Spoiler alert: not very.

See his story here

Another Kirkland & Ellis (New York) interview. This time for the 2027 New York Summer Associate Program. One of my students just received this email. Here's what most candidates don't understand about US law firm applications: Kirkland & Ellis receives thousands of applications for a handful of spots. They're not looking for "good" candidates. They're looking for candidates who demonstrate: ↳ Commercial fluency — not textbook definitions, but real understanding of how Kirkland's private equity clients think about deals, risk, and value creation ↳ Clear data points — your CV must show a pattern of interest in corporate law and finance, not random experiences ↳ Precise answers — "Why Kirkland & Ellis?" cannot be generic. You need to articulate why Kirkland's full-service model for private equity sponsors matters to YOU This student built their application using our proprietary frameworks: → VTMR™ to structure their CV (Value, Transferability, Metrics, Relevance) → PEAL-X™ to answer "Why Kirkland & Ellis?" with specificity → Commercial Fluency™ to speak confidently about Kirkland's deals and clients The result? A virtual interview invite to meet with three Kirkland & Ellis attorneys. If you're applying to US law firms in London or New York — Kirkland & Ellis, White & Case, Sidley Austin, Ropes & Gray — your application must be engineered to stand out. We call this Offer-Engineering for Elite Careers™. — I'm Hassan Akram, founder of Elite Careers Strategy. I help candidates land training contracts, vacation schemes, and summer associate offers at Magic Circle law firms, US law firms, and top investment banks like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. DM me "KIRKLAND" if you want to learn how we prepare students for US law firm applications.

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Starting out in corporate law can feel like stepping into uncharted territory — but with the right approach, you can position yourself far ahead of the curve. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 1️⃣ 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 Top firms like Sidley Austin, White & Case, and Clifford Chance recruit with precision. To gain a genuine edge, secure vacation schemes or internships early. These give you: • First-hand exposure to high-value work, • Insights into firm culture and expectations, • A direct pathway towards a training contract. Approach each application with focus: tailor it to the firm, and show how your experiences meet their commercial priorities. 2️⃣ 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 Corporate law is as much about understanding deals and industries as it is about drafting contracts. Elite firms look for candidates who can connect legal advice with commercial impact. Stay engaged with: • Business and financial news, • Recent transactions in key sectors, • Trends shaping the industries these firms advise. This preparation doesn’t just improve interviews — it enables you to contribute meaningfully from day one. 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 Cultivate your professional presence. Attend firm events, contribute to discussions, and demonstrate a consistent interest in the sector. Success in corporate law isn’t about a single application — it’s about building evidence over time that you can add real value. What’s the most effective step you’ve taken to stand out in corporate law recruitment?