Interviewing well for a new legal job is something that (usually) must be achieved in order to receive an offer of employment. The legal profession is known for its competitive and detail-oriented nature, and securing a position in this field requires detailed preparation, practice and performance. Legal job interviews can come in many forms - from a casual coffee and getting to know each other to a more formal, panel-based interview with technical and/or behavioral questions. For a simple guide on how to approach your next interview with confidence and professionalism, see below detail.
Approaching your next interview with one clear purpose can be a great way to start. This purpose will always be shaped by what you are looking for, so having that clarity as a baseline is a good place to initially focus your attention. With that clear understanding, and alone or with your Agent, you can create specific questions that will have the interviewers giving you answers about things that really matter to you. but before we delve too deep into that, its important you impress the interviewers first.
Preparation is key, it is usually the difference between acing a legal job interview and leaving your interviewers underwhelmed. Arming yourself with knowledge, practice and confidence will put you in good stead to present yourself in your intended fashion.
Understand the firm you are interviewing with is essential. Here is where you could look into to:
Depending on the role, your background and what you're looking, you could tailor your responses during the interview to demonstrate your alignment with the Firm's goals and values. For instance, if the firm emphasises pro bono work, mention any volunteer or public interest experience that you have.
Carefully re-read your CV, transcript, cover letter (if applicable) and any writing samples you have submitted. Things to think about:
While it is super important to review your background and think about what the interviewers are looking for, it arguably more important for them to impress you. Designing some specific questions about certain things you are looking for in a new role, team and mentor can help you collect all the necessary information you need to know to help make a good decision when the time comes. These sorts of questions could include:
The legal industry is traditionally formal, so opt for business attire such as a tailored suit. Arrive at least 10-15 minutes early to demonstrate punctuality and give yourself time to settle.
Whether you do this with a family member, in the mirror or with a friend, just remember that practice makes perfect. Knowing your preparation is one thing, but delivering it in a professional, succinct and interesting manner is something entirely different. Your personal connection with the interviewers is important, as is the professional one.
The interviewers will always be looking to align you and your experience with what they need, so it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of their work and that gap that they are trying to fill. Having prepared and reviewed your background, think about and practice answering questions they might ask.
Anticipate and rehearse answers to commonly asked legal interview questions. Examples include:
Beyond legal expertise, firms value soft skills such as:
Provide anecdotes that showcase these skills in action.
Asking thoughtful questions signals genuine interest in the role. Consider questions like:
Avoid asking questions that could easily be answered by the firm’s website.
Spending time thinking about the outcome of the legal job interview can lead to nerves, so coming back to what you can control normally puts you in a better position to perform. Often going back to your preparation is the key.
Often towards the end of the legal job interview, the interviewers will give you a chance to ask some questions. If you have some prepared questions, now is the time to ask and make sure you listen to their answers and watch their body language at the same time. If there's an answer you are not fully clear on, ask for clarity and continue to observe. If you have these questions on your phone or on paper, it is fine to bring these out - it actually shows the interviewers that you have done the research. andcare enough to seek the answers.
If you feel you have build sufficient rapport, you can ask a question that will give you real-time feedback and one last opportunity to convert any cross into a tick. It is a rather direct question so the manner in which you ask it is critical - conversational and casual. Here is the question:
"......Hey do you guys have any hesitations with me doing this role?"
From there they could give you one of two answers - if all good then breeze through but if they hesitate, you can encourage their feedback. Once given, thank them for their response and ask if you could address that one more time while you're still in the room, converting a cross into a potential tick.
Preparing for a legal job interview involves a combination of research, self-reflection, and practice. By tailoring your approach to the specific role and firm, and demonstrating both your technical expertise and interpersonal skills, you’ll leave a strong impression on your potential employer. Remember, preparation is the key to confidence—and confidence is the key to delivery.
And yes, whilst it is important to leave your interviewers with a good impression of you, it is equally important that walk away feeling like you have asked everything you need to evaluate if they are the right fit for you. Often first interviews can be the ice breaker and more questions may become apparent with time, and that's OK, that's where we can prepare for the second interview...
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