We sat down with Rachel Kok, one of UNSW Law Justice’s Careers Advisors, to talk all things big law recruitment. Drawing on her experience in commercial law early careers recruitment and student advising, Rachel shares practical insights into what firms really look for beyond marks, common application pitfalls, and how students can work out early whether a large commercial firm is the right fit for them in an evolving legal landscape.
From your time in big law, what do firms really look for in graduate and clerkship candidates beyond marks?
While strong academics matter, firms are looking at the whole picture. In particular:
A genuine interest in commercial or corporate law, shown through subject choices, relevant extracurriculars and targeted work experience.
Transferable skills, especially clear communication, teamwork, client service and commercial awareness.
The right attitude, including a willingness to learn, commitment to growth and professional maturity.
What’s one common application mistake that’s easy to fix?
There are a few that come up often:
Vague motivations. Some students don’t clearly explain why they’re applying to a specific firm. Doing targeted research and networking makes it much easier to articulate why a firm aligns with your career goals.
Spelling and grammar errors, which can undermine an otherwise strong application.
Leaving out nonlegal experience. Retail, hospitality, volunteering and hobbies help recruiters understand who you are beyond your marks and legal experience and often make you more memorable.legal experience
How can students tell early on whether a large commercial firm is the right fit for them?
A few things to pay attention to early:
Values and culture alignment. If a firm’s culture, team dynamics, opportunity offerings and working styles match your preferences, that can be a sign it could be a good fit.
Intentional networking. Speaking with firm representatives and asking thoughtful, specific questions helps you understand what day-to-day junior work really looks like.today junior work really looks like
Make the most of clerkship and penultimate programs by saying yes to learning and shadowing opportunities. This helps you get a real feel for the work, the culture and whether the environment will energise you in the long run.
Take the initiative to connect with people across the firm, including grads, solicitors and partners. Hearing about their pathways and experiences not only deepens your understanding of the work on offer, it also helps build your profile and expand your networks.
How has big law recruitment changed in recent years, and what should students be more mindful of now?
Recruitment has shifted in a few key ways:
Firms are more transparent and accessible, with students able to connect through networking events, LinkedIn and digital content like podcasts, virtual internships and video web series.
There’s a stronger focus on diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, helping firms better reflect their clients and communities.
Firms increasingly value commercial awareness, resilience and adaptability in fast paced environments.paced environments
As AI tools become more common, junior roles are shifting toward higher value analytical and strategic work, making digital and AI literacy more important than ever.value analytical and strategic work
There’s growing interest in Law and STEM candidates, with technical literacy and interdisciplinary problem-solving becoming increasingly valuable.solving becoming increasingly valuable
Ultimately, Rachel’s message is clear: know yourself, do your research and don’t underestimate the value of being genuinely engaged in the process.
Want to meet with Rachel to further discuss your career? Current UNSW Law & Justice students can visit MyLaw to book a 45-minute one-on-one career coaching session, access the exclusive Law & Justice Jobs Board or review a range of tailored resources to support their career planning journey.