TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[A worried graduate]

Yes I think candidates mistakenly think it may be easier and on occasion it may be because there may indeed be fewer better candidates applying depending which office. Also I know some regional firms look for ties to that region as part of their criteria when assessing applications. This is because they dont want people to train with them and then go off elsewhere as soon as they qualify having invested heavily in them. This was explained to me by a partner at a regional firm I did an insight week at. So having been accepted because of having ties to the region then asking to be switched after TC offer to London which would have different salary, and maintenance grants etc it would not be considered by that firm and he said by most firms.

Also they will have assessed the regional applicants against each other and it may be that there were better London applicants who didn't get offers because they were judged against other London applicants so it would not be fair.

On the reverse side, does this mean that as someone based in the regions, I will have a higher chance of succeeding if I go for firms HQed near where I am as opposed to London offices or regional firms based elsewhere?

 

[User5678]

On the reverse side, does this mean that as someone based in the regions, I will have a higher chance of succeeding if I go for firms HQed near where I am as opposed to London offices or regional firms based elsewhere?

Tbh, it’s my first tc cycle so I’m trying to only concentrate and only applying to firms’ london offices as I would see myself there long term but @3000to1shoteverytime is right, I had done a one year placement at an international law firm in my third year and was told the same by the emerging talent team.

If I am unsuccessful in this cycle I would apply to a mix of regional and london offices of firms (linking would be the difficult part for me as I’m an international and the only link I can show is that I went to warwick uni which is very close to Birmingham and I like the city/spend a lot of time in the city but nothing else😂)because london may be more competitive and there may be stronger and a lot more candidates applying to the london office which can make a candidate unsuccessful for the london office but may get an offer from a regional office with that same application/ ac performance. Also worth noting that for some firms, regional office may be more competitive or as competitive as the london office so I’d try to manage my applications accordingly, i.e., in such cases apply to the london office and where I think competition may be a bit less for a regional office, I’d try to apply for the regional office tc. This is ofc subjective to each person (Again, these are just my thoughts in relation to what I am writing in the second half)

 

[Law queries]

Hello,

I wanted to ask - in case I don’t meet the 2:1 criteria and have mitigating circumstances to support the same but do well in Capp test and WGT, do I have chance getting shortlisted at firm? How focused are they on grades?

Thanks!

 

[Jessica Booker]

On the reverse side, does this mean that as someone based in the regions, I will have a higher chance of succeeding if I go for firms HQed near where I am as opposed to London offices or regional firms based elsewhere?

I honestly don’t think it is easier which ever location you go for. You are going to be assessed to the same level whichever office you go for. Just because there could be fewer or more candidates doesn’t make the process easier or difficult.

I stress to people time and time again that you should apply to the location you want to work in. Trying to gamify the system will not work unless you can play the long game and wait until you are qualified to move.

People think they’ll be able to convince HR to move them at some point in the recruitment process or during training, but this rarely happens. Even when you have trained with a firm, moving office upon qualification is also unlikely, and so moving is more likely to happen if you change firm.

 

[A worried graduate]

I honestly don’t think it is easier which ever location you go for. You are going to be assessed to the same level whichever office you go for. Just because there could be fewer or more candidates doesn’t make the process easier or difficult.

I stress to people time and time again that you should apply to the location you want to work in. Trying to gamify the system will not work unless you can play the long game and wait until you are qualified to move.

People think they’ll be able to convince HR to move them at some point in the recruitment process or during training, but this rarely happens. Even when you have trained with a firm, moving office upon qualification is also unlikely, and so moving is more likely to happen if you change firm.

I never had moving in mind as I would personally prefer to be in the regions.

 

[yellowponytwin]

two PFOs in one day! one from my top firm after interview with HR, and one immediately post application. #super

 

[TCseeker101]

Withers test! I've never done a law firm test so any tips would be much appreciated

 

[S7321]

Is it still worth applying to still open DTCs as a non-law grad at this stage? E.g Baker McKenzie and Ashurst which I've seen are still open.

 

[Mug Fan]

Is it still worth applying to still open DTCs as a non-law grad at this stage? E.g Baker McKenzie and Ashurst which I've seen are still open.

The alternative is to not apply and see if you get the TC that way...

(I'm obviously being facetious, but it's as simple as you have to be in it to win it, so yes, it's worth it).

