How to Ace Your Clerkship Interview: The Ultimate Guide

Congratulations – you’ve made it past the application stage and scored yourself a clerkship interview! Take a moment to celebrate this achievement before the nerves kick in. Getting an interview is already a strong indication that firms believe you have the qualities they’re looking for.

Now comes the part where many talented candidates stumble: the interview. Through conversations with successful clerks, graduate lawyers, and recruitment professionals, it’s clear that success isn’t just about having impressive grades or perfect application responses. It’s about presenting yourself as someone the firm would want to put in front of clients – confident, personable, and professional.

This guide compiles insights from those who’ve successfully navigated the clerkship interview process, along with advice from recruitment experts and law firm insiders, to help you maximise your chances of converting those interviews into offers.

Pre-Interview Preparation
What to Expect in the Interview
Types of Questions and How to Answer Them
Presentation and First Impressions
During the Interview
Questions to Ask Them
After the Interview
Managing Multiple Interviews
Final Thoughts

Pre-Interview Preparation

Know Your Application Inside Out

Your interviewers will have your application in front of them, and they’re likely to ask about specific experiences, skills, or interests you mentioned. Review every detail of your application before each interview, especially any content unique to that firm’s application. If you mentioned a specific transaction or legal development in your application, make sure you can discuss it comfortably.

Research the Firm (Again)

While you did research for your applications, it’s time to refresh and deepen your knowledge. Check the firm’s website for recent news, deals, or developments since you submitted your application. This shows you maintain genuine interest in the firm beyond just the application process.

Review your notes about the firm’s practice areas, recent matters, culture, and opportunities. If you created a database during your application phase (as recommended in our clerkship application guide), now’s the time to revisit it.

Research Your Interviewers

If the firm tells you who will be interviewing you, take advantage of this information. Look them up on the firm’s website and LinkedIn. What practice area do they work in? What’s their background? Have they worked in-house or overseas?

Don’t go overboard – you’re not compiling a dossier – but having some background knowledge allows you to ask more informed questions and build better rapport during the interview.

Master Your Elevator Pitch

The “tell us about yourself” question is pretty much guaranteed, and it’s often the opening question. This is your elevator pitch – a 60-90 second summary that should cover:

Your current studies and academic performance
Your legal and non-legal work experience
Your professional interests and career aspirations
A glimpse of your personality through hobbies or interests

Practice this until it flows naturally. It should sound conversational, not rehearsed, while highlighting what makes you a compelling candidate.

Prepare Your Stories

Most interviews include behavioural questions asking about times you’ve demonstrated specific skills. Prepare 4-5 stories from your work, study, or extracurricular experiences that showcase:

Teamwork and collaboration
Leadership and initiative
Working under pressure
Conflict resolution
Problem-solving

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure these stories, and always include the outcome or what you learned from the experience. For each question, try to apply a story from a different experience.

Practice, But Don’t Over-Prepare

Run mock interviews with friends or family members. Many university career services offer practice interviews, and some firms provide mock interview opportunities through law student societies.

However, be careful not to over-prepare to the point where you sound robotic. Your personality needs to shine through, and over-rehearsed answers can make you seem inauthentic.

Connect with Your Buddy

If the firm has assigned you a buddy (usually a junior lawyer), reach out to them. They’re an invaluable resource for insights into the firm’s culture and interview process. Ask about their experience at the firm, what makes the firm unique, and whether there are any specific tips for the interview process at their firm.

Be aware that your buddy likely provides feedback about candidates to the recruitment team, so be professional and engaging in your interactions with them.

What to Expect in the Interview

Structure and Format

Most clerkship interviews follow a similar format:

2-3 people consisting of a HR representative, partner(s) and/or senior associate(s)
30-60 minutes in duration
Mix of application-based and behavioural questions
Opportunity for you to ask questions at the end

Some variations include:

Multiple mini-interviews with different people
Group assessment components
Assessment centres with written exercises
Two separate interviews

Interviewer’s 3 Criteria

Despite the variety of questions you might be asked, interviewers are trying to discern 3 core criteria:

Can you do the job? (competency and skills)
Will you love the job? (motivation and engagement)
Can we tolerate working with you? (cultural fit and personality)

Every question is designed to assess one or more of these criteria.

