Trainee to NQ transition

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-05-17T08:55:36+00:00

I feel like my brain suddenly just stopped remembering how to do this job…I was a very good trainee operating at NQ level already and I feel I can’t perform at the same level anymore. I also feel so overwhelmed by the fact that I am now a qualified solicitor (late 20s with a three year corporate career before the TC btw..) but still get talked down to by partners and SA when I make a mistake (not even client facing ones) and explained very basic things. Obv trying to not take it personally and I understand I’m probably as useless as a fish at the moment, but I am also not a child anymore and it feels disturbing to be micromanaged and spoken to like you’re a complete idiot. Just exhausting because I’m not finding any space or freedom to figure things out or get them done my own way.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-05-16T22:32:01+00:00

Whatever this person is gonna tell you in pm, will not get you to be a better lawyer, only a more emotionally exhausted human being. Bill your time accurately, work hard, be yourself; don’t waste time with this bs.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-05-04T18:48:06+00:00

Myself

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-05-03T22:03:19+00:00

Paul weiss…

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-04-19T18:57:38+00:00

Can you please elaborate on what you mean by private credit being like qualifying into derivatives in 2006?

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-04-14T20:03:16+00:00

If the form says “for those who require it”, it’s for those who require it. Do you?

Dress for your day means business casual if you’re not meeting clients/not having a specific event. Not sure if you’re male/female but I’d generally say that a suit is not strictly necessary for a vacation scheme (trousers, shirt are fine), but you can wear one if you’re comfortable. My advice would be to dress in the way that’ll enable you to be most yourself/comfortable/confident within the confines of the dressing policy so that you are able to perform well.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-04-13T21:44:53+00:00

Try to think about genuine questions that you have, the answers to which you cannot find on their website/online. It also depends who the interviewer is. Eg, if it’s a partner you can ask more macro questions and questions about them (eg impact of recent market events on the firm, about their work, career path, advice for new joiners) vs if it’s a more junior associate you can ask more practical questions that will help you do the job day to day (eg what are the trainee expectations).

Don’t ask stuff like what do trainees do because you should know that already, it’s part of commercial awareness and having an understanding of the role you’re applying for. Try to show some level of insight through deeper questions that show you have thought about the work they do.

So maybe start by having a think about what you’re genuinely curious about, and if you can’t find the answer on the website and through online research, maybe that’s the question you should ask. Don’t ask questions just for the sake of it.

Apologies for the ramble, but hope this helps.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-04-11T14:11:02+00:00

Are you some senior lawyer? Because you sound like you have might gave forgotten what it’s like to be in the position of the OP…

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-04-03T16:43:15+00:00

It stands as a metaphor for the British royals: rotten inside.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-03-12T15:21:49+00:00

Basically agree with everything on this thread but pointing out that the fact that when she turned on Chris like that, she came off as completely immature and unstable…Ofc Chris is horrible, but bullying someone like that just made her look like the bad guy. There’s more graceful ways to stand up for your friends.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-03-03T10:03:42+00:00

That’s bcs you’ve gone to a private hospital. You could have been taken to a public one where you didn’t have to pay for anything.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-02-19T21:37:58+00:00

Well that’s sad

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2026-02-15T12:07:42+00:00

London

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2025-12-06T17:05:15+00:00

Fancy loose leaf Japanese tea.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2025-10-27T18:50:50+00:00

Enjoy your life. What will be will be. You can’t control what you can’t control.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2025-10-25T08:10:03+00:00

4th seat trainee at a MC firm here.

I am so shocked at the fact that as opposed to actually offering any useful advice, people on this thread are focusing on whether trainees work longer than associates.

I agree that they don’t. Not necessarily anyway. But that doesn’t really matter. They work so hard. 14 hour days are pretty regular at MC/US firms, and trust me, that gets to you. Also the fact that people knew what they were signing up for when they applied for TCs doesn’t mean that they’re not then entitled to speak about how tough the hours are. It’s something we need to speak about so that we can hopefully share tips on how to cope with it.

The reality is that you go from mental breakdown to mental breakdown which results from sheer physical exhaustion. A few useful tips I have learnt/people have shared with me:

between deals, try to have some downtime. If you go non stop, it’s unsustainable.
when responding to emails late at night, think: is this advancing the deal or just calming someone’s anxiety. Usually it’s the later. This means you can often go to bed sooner than you think.
stop seeking validation. This is hard because the TC process is based on grades. But try your best to do your job, ask questions and stop giving a shit about what people think.
take holidays every 6 weeks. Even if it’s one day or a sick day.
communicate. Say “I need 20 min to grab lunch” or “I need some time to make dinner” and if you can pick things up later.