 

[Tintin06]

Any tips on Ashurst’s psychometric test? Done it a couple of times. Very difficult and have never passed. Should I ask for reasonable adjustments? Could they reduce the test’s importance? It’s putting me off applying there. Funny how these things work sometimes. US firms with no tests whatsoever. Other firms with tests like Ashurst’s. Hence my differing success rate historically. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[James Wakefield]

Any tips on Ashurst’s psychometric test? Done it a couple of times. Very difficult and have never passed. Should I ask for reasonable adjustments? Could they reduce the test’s importance? It’s putting me off applying there. Funny how these things work sometimes. US firms with no tests whatsoever. Other firms with tests like Ashurst’s. Hence my differing success rate historically. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

So they've recently changed their test to Cappfinity I think, at least for the direct TC. Just fyi in case you weren't aware. They mentioned this was very new at a careers event.

 

[Tintin06]

So they've recently changed their test to Cappfinity I think, at least for the direct TC. Just fyi in case you weren't aware. They mentioned this was very new at a careers event.

Those are a bit more bearable.

 

[A worried graduate]

So they've recently changed their test to Cappfinity I think, at least for the direct TC. Just fyi in case you weren't aware. They mentioned this was very new at a careers event.

I'd say that is an improvement considering how horrible their test was in past years.

 

[A worried graduate]

Any tips on Ashurst’s psychometric test? Done it a couple of times. Very difficult and have never passed. Should I ask for reasonable adjustments? Could they reduce the test’s importance? It’s putting me off applying there. Funny how these things work sometimes. US firms with no tests whatsoever. Other firms with tests like Ashurst’s. Hence my differing success rate historically. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Cappfinity this year - Used by a lot of firms so should be more familiar

If you struggle with those, then consider asking, but they usually are personality tests more than anything else with a minority also including a grammar review task (Always about a travel agency takeover ''SetSail LLC'')

While the cappfinities have these attachments and voicemails etc, you can usually answer the question without looking at them.

 

[Tintin06]

Cappfinity this year - Used by a lot of firms so should be more familiar

If you struggle with those, then consider asking, but they usually are personality tests more than anything else with a minority also including a grammar review task (Always about a travel agency takeover ''SetSail LLC'')

While the cappfinities have these attachments and voicemails etc, you can usually answer the question without looking at them.

Thanks - this is very helpful stuff. What personalities are they looking for? I’ve never passed a Cappfinity test.

 

[A worried graduate]

Thanks - this is very helpful stuff. What personalities are they looking for? I’ve never passed a Cappfinity test.

Usually you can see on a firm’s grad rec site what they want to see in a trainee.

Most cases the answer is to work with others, say yes to every opportunity , take risks , take every piece of tech going and to proofread yourself instead of getting someone else to.

If you want some practice, just apply to one of the big 4 as they all use them.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Is it still worth applying to still open DTCs as a non-law grad at this stage? E.g Baker McKenzie and Ashurst which I've seen are still open.

Hiya @S7321

Absolutely worth applying! The direct route at firms like Baker McKenzie or Ashurst is particularly great for candidates who can't easily manage the time off needed for a vacation scheme (especially if you're currently working full-time or you're based abroad). It's not just for law graduates fresh from uni or those with extensive legal vacation scheme experiences. I personally know applicants who've secured direct training contracts without doing any vacation schemes or studying law.

I think the key is making sure your application clearly highlights your motivations and demonstrates a strong alignment with the firm. Focus on communicating why you want to join specifically Baker McKenzie, Ashurst, etc., and show them how your experiences and interests genuinely match their culture, practice strengths, and areas of focus. Good luck!

 

[Mug Fan]

Cappfinity this year - Used by a lot of firms so should be more familiar

If you struggle with those, then consider asking, but they usually are personality tests more than anything else with a minority also including a grammar review task (Always about a travel agency takeover ''SetSail LLC'')

While the cappfinities have these attachments and voicemails etc, you can usually answer the question without looking at them.

Why’s it always Setsail?! 🤣 I need to look them up. I hope it is that one again - I’ve actually passed it. TWICE. 🤯

 

[A worried graduate]

Why’s it always Setsail?! 🤣 I need to look them up. I hope it is that one again - I’ve actually passed it. TWICE. 🤯

Anyone here with a guide on that as I have no idea if I am passing and I never use semicolons and that sort of thing (Only got a C in English GCSE too! )

As for Setsail, they are just too lazy to make new text so made one and rolled with it. Them and Amberjack seem to pitch all these things to grad recs to look good but they often make little sense.

There is another company (SNL maybe) who have even weirder personality tests that ask random questions that contradict.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

So they've recently changed their test to Cappfinity I think, at least for the direct TC. Just fyi in case you weren't aware. They mentioned this was very new at a careers event.

They’ve scrapped arctic shores!?!? Thank god