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How we hire

Online application form

Online application form

 

The application process is an important opportunity to showcase what you can bring to Clifford Chance. To stand out as a candidate, take the time to reflect on your unique strengths and experiences. Thoughtful preparation is key—use examples and the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to bring your application to life. Our application process is thorough and designed to be as fair as possible while maintaining high standards, ensuring that the best candidates succeed.

5 ways to ace your application


Our application and assessment process is designed to help us identify the very best talent. Hear from Toby, Early Talent Acquisition Manager, on what separates good applications from great applications.

Use of AI

 

We recognise that applicants may want to use AI platforms at the application stage. This is fine, however, the application is your opportunity to show your uniqueness against the hundreds of other candidates applying, so an overreliance on AI could do you a disservice.


The Early Talent Acquisition team reviews each application so they're skilled at being able to recognise authenticity over generic content.

Use of AI

A few important things to note below:

  • Attention to Detail: This is crucial for lawyers. We will reject applications that contain spelling or grammatical errors or lack clarity. Double-check your work before submitting.
  • Strong Examples: Use only the clearest and most compelling examples in your work experience and application answers. Make every word count.
  • Degree Details: Include full details of your degree, including module scores for all years of study, even if they don’t affect your overall classification.
  • Mitigating Circumstances: If applicable, provide details of any approved mitigating circumstances related to your academics or work experience. Attach supporting documentation if available.
  • Watson Glaser Test: After submitting your application, you’ll receive a link to complete the Watson Glaser test. Every application that passes this test is reviewed, so take the time to prepare thoroughly.
  • Application Process: We only review applications after the deadline. You’ll be notified of the outcome after the deadline and if you’re progressing to the video interview stage. No amendments can be made after submission.
  • Contextual Recruitment: We’re proud to be the first firm to adopt contextual recruitment, considering grades and achievements within the context of your social and educational background.

 

Please note, you cannot apply for both SPARK and a Training Contract. If you apply for a Training Contract, you may only choose either the London or Middle East Training Contract—you cannot apply for both.

Watson Glaser test

Watson Glaser test

When you have submitted your application, you will be sent the Watson Glaser test via email within two working days. This does not include the weekend. The only exception is if it doesn't appear you are eligible for the programme you've applied to. Please be sure to check your junk folder.

The questions will focus on your ability to draw inferences, recognise assumptions, make deductions, interpret information and evaluate arguments. These are essential to legal thinking and it's important that you hone your skills as this is the first step of the assessment process. The use of AI is not permitted.

The test lasts 30 minutes and involves 40 questions that assess your critical thinking.

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

Practice tests


Before you take the Watson Glaser test, it's a good idea to practice as much as you can so you are familiar with the format and the type of thinking involved. You can click below to practice as many times as you need. Your practice attempts do not form part of the assessment and Clifford Chance will not see the results. As well as the practice test, there are lots of other online resources that you may wish to use. Some of them are free, but some require payment.

Practice test
Practice tests

You will have five days to complete the test unless you submit your application the week of the deadline. Please factor this in when deciding to submit your application, as you must complete your test within the time frame provided to you over email with your test link. If you need additional time or any adjustments, please factor this in and submit your application prior to the deadline.

 

If you apply for a Training Contract the week of the deadline, or on the deadline, you may have fewer days to complete the Watson Glaser test. You will be sent the test within 48 hours of submitting your application and will be given until 23.59 on Sunday, 24 November 2024 to complete the test.

 

If you are applying for SPARK the week of the deadline, or on the deadline, you will have until 23.59 on Sunday 9 February 2025 to complete the test.

5 FAQs about a London assessment day

 

Our application and assessment process is designed to help us identify the very best talent. Hear from Zoe, Early Talent Acquisition Senior Specialist, on what you can expect and some helpful advice on how to prepare.

Pre-assessment day support


Once you have secured your place on one of our assessment days, you will have access to a wealth of additional support and guidance to help you best prepare. Individuals will be invited to a pre-assessment day webinar with the Early Talent Acquisition Team and Future Trainees who have previously been successful in the interview process. This will provide you with the information and guidance you need to approach the day with confidence. 


If you are interviewing virtually due to exceptional circumstances, we will provide you with bespoke virtual interview tools and tips to guide you through the process seamlessly. 

Pre-Assessment day support
Assessment day

Assessment day


Our assessment day will take place in-person, with an option to interview virtually in some circumstances e.g., if you have a long way to travel.


If you are being assessed for our London Training Contract, the assessment day will consist of a combined case study and competency-based interview with a Partner and a Senior Associate. This will include discussions around the case study, commercial questions, and competency-based questions. You'll also complete a written task and a group exercise.

 

If you are being assessed for SPARK, you will complete a written exercise, a combined commercial and competency based-interview with senior associates, and a group exercise.

Identifying talent

Using contextual recruitment to identify talent

We have long been at the forefront of making the legal profession more accessible. In 2015, we partnered with RARE Recruitment to develop a contextual recruitment system (CRS), allowing us to evaluate candidates more fairly by considering their achievements in the context of their social and educational backgrounds.

Our commitment to fairness began in 2013 when we introduced CV-blind interviews, and in 2017, we took another significant step by removing minimum academic requirements for our roles. These initiatives have broadened our talent pool and enabled candidates to share their authentic experiences throughout the process.

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