Types of Questions and How to Answer Them

Opening Questions

“Tell us about yourself”

This is your moment to make a strong first impression. Try to touch on as many different parts of your application as possible. You don’t want to go into too much detail, but you want to give the interviewers the opportunity to springboard off a job experience or hobby you raised to begin the interview. You may say something like this:

“Sure! I’m currently in my penultimate year doing a JD at Melbourne Uni. Before law, I did a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in finance, which is actually how I first got interested in commercial law. Right now I’m working as a paralegal at a mid-tier firm here in Melbourne, mainly helping with legal research and client communication – which I really enjoy because I get to see how the law actually works in practice. During my undergrad I was pretty involved in the finance society and even did some tutoring, which taught me a lot about explaining complex concepts clearly. Outside of all that, I’m a bit obsessed with rock climbing – I try to get out every weekend. It’s definitely taught me patience and problem-solving under pressure, which I think translates well to legal work.”

Motivational Questions

“Why do you want to work at this firm?”

This is where your research pays off. Don’t just regurgitate information from their website. Instead, connect specific aspects of the firm to your interests and experiences. Bonus points if you can draw out unique aspects of the firm that differentiate them from their competitors:

“There are a few things that really drew me to your firm. First, I was reading about that massive infrastructure deal you guys worked on last year – the Melbourne Metro project – and I found the financing structure fascinating. Having studied project finance in my commerce degree, I could really appreciate how complex that must have been to structure. I’m also excited about your international opportunities. I actually did exchange in Singapore and loved the experience, and I noticed you have a strong presence there. The idea of being able to work internationally really appeals to me. Plus, when I spoke with Sarah from your grad recruitment team, she told me about your mentoring program and how junior lawyers get paired with both a formal mentor and a buddy. That kind of support structure is exactly what I’m looking for as I start my career.”

Behavioural Questions

Expect questions about specific situations where you’ve demonstrated key competencies. Recent graduates report these as common behavioural questions:

“Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult team member”

Use the STAR method:

Situation: “When I was working as a duty manager at a restaurant last year, we had a really busy Saturday night service coming up, and one of our senior waiters – who was usually pretty reliable – had been showing up late and seemed disengaged during shifts. The other staff were starting to complain because they were having to pick up his slack.”

Task: “As the duty manager, I needed to address this quickly because it was affecting team morale and we couldn’t afford to have poor service on our busiest night of the week. I also needed to make sure we didn’t lose a good employee if there was something else going on.”

Action: “Instead of just giving him a warning, I asked him to stay back after a quieter shift so we could have a proper chat. It turned out he was going through a really tough time. He hadn’t wanted to tell anyone because he thought it would affect his job. So I worked with him to adjust his roster to give him more flexibility, and I arranged for other staff to cover his opening duties when he needed. I also made sure the rest of the team understood the situation so they could support him.”

Result: “Not only did his performance improve dramatically, but the whole team really rallied around him. We ended up having one of our best Saturday services that month. It taught me that when someone’s behaviour changes suddenly, there’s usually a reason behind it, and sometimes people need support more than discipline. That experience really shaped how I approach conflict resolution – always try to understand the full picture first.”

Other behavioural questions to prepare for:

“Describe a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a problem”
“Give an example of when you had to work under pressure”
“Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone to see your point of view”
“Describe a situation where you had to handle criticism”

For each of these, prepare specific examples using the STAR method and focus on what you learned from the experience.

Personal Questions

“What are your weaknesses?”

Choose a real weakness but frame it positively, showing self-awareness and growth:

“I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist, which sounds good but can actually be a problem. I used to spend way too much time perfecting every detail of assignments instead of managing my time properly across all my subjects. I’ve gotten much better at this by setting myself interim deadlines and asking for feedback earlier in the process. I’ll now force myself to show a draft to someone after two days rather than polishing it for a week. It’s helped me maintain quality while being more efficient.”

“What are your best three and worst three qualities?”

This variation on the strengths/weaknesses question requires you to be more comprehensive. Prepare three genuine strengths that relate to legal practice, and three areas for development that you’re actively working on.

“Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Show ambition while demonstrating commitment to the firm:

“In five years, I’d love to be a senior associate who’s really developed expertise in a couple of practice areas – probably banking and finance given my background, but I’m excited and open to exploring others during my clerkship. I want to be someone who can run matters independently and hopefully be mentoring more junior lawyers. The idea of building long-term relationships with clients really appeals to me. And honestly, if there’s an opportunity for an international secondment, that would be amazing – I’d love to experience practising law in a different jurisdiction.”

Career and experience questions:

“What is your favourite subject so far?” (Connect this to practice areas at the firm)
“Why did you choose to study [insert subject]?” (If you have a non-law degree)
“Did you consider a job in [alternative career path]?” (Explain why you chose law over this alternative path)
“Why did you leave your previous career?”
“What can you bring to the firm?”
“What do you like to do in your spare time?” (Have substantive answers that show skills development)

Conversational Questions

Sometimes interviewers will abandon formal questions and simply chat with you about your interests, current events, or random topics. This isn’t them being uninterested; it’s generally quite the opposite. This usually results from interesting responses to opening questions and the interviewers wanting to find out more about you.

Lean into these conversations. Be engaged, ask questions back, and show genuine interest in what they’re saying. If they mention they recently travelled to New Zealand and you’ve been there too, ask about their experience, share yours, and build that connection.

Technical Questions

Unlike investment banking or consulting interviews, clerkship interviews rarely include technical legal questions. If you are asked a legal scenario, you’re not expected to provide a comprehensive legal analysis. Instead, demonstrate logical thinking and identify the key legal areas that might be relevant.

You may receive an ethics-related question. This is about as technical as legal interviews get. As lawyers owe ethical obligations, interviewers may gauge your gut reaction to a situation where moral or ethical conflicts arise. Apply common sense. If all else fails and you are unsure, say that and say how you would discuss your course of action with a senior before acting.

Presentation and First Impressions

What to Wear

Your appearance communicates professionalism and attention to detail. Here’s what works:

The Basics:

Business attire
Well-fitted clothes (this is more important than expensive brands)
Clean, polished shoes
Neat, professional hairstyle
Subtle, professional accessories

What to Avoid:

Bright colours or bold patterns
Ill-fitting clothes (too tight or too loose)
Strong perfume or cologne
Excessive jewellery
Wrinkled or dirty clothes

Grooming:

Fresh haircut and neat styling
Natural-looking makeup (if worn)
Fresh breath and deodorant (but not overpowering)

Have your interview outfit ready well in advance.

Body Language and Presence

Posture: Sit up straight and lean slightly forward to show engagement
Hands: Keep them naturally placed above the table
Eye contact: Maintain good eye contact evenly with all interviewers
Handshake: Firm and confident, both at the beginning and end, unless the interviewer expresses otherwise
Smile: A genuine smile goes a long way in creating rapport
Gestures: Use natural hand gestures but avoid fidgeting

During the Interview

Managing Nerves and Interview Anxiety

Some level of nervousness is normal and expected. Here’s how to manage them:

Acknowledge it: It’s okay to say “I’m a bit nervous – this is an exciting opportunity for me”
Use organisational strategies: Create a list, use a calendar, and map out key dates and deadlines. Having a clear idea of what’s coming up allows you to plan ahead and reduces anxiety
Reframe nerves as excitement: Channel that energy into enthusiasm for the role
Focus on the conversation: Get engaged with what the interviewers are saying rather than worrying about your performance
Remember the process is long: The clerkship recruitment process lasts about three months, so pace yourself appropriately
Maintain wellbeing: Maintain exercise, mindfulness, socialising, sleeping and nutrition – balance will help you through this time-consuming and difficult process

Building Rapport and Showing Personality

The interview should feel like a conversation, not an interrogation. Successful clerks emphasise the importance of letting your personality shine through:

Engage with small talk: If they comment on the weather, your journey to the office, or current events, engage genuinely
Show interest in them: Ask about their experience at the firm, recent matters they’ve worked on, or their career path
Find common ground: If you discover shared experiences, interests, or connections, explore them
Mirror their energy: Match their conversational style – if they’re more formal, be professional; if they’re relaxed, you can be more conversational

Answering Difficult Questions

Take your time: It’s perfectly acceptable to pause and think before answering
Ask for clarification: If you’re unsure what they’re asking, ask them to clarify
Be honest: If you don’t know something, say so rather than trying to bluff
Stay positive: Even when discussing challenges or failures, frame them in terms of learning and growth

When Things Go Wrong

If you feel the interview isn’t going well:

Don’t panic: You might be doing better than you think
Stay focused: Don’t let one poor answer derail your entire interview
Reset: Take a deep breath and approach the next question with fresh energy
Learn as you go: Use each question as practice for the next interview

Questions to Ask Them

You’ll almost always be given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview. This is your chance to demonstrate genuine interest and gather information to help you make decisions if you receive offers.

