Applicant Resource Hub

Reading your application is the first time we "meet" you, so it's important that we get a clear and detailed understanding of who you are and why you're interested in joining Ashurst Perkins Coie. Here are some tips to help you prepare your application.

Your CV

• Ensure your personal and contact details are correct and clearly displayed.
• Double-check that your employment dates are accurate and include relevant details, such as reasons for moving, the type of role held, e.g. whether it was a contract role, and any career breaks.
• Make your CV easy to read and not too long (1-2 pages is standard for an entry level role, and 2-3 pages is standard for an experienced role). Prioritize your most recent roles at the beginning of the document and use bullet points to summarize your experience and achievements.

Your application and/or cover letter

• Upload any required and relevant documentation.
• Your cover letter is an opportunity to highlight why you're interested in the role, the value and experience you can bring, and what you're hoping to achieve while working with us. Be concise. Use bullet points where possible and specify the type of working arrangement you're looking for (e.g. full-time or part-time).
• Review the job description to help you tailor your cover letter to the role.
• Tell us about any visa requirements. Not every role we recruit is eligible for visa sponsorship, so please check the specific job advertisement before applying.
• Proofread your application before you submit it.

• Speak to your Talent Acquisition / People & Culture contact if you have any questions about the role or what the interview entails.

• Review the job description and your CV so that you can clearly explain your work experience, achievements, and your understanding of the role.

• Thoroughly research Ashurst Perkins Coie, the team you are interviewing for, and the people you are meeting. We recommend taking a look at the Ashurst Perkins Coie website, LinkedIn and any other relevant sites.

• Prepare some examples of work situations you've been in to highlight your relevant skills or experience. This includes working with a team and clients, working to deadlines, and overcoming challenging situations, to name but a few.

• Prepare your own questions for the interviewers to help you decide whether we're the right fit for you.

• If your interview is in person then plan ahead, including what to wear, how you'll get there, and whether you need to bring anything.

• Arrive a few minutes early so that you feel calm and prepared.

• The interview is a good opportunity to build rapport and get an impression of the team.

• The interview will generally cover your motivation for applying, your employment history (including specific examples of the work you've done), an overview of the team and role, with an opportunity for you to ask questions.

• In many instances, you will be asked behavioral questions, which give you the opportunity to provide a specific example as evidence of a particular skill or showing how you've handled a situation in the past. We use behavioral questions to gauge whether you have the skills required to succeed in the role.

• This methodology helps ensure you respond with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Before your interview, think of some behavioral questions that might come up and prepare for them using the STAR method. The questions are designed to reveal how you react under pressure: if you are asked one, keep calm, and the STAR methodology will help you tell a clear and concise story.

• Make sure you ask at least one to two questions when asked to do so. Even if your questions have been covered during the interview, it's worth mentioning what they were and that they have already been answered.

• Make sure you thank the interviewers for their time at the end of the interview.

We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you consider yourself to have a disability or a long-term health condition, please be aware that you can tell us about this at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are not sure what adjustments you require, we will work with you to establish the most suitable adjustments to be made at each stage of the recruitment process. Please note that our online application form includes a section that allows you to advise us of any relevant extenuating circumstances. We will take these into consideration when reviewing your application.

If you would like to talk to a member of our team about any queries you may have about your disability or long-term health condition in terms of the recruitment process, please contact us. Any information you disclose about your disability will remain strictly confidential.

Benefits are subject to change at the firm’s discretion, and eligibility for all benefits depends on the individual role.

