in how you would contribute, when answering what has inspired you to pursue a training contract here.

Also when answering how you would contribute, should you be focusing on skills here or is it more generally what can you bring to the role of a trainee?

Thank you

 

[jmak]

Hi, @Jessica Booker, an application question I am working on, states what has inspired you to pursue a training contract with us, and how would you contribute to the firm. How would you suggest answering this? Would you expect to see a separate paragraph on each or would you weave in how you would contribute, when answering what has inspired you to pursue a training contract here.

Also when answering how you would contribute, should you be focusing on skills here or is it more generally what can you bring to the role of a trainee?

Thank you

I would focus on skills. That is literally the question just phrased differently

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Did anyone on here actually get an interview lol?

Doesn't seem like it, still think it is so bad they don't reject people

 

[AlarmedBookkeeper448]

Has anyone still not heard from White and Case post app from the last cycle? (I applied for the LPC training contract if that changes anything 🫠)

 

[VMS]

Has anyone still not heard from White and Case post app from the last cycle? (I applied for the LPC training contract if that changes anything 🫠)

I was the normal Training Contract route, but I heard back at the end of last week (PFO post-VI). So, I reckon you'll be hearing from them soon! You could always send them an email if they've not responded by the end of next week though, they were very nice and prompt when I sent one.

 

[AlarmedBookkeeper448]

I was the normal Training Contract route, but I heard back at the end of last week (PFO post-VI). So, I reckon you'll be hearing from them soon! You could always send them an email if they've not responded by the end of next week though, they were very nice and prompt when I sent one.

Thank you!
I’ll give it until Wednesday and then I’ll send an email. I’m sorry about the PFO btw

 

[VMS]

Thank you!
I’ll give it until Wednesday and then I’ll send an email. I’m sorry about the PFO btw

No worries, and thank you. I hope you receive good news!

 

[Solking456]

Just wanted to check- Re A&O deadline is that midnight 16th today (i.e. in a few hours time) or Midnight of the 17th? (I.e. Tomorrow evening).

 

[Maddy]

Does anyone know if pwc or deloitte training contracts are open?

 

[Zi48]

Just wanted to check- Re A&O deadline is that midnight 16th today (i.e. in a few hours time) or Midnight of the 17th? (I.e. Tomorrow evening).

It’s 5pm today

 

[BillSikes]

For those who are Paralegals - can I ask what your notice is after your probation period? I am a paralegal at the moment and my notice after 6 months probation will be 3 months - and I am wondering if this is industry standard or just my firm.

I'm thinking who is gonna wait 3 months to hire a paralegal with 6 months experience 💀

 

[mfuturetrainee]

does anybody happen to know what the interview process for travers will look like for a direct tc? i can't imagine it'll just be one interview like they usually do? wondering if anybody has any insights

 

[ztyh]

has anyone heard from k&l gates?