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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

Amma Usman

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For Ashurst's "Tell us about your hobbies and interests.", can I give just one hobby/interest? @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman , would appreciate your insights

I think it depends on the word count. If it’s around 50-75 words, focusing on one hobby or interest makes sense, as it gives you enough space to explain why it interests you, how you’ve developed it, and any skills you’ve gained from it. However, if you have the flexibility, I’d recommend referencing at least 2-3 hobbies or interests. From a law firm’s perspective, this question is designed to show the breadth of your personality and demonstrate that you’re well-rounded. Highlighting a range of interests can subtly reflect transferable skills like teamwork, resilience, or commitment, and helps present you as someone who can build relationships easily…which is a key part of the role.
 

Jessica Booker

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Andrei Radu

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Has anyone gotten past the application stage for a direct TC despite having minimal legal experience/ career experience more generally?
I know someone who has gotten a TC from a mid-market UK firm and their only legal work experience was an informal internship at a not very well known law firm in a foreign country (which in practice was more of a shadowing experience), while the only non-legal work experience consisted of summer jobs in the hospitality sector. Also, their grades were in the low 2.1 region. Because of this they considered their direct TC applications to be quite speculative, but, to their own surprise, it ended up working out. As such, I think for many firms it is definitely worth a shot even if you do not have the strongest CV work experience-wise.
 

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