Questions I Will Be Asked


What type of questions will I be asked?

Some interviews will seem conversational and unstructured. Others will include pointed behavioural questions focusing on how you handled a challenging situation in the past.

You need prepare for both types of questions. Regardless of format, it is important for your interviewers to have a defined understanding of why you are a good investment by the end of the interview. Be careful not to go off on tangents or spend too much time engaged in friendly banter. A fun interview is not necessarily a good interview. At the end of a good interview, interviewers should be able to appreciate why you are a good fit for their firm and have an understanding of some of the following:

  • What drives you?
  • Can you juggle competing demands/manage stress?
  • Do you inspire confidence?
  • Are you self-motivated and willing to take on responsibility?
  • Can you make decisions/judgment calls?
  • Can you explain difficult concepts easily?

Some typical questions

While each firm and interviewer has their own style, below are some common questions you should be prepared to answer.

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why do you want to pratcice law?
  • What courses do/don’t you like? Why?
  • What did you like/not like about your last job? What did you learn?
  • Provide a recent example of when you were under stress. How did you manage the situation?
  • Tell me about a time you had multiple projects due. How did you manage competing demands?
  • Tell me about an experience where you worked with a difficult person. How did you handle it?
  • What did you like about some of  your extra-curricular activities? What did you learn?
  • Tell me about your journal experience (thesis, article, research paper or moot experience).
  • What area of practice are you interested in? Why?
  • What can I tell you about the firm?

How do I answer?

Be specific, succinct and demonstrate your skillset where possible.

Structure your answers in an organized and insightful way; “This is what I did. This is what I learned.”

Avoid rambling or sounding overly rehearsed.

Be authentic and let some of your personality come through.


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