Career advancement

• Secondment opportunities (with clients and pro bono providers nationally)
• Global opportunities (secondments and short-/long-term relocation to one of our overseas offices)
• Learning and development (an award-winning program that develops your technical and soft skills) with full access to LinkedIn Learning
• Study support (including financial assistance and paid study leave for postgraduate qualifications)
• Pro bono (assisting marginalized and disadvantaged people and communities)

Health and well-being

• EAP (confidential fully subsidized professional counseling service available to you and your immediate family)
• Healthcare (discounted corporate health plans and free vaccinations)
• Gym membership (fully subsidized corporate memberships)
• Headspace (free access to the Headspace app for mindful mental health support)
• AIA Vitality (a performance-based recognition app that rewards employees for adopting healthy habits and looking after their well-being)
• Champion Health (access well-being content and personalized guidance for you and up to three family members)
• Social activities (a range of social and corporate sports teams and events)

Flexible working

• Hybrid working (including ergonomic support to work from home)
• Flexible working (including job-share, part-time, sabbaticals, variable hours and working from home)
• Additional leave (purchase up to an extra 3 weeks' leave per year)

Family and caring

• 26 weeks' parental leave (irrespective of gender identity and caring role)
• Family support (paid leave and support for those experiencing pregnancy loss or accessing fertility treatments)
• Circle In (end-to-end program that supports and educates employees throughout their parental leave journey and beyond)
• Domestic violence support (10 additional days of paid leave)

Financial benefits

• Competitive salaries (with salary packaging options and performance incentives offered for many roles)
• Insurance (salary continuance insurance and discounts from our provider)
• Referral bonuses (up to A$10,000 depending on the role)
• Corporate and financial discounts
• Novated leasing

Benefits are subject to change at the firm’s discretion, and eligibility for all benefits depends on the individual role.

Career advancement

• Global opportunities (secondments and short-/long-term relocation to one of our offices)
• Learning and development (an award-winning program that assists in developing your technical and soft skills) with full access to LinkedIn Learning
• Study support (including financial assistance / paid study leave for further qualifications)
• Pro bono (assisting marginalized and disadvantaged people and communities)

Health and well-being

• EAP (confidential fully subsidized professional counseling service available to you and your immediate family)
• Healthcare (corporate health plan and free flu vaccinations)
• Gym membership (discounted corporate memberships)
• Headspace (free access to the Headspace app for mindful mental health support)
• Social activities (a range of social and corporate sports teams and events)

Flexible working

• Hybrid working (including ergonomic support to work from home)
• Flexible working (including part-time, sabbaticals, variable hours and working from home)
• Additional leave (purchase up to a maximum of 5 days' holiday per year, prorated for part-time employees and by start date)

Family and caring

• 26 weeks' parental leave (irrespective of gender identity and caring role)
• Inclusion of surrogacy, foster and kinship care
• Family support (paid leave and support for those experiencing pregnancy loss or accessing fertility treatments)

Financial benefits

• Insurance (income protection insurance, life assurance and a corporate pension scheme)
• Referral bonuses
• Corporate and financial discounts

Benefits may vary depending on office location and role.

Wellness and health

A holistic approach to well-being in law practice and life:

• Employee assistance program - including mental health concierge and therapy services
• Free access to mindfulness and meditation app
• Health advocate services
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Peloton app membership
• Weekly meditation sessions
• Well-Being Program - a program that raises awareness about mental health and encourages action to protect and care for individuals’ well-being

Vacation and time off

Rejuvenating and recharging:

• Bereavement leave
• Heart and soul days
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and personal health days (PHD)
• Jury duty leave
• Leaves of absence
• Paid holidays
• Paid sabbaticals

Family care benefit

Providing support for the needs of your family:

• Adoption assistance
• Backup care (for children or adults)
• Basic and supplemental life insurance
• Elder care services
• Fertility coverage assistance
• Long-term care insurance
• Long-term disability
• Paid leave for new parents
• Personal accident insurance and business travel accident insurance
• Pet insurance

Hybrid work model

Focusing on a successful work/life balance:

• Home equipment reimbursements
• Internet allowance

Community involvement

Providing opportunities to contribute to our internal and external communities:

• Employee referral program
• Firm social events
• Nonprofit agency involvement programs
• Paid community service day
• Service awards and recognition

Financial well-being

Resources provided for you and your family:

• 401(k) with matching and annual retirement contribution
• Educational assistance program
• Financial consultation
• Firm's contribution to Health Saving Account (for individuals enrolled in the High Deductible Medical Plan)
• Healthcare, dependent care, and transportation flexible spending accounts
• Student loan refinancing programs

It is important that we get a clear and detailed understanding of who you are and why you're interested in joining Ashurst Perkins Coie. Here are some tips to help you prepare your application.

