Application Process & Interviews at Johnson Winter Slattery

Submit covering letter, CV and transcript. Invited to interview. Cocktail drinks after interview. Selection made following interview and cocktail drinks.

The interview process I underwent for a clerkship at JWS was one of my most comfortable interviews over the course of applying for clerkships/graduate roles. I was required to submit an application which included my cover letter and curriculum vitae. I was then contacted to attend an interview with a member of the Professional Development Team and one of the Special Counsel in Melbourne. I also attended a cocktail night following the interview which gave me the opportunity to talk with practitioners ranging from current graduates to partners.

There was only one phone call interview and then an in-person interview. However, I think the process was a little different for me due to COVID-19.

One interview - brief

I had one interview in person.

You submit a CV and cover letter, then get a clerkship interview. From there successful applicants get a clerkship. After that, a few clerks are offered full time grad roles with the firm the next year

I went for an interview and then a networking night when I clerked.

Interview was good, felt conversational and easy. Drinks with members of the firm after the interview is a good touch as you get to speak to more people and in a more relaxed environment.

General questions about interests in commercial law, and legal and general experience. I do not recall any of the exact questions.

My interview commenced with me having the opportunity to tell the panel about myself, my experience and talk through my curriculum vitae. I cannot recall all of the questions I was asked, but one I remember was "How would you seek feedback on your work if a partner or senior practitioner was not available to provide you with feedback?"

I was asked questions about my experience, my university degree, and my extra-curricular activities.

Tell us about yourself? What are your interests? What did you enjoying about working at X? What are your goals?

Mostly questions relating to my legal experience and matters that I had worked on.

Diverse and interesting! The questions seemed to really try to get to know you as a question, and there were no questions trying to 'test' you or deliberately put you under pressure

I was interviewed in 2019 so I don't remember what specific questions I was asked. I was asked about my interests and general abilities and what I wanted to do with my life and what kind of office environment I liked.

I was asked about previous experience as listed on my resume, about areas of law I was interested in, why I wanted to work for the company etc.

Understand the work that JWS does and ensure that the work aligns with your interests. If it does, express that in your application; be yourself and elaborate on your interests in your interview.

I would recommend you research JWS and know that we are a flat structured firm where graduates and associates are not placed in set rotations. I would also recommend you have some knowledge around our practice areas and think about whether these are practice areas you would like to obtain some experience in.

Be yourself, and know what you value. If you can articulate what you are looking for, who you are and what you stand for you will be able to judge whether you are a good fit for the company. At the end of the day, you want to work with people you like.

Be comfortable in the situation. Be confident in yourself and dress the part.

- Research the firm's areas of practice, and be able to speak to why you are interested in working in that area - Be able to speak to why you are applying for JWS instead of other firms - this means looking at the firm's marketing materials and understanding how the firm positions itself, and why this appeals to you - It never hurts to talk about yourself, your passions and interests

Be yourself in the interview!

You need to do well at your interview but also the networking night. Make sure you talk to as many people as you can and get to know them on a personal level not just work.

Be yourself, don't be afraid to have a sense of humour and a personality and bring that with you, as we're looking for people we actually like being around, not just law robots.