TCLA General Discussion Thread #2 (2021)

[Legalmel_99]

Just had an interview with two partners for one of my dream firms. I have actually spoken to associates from the firm on many occasions from different departments who have been very friendly and welcoming. However, my experience with the partners was very different. Think my experience from the interview has put me off, certainly from that specific sector. They really didn’t seem like they were interested at all or even engaging with my answers.

Out of curiosity was this a face to face interview or virtual?

 

[lawgal101]

Out of curiosity was this a face to face interview or virtual?

Virtual interview

 

[Legalmel_99]

Virtual interview

I tend to find this abit harder to read people, I spoke to some trainees at a firm and then had a partner interview and I felt like they also didn’t engage as much but I think it’s probably down to it being virtual maybe if it was in person it would be more interactive

 

[Anon 11031]

I tend to find this abit harder to read people, I spoke to some trainees at a firm and then had a partner interview and I felt like they also didn’t engage as much but I think it’s probably down to it being virtual maybe if it was in person it would be more interactive

I find this with work too. Sometimes people come across as really unfriendly, but I put it down to the fact that 65% of communication is body language and I think everyone is so fed up of Zoom/Teams!

 

[H S]

Hello! Please could someone point me towards or even link where I can find information / advice on paralegal roles and cover letters? Thank you!

 

[Dheepa]

Hello! Please could someone point me towards or even link where I can find information / advice on paralegal roles and cover letters? Thank you!

Hey, here's what we have on this!

How to get a paralegal role

So I'm doing my LPC and unfortunately don't have a training contract lined up (). So this means I'll (and lots of others) will have a two year gap before a tc commences. However, there doesn't seem to be any clear information on how to get a paralegal job. So I was wondering if someone could...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Finding a job as a paralegal

Hi everybody, I hope to receive some help here. I see this community here is nice and polite. I am a young guy, EU citizen, I live in London and am currently working from home as account manager for a big corporation. Despite being currently employed, I am looking for a job as a paralegal...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

Guys, I am in tears. I've been offered the final partner interview at Fieldfisher and I've passed the AC. I can't believe it. (I couldn't have gotten this far without all of your support, and I would like to personally thank @Alice G and @Jessica Booker for all of your kind words of...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[lawgal101]

If you get progressed to the next stage, see how those interviews go and see if it feels any different. If you get an offer, maybe ask to connect with some more people within the firm to see what they are like. I personally wouldn’t take one interview with two people (assuming the firm has a fair number of partners/staff) as a clear indication of what the firm is like, and especially if this was over Zoom/Teams (as put frankly lots of partners could do with some training on how to conduct themselves in virtual interviews).

I tend to find this abit harder to read people, I spoke to some trainees at a firm and then had a partner interview and I felt like they also didn’t engage as much but I think it’s probably down to it being virtual maybe if it was in person it would be more interactive

I find this with work too. Sometimes people come across as really unfriendly, but I put it down to the fact that 65% of communication is body language and I think everyone is so fed up of Zoom/Teams!

Thank you for your responses, they have made me feel better.

I think I just wanted a little reassurance with a bit of nodding as I was chatting away and expected follow up questions to my answers or a response to my answers, instead of “ok”. My virtual interviews that I have attended in the past have certainly been more engaging, so I think I just expected the same.

But I also do agree, guess it is down to the fact that they are not able to use body language virtually.

 

[Jooooopp7]

V early but was wondering if anyone knows when the vacation scheme application opens for Fieldfisher's London office? thanks

 

[W]

Has anyone who’s been through the direct TC process for Freshies know how long they take to get back to you after WG?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

OMG Ashurst just emailed saying they will get back to everyone by the end of August so they are another Travers Smith. I am saying this as it is my first time applying for Ashurst and they remind me of Travers Smith.

 

[H S]

Hey, here's what we have on this!

