Application Process Firms seek well-rounded individuals with a diverse set of experiences. While academics are certainly pivotal, they are balanced against extracurricular activities and work experience. University offers the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities through societies, competitions or local community initatives. Firms regard unique qualities and experiences that can distinguish the applicant particularly valuable. Having prior legal work experience such as working as a legal secretary, paralegal, or volunteering at a community legal centre is advantageous when applying for clerkships. However, firms also value non-legal work such as customer service and retail. Clerkships are intended to provide students with practical involvement in corporate law and certain practice areas within that field. It is not necessary to have prior extensive and diversified legal experience, but some form of legal experience could be considered useful. The Five-Step Process 1. Applying: Firms generally require a cover letter, CV and an official academic transcript to be submitted, along with the completion of an online questionnaire which is set by the firm. There are three key ways to submit an application: through CVmail, through the firm website, and through the NSW Law Society ‘Student Application Form’. A majority of the firms use the first two methods. 2. First Round Interviews: You may be invited to partake in group or individual interviews, depending on the firm. You may be required to bring identifying documentation and an official copy of your academic transcript available form Student Central. 3. Second Round Interviews and Cocktail Evenings: These events allow you to meet firm representatives from senior management, or partners ofthe firm. Sometimes firms will also invite you to attend cocktail evenings to evaluate whether you would fit in with their firm culture. It is a two-way street; you assess the firm and they assess you. 4. Offers: Offers are sent out by firms. Firms will call applicants notifying them if they are succesful. 5. Replying to Offers: You have the choice of accepting or declining offers. Either way, be sure to respond to the HR representative with a thank you email/call, by way of courtesy.
23
