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How we hire

Online application form

Our online application form

 

We've created guidance to support you through every stage of the application process, with insights into the application form and practical tips to help you approach your application with confidence. Whether you're exploring opportunities or preparing to submit an application, our guidance is designed to help you understand what to expect and put your best foot forward.

Guidance for your application

The Clifford Chance Immersive Online Assessment

As part of our recruitment process, we've introduced a new online assessment designed to help us identify candidates with the greatest potential to succeed and develop as future trainees.

 

Shaped by research and insights from colleagues across our global network, the assessment is bespoke to Clifford Chance and has been built around the skills, behaviours and capabilities most strongly linked to success in the trainee role. It combines a range of assessment elements, including critical thinking, behavioural strengths, attention to detail and motivation, to provide a holistic view of your current ability and future potential.

 

The assessment is also designed to offer you an authentic insight into life at Clifford Chance. Through immersive, role-relevant activities, you'll experience aspects of the trainee role, gain a deeper understanding of the firm's culture and working environment, and explore the skills required to succeed in a global law firm.

 

To help you prepare, once you have submitted your application, you'll receive a link to access to a practice assessment before completing the live assessment which will also be emailed to you. This allows you to familiarise yourself with the format, technology and style of questions, helping you approach the assessment with confidence.

 

The assessment should last around 45-60 minutes and should be completed within four days (including weekends).

The Watson Glaser test

Watson Glaser test

Once you have completed The Clifford Chance Immersive Online Assessment you will be required to complete the Watson Glaser test. This is another key part of the assessment process and focuses on your ability to draw inferences, recognise assumptions, make deductions, interpret information, and evaluate arguments. These are essential skills for legal thinking, and it’s important to prepare thoroughly. Please note that the use of AI is not permitted.

The test lasts 30 minutes and includes 40 questions that assess your critical thinking skills. These include:

The skills it measures include:

  • Defining a problem
  • Selecting relevant information to solve a problem
  • Recognising stated and unstated assumptions
  • Formulating and selecting relevant and promising hypotheses
  • Drawing valid conclusions and judging the validity of inferences

You will also have four days (including weekends) to complete the Watson Glaser test.

Practice tests


Before sitting the online tests, we strongly recommend that you practise as much as possible. Familiarity with the format and the style of questions will help you perform at your best. You can take our practice tests as many times as you like. These attempts are for your preparation only and are not visible to Clifford Chance.

You can complete the Watson Glaser practice test here, whilst the Clifford Chance Immersive Online Assessment practice test will be emailed to you on submitting your application.

In addition to our Watson Glaser practice test, there are many other online resources you may wish to use—many of which are free.

Practice test
Practice tests

Completing the test


You’ll receive the deadline for completing the Clifford Chance Immersive Online Assessment and Watson Glaser test over email once you submit your application. Please keep this in mind when deciding when to apply and ensure you complete the online tests within the timeframe provided.

 

If you require extra time or adjustments, it’s essential to submit your application before the deadline so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If you apply during the final week before the deadline, you’ll have less time to complete the online tests. Make sure to check your assessment email and complete it within the time allowed.

Our London Assessment Day 5 FAQs

 

Hear from Maria Rosaria in our Early Talent Acquisition team as she answers five of the most frequently asked questions about the Clifford Chance Assessment Day. Find out how to prepare for an assessment centre, what to expect during the selection process, who you'll meet and when you'll receive feedback. Learn how our recruitment process helps aspiring lawyers showcase their strengths while gaining a deeper understanding of life at Clifford Chance and a career in commercial law.

Assessment day

Assessment day format


Assessment days take place in-person, with virtual options in exceptional circumstances.


London Training Contract:

  • Combined case study and competency interview (with a Partner and Senior Associate)
  • Written task aligned to the case study
  • Group exercise

 

SPARK:

  • Combined case study and competency interview (with two Senior Associates)
  • Written task aligned to the case study
  • Group exercise

 

Pre-Assessment Support:

Once you have secured your place on one of our assessment days, you will be invited to join a preparation webinar with the Early Talent Acquisition Team. This will provide you with the information and guidance you need to approach the day with confidence.

Contextual Recruitment


We have long been at the forefront of making the legal profession more accessible. In 2013 we introduced CV-blind interviews, and in 2015 we partnered with RARE Recruitment to develop a Contextual Recruitment System (CRS) allowing employers to fairly evaluate your academic achievements in the context of your background.


These initiatives have broadened our talent pool and enabled candidates to share their authentic experiences throughout the process.

Contextual Recruitment

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