Your CV:

• Your CV should be easy to read and not too long (ideally, two pages). Start with your most recent roles and use bullet points to summarize your experience and achievements.

• In your own words, tell us about what you have achieved, what you're proud of and your strengths. Don't just list your skills.

• Share all your previous relevant experience (legal experience is not essential).

• Attention to detail is a key requirement in your role as a lawyer. Please ensure your CV has a consistent format, with no typos or grammatical errors.

Your application:

• Upload your CV and academic transcript (official or unofficial)

• Proofread your application before you submit it.

Online assessment:

You will be completing an online job-focused assessment designed to evaluate your job-related skills, behaviors and abilities for a graduate role.

We are fully committed to supporting people with diverse needs who apply for a role here at Ashurst Perkins Coie.

• If you have a disability that you think may affect the assessment you have been asked to complete, it is in your interest to make us aware of this as early as possible in the application process so that we can make reasonable adjustments to the assessment process. More information about how we support candidates with disabilities can be found here:
  https://www.shldirect.com/en/assessment-advice/accessibility-support

• If you are neurodivergent and think this may affect the assessment you have been asked to complete, it is in your interest to make us aware of this as early as possible in the application process so that we can make reasonable adjustments to the assessment process. More information about how we support neurodiverse candidates can be found here: https://www.shl.com/shldirect/en/neurodiversity-information-hub-for-candidates/

Please practice. Our assessment provider, SHL, has provided some practice questions and guidelines to familiarize you with a range of assessments. These questions are not an indicator of the level of testing you may experience: https://www.shldirect.com/en/practice-tests/

Please focus on behavior-based assessment, inductive, deductive and numerical reasoning abilities, and biodata practice assessments. Additional practice tests are available when you log into your user profile.

Please also visit the SHL technical support site; select from the “Candidate Help” menu and ensure your browser is capable of launching the assessments: https://support.shl.com/

(NB: If you experience technical difficulties and require additional assistance, please refer to the website for help, or you can reach the SHL Technical Helpdesk team on AU 1800 091 846 or NZ 0800 452 214.)

• Review your CV so you can clearly explain your work experience and achievements, and answer any questions we may ask you.

• Thoroughly research Ashurst Perkins Coie and your interviewers. We recommend consulting the firm's website, LinkedIn and any other relevant websites.

• Prepare some examples to help you answer behavioral questions.

• Prepare your own questions for the interviewers as this is your chance to decide whether we're the right fit for you.

• Plan ahead, including what to wear, how you'll get there, and whether you need to bring anything.

• Arrive early so that you feel calm and prepared
• The interview is a good opportunity to build rapport and get an impression of the team.
• The interview will generally cover your motivation for applying, the information in your cover letter, employment history and any extracurricular activities or hobbies. There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions.
• In many instances, you will be asked behavioral questions, which give you the opportunity to use a specific example to highlight a skill or show how you've handled a situation in the past. We use behavioral questions to gauge whether you have the skills required to succeed in the role.
  • You can answer these questions clearly and concisely by using the STAR method. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result.
    • S – Situation: Outline the situation or challenge you faced.
    • T – Task: Describe the task or problem.
    • A – Action: Explain the actions that you took.
    • R – Results: Summarize the results. Illustrate a clear correlation between your action and the results.
  • This methodology will help you respond with a clear beginning, middle and end. Before your interview, think of some behavioral questions that might come up and prepare for them using the STAR method. These questions help us to understand your previous experiences, so keep calm and the STAR methodology will enable you to tell a clear and concise story. Make sure you ask at least two or three questions when asked to do so. This shows that you are interested and have done some research.
• Make sure you thank the interviewers for their time at the end of the interview.

We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you consider yourself to have a disability or a long-term health condition, please be aware you can tell us about this at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are not sure what adjustments you require, we will work with you to establish the most suitable adjustments at each stage of the recruitment process. Please note that our online application form includes a section that allows you to advise us of any relevant extenuating circumstances. We will take these into consideration when reviewing your application.

