TCLA General Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[James Carrabino]

Sorry if this is not the correct forum but I feel so useless and demotivated to even apply. The more I see what TCLA has to offer, the more I feel that I am uneducated and don't really deserve a TC because my applications won't even matter. Anybody else feeling like this?
I have applied 4 times and now starting to understand I am not even close to becoming a "good candidate". Any help to motivate myself to do this is welcome

Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but I'm feeling like this!! As a new member of the application review team and forum team I have been spending a lot of time over the past few weeks reviewing candidates' applications and engaging with areas of TCLA that I was less familiar with...at times I question how I ever managed to compete with the experiences and preparation that so many candidates seem to have. At the same time, I think that a major reason I am qualified to be giving advice is because of the steep learning curve I faced myself throughout the application process. Sure, there are those candidates who apply to a few firms and get an offer without too much apparent difficulty (I say 'apparent' because people like to play down how tough it was for them), but they are undoubtedly not the norm. In fact, I am sincerely glad that this didn't happen to me - there is so much that I learnt about the UK legal market (and so much more that I am excited to learn) through my avid use of TCLA and my preparation for interviews that I simply would know nothing about had I landed a TC offer in my first few attempts. The process may feel like a massive burden and even a waste of time until you are successful, but treat it as a learning opportunity and when the time comes that you are successful (and you will be) I can guarantee that you will have no regrets. Sticking with it for a 4th cycle shows you absolutely have what it takes - we're here to help you cross the finish line!

Also, from what I've seen across other threads I am confident that your enthusiasm for such a broad range of things is exactly what many firms will be looking for! Just stick with the process, don't take rejections personally and we'll be hear to give advice wherever it is helpful

 

[James Carrabino]

Thank you everyone. I love the tcla community ❤️ I hope I will recover soon. I’ve paused all my Tc applications sadly and will have to wait until I get better before starting job hunt again. ❤️ Pls do pray for me. Thanks🥲😔😭

You can apply to TCs this cycle up until next July - the cycle's barely even started! You have plenty of time to rest and recuperate and we'll be thinking of you

 

[BeGrateful.101]

Aww you guys are the best! ❤️ thank you for all the supportive kind words! Means a lot❤️

 

[AvniD]

Thank you everyone. I love the tcla community ❤️ I hope I will recover soon. I’ve paused all my Tc applications sadly and will have to wait until I get better before starting job hunt again. ❤️ Pls do pray for me. Thanks🥲😔😭

@teddy_lawyer I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. I really admire how brave you are for posting here and seeking support.

I too paused my TC applications mid-cycle because I was unsuccessful in finding a sponsored job in the UK and had to return to India after completing my LPC. I paused around a similar time as you are now and started making applications again in April of the following year. I was so worried and anxious about how an unintended break from work and applications would impact my career but it turned out to be the best thing that could happen for it.

That break gave me the time and space to reflect on who I was outside of being an aspiring solicitor, what was working for me and wasn't re my applications and how I could make stronger, impactful and pointed applications for training contracts. In the end, I secured my training contract in the same cycle that saw me returning to India jobless after mostly self-funding my LPC.

I hope this helps you feel reassured about your situation- things can turn around when you least expect it if you just persevere and persist. Whenever you do decide to start applying again, please do get in touch so that we can support you to the best of our abilities in securing a training contract of your choice.

Sending you warmth and positivity- I hope you recover quickly and fully 🤗

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Anyone who has done a telephone interview with NRF before has any advice or can share their experiences of what it was like. Any help would be much appreciated thank you.

 

[lila122]

Anyone have any advice for dealing with a cold during an interview? I just developed a cold nothing too major, I just sound blocked up really. I have an interview in a couple of days. Is going to an interview with a cold something that would annoy an interviewer? Seems silly to reschedule for a cold though since they’re so common at the moment.. Anyone had experience with dealing with this situation please help!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Anyone have any advice for dealing with a cold during an interview? I just developed a cold nothing too major, I just sound blocked up really. I have an interview in a couple of days. Is going to an interview with a cold something that would annoy an interviewer? Seems silly to reschedule for a cold though since they’re so common at the moment.. Anyone had experience with dealing with this situation please help!

General advice in firms is if you have a cold not to come into the office - this cold bog going around is wiping some people out for weeks, and so they won’t want anything passed on. Therefore, I’d expect the firm will probably prefer you to reschedule.

However, give them a call to speak to them about this and see whether 1) the interview can be done virtually or 2) whether it can be rescheduled or 3) whether they would be happy for it to go ahead.

 

[James Carrabino]

Anyone have any advice for dealing with a cold during an interview? I just developed a cold nothing too major, I just sound blocked up really. I have an interview in a couple of days. Is going to an interview with a cold something that would annoy an interviewer? Seems silly to reschedule for a cold though since they’re so common at the moment.. Anyone had experience with dealing with this situation please help!

