Animate
We're really looking forward to meeting you!
Congratulations on being invited for an interview!
We saw something special in your application and felt that your experiences and values would be a great match with Chapman Tripp.
The information on this page is specifically designed for interviewees and is to help you prepare for your interview and put you at ease. We like to be upfront and transparent about our interview process as we think the more you know, the more relaxed you’ll be on the day.
The recruitment process
Below you’ll see our recruitment process, so you can be across all the stages and feel prepared.
1. ONLINE INFORMATION SESSION
We have a bunch of previous winter clerks who would love to help answer any questions you may have about the interview, their experiences, and Chapman Tripp in general.
2. INTERVIEW
Your interview will be around 30-45 minutes and be conducted face-to-face.
You’ll sit down with two partners and a member of our People & Culture team.
This interview will aim to get to know you, your interest in Chapman Tripp and commercial law, and understand your areas of interest!
You’ll sit down with two partners and a member of our People & Culture team.
This interview will aim to get to know you, your interest in Chapman Tripp and commercial law, and understand your areas of interest!
It’s a good idea to arrive 10/15 minutes early so you feel at ease.
3. OFFERS MADE
In early-June, all offers will be made for winter clerkships.
On this day, we will also let you know if you haven’t been offered a winter clerkship with us. We know this can be disappointing news, so we also offer some time to give you any feedback we have from your interview to help you in the future. We just ask you to let us know a good date/time, so we don’t catch you off-guard.
4. ACCEPTANCES DUE
All acceptances for winter clerkships are due in mid-June (with the exact date provided to you in an offer letter).
If you have questions between offer and acceptance stage and you want to talk to anyone from Chapman Tripp, please feel encouraged to contact Kriezl Grecia on [email protected] and speak with her directly, or request to be put in touch with another Chapman Tripper.
We understand making the decision to join a large law firm can be a tough one, so make sure you talk to lots of people and ultimately feel sure (and excited!) about your decision.
No question is a silly one, so get in touch with us if you need – we understand this is a busy period, so make sure you’re getting the answers and support you need throughout it all.
Interview tips
Job interviews can be nerve-racking – we’ve all been there! It is one thing to write about yourself in your CV, but quite another to meet people you don’t really know and talk about yourself in person…Here are some of our top tips for interviewing.
RESEARCH
WHY LAW?
YOUR CV
PRACTICE
STATE OF MIND
- Read our firm’s website and graduate recruitment website – learn more about our clients, our partners and our teams
- Find out more about our values, recent news and awards
- Speak to former summer/winter clerks – quiz them on their experiences, ask for interview tips
- Speak to university career advisors – for interview advice and more information on how to prepare
- Read up about general commercial/legal news – make sure you would feel confident if we asked for your opinion on this.
- Why do you want to work in a law firm? What motivates you to want to join a commercial law firm?
- Why do you want to be a winter clerk? What are you hoping to gain from the experience?
- Why would you like to work at Chapman Tripp? What makes us stand out compared to other law firms?
- What sets you apart from others we might be interviewing? What are your key skills? What are your unique selling points (USPs)?
- Know your CV inside out! Anything on your CV is up for discussion
- Think about the experiences and achievements you want to talk to us about – make sure you have plenty of examples to share.
- Whatever your reasoning, try and clearly articulate your thoughts when you meet us. Rehearse by asking someone to run through some practice questions and give you feedback
- It’s a fine balance though – try not to over-rehearse, as an answer that’s too scripted can sound less genuine.
Have a think about what helps you feel your best. Perhaps a bit of exercise, mindfulness exercises, or a cup of tea at least 20 minutes before your interview could be a good idea to help ease any nerves and give you a clearer state of mind.
The interview itself
Introduction
You will sit down with two partners and a member of our People & Culture team. They will introduce themselves and outline the structure of the interview. We want you to perform at your best, so we will put you at ease and help you speak about your positives.
Our questions
They are designed to gain a good understanding of your experiences and your interest in law. It’s a chance for us to get to know you better, and for you to get to know us. We might ask you to chat to us about:
- your time at law school
- interest in law
- considerations in choosing a law firm
- life/work experiences – “you”
- your personality
- what motivates you to succeed
- your commercial awareness.
Your answers
Think about the skills you can bring to Chapman Tripp and what experiences you’ve had so far that will make you a great lawyer. Make sure you’re prepared to talk through some examples to back up your answers.
Be yourself
A fresh and original response always rings true and gives us a valuable insight into who you are and what makes you tick.
You can ask questions too
This is a great opportunity to find out what it’s like to work at Chapman Tripp. It’s a two-way process and you want to make sure we’re the firm for you. The type of questions you ask can often set you apart from other applicants by demonstrating your motivation and drive. If you think of any questions later, don’t hesitate to get in contact with any of your interviewers.
Key dates
Information Session
- These will take place a few days before interviews
Interviews
- Auckland office: 1 June 2023
- Wellington office: 2 June 2023
- Christchurch office: 6 June 2023
Offers & acceptances
- Offers for all offices: early-June
- Acceptances due for all offices: mid-June (specific details will be in offer letters)