You reach for the elevator. 

A mix of heels and RMs shuffle in behind the closing doors.

Suits pressed, watches checked. The whiff of freshly brewed coffee corners you. 

"Hm, you must be here for your clerkship”, a sharp voice interrupts your thoughts. 

Your answer matters. Let us tell you why. 

Here’s the thing about landing a grad job: it’s no walk in the park, but it’s also not assembling IKEA furniture.¹

We’ve clerked, we’ve graduated, and we’ve been on the other side of the table, helping decide who gets the nod. We’ve seen it all.

There are dos and there are don’ts. Sure, luck is a factor too. But luck loves preparation, and a little finesse goes a long way. 

So here are 10 principles that helped us. We hope they improve your luck too.

1. Your first move sets the game

You’re reading this because the first sentence sparked your interest. The same applies in person. You have seven seconds to make your first impression. That’s seven seconds² to make them think: “This one’s got potential”. 

Hold up, we know what you’re thinking.³ If you’ve fumbled your first encounter, not all is lost. You can recover, but it’ll take about eight positive interactions to get back to square one.

Better still is to start strong. When uncertain, people judge based on what they’ve seen. An expectation of what you will say is a product of what you have said. The work you get is a product of the work you produce. So dress sharply, arrive early and be prepared. 

Greet everyone with confidence and let your energy be palpable. In the initial days, say less and listen more. Observe your team’s rhythm and sync up. By all means, when you have value to add, add it. But remember, every interaction shapes the final judgement—make each one count.

2. You’re already in the room

When you’re sitting in the boardroom on day one, remember that many don’t have a seat at the table. 

You earned your spot; that’s no small feat. Confidence breeds competence, and the firm already thinks you’re capable. But let's not get carried away now.⁴

The clerkship is an opportunity to reaffirm the firm’s belief in you. Don’t second-guess your worth or feel like an impostor. Be present, take ownership of your tasks, and seize this chance to prove you belong for good. 

You’re already in the room, so remember that. 

3. Seek guidance but Google it first

Here’s the kicker: asking questions is encouraged, but not all questions are created equal. The thoughtful ones? Gold. The stupid ones?⁵ Red flags. 

Before you tap a senior on the shoulder, tap into Google. Nothing says “lack of initiative” quite like asking a question you could have answered yourself. 

If you’re still stuck, don’t let your confusion compound. Speak up sooner rather than later. It is better to clarify early than spend hours off track. Juniors are your lifeline here. 

And when you do approach someone for help, frame your question with the effort you’ve already put in. This signals your exhaustive attempts and narrows the problem to help them drive the solution. So seek guidance when it counts, but do your homework first. 

4. Your seniors are your clients

Client service is at the centre of what we do. Clients want their lives made easier and solutions delivered yesterday. When you’re a junior, your immediate seniors—partners, senior associates—are your clients. 

Let our new clerk Gary drive this point home. He’s been given his first big task: draft a research memo. He spends days crafting a masterpiece with perfect citations, clever legal reasoning, and all the details. When he hands it over, his senior glances at it and says: