Application Process & Interviews at Clifford Chance

My experience with the hiring process was great. The best aspect was having multiple opportunities to ask questions, whether that is with the recruiters or lawyers within the firm that the recruiters put you in touch with. There is only so much you can know about a firm online, so having these additional opportunities to learn from those who work there made the difference for me.

I made an online application and then had an initial interview with two back to back interviews. I then had a second interview with three partners.

The application included a range of short and longer answer questions in an online form. The first interview was a 'blind interview' where the interviewers had not seen the interviewees resume and had no information other than their name. After that there was a social event, it was putt putt, and a final interview and assessment. For the assessment we were given 45 minutes to draft a short email to a client about a particular issue, we had some materials and a paper to draft. Straight after the assessment was the interview with a partner, where we were asked as part of the interview a few questions that related to the assessment.

I was hired through the clerkship program. The recruitment process for the clerkship program consisted of two rounds of interviews. The first round was with a mid/senior lawyer of the firm and a HR representative. The second round was with a Counsel/Partner of the firm and with a HR representative. We were also asked to complete a written component as part of the second round of assessments.

Three stages of interview

The application process was transparent and structured. First, I had to submit an online application, attaching my CV, cover letter and answering a short question. The second stage consisted of two interviews with senior lawyers during which we discussed my background and experience. I was also asked situational and commercial awareness questions. The final interview was a case study, where I had to read a client file and prepare a 10-minute presentation to three partners. Clifford Chance conducts "blind" interviews, which felt like a conversation rather than being grilled.

The interview process consisted of two parts (I) two half an hour interviews with 2 interviewers per session and (ii) a case study with two partners.

The interview process was very streamlined and accessible, consisting of 2 rounds of interviews with senior associates and partners respectively. There is a strong focus on identifying cultural compatibility through the process, including alignment on diversity and inclusion values. Online assessments consist of the usual market standard tests.

There were two interviews. The first was with two senior associates and the second one was with two partners. Both interviews were blind interviews meaning my CV was not given to the interviewers which is nice as they get to know me fresh. The interviewers were also all from different practice areas so you get to know more about the different areas of the firm. The final interview included an assessment where you had to present a case study on whether CC should take on a client.

Blind interview system used so no bias towards certain characteristics, two rounds of interviews by midlevel and then partners, no assessment used in clerkship program but assessed in graduate program when open market.

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.

The interview process and assessments were very thorough.

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.

2-3 interviews with partners, senior and junior lawyers

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.

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).

Two interviews with a CV submission and questions.

You are asked about yourself (pitch). You are asked professional/skills-based questions, including requests for examples in your professional/extracurricular life of where you have applied these skills. You are asked commercial/economic questions, including current trends in particular markets or how economic conditions might impact your client's/firm's work.

Asked about the firm, why I wanted to work there, also asked about issues that are prevalent for the firm and clients. There was also questions around market knowledge, which required understanding of current events.

We were asked questions about ourselves and our work experience. We were also asked questions based on the topic of the written component (e.g. ESG), on the reasoning behind our approaches/answers and why we believe that business development is important for the firm.

What is your biggest achievement? Why do you want to work for Clifford Chance? How do you prioritise work? Give an example of a situation where you had conflicting deadlines and describe how you manage it.

There was a variety of questions asked e.g. behavioural (name a time you led a team to overcome a challenge), ethical and knowledge based (on the case study).

Some questions included: - why have you chosen Clifford Chance and why do you want to work here? - why have you chosen a legal career? - tell us about your background. - what are your views on diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

There was a good mix of general questions and also more tailored questions from which the interviewers got after we talked more. There were also some unexpected questions asking about my knowledge on the current buy now pay later laws and what I thought about them.

Interest in certain areas of law, why I wanted to come to Clifford Chance, questions about the firm.

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.

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

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?

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

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

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).

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

Be prepared for the applied questions and the commercial/economic questions. Have a running list of your work/extracurricular experience, the skills associated with each, and a tangible example of where you put that skill into action. Stay up to date on the AFR or the commercial landscape more broadly. Have a good pitch, don't be afraid to go through a long list of your achievements. Think of three or so questions. The interviews will give you this opportunity, and I found the responses to be quite honest and useful.

I would recommend candidates really research and understand the firm, how it is different from others in the market, why they would want to work their and why they would be a good fit. Look at recent matters the firm has worked on, particularly with the Australian team. Additionally, candidates should keep on top of the news and the market to better understand what is going on in the world - there are a range of news sources and news podcasts.

I would recommend that candidates research about the firm through the website and other platforms such as LinkedIn. I would recommend reading the business development articles which the firm releases, both in general and specifically for practice areas which the candidate may be interested in.

Be confident and earnest. The company wants to see that you would be great to work with, as well as good in front of clients. They want you to be reliable and personable.

As Clifford Chance interviews are blind, make sure that you describe your background and experience in detail as the interviewers would not have seen your CV or any answers to online application questions. There will be commercial awareness questions so make sure that you stay on top of business news and current affairs, in particular read the articles and Thought Leadership on the website as they generally provide a good indication of "hot" commercial topics.

Read the news everyday and be aware of commercial trends that may impact law firms.

Think of ways you can make your application stand out compared to others. For example, do you have any special life experiences or interests outside of law which might make you different or unique? The firm loves well-rounded applicants with unique perspectives, so anything that you can highlight to show this will put you in good stead.

Get to know the firm as well as possible and be up to date with what is going on in the financial news.

Have a genuine interest in international law and the opportunities - one of the rotations is overseas so that is something to consider. Prepare an understanding of the kind of work we do as it is different to that of other big firms.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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