TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
- Start date
@Jessica Booker
I’ve been made redundant from my paralegal role. I have two questions please..
1) When applying to direct TCs, is this going to reflect badly on me? It was a layoff - not performance related - but I’m unsure of how firms view these cases.
2) I now obviously need another job to put food on the table. I might apply for a teaching assistant role in the law department of a university (as this role has just opened). I will still also look for paralegal roles but I can’t be too picky atm.
Will (temporarily) stepping into an academic role be looked at disfavourably by firms?
I still want to qualify as a lawyer and am worried they might think this is too much of a pivot away from practicing law. I have nearly 4 years of paralegal experience though + a MC vac scheme.
Thank you in advance.
Lastly, if anyone reads this and has any advice for me, pls reach out because my whole world has collapsed and I’ve spent the whole day sobbing lol
I’ve been made redundant from my paralegal role. I have two questions please..
1) When applying to direct TCs, is this going to reflect badly on me? It was a layoff - not performance related - but I’m unsure of how firms view these cases.
2) I now obviously need another job to put food on the table. I might apply for a teaching assistant role in the law department of a university (as this role has just opened). I will still also look for paralegal roles but I can’t be too picky atm.
Will (temporarily) stepping into an academic role be looked at disfavourably by firms?
I still want to qualify as a lawyer and am worried they might think this is too much of a pivot away from practicing law. I have nearly 4 years of paralegal experience though + a MC vac scheme.
Thank you in advance.
Lastly, if anyone reads this and has any advice for me, pls reach out because my whole world has collapsed and I’ve spent the whole day sobbing lol
Jessica Booker
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- Aug 1, 2019
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I am sorry to hear about the redundancy - they are always difficult and emotional situations to deal with. Please do take care of yourself at this time as you are allowed to feel upset by what has happened.
Firstly, redundancy is not a reflection of you or you performance, so it is not an issue to demonstrate that is why your role has come to and end. Redundancy is a common reason for people leaving companies and even high performers can leave if the role is considered surplus to need. I would not worry about this. You can also highlight redundancy was the reason for leaving in your description if you feel this is appropriate.
It also will not be an issue to move to a different type of role. Firms are aware that people move around different type of roles because they need to fund the basics of living. I was at a legal event last night and was talking to people about what we called “squiggly careers” where a career path is not a straight one and people move around and do different things. This is actually quite formal these days - on average people will have 7 careers in their lifetime.
Plus although a teaching role, the role would give you a lot of transferable skills and knowledge. As you have probably considered already, when applying you may just need to think about demonstrating why this change happened in your applications or when describing your motivations.
FF DTC OFFER - got the call this morning!
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living the dream, congratulations
Does anyone know if Hogan Lovells will open a shorter application window during the summer for direct TC (London)? I think they did this last year but I cannot remember if that was for outside of London.
Jessica Booker
Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
- Aug 1, 2019
- 15,157
- 21,116
Greenberg Traurig PFO post app. Was in my junk email 😭
Daily chest unlocked: Greenberg Traurig PFO (post-app) 🥳 🥳 🥳
VI invite for CRS! Whoo😊
CRS has the nicest video interview invite email hahah
I too got a CRS VI invite!
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