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Clayton Utz

4.2
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees
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Application Process & Interviews at Clayton Utz

7.9
7.9 rating for Recruitment, based on 59 reviews
Please describe the interview process and assessments.
Online application involving written answers to 3 questions and manually entering CV. Online psychometric testing. 2 in-person interviews and 2 cocktail nights.
Intern, Sydney - 07 Feb 2025
As 'big 6 firm' recruitment is generally very competitive and difficult. However, it is not daunting when when you make it through the first stages.
Summer Clerk, Sydney - 07 Feb 2025
An initial application consisting of written answers to three questions, as well as provision of university transcript and past employment experience
Intern, Sydney - 07 Feb 2025
Interview was incredibly well run with a good balance of personality and technical questions. I felt respected during the process.
Intern, Perth - 06 Feb 2025
Conversational yet structured
Summer Clerk, Perth - 06 Feb 2025
The interview process involved an online assessment, written application (answering several short answer questions), first round interview, networking events, and second round interview.
Intern, Sydney - 04 Feb 2025
The interviews were conducted efficiently and with extreme professionalism. It felt like an informal chat, which eased some nerves.
Intern, Sydney - 04 Feb 2025
Candidates are subject to two interviews, with the first involving a partner and a HR personnel. The second round interview is lead by a partner and a senior associate. During the clerkship, candidates are also required to partake in a client task - fundamentally a university assignment - that is conducted over two days.
Summer Clerk, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
Challenging but standard for the position.
Intern, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
Two rounds. First round: Partner & Senior Employee. Second round: Partner & Senior Associate.
Intern, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
The clerkship process involved three short answer questions, standard resume and CV, 2 interviews and also an information and cocktail night. I thought that the information night was particularly well put together, you got to hear about many different practice areas and also ways to contribute to the firm and community through Probono etc.
Summer Clerk, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
In the application stage, we had to complete an assessment which included spelling and proofreading and questions on how you would respond to specific scenarios. This was additional to answering three short answer questions about why we were interested in applying, as well as attaching our resume and academic transcript. We then had two rounds of in-person interviews, as well as two cocktail nights. The recruitment process was overall pretty similar to that of other top-tier firms.
Intern, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
Two interview rounds and cocktail evenings between.
Intern, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
My interview was in two stages with a first interview with a SA and then a follow up interview with two partners. I had situational questions asked which due to my preparation I was able to answer
Graduate, Canberra - 13 Sep 2024
The interview process is filled with typical behaviour questions, e.g., "tell us about a time where you dealt with a difficult legal problem in work or in university" or "tell us when you have dealt with competing interests so we can appreciate how you might deal with that same problem from clients in a law firm".
3 PQE Lawyer, Sydney - 28 Aug 2024
2 rounds of interviews. 1st round interview was 1 partner, 1 person from HR. 2nd round was 1 partner and 1 senior associate. There was also online psychometric testing.
Graduate, Sydney - 28 Aug 2024
The process was really comfortable and the firm made it really easy to navigate the process. There were buddies assigned to guide us along the way and no shortage of information.
Graduate, Sydney - 28 Aug 2024
I found the application process quite seamless and felt guided along the way
Graduate, Sydney - 28 Aug 2024
Overall not a bad interview process. 2 rounds. First P&D and a partner, followed by a second with 2 partners.
Graduate, Sydney - 27 Aug 2024
Interviews are friendly and welcoming, seeking to get the best from applicants.
Lawyer, Melbourne - 15 Jul 2024
What questions were you asked in your interviews?
Tell us about a time you juggled competing tasks.
Intern, Sydney - 07 Feb 2025
Mainly questions about myself including topics on my university, hobbies and perspectives on certain areas of law.
Summer Clerk, Sydney - 07 Feb 2025
What law would you change and why? How would you manage competing deadlines from lawyers of different seniority?
Intern, Sydney - 07 Feb 2025
My favourite question was: "if you could change one law, what would it be and why?"
Intern, Perth - 06 Feb 2025
Why do you want to study law? Why commercial law? What's an example of leadership qualities that you demonstrated?
Intern, Sydney - 04 Feb 2025
Why Clayton Utz? What law would you change and why? How have you dealt with client queries in the past?
Intern, Sydney - 04 Feb 2025
How do you respond in challenging situations, including providing an example? How do you balance/priotisie competing tasks with different urgencies? Where do you see yourself in five years?
Summer Clerk, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
Insightful questions which ranged from personal to legally focused.
Intern, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
Why law?, What areas are you interested in?, Tell me about yourself, Problem scenario.
Intern, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
What is a law you would change and why? Tell me about yourself - give us an overview? Tell us about a legal case you found interesting.
Summer Clerk, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
The interviews were quite structured, and included questions like "What law would you change and why?", or "What is a recent story in the news that interests you?". Other questions were standard e.g. why you are interested in working at Clayton Utz.
