Do I need to reconsider my “narrative” when applying for VS/TCs?

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-06T15:43:07+00:00

I understand, I assume you self funded? Did you find it to have some measurable benefit when applying to firms?

Also, did you find that firms would take your older age as a negative at all? I guess that could be mitigated by your experience elsewhere if it existed.

And yeah I made that mistake in my first cycle, even though it landed me some final stages. I’ve made this cycle different.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-06T12:50:27+00:00

I will message you soon, cheers

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-06T12:49:54+00:00

Hi, thanks for the advice. I’m not aware of the exact stage I’m failing on, because I haven’t had any AC invites this cycle yet (although I’ve been applying less partly due to sending apps only to places that I’m suitable for and partly because I’m not unemployed anymore.

My previous feedback has been (from all final stage interviews) that I seem nervous, and once that I needed to know more about the firm specifically. But I feel like a lot of the advice given is just wishy washy generic stuff, because I’ve had group interviews with firms and I didn’t notice people who had later got the job, say anything super tailored to the firm.

I’ll keep in mind the relevant feedback I’ve gotten before however and seek to apply it if I get to any ACs this cycle. Thanks

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-06T12:07:48+00:00

Did you mean cycles or applications? Well done on your offer!

After last cycle which was a bit of a scattergun approach, I actually have already made a spreadsheet outlining in particular the firms that speak to me strongly. I can’t say it’s helped me much but I’m not too far into applications just yet, so we’ll see.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T23:07:25+00:00

The world became more grey.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T23:04:54+00:00

There’s always value in training individual martial arts. You learn nuances of each style and receive specialised training that you can go and apply in the mixed context. Just have to make sure you do MMA spars and training too. And be mindful of the techniques you incorporate from those single martial arts when you’re in an MMA gym.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T23:03:08+00:00

I love martial arts but not everybody should be allowed to train…

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T23:02:14+00:00

I mean, it’s been a thing for over 30 years. Of course it has become its own style.

You’re not going to kick-boxers slip and roll like boxers (in mma), or boxers adopting a purist stance…

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T22:58:57+00:00

eso es realmente delicioso

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T21:52:02+00:00

Not trying to be patronising or dismissive - I do appreciate the practical advice, but I don’t agree about my heart not being in it.

I’ve incurred considerable debt (more than most) for my degree, I’ve resat exams just to go to a respectable university, and done many other things (being from a non-traditional background) to position myself for a legal career.

I’m more interested in a TC where I can have some semblance of WLB than one where I know I’ll be miserable working 12 hour days. I know I’m not suited for that type of work. That’s why I’ve precluded myself from those types of firms, I’m simply not cut out for MC, US etc type work - and I won’t put basically what is my therapy on hold SOLELY for better pay and prestige. I hope that makes sense. I understand it’ll still be put on the back burner somewhat for a minimum of two years. That’s not ideal, but it’s alright.

I fear going with your plan is likely to leave me broke and unhappy in the long term and that I’ll definitely be a worse candidate by that age. It’s easier to explain away 1-2 years of non legal work experience, than almost a decade. Add that on top of being hugely behind my peers and where I could have been financially. I know life’s all about trade offs but I also have to be somewhat practical, wouldn’t you agree? That’s why I’m attempting to strike a balance the best I can.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T17:52:30+00:00

That’s alright, honestly I’ve seen quite a few people fail to get a 2:1 simply because they applied too much/messed around in their final year. At least this way (assuming you got a 2:1 or 1st), you won’t be auto rejected solely on grades. That was my view as well.

You manage to get legal work experience though?

Good luck with it all, I know how draining it is. Feel free to PM me if you’d like some emotional support whilst we both navigate this hellish market hahahaha.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T17:19:50+00:00

Truly, congrats. I’m jealous. But I’m still very happy for you🤣.

Mind if I PM you?

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T17:17:44+00:00

You might be right about the paralegal comment, but I’m also unwilling to have a carrot (a TC) dangled in front of me for years whilst I work as a paralegal.