How to get a paralegal role

So I'm doing my LPC and unfortunately don't have a training contract lined up (). So this means I'll (and lots of others) will have a two year gap before a tc commences. However, there doesn't seem to be any clear information on how to get a paralegal job. So I was wondering if someone could...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Finding a job as a paralegal

Hi everybody, I hope to receive some help here. I see this community here is nice and polite. I am a young guy, EU citizen, I live in London and am currently working from home as account manager for a big corporation. Despite being currently employed, I am looking for a job as a paralegal...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

Guys, I am in tears. I've been offered the final partner interview at Fieldfisher and I've passed the AC. I can't believe it. (I couldn't have gotten this far without all of your support, and I would like to personally thank @Alice G and @Jessica Booker for all of your kind words of...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Thank you so much!

 

[philjones]

Hi guys, bit of advice needed. I've received a TC offer with a deadline of Tuesday the 10th. Another firm told me they'll get back to me in a few weeks. Is it standard practice to request an extension to the TC acceptance deadline or do firms hate it and it will reflect badly on me? Thanks a lot!

 

[Anon 11031]

Hi guys, bit of advice needed. I've received a TC offer with a deadline of Tuesday the 10th. Another firm told me they'll get back to me in a few weeks. Is it standard practice to request an extension to the TC acceptance deadline or do firms hate it and it will reflect badly on me? Thanks a lot!

Have you spoken to the other firm? I would probably notify them of your TC offer and deadline date today first.

 

[Donuttime]

Good morning! I have a question. if someone could clear up some legal jargon for me that would be greatly appreciated. What does it mean when a practice area at a firm is "mid-market". For example, a firms corporate practice is mid- market?

Thanks loads

 

[philjones]

Have you spoken to the other firm? I would probably notify them of your TC offer and deadline date today first.

Ye so I told them I have a deadline of next week. They initially wanted to get back to me end of August after they've reviewed the direct TC applications (I did a VS). But I'm concerned that if I force them to make a quick decision, they may err on the side of caution (or risk if my self-esteem was healthier 😅) and simply say no.

 

[TC fiend]

Good morning! I have a question. if someone could clear up some legal jargon for me that would be greatly appreciated. What does it mean when a practice area at a firm is "mid-market". For example, a firms corporate practice is mid- market?

Thanks loads

Hey, this refers to the size of the deals in terms of value. So 'mid-market' means deals at a lower value than 'premium' (think hundreds of thousands of pounds vs. millions of pounds, or millions vs. billions).

 

[Anon 11031]

Ye so I told them I have a deadline of next week. They initially wanted to get back to me end of August after they've reviewed the direct TC applications (I did a VS). But I'm concerned that if I force them to make a quick decision, they may err on the side of caution (or risk if my self-esteem was healthier 😅) and simply say no.

I don't think you'll be forcing them to make a quick decision - don't worry! Letting them know might just give them a little push.

Since you only have 3 working days, including today, I would be honest and contact the firm that's given you a TC offer. Explain that you're waiting on one more outcome and ask if they can kindly extend your deadline.

If they say no, you can always accept their offer and reject it later down the line (providing that they had made no financial commitments or payments towards any courses at this point).

 

[Donuttime]

Hey, this refers to the size of the deals in terms of value. So 'mid-market' means deals at a lower value than 'premium' (think hundreds of thousands of pounds vs. millions of pounds, or millions vs. billions).

Thank you so much!

 

[Dheepa]

Hi guys, bit of advice needed. I've received a TC offer with a deadline of Tuesday the 10th. Another firm told me they'll get back to me in a few weeks. Is it standard practice to request an extension to the TC acceptance deadline or do firms hate it and it will reflect badly on me? Thanks a lot!

Call the second firm and let them know you have a TC deadline on Tuesday. Tell them that you intend to ask the first firm for an extension of the deadline (the firm will not hate you for asking, it's very common practice) however you need to know an exact date that you will hear back so you can ask for a realistic time frame to consider both offers.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys, bit of advice needed. I've received a TC offer with a deadline of Tuesday the 10th. Another firm told me they'll get back to me in a few weeks. Is it standard practice to request an extension to the TC acceptance deadline or do firms hate it and it will reflect badly on me? Thanks a lot!

Yes - the best thing to do is to ask for an extension but be prepared for the firm to say no. You can the accept and renege the offer if you haven't received any financial support from the firm or have started the onbaording processes for law school/the SQE.