TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[law_junkie]

Hey! Has anyone who submitted the King & Spalding application earlier today received a confirmation of receipt email from their Recruitment Team yet?

I have, just received it today

 

[andrecsaa]

If an application form suggests an interest in MC/US firms (e.g. previous open days, insight programmes, Forage programmes, events etc), there can be a question mark over why the applicant is now aiming for a firm that is very different to to them, especially when considering complexity of work and factors like salary - sometimes they get concerned that candidates are applying as a way down the list back up option rather than a firm they are prioritising.

Hi Jessica! One follow-up question...should I be concerned about this if the law firm I work for overseas has partnered with MC/US firms on cross-border litigation and transaction matters I participated in?

Aside from my paralegal and regulatory internship experiences in London, my work experience overseas highlights my role in cases and deals with MC/US firms. However, I’m now aiming for SC and national firms (e.g., Macfarlanes, Ashurst, Addleshaw Goddard).

 

[HappyHippo]

Goodwin news after video interview? Did this nearly two months ago.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

If an application form suggests an interest in MC/US firms (e.g. previous open days, insight programmes, Forage programmes, events etc), there can be a question mark over why the applicant is now aiming for a firm that is very different to to them, especially when considering complexity of work and factors like salary - sometimes they get concerned that candidates are applying as a way down the list back up option rather than a firm they are prioritising.

Thank you so much for this. That all makes sense and it's what I suspected. I mean I can't say they're entirely wrong but I wish there was a way for me to actually have these as back-up options other than attending their events (which I can't because I'm in full-time employment). I realise that they're super competitive too, and can find candidates just as capable as me who are considering exclusively firms similar to them, but as a candidate I sometimes feel like it really should be an option for me to have options to "fall back" on, I mean, everyone outside of the legal sector always assumes that'd be the case

 

[OliverTwist]

Has anyone heard from Brown Rudnick / applied in a previous cycle and know how long it takes for them to get back to an applicant?

 

[yk1906]

Has anyone heard from Withers, Mayer Brown, Dentons, BCLP post-app/SJT? Any interview or AC invites? For DTC

 

[norothrow324]

Has anyone heard from Withers, Mayer Brown, Dentons, BCLP post-app/SJT? Any interview or AC invites? For DTC

Nothing from Mayer so far. only the feedback report after the automatic STJ

 

[lawlover123]

CMS Dubai AC invite or should i assume PFO?

 

[yk1906]

Okay, just received my BCLP feedback. Strengths are Credibility, Growth mindset and Active Collaborator. Weaker side is tendency to be less critical of the information...

 

[norothrow324]

Nothing from Mayer so far. only the feedback report after the automatic STJ

has anyone heard otherwise?

 

[MaheeVohra]

Hey! Has anyone who submitted the King & Spalding application earlier today received a confirmation of receipt email from their Recruitment Team yet?

I submitted it sometime in January and received an acknowledgement from the Recruitment Team within a week.

 

[Gflow0211]

Anyone completed their Irwin Mitchell AC?

 

[AveragePoster]

Hi, anyone heard from Freshfields post-DTC AC today?

 

[l3gal]

I have completed an AC today which involved a group exercise. I think our group may have misinterpreted the instructions about how to allocate time throughout the task. Is this a deal breaker and automatic fail? I acknowledged the potential error during the group exercise with the interviewers at the end. The other group member also interpreted the timings the same way I did, so perhaps the instructions weren't the clearest. Is this issue alone a reason why you may fail an AC? I'm worried as all AC advice says how important time keeping is. I'm disappointed we misunderstood our instructions and would hate for this small error to hinder any TC chances with the firm. I'd appreciate your thoughts please @Jessica Booker or anyone else who may be able to help. Thanks!

 

[Jessica Booker]

I have completed an AC today which involved a group exercise. I think our group may have misinterpreted the instructions about how to allocate time throughout the task. Is this a deal breaker and automatic fail? I acknowledged the potential error during the group exercise with the interviewers at the end. The other group member also interpreted the timings the same way I did, so perhaps the instructions weren't the clearest. Is this issue alone a reason why you may fail an AC? I'm worried as all AC advice says how important time keeping is. I'm disappointed we misunderstood our instructions and would hate for this small error to hinder any TC chances with the firm. I'd appreciate your thoughts please @Jessica Booker or anyone else who may be able to help. Thanks!

No - this wouldn’t be a reason for failing an exercise, and especially if you did reference you thought it had been misinterpreted/should have been done differently.

 

[Tintin06]

White & Case cover letter questions. Any advice on writing 1,000 words? It feels longer than last year. Tips on structure greatly appreciated - thanks.

 

[Chris Brown]

White & Case cover letter questions. Any advice on writing 1,000 words? It feels longer than last year. Tips on structure greatly appreciated - thanks.

I think they just state that the max is 1,000 words. I’m sure it was the same for the VS application. My cover letter for the VS was like 800 words and I got past the application stage, so I think anything between 700-850 words is fine. It needs to be concise and structured into three parts: why law/commercial law, why White & Case and then why you. Tbh the why you should be throughout so make sure to link back the points you make so it’s tailored to the firm and yourself. 🙂​

 

[needatccccc]

Wow best of luck! Please let me know how it went!

hey! it went fine i think! the group exercise scenario was fairly straightforward, so was the written assessment. the interview wasn’t really much of a conversation, they were asking some strengths questions off their list but all in all it wasn’t too bad!

 

[👩🎓]

Has anyone else done the Foot Anstey VI for direct TCs - I don't think mine went very well!

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

White & Case cover letter questions. Any advice on writing 1,000 words? It feels longer than last year. Tips on structure greatly appreciated - thanks.

While echoing @Chris Brown that you don't need 1000 words, I think writing that much wouldn't be that difficult. I think it's best to use the word count for the "Why this firm" section. On the other hand, I try to keep "Why commercial law" quite brief no matter the word count. So I'd go with 150-500-350 words for the three sections (why law - why this firm - why me). I think this structure has worked well for me in the past, and it's not difficult to write once you've extensively researched the firm. I actually often really struggle to confine "Why this firm?" to 300 words. Of course, none of this is rigid, just make sure you're really selling yourself and your motivation.