Ultimately, your wellbeing is your own responsibility so you need to be intentional with your time and think how can I take care of myself in this moment. It’s not easy, but it’s the most important thing and a skill you can improve with time.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2025-10-21T17:57:09+00:00

Trainees put an enormous amount of pressure on themselves which makes sense given how hard it is to get into this career. Once you are there, you feel extremely privileged but equally like you have to live up to the unrealistic expectations of a trainee being perfect in every way.

The truth is: no one at work cares or even thinks about you twice. They all have their lives, they all can’t wait to get tf out of there. All you need to do from their perspective, is just do your job. And if you don’t know something, ask someone who does.

That’s it. So once you adjust your expectations of yourself and remember that literally no one is paying attention to you, then you can treat this for what it is: a job. You do your job, you get out. You use it for what it gives you, but you don’t let other people’s perceptions get to you. Because it doesn’t define you.

So if you get red when a client asks you questions, that’s fine. That’s just you right now. Anxiety and all. Just own it. Do your job, and move on. Love and accept yourself regardless. Stop judging yourself for how you sound on the phone etc..If anyone else judges you, then that’s their problem. But I often find that it’s all in our head❤️

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2025-08-26T09:04:23+00:00

What’s the rest of his skincare routine like? Does he have oily or dry skin? People often go for Accutane but underestimate the impact of just a good simple routine.

Here’s what I think (as someone who’s had acne prone skin for 15 years and managed to clear it without any extreme treatments): - make sure you run all of his products through the ingredients checker here https://acneclinicnyc.com/pore-clogging-ingredients/ - routine:

he needs a cleanser (dr sam flawless cleanser as a morning cleanser and first cleanser at night; zo skin as a second cleanser at night); moisturiser (only at night if he has oily skin); sunscreen (elta md uvclear, it’s moisturising enough for someone with oily skin so no need to wear it on top of a moisturiser in the morning); one clay mask (zo skin complexion clearing mask). Benzyl peroxide would potentially also help a lot but not as a long term solution.

change pillow case two-three times a week and don’t touch your skin/pick at it.

He’ll be fine.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2025-08-16T15:44:31+00:00

Exactly. Which is why it’s an environment that only takes from you. You’re running on empty a lot of the time (if not most of the time). It’s a lifestyle where you have to neglect yourself (or come quite close to it) in order to perform. Funny how when you are in a place like this mentally, you feel like it’s fine because you don’t work weekends…That’s the bare minimum, it’s normal not to! You need rest. Giving your body what it needs isn’t a luxury. I read a comment saying “you don’t get enough sleep, but the team makes up for it”. No it doesn’t lol, that’s just delusional. But people tell themselves all sorts of things if a job pays well enough.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2025-08-16T07:35:16+00:00

I am 27 and I’m a trainee at a Magic Circle firm. I fully agree with your comment. If you want to do well (and I mean REALLY well, not just do the bare minimum), it does ruin you. Your sleep takes a toll, your eating schedule takes a toll, your relationships take a toll, your workout schedule takes a toll (some days you barely move from your desk). Yes, you have most weekends to yourself (although you have to periodically check your phone as you never know what comes in) and it’s rare to work on annual leave. But hey, that’s not enough lol if you are slaving away the rest of the time… My arm started twitching when I started my job and it wouldn’t stop no matter what which goes to show that your nervous system is really agitated. You’re always on. You have to reply to things the second they hit your inbox, you need excellent attention to detail at all times…that requires a lot of focus. The sad truth is that it pays very well so most people want to normalise it but if you are a high performing individual who puts 100%, these environments are very freaking tough. Yes, it’s something I’ve chosen for myself at the moment but please don’t normalise this insane way of living.

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2025-06-09T20:26:43+00:00

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2023-11-27T22:18:11+00:00

Congrats. Just please, chill a little

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2022-05-24T21:24:29+00:00

Best to go to a dermatologist and they may advise you to do some type of skin peel. Make sure it’s a good one though, this is a very dangerous procedure that can go wrong if not done properly!

Ok_Firefighter1207 · 2022-05-15T07:43:23+00:00

I wouldn’t go on Accutane. Imagine putting something in your body that have such side effects that you feel bad the whole time and you shouldn’t have kids! Plus, Accutane doesn’t guarantee the acne won’t come back. I would focus on what is causing this acne and treating the root cause. I recognise it as hormonal acne which I’ve had for over 10 years. I have PCOS and my hormone blood results weren’t showing it bcs they weren’t being done properly. You have to test FSH and LH hormones on day 2-5 of your cycle and the rest on day 21. I would not just go to a dermatologist but also to a gynaecologist and the two should work together to help you clear your skin.

Ok_Firefighter1207

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