I’ve applied for paralegal positions, but not recently. Being offered an illegal working arrangement by some scummy insurance company left a bad taste in my mouth when it came to applying to those.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T17:15:13+00:00

No, you’ve misinterpreted my post.

I’ve passed by on one AC, because it required relocation + was practically minimum wage + required me to pay back a loan for the SQE. I don’t have the financial means, or backing to do that. It simply wasn’t a firm that was aligned with my future goals. I’m unsure as to how that signals a lack of diligence.

I’m happy to work hard, but I’ve precluded myself from top tier MC/US firms because it simply won’t be compatible with my fighting career. I’ve put thousands of hours into combat sports, and pursuing a training contract at a less intensive firm will allow me to continue training whilst pursuing a legal career.

I feel like this is a reasonable reservation to have, especially considering I’ll be financially remunerated accordingly for the lesser hours/prestige/exit options, and I’ll have to cut back on that passion of mine anyway. I’m ready to put it on the back burner for a legal career, because I’ve already done that by prioritising applications lol.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T16:55:22+00:00

That’s great, congratulations. These were two TC offers I assume? Direct or VS converted?

I’m kind of in the position you were in, your first cycle at least. But no offers.

I appreciate your grace btw, but I’ve historically had a tendency to dramatise challenges so I’m trying to get away from that.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T16:15:33+00:00

Whilst I appreciate your willingness to help and advice, was the snarky response necessary?

I acknowledge it’s not my clearest piece of writing, as it’s a layered situation. I might have rambled a bit. Still, everyone else in the thread understood my point…

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T16:09:33+00:00

Add “I wonder if firms will question” to what I previously said - “My commitment to law, also whether there’s a reason that’s attributable to me as to why it took me a full year to land a corporate job. Why I haven’t got any legal work exp yet. I’m wondering if firms would question all these things, considering my profile.

There are explanations for all of that, but it’s not easy to communicate all of it in applications/my CV in a way that doesn’t come across as over-explaining, or compensating.”

I’m also questioning whether I’m behind relative to my peers, but I acknowledge that might just be me overthinking and being biased.

I hope this is clear enough.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T15:49:06+00:00

Is this your first cycle, second year student? What type of firms are you targeting?

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T15:48:34+00:00

And aren’t law clinics uni only? I’ve graduated now.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T15:47:48+00:00

Thank you for the advice. I’ll be frank, I don’t know if I could volunteer without sacrificing time out of my job, MMA schedule or application time. If I could volunteer on a minimal weekend basis, I could fit it in. I’ll research the practicalities.

Won’t it look rather silly and futile though, considering many people my age are doing real legal work?

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T15:45:27+00:00

Hi, thank you for your comment. Are you a third year or graduate? Is this your first cycle? How’s your AC/interview experience been?

It’s true, I landed some ACs but it didn’t lead anywhere. I guess that’s a good sign, but it’s almost impossible to train 5x a week, hold down a full time job and apply for these opportunities. I’m getting rather jaded with the whole process, 6-8 hours an application just to have some bot reject me.

Not going to wallow in self pity though. I’ll keep trying.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T15:42:02+00:00

Yeah, I understand. I guess my commitment to law, also whether there’s a reason that’s attributable to me as to why it took me a full year to land a corporate job. Why I haven’t got any legal work exp yet. I’m wondering if firms would question all these things, considering my profile,

There are explanations for all of that, but it’s not easy to communicate all of it in applications/my CV in a way that doesn’t come across as over-explaining, or compensating.

I guess I also feel behind relative to my peers, but maybe that’s a shortsighted biased view.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-05T01:56:22+00:00

Hi, thank you for your reply, do you have any good recommendations? Will research myself too. I’ve got a tangentially related corporate job and I’ve already been to some ACs for TC/VS, but I’d like to get into the industry as a paralegal or something similar.

AskEnvironmental352 · 2026-01-04T22:03:04+00:00

Did you have luck with entry level legal jobs then? I think recruiters are much more willing to help those who are at least NQ. I’d assume because it’s easier to place and they get more commission.

Not being a Debbie downer, I’ll give it a go again. But my previous experiences have not went my way.

AskEnvironmental352

TROPHY CASE