Application Process & Interviews at Clifford Chance

There was a series of phone interviews, face-to-face interviews and a cocktail evening. This ensured that the right people that fit within the firm culture were hired.

Streamlined and professional. Lack of assessments/testing - more conversational.

I completed 4 weeks of work experience followed by a graduate interview for an hour

I attended an interview with two partners before being offered a winter clerkship position and after my clerkship I attended a one-on-one interview with the Managing Partner of Australia before being offered a graduate position.

The interview process and assessments were very thorough.

2-3 interviews with partners, senior and junior lawyers

In Perth they run an "open day" on a Saturday to learn about the firm and participate in activities. I understand this may be changing. A lot of graduates start as paralegals (i.e. they have worked at the firm one day a week in their final year of university).

First, the resume/cover letter/transcript application process gains you an invitation to the open day. Based on that, you're also invited to interview for either or both of the paralegal program and/or the graduate program. The paralegal interview process consisted of one interview, and then one days work a week (plus more as mutually agreed) for six months. The graduate interview process consisted of 2 interviews, and the paralegals were 'automatically' put through to the second round.

Two interviews with a CV submission and questions.

I was asked about my interests in the law, my previous experience and then some general legal questions.

Personal questions about myself and experiences, as well as general legal questions to test my understanding.

What I learnt/ took from my experience at the firm

Why do you want to work at CC? Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? Why did you choose to study law?

I was asked why I was interested in working for the firm, as opposed to others in the Sydney market.

Various questions, generally about past experience, type of work and more general questions about a person to understand fit within the team culture.

Investor-State arbitration is a significant part of the Perth practice. There will probably be questions about investment treaties (e.g. the Trans-Pacific Partnership).

There were no pre-planned 'behavioural/situational' questions. Questions were based on your resume, experience at the firm, etc.

Mostly questions on CV, behavioural questions and one problem scenario.

Know what the firm does, if you are applying there you should have some interest in what they do be it an interesting matter or client, or a particular field of work.

Have an understanding of the role corporate law firms play on a global stage and how they interact with the global economy.

Know what differentiates yourself from the crowd. Reflect on your passions and interests and see how that can be tied with commercial awareness.

Research CC to understand why they are distinctive. Provide the interviewer with skills you offer that best suit their practice.

Show character, it's a lot easier to work with people that are easy to get along with/communicate with. Firms aren't looking for the smartest people but people that can work collaboratively and learn from others. Learn to talk about your experience and don't be afraid to let people know your passions and what attracts you to commercial law

Do your research on the firm, understand the nature and transactions of the type of work that Clifford Chance does in Australia as well as the rest of the world.

A good understanding of the energy and resources sector is important. I would make sure to be familiar with the major projects across Australia.

Be across business developments across the Asia-Pacific region, the firm's work is Asia based not just Australia

Research the firm, have some questions you're genuinely interested in asking.

Interviews are simply a conversation. Don't stress and be yourself.