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.