Intern, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
Tell me about yourself, tell me about a time you failed, tell me how you respond to feedback, tell me about a law you'd change, tell me how you approach providing service to a client
Intern, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
One of the classics is if I got given two pieces of tasks, how do I prioritise the work order. Another one was about describing a situation where I had to deal with conflict
Graduate, Canberra - 13 Sep 2024
There was a mix of behavioural questions and general questions but it did depend on who was interviewing you. Experiences could differ from person to person.
Graduate, Sydney - 28 Aug 2024
I was asked general questions about myself, why I wanted to work at the firm and then some behavioural questions
Graduate, Sydney - 28 Aug 2024
1. In your work, what is the most challenging legal issue you have worked on? If you have not worked in the legal industry, can you explain the most challenging legal issue or case you have come across during your studies? 2. Describe a time when you had to solve a difficult problem with competing priorities or deadlines? 3. Describe a situation when you had to handle an unhappy customer or client. How did you resolve the situation?
Graduate, Sydney - 27 Aug 2024
Life, experience, how I would handle specific circumstances.
Lawyer, Melbourne - 15 Jul 2024
Mix of behavioural/why I was interested in CU specifically.
Graduate, Sydney - 12 Jul 2024
Questions about my lifestyle, my skills, my resume. Stock standard
Graduate, Sydney - 12 Jul 2024
A range of behaviour questions and general rapport building questions.
Graduate, Sydney - 10 Nov 2023
Do you have any specific tips and advice for candidates applying to your company? How would you recommend they best prepare?
Prepare answers to interview questions in advance, but don't stress out - my interviewing partners were surprisingly laid-back.
Intern, Sydney - 07 Feb 2025
Preparation should start 1-2 years in advance, focusing on getting good marks in university and bolstering your CV with diverse but relevant experience. A candidate could experience success with one or the other, but the sweet spot is to have a CV that demonstrates both.
Summer Clerk, Sydney - 07 Feb 2025
Really revise your own CV and go into depth about your personal and professional experiences that show you are a competent, well-rounded, eager, and exceptional candidate. Highlight your strengths and attributes and give specific examples of how you showed these strengths.
Intern, Sydney - 04 Feb 2025
Study the firm.
Intern, Sydney - 04 Feb 2025
Be attuned with the interviewer’s experience (e.g deals, pro bono involvement) so you can draw upon it during the interview. Ask meaningful questions and be authentic in showcasing how you would be able to add value to the company.
Summer Clerk, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
Be confident in yourself through examining past experiences for events and actions to speak about when asked upon in a formal interview. Hone your legal knowledge base in the months leading up to your interviews, even if only to provide confidence. Research your company well, and make sure it is a good fit for you rather than vice versa.
Intern, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
Practice as many questions as possible and do not try to remember answers.
Intern, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
I would say that reducing the amount of firms you apply to and making sure your applications are very tailored to the individual firm is the first step in getting your foot in the door. Also, reach out to lawyers on LinkedIn to organise coffee catch ups. Do your research to know about the practice areas of the partners you are interviewing with. Also, be friendly and normal, talk about what you got up to on the weekend your passions and interests, no one wants to hire a robot that would be a punish to work with.
Summer Clerk, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
Be prepared for any kind of question in the interviews - do your research about the firm and stay on top of current news.
Intern, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
Prepare examples of workplace or extra-curricular scenarios formulated in the STAR structure in response to behavioural questions.
Intern, Sydney - 03 Feb 2025
They need to understand the culture of the firm and what CU stands for, especially in Canberra. A know how about the firm and it’s place in the market will be essential
Graduate, Canberra - 13 Sep 2024
Best way to prepare is to personalise all of your answers whether it is written answers or interview answers. The firm wants to know you as a person and also wants to know what compelled you to apply to Clayton Utz.
Graduate, Sydney - 28 Aug 2024
I think the best way to prepare is to have a well-rounded CV that encapsulates you as a person, whether that's in extracurriculars, jobs or academia
Graduate, Sydney - 28 Aug 2024
Know the firm well, have good questions to ask.
Graduate, Sydney - 27 Aug 2024
Be aware of the general questions you could be asked. Have your personality come across through your answers.
Lawyer, Melbourne - 15 Jul 2024
Really take the time to read about the firm, and reflect on how your experience could be an asset.
Graduate, Sydney - 12 Jul 2024
Be authentic to yourself. Prepare by knowing your skills and how they would translate to working in a commercial law firm. Don't make skills or experience when it isnt truly there, harness your strengths and be confident in them.
Graduate, Sydney - 12 Jul 2024
Learn about the company and the people who work there as much as you can. Tailor your questions to account for that. Also, don't be afraid of asking questions to see if they provide what you want in an employer.
Graduate, Sydney - 10 Nov 2023
Try and speak to as many CU people as you can and get a real sense of the firm. Ask about what clerks/graduates do day-to-day and why they chose CU. Review CU's instagram, linkedin and website for more information.
Graduate, Melbourne - 10 Nov 2023
Learn about the Partner interviewing you and about the company.
Graduate, Brisbane - 20 Oct 2023

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