If you would like to talk to a member of our team about any queries you may have about your disability or long-term health condition in terms of the recruitment process, please contact us. Any information you disclose about your disability will remain strictly confidential.

Where can I meet representatives of the firm to find out more about Ashurst Perkins Coie?

Throughout the recruitment cycle, we run a large number of events, including campus events, in-house events and many virtual events. Many of these will be advertised by your University Law Society.

Can I arrange ad hoc work experience?

We encourage all applicants to visit the firm through one of our clerkship, Ahead at Ashurst Perkins Coie or graduate programs and therefore we are unable to offer any form of in-house work experience outside these programs. We encourage candidates to visit our emerging talent hub, which has a range of resources that are open access virtual experience programs. We have a large number of different virtual internships available.

Emerging Talent Hub

Do you recruit casual paralegals?

We generally offer paralegal positions to our clerks in the first instance. However, we do occasionally recruit paralegals from outside the clerkship program; we advertise any vacancies on our website.

Can I apply using my own CV rather than completing the application form?

No. In order to ensure we get all the information we need, we need you to complete the online form. We do not accept applications by email or post.

I don’t have a consistently strong academic transcript. Can I still apply?

Yes, you can still apply: we are looking for well-rounded and diverse candidates. A strong academic record is only one of the factors we consider when reviewing applications. We are looking for candidates who have outstanding communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, analytical ability, motivation and commercial awareness.
If there are mitigating circumstances in relation to your grades, please let us know in the relevant section of the application form.

Do you accept applications from non-penultimate-year students for your clerkship programs?

We accept candidates in the penultimate or final year of their law degree.

Can I apply for more than one Australian office?

No. Please choose which office you wish to apply for and make one application.

Can I apply for a program if I am an international law student?

Candidates must have Australian citizenship or permanent residency when they apply for a clerkship. Students wishing to apply must be Australian citizens at the time of application.

Can I apply directly for a graduate position?

We offer our graduate positions to our previous clerk cohorts.

Can I attend my interview virtually?

Although we thoroughly enjoy welcoming candidates to our offices, we are more than happy to be flexible by arranging virtual interviews for candidates.

Where can I meet a representative of the firm to find out more about Ashurst Perkins Coie?

Throughout the recruitment cycle, we run a large number of events including campus events, in-house events and many virtual events. Please check out the events section on each program page to find out more.

Can I arrange ad hoc work experience?

We encourage all applicants to visit the firm through one of our merit-based programs or schemes and therefore we are unable to offer any form of in-person work experience outside these programs. We encourage candidates to visit our emerging talent hub, which has a range of resources that are open-access virtual experience programs. A large number of different virtual internships are available.

Emerging Talent Hub

Can I apply with my own CV rather than completing the application form?

No. To ensure we get all the information we need, we ask you to complete the online application form. We do not accept applications by email or post.

What time do applications close?

Applications close at 12.00 noon on the closing date specified.

Will my link to the online psychometric tests expire on the application closing date?

No. You have 7 days (including weekends and bank holidays) from the date you receive the link to complete the online tests. However, please note that, if you do not complete the tests within the specified time, we will be unable to progress your application.

Can I apply if I don't meet the 2:1 grade criterion?

While all applicants should be on track for a strong 2:1, you should tell us about any mitigating circumstances that may have affected your performance, and we will take this into consideration when reviewing your application.

Is there a minimum requirement for A-level grades?

No, there is no minimum requirement for A-level grades.

Can I apply if I am an international student?

Yes. International students are eligible to apply for both vacation scheme and direct training contract opportunities, subject to your visa requirements. Please pay close attention to vacation scheme dates and apply only if they fall outside term time if you are studying on a student visa. The firm will sponsor skilled worker visas for those who secure one of our training contracts.

Do you review applications on a rolling basis?

No. We review all applications after the closing date.

Can I reapply for a vacation scheme or direct training contract if I was previously unsuccessful?

Yes; however, we permit only one application per recruitment cycle. If you do wish to reapply, we encourage you to complete a new application form in the next recruitment cycle and include any skills and experience you’ve gained since you last applied.

