Aus Legal Careers Advance

If you have an upcoming interview at a law firm, here is a list of Don'ts as told by someone who went through the clerkship and graduate application process.   Photo by Issy Bailey on Unsplash So, don't : Come not having done your research about the firm and/or interviewers (if known). Come not having practised your interview skills and your answers to common interview questions. Come not having remembered the content of your resume. Be late to your interview. Come not dressed the part. Come not having your phone on silent or turned off. Not show enthusiasm.  Not smile or not be friendly. Not make eye contact with your interviewers. Not closely listen to your interviewer and not answer the question asked of you. Not be concise and not be "to the point" in your answers. Not slow down when answering and not be clear in your speech. Launch your answer immediately if you are still thinking and not ready to answer. Waffle or come off as nervous. Fidget in your chair. Not ...

"Why do you want to work here?"  This question (or any question to that effect) is a "motivational question" which any interviewing candidate can expect in most interviews. Photo by Hunters Race on Unsplash   While there is no such thing as the "perfect" magical answer (and interviewers may have their own preferences as to what is a good answer), here are some considerations as to how you could possibly approach this question. Being genuine . For example, if you are applying for a top tier commercial law firm (or a firm with a Band 1 practice group that you are interested in), then a genuine answer might be that you are looking to work on the most complex matters and with market leading practitioners and that firm will provide you with those opportunities.  If you are applying for a mid tier or boutique law firm, then a genuine answer might be that you like autonomy and responsibility and you believe that the firm will provide you with greater responsibil...

Dear [your name] Thank you for your application for the 2023/24 Seasonal Clerkship Program at [firm name].  Congratulations, we are delighted to invite you to a first round interview.  Photo by Sebastian Herrmann on Unsplash If you are one of the very few law students who have received or will receive an email to this effect, congratulations!  Given how competitive it is for clerkship applications (think 1000+ applications for perhaps 100-150 first round interviews and ultimately 30-50 clerkship positions at the larger firms in Sydney), you should be proud of getting at least a first round interview.  The firm has actually been "impressed" by your application (unlike those who were unfortunately rejected).     However, the clerkship process is not over yet and you may or may not end up with clerkship offer(s) at the end of the process.   Didn't receive any clerkship interviews (despite firms politely saying that they were "impressed" with yo...

“First impressions last. You start behind the eight ball, you'll never get in front.” - Harvey Specter from Suits Acing the "Tell me/us about yourself" question As the opening question to most, if not all, interviews, this is arguably the most important question in any interview.   Why?  Well, according to HireVue, it is estimated that 30% of interviewers make their decision about an interviewee within the first five minutes of the interview .  Within the first 7 seconds of meeting you, people will form an impression of who you are . Your answer to this question will provide an interviewer (whether it is an HR representative or a law firm partner) with their first impression of you (and consequently, will set the tone for the rest of the interview).    For that reason, it is important that you can rattle off your answer with confidence (and, to do so, generally requires most people to know exactly what they will say and to practise their answer).  ...