TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Tintin06]

The only thing that was holding me back in applying for the DTC was the low chance of success for W&C Direct TCs applications, I am aware that most TCs go out to successful vac schemers. 😅

True but you only need one. W&C do give out direct TCs. A LinkedIn connection got W&C DTC. Plus W&C have many TCs generally. Always worth a shot I think.

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

True but you only need one. W&C do give out direct TCs. A LinkedIn connection got W&C DTC. Plus W&C have many TCs generally. Always worth a shot I think.

Just about that LinkedIn connection with the DTC, did they have prior vac schemes/paralegal experience?

 

[JasmineM9]

True but you only need one. W&C do give out direct TCs. A LinkedIn connection got W&C DTC. Plus W&C have many TCs generally. Always worth a shot I think.

Thanks for the encouraging words! I will apply and give it my best go!!! (Fingers crossed)

 

[Tintin06]

Just about that LinkedIn connection with the DTC, did they have prior vac schemes/paralegal experience?

They had two law work experiences.

 

[eirake]

They had two law work experiences.

Adding on to this, I know someone personally who got the W&C dtc with no prior legal work experience and a non-law degree, so it’s defo worth a shot.

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu any thoughts on emailing grad rec to flag my upcoming vacation scheme at a similar firm where their application form specifically asked for future vacancies (but I've already sent it?)? ty

Hi @billyonthespeeddial If you can think of a plausible way to feature it into an email (perhaps informing them of unavailability for future dates?) I think you should do it. My view has always been that having a firm know about other VS offers can significantly increase your progression chances (I will quote a post where I anaysed this topic in more depth) and does not come with any substantial downside. One of my friends who had actually been waitlisted post-AC was offered a VS not long after informing the firm of VS offers elsewhere.

I would. Besides this definitely being valuable legal work experience, having a VS offer is a very impressive achievement that will immediately distinguish you from the majority of other applicants. Essentially, I believe it has the effect of instantly communicating to graduate recruitment that you were deemed to be a top 98-99% percentile candidate by a peer firm. This will invariably have an important impact in both (i) boosting up your candidate profile; and (ii) making graduate recruiters look at your application through different eyes, and thus making it more likely they will rate other aspects of it higher as well.

Even if they wanted to assess the rest of it independently and objectively, there is a lot of research in social psychology indicating that knowledge of peer opinions has a prevailing impact on one's evaluative judgements. This is particularly impactful in situations presenting a high degree of ambiguity and discretion, and I would argue the decision of whether to classify an application as a whole (so, one involving the multi-faceted assessment of a lot of factors) as "good, but not quite impressive enough" or "great, impressive enough to progress" has exactly those features.

As such, my view is that you would be doing yourself a disservice in not including the upcoming scheme. However, you can try to reduce the risk of it seeming like you put it there merely for purposes of impressing by adding in the description section (i) a short summary as to why you had applied for this firm and what your general applications strategy has been; and/or (ii) the seats you will do in the scheme and the work you expect to complete; and how that will be relevant for the development of your skills.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Hi @billyonthespeeddial If you can think of a plausible way to feature it into an email (perhaps informing them of unavailability for future dates?) I think you should do it. My view has always been that having a firm know about other VS offers can significantly increase your progression chances (I will quote a post where I anaysed this topic in more depth) and does not come with any substantial downside. One of my friends who had actually been waitlisted post-AC was offered a VS not long after informing the firm of VS offers elsewhere.

Fantastic, thank you very much!

 

[Lawlawlaw2]

Hey there,

Just checked their website and saw they recruit 12-15 trainees each year, which is great. I have attached their GR website for more info -

Training Contract | Trainee Lawyers | Penningtons Manches Cooper

We introduce trainees to challenging cases and recognise the value of real responsibility and direct client contact with experienced solicitors are always ready to give support when needed.

www.penningtonslaw.com

Thanks a lot!

 

[DarrenB]

Generally they don’t take that long. It was a week for me. This was back in 2019, however.

Will you be told in advance the name of the partners that are going to interview you?

 

[Lawlawlaw2]

Hello @Jessica Booker! Hope you are well. I have applied to a firm last year that included in the rejection email (post-app) that my application was strong and that I was encouraged to re apply this year. However, I have nothing new when it comes to work experience because my country had been at war for the past 1+ year and this was not really my priority, unfortunately. Can I reapply just with a much stronger app or is new work experience required to have a good chance of them progressing me to the next stage(s)? Thanks a lot!

 

[Zaidoz10]

Hogan AC invite anyone?

 

[ellenfasham]

Hogan AC invite anyone?

I'm yet to hear back - have you received an invite?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello @Jessica Booker! Hope you are well. I have applied to a firm last year that included in the rejection email (post-app) that my application was strong and that I was encouraged to re apply this year. However, I have nothing new when it comes to work experience because my country had been at war for the past 1+ year and this was not really my priority, unfortunately. Can I reapply just with a much stronger app or is new work experience required to have a good chance of them progressing me to the next stage(s)? Thanks a lot!

I don’t think you need work experience to improve an app - it can help but there are other ways to show the improvement in your application, plus the form feels you had a strong application to begin with, so it maybe that you don’t need to show any major development, but persistence in developing your skills and knowledge (but this can be demonstrated in many ways outside of work experience).

 

[Zaidoz10]

I'm yet to hear back - have you received an invite?

I haven’t heard anything. Seems like they’ve only sent rejections?

 

[Tintin06]

Will you be told in advance the name of the partners that are going to interview you?

I don’t think they’ll tell you. It could change last minute too. So probably not worth telling people.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Goodwin PFO post VI (DTC) 😭

 

[Raspberry44]

Goodwing PFO Post VI (DTC) - it happens! Lets keep it moving!

 

[Lawlawlaw2]

I don’t think you need work experience to improve an app - it can help but there are other ways to show the improvement in your application, plus the form feels you had a strong application to begin with, so it maybe that you don’t need to show any major development, but persistence in developing your skills and knowledge (but this can be demonstrated in many ways outside of work experience).

Great thank you very much!

 

[Mug Fan]

Yep, Goodwin PFO as well.

If anyone gets an AC for DTC, can they confirm? I wonder if they had a great VS intake and picked some DTC’s from there.

Trying to convince myself that’s the only possible reason for rejection because my VI was just THAT good 🤣

 

[Tintin06]

Goodwin recently rejected me for VS. I do wonder about their TC. Suspect it’s mostly VSs getting those. Compare that to PH or K&S. Neither of those run vac schemes.