Assessment
The assessment process for vacation schemes and training contracts is broadly the same. In both cases the emphasis is very much on looking at your potential to become a first-class lawyer and evidence of our key competencies - non-law students will be at no disadvantage to their law-studying counterparts.
Second stage - Online verbal reasoning test >>
Third stage - Interview day or Assessment day >>
Should you require additional assistance or adjustments at any stage of the process, please do not hesitate to contact our graduate recruitment team using the details below:
Graduate RecruitmentClifford Chance LLP
10 Upper Bank Street
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5JJ
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7006 3003
Email: Recruitment.London@CliffordChance.com
First stage - Application
Once you’ve decided that you are ready to apply, please complete the online application form carefully. There is no automatic screening process and every application is considered on its individual merits, so think hard about what we’re looking for and about how you can demonstrate these qualities and attributes.
Hints and tips
How to approach the application form
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As part of the application form, you will be asked to provide examples that demonstrate the competencies we are looking for. Take your time and think about examples that might illustrate these behaviours – they can be from your academic life, work experience or general background.
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Be sure to demonstrate your motivation for applying to Clifford Chance. We are looking for individuals who can express a genuine interest in the field of commercial law. We receive a lot of strong applications and this is one of the key areas in which you can differentiate yourself from other applicants.
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Pay attention to detail. Written communication skills are very important, particularly in the field of law. Spelling and grammatical errors can easily be avoided by carefully checking your application form. Re-read your application before submitting it and remember to keep a printed copy of the form. If you succeed to the assessment stage, you will need to revisit your answers.
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Get your contact details right. You’d be surprised how easy it is to make a crucial mistake here.
Second stage - Online verbal reasoning test
If your application passes our initial screening, you’ll be asked to complete a short online verbal reasoning test. You will be sent a link via our online application system and will have 15 minutes in which to complete the test.
Please note: applicants for winter workshop places will be considered on the basis of their application form and this test only.
Hints and tips
Practising the verbal reasoning test
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Make sure you put in some practice. We feature a practice test here to help familiarise yourself with this type of test but you can also visit sites such as www.shldirect.com – or contact your university careers advice service for further help. When completing the test, do ensure you have uninterrupted access to a computer in a quiet area.
Third stage - Interview day or Assessment day
Vacation scheme candidates who are successful in the steps above will be invited to attend an interview day, which includes both an interview and a paper-based verbal reasoning test. Interview days are held in our London offices as well as regionally.
The verbal reasoning test is a timed test but you will have the chance to do some practice questions before the actual test commences. For a practice test to help you prepare, please click here.
The interview will include a commercial question, based on a business scenario. You will have 15 minutes directly prior to your interview for you to prepare a brief written answer to the question. This is asked of all applicants whether or not they come from a law background, so it is not a test of your legal knowledge. It is designed to make you think on your feet and will give you the chance to demonstrate your applied intellect as well as your genuine interest in becoming a commercial lawyer.
Successful training contract candidates will be invited to an assessment day, which includes not only the interview and paper-based verbal reasoning test discussed above but also includes a group exercise.
The group exercise will involve another business scenario in which you’ll be asked to work with a group to achieve a common objective. There will be an element of individual work as well as the chance to show how well you interact with others. The group exercise assesses the same competencies that we look for during the interview.
Hints and tips
If you’ve made it through to the second stage, congratulations! Although the prospect may seem daunting, there is a lot you can do to prepare yourself.
The interview
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Read through your initial application form before your interview to refresh your memory.
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Consider the obvious questions you're likely to be asked. For example, where does your motivation to work in law come from? Why this type of law firm in particular? If you are applying for a vacation scheme and are not yet 100% sure that law is the career for you, be prepared to explain why it is an area you are interested in exploring as a potential career option.
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When preparing examples of competencies, have a variety of examples ready from all areas of your life and structure your thoughts and responses. Always provide the context of the example as well as the action you took, what you learned along the way, and the end result.
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Do your research. What deals are we currently working on? What could you expect from this role? Read our graduate recruitment brochure and this website. Explore the corporate website. Keep an eye out for recent news of relevance - not just about the firm but also our clients, competitors and the areas in which we work.
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Arrive early. The last thing you want is to be flustered from a last-minute dash or to start your interview with an apology for being late.
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Be confident and enthusiastic throughout the entire process – the efforts you put in at this stage will reap rewards.
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Relax. The interviewers are not there to try and catch you out but to learn about you and your motivation.
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Ask questions. The interview is a two-way process and you should make the most of it to find out more about the firm. This is as much an opportunity for you to see if you want to work with us, as it is for us to assess you.
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Keep your cool. The commercial question is a business scenario designed to make you think on your feet. It is challenging and you will be pushed to see how far you can develop your ideas, but remember, we don’t expect you to be a brilliant lawyer or business adviser just yet. The way to succeed in this part of the interview is to keep your composure. Think through the problem and don’t be too self-conscious.
The group exercise
The group exercise comprises a business scenario where you will work in a group to achieve an objective. There is an element of individual assessment as well as time to interact with others.
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Stay calm. You will be assessed on the preparation work you do on your own as well as the work you do in your group. The exercises are time-pressured so it is important to remain calm and make sure you read the instructions carefully.
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Be focused and listen. Be careful to focus on the key issues as we will be assessing your ability to work in a team and how you interact with others, as well as your strengths in evaluating and problem solving. Listen to others but be assertive in getting your ideas across.
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Think on your feet. This is not a test of your legal expertise but to what extent you think laterally. We want to see how you identify and express key issues that may need further consideration or exploration.
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Above all, be yourself.
Fourth stage - Offer
If you have applied for a training contract and are in your final year of undergraduate study, studying for a postgraduate degree or have already graduated, we aim to communicate our decision to you within a day.
Otherwise, we will communicate the outcome of your assessment day from 1 September of your final year of undergraduate study, as per the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) guidelines.
In the case of vacation scheme applications we aim to let you know as quickly as possible whether we are making an offer – irrespective of your year of study.
Applying for a training contract after completing a vacation scheme
If you’ve completed a vacation scheme placement and you wish to apply for a training contract, you will be invited to attend an assessment day. This will consist of an interview – without a commercial question – and a group exercise.
