TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[yellowponytwin]

Has anyone that's been invited to the CRS VI taken it already, would love to have some insights!

which office did you apply to, if you dont mind me asking? I'm wondering if this point there's any hope for my application lol. congratulations, by the way! sorry I don't have any personal insight!

 

[yellowponytwin]

Hoping CRS send in batches…

I've not heard anything either... which office did you apply to?

 

[Amiyrerose]

I’ve applied to Macs and Ashurst in the past

ooh how was that? have you got any tips? much appreciated!

 

[trainee4u]

Winckworth Sherwood emailed saying "applications have increased 32% this year, to 459"; we will get in touch by week ending 17th March.

FWIW.

 

[Zaidoz10]

I've not heard anything either... which office did you apply to?

London

 

[tcdreamer]

Has anyone heard from Fieldfisher post-AC

 

[andrecsaa]

Hi,
is anyone applying to Ashurst, Farrer & Co and Macfarlanes here?

Macfarlanes and Ashurst (still working on this app)

 

[andrecsaa]

Got the Mayer Brown feedback pack from their test just now.

Hi! I completed mine today.

May I ask how long it took them to send the feedback reports?

 

[andrecsaa]

Hogan Lovells pfo post-WG

 

[Tintin06]

Hogan Lovells pfo post-WG

Sorry to hear that news - commiserations. Did you ask for your score? Good luck with your other apps.

 

[tomaspessanha]

Does anyone know if Mayer Brown/Stephenson Harwood send out tests to applicants without reviewing applications beforehand? And how long they take to do this? I have recently submitted applications to both and still haven't received emails requesting to do the tests...

 

[elsx]

Does anyone know if Mayer Brown/Stephenson Harwood send out tests to applicants without reviewing applications beforehand? And how long they take to do this? I have recently submitted applications to both and still haven't received emails requesting to do the tests...

Hi
MB first test is automatic but it might take a while to receive it. I applied in November and got it in January. It was probably because they were focusing on VS app but it might still take a couple of weeks to get it.

 

[Mug Fan]

Has anyone heard from Fieldfisher post-AC

Hey,

Yes, I got an invite to partner interview this morning.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi @Amma Usman and all, I am looking for some advice as to how to structure my VI answer to "tell us about a commercial news story you're interested in / have read about". Whilst I didn't get feedback my VI this last year, I am convinced this answer let me down. I had too much to say in such little time. I think it was only 1 min 30 that I had. I was trying to explain the background (briefly), why I am interested, how it impacts stakeholders and linking back to the firm. Normally with my VI answers, I usually try to keep to 2 main points or 3 at a push with tht kind of time limit so that I don't feel rushed or flustered. Any advice on how to structure my answer and keep it focused would be very much appreciated! I really do not want to let myself down on this again.

Hi there,

The way I see it… as VIs are short one-way interviews with many questions asked, there isn’t so much scope to cover everything. You will (depending on the firm) have about 60-90 seconds to answer each question. Your idea to include 2-3 points is great, but may come at the expense of you being able to adequately answer the question to the fullest. As it says a news story, I believe one central trending topic, together with short descriptions of why it interests you (perhaps consider linking to your own work/life experience, something you read or watched) would be the more direct approach. This will enable you to hit the nail on the head and overwhelm yourself less with trying to cover the broader impacts of a law firm’s position in it all.

In my experience, video interviews typically tripped me up because I had so many things running through my head, only few of which were actually relevant to the question being asked. What helped me was walking into them with the intention of focusing on only one (very rarely, two) points and expanding on them in great detail. On more soft tips to ace these… hand gestures, vocal intonation, and overall presentation, also help elevate your responses.

This is an example of what I might say (adjusted to say a 60 second answer) to your question:

- The news story I have picked is one which aligns with the proposed changes in the 2024 Employment Rights Bill.

- Briefly explain the change - For example, the UK now offers statutory sick pay from day one, including for about a million low-income workers who were previously ineligible.

- Highlight why it matters– This ensures workers don’t feel pressured to work while sick, improving public health and financial security.

- Link it to employment law – It reflects a shift towards fairer workplace rights and protections, for example.

- Make it personal – Studying employment law, this demonstrates evolving employee rights and it interests me because of X Y Z.

 

[sibs23]

Hi there,

The way I see it… as VIs are short one-way interviews with many questions asked, there isn’t so much scope to cover everything. You will (depending on the firm) have about 60-90 seconds to answer each question. Your idea to include 2-3 points is great, but may come at the expense of you being able to adequately answer the question to the fullest. As it says a news story, I believe one central trending topic, together with short descriptions of why it interests you (perhaps consider linking to your own work/life experience, something you read or watched) would be the more direct approach. This will enable you to hit the nail on the head and overwhelm yourself less with trying to cover the broader impacts of a law firm’s position in it all.

In my experience, video interviews typically tripped me up because I had so many things running through my head, only few of which were actually relevant to the question being asked. What helped me was walking into them with the intention of focusing on only one (very rarely, two) points and expanding on them in great detail. On more soft tips to ace these… hand gestures, vocal intonation, and overall presentation, also help elevate your responses.

This is an example of what I might say (adjusted to say a 60 second answer) to your question:

- The news story I have picked is one which aligns with the proposed changes in the 2024 Employment Rights Bill.

- Briefly explain the change - For example, the UK now offers statutory sick pay from day one, including for about a million low-income workers who were previously ineligible.

- Highlight why it matters– This ensures workers don’t feel pressured to work while sick, improving public health and financial security.

- Link it to employment law – It reflects a shift towards fairer workplace rights and protections, for example.

- Make it personal – Studying employment law, this demonstrates evolving employee rights and it interests me because of X Y Z.

Thank you! I always worry that there’s more that they’re looking for in their criteria and I worry about missing things out. As you say, it’s good to keep to the point and focus on what the question is I’m being asked. Generally, I’ve had more success when I give a less detailed but well delivered delivered answer compared to a detailed but rushed one! Some practices VIs have really helped me in the last couple days

 

[hanz123]

Does anyone have any advice for Hill Dickinson VI?

 

[Raspberry44]

which office did you apply to, if you dont mind me asking? I'm wondering if this point there's any hope for my application lol. congratulations, by the way! sorry I don't have any personal insight!

Thank you! No worries at all - I applied to the London office!

 

[andrecsaa]

Sorry to hear that news - commiserations. Did you ask for your score? Good luck with your other apps.

Thanks! No, I didn’t. The email says HL will not provide the scores. 😭

“We have carefully reviewed your application and test score. We regret to inform you that we are unable to continue with your application on this occasion. Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide your test score or any more specific feedback at this stage in the process.”

Now I got left Dentons, Withers, Mayer Brown, Ashurst, W&C, BM and SH

 

[Tintin06]

Thanks! No, I didn’t. The email says HL will not provide the scores. 😭

“We have carefully reviewed your application and test score. We regret to inform you that we are unable to continue with your application on this occasion. Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide your test score or any more specific feedback at this stage in the process.”

Now I got left Dentons, Withers, Mayer Brown, Ashurst, W&C, BM and SH

You could subject access request it. If you were so inclined lol. Lots of great firms left though.

 

[sibs23]

Feel like I have really let myself down on a VI just now. Did so much practice which makes it more frustrating. Maybe I didn't do as bad as I thought but I definitely think some answers sounded rushed at the end of them and skimped on details in places. One of my top choice firms as well