Application Process & Interviews at K&L Gates

Hiring process consisted of a formal interview, a second meeting with junior staff, followed by a floor walk to meet people around the office. A final less formal interview over coffee with a partner.

Lengthy and drawn out.

Written application and application questions. First round interview and a group selection process based on a legal scenario.

Two stage interview for clerkship. After clerkship, an application process for the graduate program.

Generally it is a 2 stage interview process with either a group interview followed by a panel interview or an interview with HR followed by an interview with 2 senior lawyers

Standard two interviews with mix of set questions and general discussion

online application followed by two interviews with a partner and HR

There were no psychometric assessments or other tests, outside of the standard interview process. Two rounds of interviews were conducted - first round with a HR representative, and the second round with two Partners of the firm.

I had an initial interview for the clerkship process and other than that only one casual coffee with HR before offers day.

2 rounds of interviews. Both interviews were non-threatening and conversational style.

I was hired open-market and the interview process was long and the same as every other firm. However, I have noticed that this year (with the introduction of group networking events) that has changed.

Questions about my prior work experience. Questions which required me to demonstrate a commercial mindset and providing practical legal advice as opposed to just technical advice. Questions about what areas of law I liked and why. Questions about the biggest challenges facing the legal profession.

The usual kinds of questions, skills, experience, etc.

Fairly standard behavioural based questions in the first interview. The second round interview was a group based activity in which we were given a scenario and asked to talk through our thinking and approach to dealing with the problems raised therein. It was an excellent activity in that it was relevant and also required you to work well in teams.

Favourite subjects at uni, relevant work experience.

Mixture of experience and behavioural questions

I was asked about my legal experience, general working experience and asked to describe certain situations e.g. managing competing priorities, dealing with challenging people etc

Behavioural and experience questions. It was pretty standard, no surprises.

Questions about experience, interests, goals and why I want to work at the firm.

Various questions seeking to determine my ability to work in a team, and to gauge my understanding of and enthusiasm for various areas of law.

I was asked about time I had spent overseas, why I had gone there, why I came back, what I was interested in and what my most regular nightclub was.

I was asked to discuss my previous work experience, how I had handled various challenges and why I wanted to work for the company.

I cannot recall what I was specifically asked during my interviews, but I do remember walking out of the interviews and being concerned I had talked too much or had become too relaxed and chatty during the interview.

Ask fellow students about questions they have been asked in interviews and think about how you would answer those questions. It is important to provide well thought out answers, be honest because the authenticity of your answers will be apparent to the interviewer.

Prepare answers to behavioral questions and be charismatic and work as a team during the group stage.

Get as much legal experience as possible before applying. Have someone who is already working review your resume and cover letter. Try to be down to earth and genuine.

Know why you want to work there.

Be yourself, have fun but also be respectful

Be raw, because this is an opportunity for both you and the employer to assess whether you would fit in with the culture, the team and be able to engage in the tasks and fulfil duties

Research the firm and understand what it is we do, particularly in the office for which we are applying. Try to understand how Partners of the firm publicise themselves. Seek out current employees, if possible, and ask for contemporaneous tips about what is happening within the office and the types of people the firm may be looking for. In your interview, remember that advanced legal skills can be taught - focus on your work ethic, strong basis in the law from your studies and willingness to soak up as much information as possible.

The answer you think they want to hear is not the answer they want.

Think of an area of work that interests you and have a bit to say about why you'd like to do that kind of work at K&L Gates. Be genuine and open about who you are and your interests so the company can work out whether the culture will be a good fit for you.

The only tip I can give is to be yourself and relax. Everyone is very sociable and showing your personality will help immensely in the interview process.