Application Process & Interviews at Allens

Graduates are required to complete a clerkship in order to qualify for a graduate position. An interview is required to obtain a clerkship but not for a graduate role.

An intense experience but overall worthwhile, and understandably thorough

Clerkship and graduate positions processes are obviously very involved and drawn out, but Allens did the best of any firm I had experience with.

My clerkship interview was very friendly and relaxed. It was a nice chat. There were no formal assessments (from memory) but I do remember doing a 'RARE Assessment' that the firm used to determine diversity and disadvantage.

I was recruited through the clerkship process. During this process, I had to submit an application and my CV, complete an online personality/logic assessment test, attend a networking evening and interview. I was offered a job based off of the clerkship.

Very straightforward and relatively simple. I knew what they were after and felt comfortable and supported the whole way through.

Written application followed by 2 rounds of interviews and cocktail nights.

There was a written application, online assessments and two face to face interviews.

Standard interview process as a clerk with a lengthy application, and interview. There was also a diversity questionnaire which I don't think other law firms utilise at the moment. I am not sure how much weight the firm puts on the results on this questionnaire but I do think that we are quite a diverse graduate group.

The process was quite rigorous with lots of rounds to go through however the interviewers were really easy to talk to and down to earth.

Clerkship applications used an online portal with a questionnaire on background, qualifications, experience and a few short answer questions on the firm and legal profession. Applications also required a CV and cover letter. There were 2 face-to-face interviews that involved a discussion (there were no pre-prepared HR-type questions) interspersed with 2 networking sessions.

Usual clerkship process - no psychological testing.

In particular, what I wanted to do with my career, my interests outside of work. I was also asked about my key experiences on my CV

It was a general chat format which used my resume as a prompt for conversation starters. It made me feel very at ease in the interview.

I remember being asked what I thought my greatest challenge would be working at a place like Allens. Other than that one question, I don't remember the interview being particularly structured. It was a free-flowing conversation about me and my interviewers - they were very personable.

Predominantly social questions about myself and interests outside of law. Very few legal questions apart from why I applied to the firm. No behavioural interview questions.

Questions about how I became interested in the law, why I was interested and broader questions about who I am as a person and what I enjoy doing and how my brain works. A case study on competition law.

Why do I want to work in commercial law? Why Allens? What could I contribute to the firm?

Lots! They really read my resume and wanted to get to know me well. The questions were often specific to me, about my experiences, choices, interests and goals.

Why do I want to work at Allens? Why do I want to work in commercial law?

The interviews were very casual and generally focussed on my background, decision to study law, previous degree and interest working in commercial law.

Questions about my experiences, my values, what I would do in particular scenarios, etc.

Be yourself and play to your strengths.

Know what you are trying to sell about yourself so you can present a consistent message across your resume, cover letter and interview.

I think getting as much experience as you can is key. Volunteering, joining a Journal/Review, mooting/other competitions, as well as getting good grades is important. In terms of the recruitment process itself, I say it's important to not be too modest, and although uncomfortable, it's important to remember to sell yourself as a great candidate because there are so many applicants.

Academic performance is important, but personality is also a big consideration.

Absolutely just be yourself. The people interviewing you just want to get to know you to see if you would be someone they want to work with day in and day out.

Do your research into the firm and the interviewers so you get a good feel for the firm. You don't need to regurgitate this information in the interview but it will help you be comfortable and inform your opinions. Be prepared to talk about everything on your resume. Then, just be yourself.

The interviews are very relaxed and friendly. The interviewers just want to get to know you and will ask you questions about things you have written in your application and on your CV.

Be yourself - the firm is looking for someone that they can see would fit into their culture. Find an area of law within the firm that interests you and find the Partner in that area on the internet and do some searching as to what they are currently or have been working on.

Have a diverse CV and be yourself during the process.

1. Do not limit applications to one place. By applying to multiple places you will be able to get a feel for which firm suits you best. 2. Be yourself - it will be easy for them to see when you are not and you would not want to end up working somewhere that doesn't know the real you. 3. If law is your second degree, be prepared to answer questions on why you have chosen to change career paths.

Be yourself. Be ready to talk about your experiences.