TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[hmevey]

How would you approach this question for Bird and Bird-

Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise?

Secondary question, I think they are rolling so is there a point in submitting my app now with 15 days to deadline?

 

[theone132213]

How would you approach this question for Bird and Bird-

Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise?

Secondary question, I think they are rolling so is there a point in submitting my app now with 15 days to deadline?

I can answer the second and say it's worth it. I applied a week prior to the deadline last cycle and made it through to the VI.

 

[jta227]

Anyone know how many people Weil, Goodwin and Linklaters actually take through direct TC? I work full time so a vac scheme really is not ideal for me at all but don’t want to waste applications on a route which isn’t actually used..

Links recruit 90% through VS and you need a certain amount of legal experience to apply direct TC IIRC. Not sure about Goodwin, their open day didn't explicitly suggest one route over the other but you got the impression your chances would be better following a VS.

 

[andrecsaa]

Hey guys, I am wanting some advice as I am not sure I am approaching this TC cycle correctly. Saw someone do a post like this and I would really appreciate the help. I have applied so far to a broad range of firms; Slaughters, CC, Ashurst, AG, Irwin Mitchell, HSF and I want to continue applying. I have done a few apps on deadline day and rushed the IM VI which may have ruined my chances. Already got PFOS from Slaughters, Ashurst and AG

Does anyone have any firm recommendations for my next few apps- I was planning on squeezing a CMS app out as the deadline is closing soon.

I am looking for firms that are international, I am interested in litigation, intellectual property and competition law at the moment but I am keen to explore all areas. I am also keen to go somewhere where I can do an international/client secondment.

I have a mid 2:1 from a RG uni, have a broad range of work experience i.e paid work, volunteering, positions of responsibilities and two MC first year open days. but no VC's previously. Currently on my 6th month working at a fairly large firm in conveyancing but I am keen to enter the commercial world. Is there anything I can do to tailor my approach. This is my first proper cycle but working full time, i am really strugglign to find motivation to keep going. Any help would be appreciated!

Sorry to hear about the PFOs. Do you mind to tell how long did it take to receive PFOs from Ashurts and AG after completing the test?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Also if anyone knows which firms are hiring for 2026 this cycle (or are known to let you move forwards) I would appreciate the shared knowledge

Unfortunately I do not know a lot about this but I have heard anecdotally that HSF is quite amenable to accommodating earlier start dates.

 

[Andrei Radu]

How do you know that you passed the SJT? Did they email you to let you know? All I’ve gotten since I applied and sat the test are two identical emails (sent weeks apart funnily) with a link to my feedback report and a note to say they will review my application after the deadline 🙃

Unfortunately I do not think all firms inform you whether you have passed or failed an SJT. Part of the reason for that, and to also complicate the matter further, is that not all firms have a strict benchmark for the SJT as most do for the WG. Since the SJT is also seen as a 'personality test', some firms just consider it in the context of the whole application and as such you might not find out how well you have done regardless of the outcome.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hey guys, I am wanting some advice as I am not sure I am approaching this TC cycle correctly. Saw someone do a post like this and I would really appreciate the help. I have applied so far to a broad range of firms; Slaughters, CC, Ashurst, AG, Irwin Mitchell, HSF and I want to continue applying. I have done a few apps on deadline day and rushed the IM VI which may have ruined my chances. Already got PFOS from Slaughters, Ashurst and AG

Does anyone have any firm recommendations for my next few apps- I was planning on squeezing a CMS app out as the deadline is closing soon.

I am looking for firms that are international, I am interested in litigation, intellectual property and competition law at the moment but I am keen to explore all areas. I am also keen to go somewhere where I can do an international/client secondment.

I have a mid 2:1 from a RG uni, have a broad range of work experience i.e paid work, volunteering, positions of responsibilities and two MC first year open days. but no VC's previously. Currently on my 6th month working at a fairly large firm in conveyancing but I am keen to enter the commercial world. Is there anything I can do to tailor my approach. This is my first proper cycle but working full time, i am really strugglign to find motivation to keep going. Any help would be appreciated!

Hey @hmevey I can definitely emphasize with your struggles, but please try not to let the rejections dishearten you. In 2023, I was reject at first stage in every single one of my applications, and I begun wondering whether this may actually not be for me. Thoughts like "perhaps I am actually not good enough" were weighing heavily on me and I thought about giving up multiple times. But I did not, and 12 months later I was in a better position than I could have ever imagine, in having to choose between multiple great TC offers. The fundamental reason why that was possible was that I changed my mindset to one of 'if life hits you hard, hit back harder' - this way, I used all of the frustration, anxiety, and self-doubt to fuel an ever-increasing determination to do all it takes to succeed.

Now, as for concrete advice for your approach: I think at this stage of the cycle, the best possible thing you can do to maximize your success chances is to submit as many high quality applications as possible. I always say that applications are partly a numbers game - even the very best applicants get rejected a lot more than not, and some of my best applications were rejected at first stage. Thus, to succeed, you want to have as many horses in the race as possible. However, you also do not want to apply merely for the sake of a theoretical non-0 chance of succeeding. If your application is not written to an objectively high standard, you are simply wasting your time.

As such, tailor your applications. Make sure you have researched the firm properly (read through their website, Chambers Student Guide, Legal 500 and Chambers practice area rankings, the TCLA profile) and identify the firm's unique selling points - but do not research beyond a point of diminishing returns. Then write in a concise, structured, and to the point manner about those unique selling points, and do not forget to link them with your motivations and experiences. If you do this again and again, you will get better at it and your pace will increase as time passes. Finally, trust yourself, and know that if you can keep moving forward, you will succeed.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Links recruit 90% through VS and you need a certain amount of legal experience to apply direct TC IIRC. Not sure about Goodwin, their open day didn't explicitly suggest one route over the other but you got the impression your chances would be better following a VS.

Oh really? Do they list anywhere how much legal experience that is? I mean I have what I would consider to be a decent amount but you never know

 

[jta227]

Oh really? Do they list anywhere how much legal experience that is? I mean I have what I would consider to be a decent amount but you never know

Not sure sorry!

 

[Law queries]

Nah still waiting as well. When did you submit your application?

Nov 28. What about you? Also, isn’t VI on Dec 12? If they haven’t gotten back till now, I think we will hear from them soon like in a day or two maybe.

 

[Gg2001]

Nov 28. What about you? Also, isn’t VI on Dec 12? If they haven’t gotten back till now, I think we will hear from them soon like in a day or two maybe.

Yeah I am worried too, automatic test email said VI is on December 12. I did test nov 27/28 can’t remember

 

[Law queries]

Yeah I am worried too, automatic test email said VI is on December 12. I did test nov 27/28 can’t remember

Yes same, i sent them an email yesterday, haven't gotten a reply yet.

 

[Tintin06]

Clifford Chance rejection. I took the Watson-Glaser last Monday.

 

[CanOz]

Clifford Chance rejection this morning.

 

[Law queries]

Clifford Chance rejection this morning.

Same

 

[futuretrainee2503]

Clifford Chance rejection. I took the Watson-Glaser last Monday.

Hi When did you get email?

 

[Tintin06]

Hi When did you get email?

Today.

 

[Law queries]

if anyone get an update from Gowling WLG please inform! it would be a great help!
extremely sorry for the spam tho

 

[Bloo]

CC rejection after WG received this morning. but got a Slaughter AC invite (my first ever one!) - applied 26 October

 

[Law queries]

CC rejection after WG received this morning. but got a Slaughter AC invite (my first ever one!) - applied 26 October

Hey, congratulations! Slaughter invite for the DTC or VC?