Finding a job

• Decide which area of law you would like to work in  
• Prepare your cover letter and CV 

Interviewing for a clerkship 

Congratulations! You have been invited to attend an interview for a clerkship position. Now you need to prepare.  

A clerkship interview can be daunting, especially for law students or graduate lawyers who have not previously attended an interview for a professional role. Here are some top tips. 

Be on time  

• Punctuality is a sign of respect and professionalism. Arrive at least 10 minutes before the interview is due to start. Allow plenty of time to get there. 

Dress professionally  

• First impressions matter. For a corporate law firm, wear neat and clean corporate attire. For a Judges’ clerk interview, wear a clean, neat suit. Address a Judge as “Judge.”   

Do your due diligence 

• Research the organisation. Be ready to talk about why you are interested in working there and why you’d be a good fit. If your role involves specific practice areas, research those and be prepared to talk about your knowledge in those areas. 

Project confidence  

• Your demeanor speaks volumes. Stand tall, give a firm handshake and speak clearly and confidently. Demonstrate confidence through your body language, by maintaining eye contact and by giving strong and concise answers to any questions that you are asked. Remember that it is natural to feel nervous, and employers expect it.  

Ask thoughtful questions 

• Ask about the responsibilities of a clerk, expectations or any advice the interviewer might have for someone in your position.  

This is only the beginning  

• While securing a clerkship is important, it's only part of your legal journey. If you get the role, that is great. If you don’t, do not be disheartened - there are lots of other roles and positions out there. Remain professional.

Common questions 

“Tell us about yourself” questions 

• Prepare an answer for this and be able to give insight into your qualifications, your career history, future career ambitions and your hobbies/interests outside of work. 

Behavioural/situational questions   

• Questions that often begin with the phrase “tell me about a time….” are designed to get you to draw on your previous experiences and recount what you did, while also reflecting on whether you could have or would do anything differently. A useful way to answer these types of questions is by using the STAR approach (Situation, Task, Action, Result).  

After the interview, reflect on and review the questions asked, your responses and the areas you felt you excelled in, as well as those you might want to improve on for the future.  

What to expect: From classroom to courtroom

Fresh out of school, you're likely to be the newbie in a law firm or legal setting. You’ll be watching senior colleagues and shadowing them. This may include seeing how they manage clients, how they organise their files and how they appear in the courtroom. It’s a bit like a behind-the-scenes tour of your favourite show, but you are preparing to one day take the lead role. 

In the courtroom? That's where theory meets reality. No more hypotheticals! Every word counts, and you must think on your feet. It's less about remembering that case from 1842 and more about convincing a judge or jury right here, right now to make a decision that is in your client’s best interests. It is normal to be nervous before your first few court appearances, no matter how minor the appearance. Judges and other counsel expect you to be nervous and are patient as you start out. 

There are three P’s to appearing in court – punctuality (always be on time), preparedness (preparation is key, make sure you prepare including by reading documents and trying to foresee any issues that the judge may want to question) and politeness (always be courteous to the Judge, other counsel and staff).  

While you are still learning and developing a caseload it is a good idea to find time to observe senior lawyers in court and how they present their clients’ cases. Most lawyers have their own style – including pitch, tone, language and stance - and you can develop your own. You may find lawyers whose style is particularly effective in front of judges and juries – watch and learn! 

You will soon become familiar with the types of hearings – judicial conferences, prehearing conferences, directions conferences, pickwick hearings, list appearances, case review hearings, sentencing, pre-trial hearings, judge alone trials and jury trials. Don’t be afraid to ask your colleagues what these are and what they do to prepare. Take note of filing deadlines and make sure you comply. 

You will develop your drafting skills over time. While you will not be expected to be a master of the law as you are learning, ensure that you complete your draft to the best of your ability and give it a thorough proofread before handing it over for review. Also ensure that you have formatted your documents in accordance with your firm or employer’s usual style. 

What to wear to court 

When preparing for court your attire should convey professionalism, respect for the institution and competence. Here are some useful guidelines:  

Suits are standard

• A well-fitted, clean and wrinkle-free suit, in a conservative colour such as navy blue, charcoal grey or black, is recommended.

White shirts and blouses

• For higher courts a crisp white shirt or a white blouse should be worn. The District Court and Family Court are slightly less formal. 

Footwear

• Closed toe, polished and in good condition. 

Neat grooming

• Neat hair and well-groomed facial hair. 

Respectful

• Refrain from wearing anything that might be deemed inappropriate or disrespectful.  

Cultural considerations

• Courts respect cultural heritage. You can wear a taonga that enhances cultural and professional identity.  

Gowns can be hired from the Law Society Law Libraries. For further guidance, read the Court’s etiquette guidelines for counsel in court.