What is your policy on the use of generative AI in my application?

At Ashurst Perkins Coie, we outpace change. We encourage the responsible use of generative AI across the firm to explore opportunities, improve the way we work, enhance the capabilities of our people, and create new client-facing services. We recognize that AI, when used appropriately, can be a valuable tool for creating and improving the quality of your application. However, while we support the use of emerging technologies, we expect you to thoroughly review and appropriately edit any AI-altered content before submitting your application. This is important to uphold the ethical standards of honesty and authenticity expected by the firm and the SRA. AI should complement your efforts to authentically and accurately represent yourself, your experience and your enthusiasm for the role, rather than replace your thoughts or create them for you.

Are interviews conducted in person or virtually?

All interviews are held at our London office. Please contact the early careers team if you are unable to attend in person and would like to discuss alternative arrangements.

Do you reimburse travel expenses for candidates who are invited to attend an in-person interview?

Yes. We offer reimbursement of travel expenses up to the value of £150. All claims for expenses must be submitted within 7 days of your interview.

How can I prepare for the interview and assessment center?

We run a number of application workshop events during the academic year. These are advertised on our events page. We will send you interview guidance notes to help you understand what to expect on the day.

When will the SQE be implemented for future trainees at Ashurst Perkins Coie?

The SQE was implemented for all future joiners in September 2023.

If I am a law graduate, can I choose to complete the LPC route to qualification rather than the SQE?

No. If you are yet to complete postgraduate studies, the firm requires you to complete the SQE, which will be sponsored by the firm.

I have already completed the LPC. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes. If you have already completed your postgraduate studies, you are eligible to apply. Please note that we are unable to reimburse candidates for retrospective course fees.

Who is your course provider for the PGDL and the SQE?

Our course provider is the University of Law (ULaw).

Can I start my training contract at an earlier date than advertised?

No. The intake you apply for is the date you will join the firm, unless otherwise agreed in exceptional circumstances.

Will the firm permit me to shorten the length of a training contract if I have already gained QWE with another employer or training provider?

No. To be eligible to apply for a NQ position on completion of your training contract at Ashurst Perkins Coie, the firm requests that all trainees complete the full 24 months of their training contract.

We partner with several student organizations to support our early careers recruitment.

Can I arrange ad hoc work experience?

We encourage all applicants to visit the firm through one of our programs or schemes. Occasionally, we are able to offer ad hoc work experience, which is usually advertised on our careers portal. You can also apply through our Solicitud espontánea, and we will consider your application when a suitable vacancy arises.

Can I gain international experience / go on secondment?

Working on secondment – whether that's with a client or at one of our international offices – is a pivotal aspect of your development. We encourage you to go on secondment if you can.

Trainees and associates come back with a greater appreciation of different cultures and mindsets, a deeper understanding of clients and the way they work, and better relationship and communication skills.

I don't have a consistently strong academic record. Can I still apply?

Yes, you can still apply. We are looking for well-rounded and diverse candidates. A strong academic record is only one of the factors we consider when reviewing applications. We are interested in candidates with outstanding communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, analytical ability, motivation and commercial awareness. If mitigating circumstances have had an impact on your grades, please let us know in the relevant section of the application form.

Can I apply with my CV rather than completing the application form?

No. To ensure we get all the information we need, we ask you to complete the online application form. We do not accept applications by email or post.

Does my application need to be in English?

No. However, we are an international law firm, and a big part of our recruitment process is conducted in English. Your fluency in English is accessed at several stages of the recruitment process. If you wish to use English throughout your application, please do so.

Can I reapply for a different opportunity if I was previously unsuccessful?

Yes. If you have been unsuccessful in applying for our summer program, you can still apply for our graduate program. If you do wish to reapply, we encourage you to fill out a new application form and include any skills and experience you’ve gained since you last applied.

Can I attend my interview virtually?

Although we thoroughly enjoy welcoming candidates to our offices, we are more than happy to be flexible by arranging virtual interviews for candidates who do not live in Madrid. However, at least one of the interviews must be in person.