Application process
Applying for clerkships can be a daunting prospect. You will be juggling a whole range of cover letters, application questions, psychometric testing, cocktail nights and interviews - both virtual and in-person. The most important thing to remember during all of this is to be authentic and put the best version of yourself forward.
Try to be organised and proactive in submitting your application so that you have enough time to properly tailor it - you don’t want to be left in a situation where you are submitting 10 or 15 generic applications the night before they close.
When applying for Clayton Utz, you will be required to answer three application questions. In providing your answers, you should try to give the firm an idea of who you are as a person, beyond your academic results. Don't be afraid to talk about what you are passionate about, including any hobbies you have or things you like to do in your spare time. You never know what interests you may have in common with those who end up reading your application or interviewing you!
It is also important to elaborate on why you want to join Clayton Utz. Anyone can do a quick google search and find out what the firm does well or values. Try to go beyond that and identify what interests you about the firm and relate it back to your own experiences. This helps explain why you want to join the firm and makes your application more personal.
Do your best with psychometric testing but don't stress too much about it. It is a way for the firm to get a better picture of how you approach problems, but is by no means determinative of your application.
Cocktail nights and interviews can be nerve wracking, but remember that these are just as much for you to get to know the firm as they are for the firm to get to know you. At cocktail nights, try to put yourself out there and introduce yourself to a few people. This can be intimidating at first, but you will quickly realise that people from the firm are there because they want to be and that they are more than happy to have a chat.
At your interview, it is important to answer questions honestly. Don't try to rehearse answers to questions you think you might get, as this might come across as inauthentic. Instead, try to brainstorm experiences from university, previous jobs or elsewhere that you can draw on and speak about in your interview. This will allow you to give examples to support your answers and give the interviewer a better insight into what you bring to the table. Also, have a think about what questions you might like to ask the interviewer when you are given the opportunity.
During your clerkship
Your clerkship is an opportunity for you to get an idea of what it might be like working as a graduate at Clayton Utz. It is also an opportunity for the firm to get to know you better and understand how you might fit in. As such, while the work you do is important, your attitude and the way you interact with others in the firm is key to making a good impression. Above all, remember to be yourself - the firm is full of a wide array of diverse and wonderful people who will appreciate you for you, as long as you are kind and respectful of others.
Be enthusiastic, ask questions and take a genuine interest in whatever it is you are working on. Even if you are given a minor task, don’t be afraid to ask how it fits into the bigger picture. This demonstrates a good sense of commerciality and having that additional context will assist you in taking a more focused approach to your work. Participate in team meetings and discussions about matters and ask if you can listen in to calls with clients. Your team will be more than happy to involve you where they can.
Of course, you should endeavour to produce high quality work within any deadlines set. However, keep in mind that no one is expecting you to produce anything incredible. Those giving you work understand that you may never have worked at a law firm before and will appreciate what you do provided you put in genuine effort. Remember, you were smart enough to make it this far so you definitely have the ability to produce good quality work!
Working hard is important, but this is not the be all and end all of being a part of Clayton Utz. Enjoying what you do, socialising and having fun are all important parts of what we do. Being a lawyer at Clayton Utz is far more than just analysing and applying the law - you need to have the requisite social skills to build relationships with your colleagues and clients. As such, you should try to get involved with social activities outside of work. Whether it's reaching out to someone from another practice area you're interested in, playing in the mixed netball team or participating in one of the many other social events on offer, clerks that put themselves out there outside of work definitely stand out.
Ignatius Quin, Lawyer