General advice in firms is if you have a cold not to come into the office - this cold bog going around is wiping some people out for weeks, and so they won’t want anything passed on. Therefore, I’d expect the firm will probably prefer you to reschedule.

However, give them a call to speak to them about this and see whether 1) the interview can be done virtually or 2) whether it can be rescheduled or 3) whether they would be happy for it to go ahead.

I agree with @Jessica Booker's advice; it would definitely be good if you can do the interview virtually. Firms are supposed to offer accommodations or the opportunity to reschedule if you provide enough notice, although not all firms do this.

Regardless, I imagine you might still be concerned about sounding congested during a virtual interview - I certainly would be! I would recommend not having any dairy products on the day of the interview as that can exacerbate this and I am also a personal fan of vaporub ointments - I think they're really effective at clearing congestion for several hours. Having a hot drink with you is also a good idea 😊

Ultimately when it comes down to it, interviewers aren't going to hold anything against you for having a cold!

 

[Dheepa]

Anyone who has done a telephone interview with NRF before has any advice or can share their experiences of what it was like. Any help would be much appreciated thank you.

It's about 15-20 minutes long with either three or four questions (can't remember too clearly anymore). Very straight forward motivational questions like why NRF/why law etc. with some competency questions and one commercial question. Just going to caveat that this was two years ago now so very likely that this could have changed! Good luck Asil! ☺️

 

[Aysha97]

I’ve sent in my request to join the trainee forum but please could it be reviewed. Thank you

 

[Jaysen]

I’ve sent in my request to join the trainee forum but please could it be reviewed. Thank you

Will PM you

 

[Asil Ahmad]

It's about 15-20 minutes long with either three or four questions (can't remember too clearly anymore). Very straight forward motivational questions like why NRF/why law etc. with some competency questions and one commercial question. Just going to caveat that this was two years ago now so very likely that this could have changed! Good luck Asil! ☺️

Thank you very much for this really appreciate it.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

For those who are applying for Cooley for their meet and greet event application do you fill put all the VS application questions as it asks to complete those questions also.

 

[aspiring_solicitor]

Hi guys, I become eligible to apply for vac schemes next year and to be honest I have no idea on how to start researching the firm, I am confused because I have heard a lot of people saying refer to true picture and all (it’s good) but to get a true insight into the firm and its practice areas, how should I start plus I really don’t know much about their practice areas. How should I start researching the firm and can you guys pls advise me what to refer and all. Really need help.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys, I become eligible to apply for vac schemes next year and to be honest I have no idea on how to start researching the firm, I am confused because I have heard a lot of people saying refer to true picture and all (it’s good) but to get a true insight into the firm and its practice areas, how should I start plus I really don’t know much about their practice areas. How should I start researching the firm and can you guys pls advise me what to refer and all. Really need help.

Start attending some careers events, workshops and talks. Also try some of the virtual work experience programmes with the likes of Forage and Bright Network. You have loads of time to build up this knowledge, so don’t fret.

 

[aspiring_solicitor]

Start attending some careers events, workshops and talks. Also try some of the virtual work experience programmes with the likes of Forage and Bright Network. You have loads of time to build up this knowledge, so don’t fret.

Thank you so much @Jessica Booker

 

[Penelope]

Hi everyone, I've had a few job offers for paralegal roles and I'm a bit stuck on who to go with... I've been offered a position working for the crown prosecution service and the other 2 positions are for private law firms. My question is, which is better? A public body or private body? Which is more likely to further my career in obtaining a training contract in the future? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Congrats on the offers! Do any of the options offer opportunities for progression (i.e. internal TCs)?

 

[Lumree]

Hi everyone, I've had a few job offers for paralegal roles and I'm a bit stuck on who to go with... I've been offered a position working for the crown prosecution service and the other 2 positions are for private law firms. My question is, which is better? A public body or private body? Which is more likely to further my career in obtaining a training contract in the future? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

What do the law firms specialise in? The question to ask is what work you’ll be most interested in doing.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone, I've had a few job offers for paralegal roles and I'm a bit stuck on who to go with... I've been offered a position working for the crown prosecution service and the other 2 positions are for private law firms. My question is, which is better? A public body or private body? Which is more likely to further my career in obtaining a training contract in the future? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I’d say private practice would be better as you are more likely to be working with clients directly. But I don’t think the decision is as simple as that - the public sector role could be far more complex/more responsibilities and therefore could develop your skill set more. I think you also need to factor in what job you would enjoy the most too. Doing a job for a longer term goal of getting a TC is probably not the most enjoyable way of doing things, and I strongly recommend people do what they would enjoy, even if it is not a long term aim.

 

[wolvesckm]

Congrats on the offers! Do any of the options offer opportunities for progression (i.e. internal TCs)?

Thank you! Yes, all 3 have great opportunities for progression and offer TCs, 1 of the firms offers it internally.