Application Process & Interviews at Norton Rose Fulbright

Getting hired in the graduate position was as a result of completing the clerkship. The process of the clerkship was a written application with 4 main questions (why you wanted to work there, biggest corporate/commercial issue for law firms at the moment, ideal international secondment place and why and another question I can't remember)) and a cover letter. After the written application, there was a first round interview which was with 1 HR person and a Partner. Then there was a cocktail night where we got to meet other prospective clerks, graduates, partners etc etc. Then there was a second round interview which was with 2 partners. Just before the interview i was able to get coffee with a current graduate and ask her questions etc I then got a call from the partner who interviewed me in my first round saying i had received a clerkship offer. Once I completed the clerkship (which included 2 reviews, one at the end of each rotation), about a month later I got a call from my supervising partner in my 2nd rotation saying that i'd gotten a graduate offer.

I had two interviews. The first interview was between the partners of the practice area I wanted to work in. The second interview was between a few senior members in the team I was prospectively going to work in.

1. Clerkship application - very in depth and unique, didn't rely on generic questions or insane game theory testing 2. Clerkship 1st cocktail party - good food and great circulation of partners 3. Clerkship 1st interview - fantastic getting to know the lawyers and HR 4. Clerkship 2nd cocktail party - felt comfortable getting to know the lawyers on a more in depth level 5. Clerkship 2nd interview - a little tougher, more to prove

NRF was without a doubt my favourite interview process, and is in large part why I chose to come to the firm. Other firms have over the top assessment centres which are just not enjoyable as an applicant and don't cast the firm in a pleasant light in my opinion.

I was asked many questions about my extra-curriculars and what I had learnt from each of them. I was asked about my thoughts on their Corporate Social Responsibility program. Ideas i had for corporate law firms facing technology and then whether quality and quantity of work could all be balanced at the same time by a firm.

Name a time you have come up with a creative solution to a problem you were facing; explain how you respond to pressure; what do you like to do in your spare time; what do you like about the firm; how am I working with others;

- Name one time you have been innovative in the work place; - What was your favourite and least favourite subject in law school; - When was a time you have made a mistake, what did you do; - What recent commercial news has interested you and why.

From what I can remember, there were several questions directed at what was on my resume, my skillset, why I wanted to work at the firm and my experience with the law up until that point (i.e. through university). I found that conversation flowed very easily and there were probably questions that weren't asked. One specific question that was asked was - How can you see the role of technology affecting the legal workplace in future .

I think the firm likes to meet individuals who have an international focus, but who are more than just good workers. The firm places a strong emphasis on workplace culture, so especially once a person reaches the interview stage, the firm wants to see a person who is personable and will make a good fit for the firm's culture.

Do your research about every aspect of the firm. Be as relaxed as you can at your interview. Try and get an idea of what you think you might like to do work on. Look at all the things you have done during your time at uni and recognise the value of it all - even if you don't think the interviewer will find it relevant. Get somebody else to proof-read your cover letter and application.

Best preparation is to know your CV off by heart, and to have experiences/subjects/employment examples to speak to for every question. Follow the STAR process for every single answer you give. Be friendly!! Let your natural character come across.

Be yourself, know your CV and be a team player in the negotiations.

- Understand and emphasise that NRF is a "global" company; - The interview questions tended to be relatively standard, so you should prepare for these as you would any other law firm.

- Be genuine. Don't answer they way you think they want you to answer because they can tell. Or if you manage to get away with it, you'll end up having to keep that persona up. - Don't bring up topics or cases that you just googled because they did work

Definitely do your due diligence and research the firm. While the firm is interested in you, they also take note of how interested YOU are in them. Its a mutual two-way relationship. Do the research, prepare plenty of questions to task, show that you are keen.