Good Questions to Ask

About the role and experience:

“What does a typical day look like for a clerk in [practice area]?”
“What kind of work would I be exposed to during the clerkship?”
“How does the firm ensure clerks get meaningful experience across different practice areas?”

About culture and development:

“What has been your experience with mentorship and professional development at the firm?”
“How would you describe the firm’s culture, particularly for junior lawyers?”
“What opportunities exist for international experience or secondments?”

About the firm specifically:

“What excites you most about the direction the firm is heading?”
“How has the firm adapted to changes in the legal industry?”
“What sets [Firm] apart from its competitors in your view?”

Personal to the interviewer:

“What drew you to [Firm] initially?”
“What has kept you at [Firm]?”
“What’s been the most interesting matter you’ve worked on recently?”

Questions to Avoid

Questions easily answered by their website
Anything about salary, hours, or benefits (save these for after you receive an offer)
Negative questions about competitors

After the Interview

Immediate Post-Interview

Thank your interviewers: A firm handshake and genuine thanks for their time
Thank the receptionist: They’re part of your potential future colleague network
Make notes: Write down key points from the interview while they’re fresh in your memory
Reflect: Consider what went well and what you could improve for future interviews

Managing Expectations

Don’t overthink it: You might think you performed poorly when you actually did well
Focus on the next interview: Use each interview as practice for the next
Stay positive: Rejection is part of the process and doesn’t reflect your worth as a candidate

Managing Multiple Interviews

Strategic Scheduling

As mentioned in our clerkship application guide, schedule your interviews strategically:

Practice firms first: Book 1-2 interviews at firms you’re less interested in to practise your interview skills
Build confidence: Early positive experiences will boost your confidence for later interviews
Peak performance for top choices: Schedule interviews with your preferred firms when you’re most confident and experienced

Learning Between Interviews

Refine your answers: After each interview, identify which answers worked well and which need improvement
Update your questions: Based on what you learn about different firms, adjust the questions you ask
Build your narrative: Each interview helps you better articulate your story and motivations

Avoiding Burnout

Don’t overload yourself: 6-8 interviews is usually plenty – reject some if you need to
Space them out: Don’t cram all interviews into just a few days
Take care of yourself: Maintain good sleep, nutrition, and exercise habits during interview season
Keep perspective: Remember that you only need one great outcome

Final Thoughts

The clerkship interview process is intense. Remember that firms are genuinely trying to find candidates who will thrive in their environment. They want you to succeed just as much as you do.

Your goal in every interview should be to convince the interviewers that they could confidently put you in front of their clients. This means demonstrating not just intelligence and competence, but also confidence, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm for the work.

Key reminders for interview success:

Be gracious to everyone: From the receptionist to your interviewers, everyone you meet could be a future colleague
Demonstrate genuine interest: Firms value candidates who show authentic enthusiasm for commercial law and their specific firm
Show your problem-solving skills: Whether through behavioural examples or discussing current legal issues, demonstrate your analytical thinking
Stay informed: Keep up with current affairs and legal developments that might impact commercial practice
Be yourself: Firms aren’t looking for perfect candidates – they’re looking for people who will contribute meaningfully to their teams and grow into excellent lawyers

Most importantly, maintain perspective throughout the process. As experienced clerks and graduates consistently emphasise, the recruitment process involves a significant element of luck. Many successful lawyers didn’t get clerkships, and not securing one doesn’t reflect your potential as a lawyer.

The legal industry is small, and the relationships you build during the interview process – regardless of the outcome – may prove valuable throughout your career. Approach each interview as an opportunity to learn, grow, and build professional connections.

Good luck! You’ve made it this far, which means you have what it takes to succeed. Now go out there and show them why they should want you on their team.

If this post helped, you might also like How to Get a Clerkship at a Top Tier Law Firm where we stepped through general tips for the whole clerkship application process.