Assessing my TC chances?

Graduated 2.1 LLB Hons from strong Red Brick uni.

1 weeks work placement at a local council,
1 months Pro Bono experience at a legal advice centre,
VS with international firm in their overseas office,
2 jobs (total of 4 months) as a junior paralegal specialising in commercial property and commercial litigation advising FTSE 250 companies to mid sized firms etc.

and 2-3 other extra curricular stuff such as military training and an acting role...

First time applying for TCs here and I've had enough of finding jobs and never getting round to making TC apps..

What sort of firms should i be aiming for? I need the brutal honest truth as to whether I should be looking at MC?

You have nothing to lose by applying for MC but I think you will be hard pressed to get a TC - MC look for connections .

Best bet is to get a job as a paralegal and ingratiate yourself there - some firms - not all - will give you a training contract after a while.

Aim for whatever you want (assuming you meet the A-Level requirements)

In particular why and how would I be hard pressed to get a TC at an MC? What about non MC TC?

If this TC cycle fails for me, I would pursue paralegal roles as you've mentioned.

Because MC look for connections - who knows who, Oxbridge, Old boys etc. There are about 50 people chasing every TC - there is no doubt that your CV is probably good - but you need to be realistic - get a job as a paralegal and try for TC from there

So your'e saying that I completely shouldn't bother with TC apps now?

Because MC look for connections - who knows who, Oxbridge, Old boys etc. There are about 50 people chasing every TC - there is no doubt that your CV is probably good - but you need to be realistic - get a job as a paralegal and try for TC from there

No - what I am saying is get a job and apply for training contracts whilst doing a job. But pick your firm carefully - if you are lucky you may get a firm that will give you a training contract after a while - but at least if you are working you are in a better position. My partner sees all sorts of spotty herberts ( as he calls them) thinking they can just waltz into a TC because they have a law degree.

First, well done on your degree and on getting so much great experience. Of course you should apply to Magic Circle firms, why not? This is terrible -- do people really think it's all about connections still? Yes, it's hugely competitive but if you have a good, clear, concise application, well presented and compelling, why wouldn't they consider you? I would recommend talking to someone at the various firms you are interested in to get an idea of what the hiring partners might be looking for.

On a separate note, Magic Circle firms are not the be all and end all. Think about what kind of work will actually get you excited, and how hard you are prepared to work (i.e. how much sleep you are prepared to forgo...).

So you know where this is coming from: I did my training contract at A&O, I worked as an associate at Linklaters, and at various governmental and international agencies. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it, but also be clear on what you actually want to get out of it.

What were the hiring partners at A&O looking for when you was applying? What did you want to get out of it and how did you come to making that decision? Did you do a VS with them?

Honestly, I didn't know what I wanted. I stayed in law for 8 years before realising it wasn't quite right for me. I'm not trying to put you off, I still think it's a great career. But I'd think really carefully about what you want to get out of work (and life) and go do whatever it is that will make the most of that vision. Once you have identified that path just don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it (and don't ask other people in the same position as you -- go talk to some old people like me, in the real world, and see what they have to say).

Depends on so much more detail than this. What are your module grades like? When was your EC stuff?

You will need to make it clear there were mitigating circumstances though (don't have to detail them - more explain the impact on your studies).

When was your EC stuff?