How to Answer Common Questions in Video Interviews for Training Contracts

Jun 09, 2023

Written By Zara Arif

The video interview is one of the last steps in gaining a training contract offer, often coming before an in-person interview with graduate recruitment or partners at the firm. It may seem like a daunting prospect, so here are some tips and tricks to help you ace the most common questions.

What do you have to do in a video interview?

There are two different types of video interviews.

In one, you will be asked questions over a call in which you will interact with a real interviewer. This type is essentially just a virtual interview.

Another type of video interview is becoming increasingly common. In this type you are sent the link for your interview and enter an online platform. The platform will give you one question at a time on the screen and a time limit to prepare your answer. You will then be expected to record your answer within a separate time frame. Once this time is up you are automatically cut off and moved onto the next question.

This type of video interview can be quite difficult due to the time pressure. Therefore, it’s best to be as prepared as possible for the questions you are most likely to be asked.

How to prepare for a video interview

As with any interview, the best way to prepare is to conduct in-depth research into the firm you are interviewing for. Your answers can be enriched by concrete examples and facts, which can serve as evidence for your motivations.

In order to consolidate your research, it might be a good idea to create a bank of deals and clients to call upon in your video interview. Other factors to take note of might be the specialist practice areas of the firm and anything which makes them unique in comparison to their competitors, such as a legal tech hub or a client support offering.

Below we go into detail about how to answer some common questions. Above all, it is important to make your answers as personal as possible and to always link back to what makes you different. Ultimately, the firm wants to know why they should hire you specifically.

Why law?

Here, it’s important to show enthusiasm and the journey which led you to the law. In order to do this, it might be a good idea to walk your interviewer through your decision process. Did you try other career options? Did you hear about a legal case or attend a court case? Have you carried out work experience?

For this question, the most important thing is to go into enough detail. This demonstrates that you have carefully thought about how the area(s) of law the firm offers appeal to you.

Why this firm?

Another question that is extremely important is your motivations for applying to a firm. Your answer to this question should also be detailed and demonstrate strong reasoning.

There are multiple ways to do this, but the most convincing answers will always link back to yourself to make your answer as personal as possible. For example, if the firm is unique in comparison to others due to the structure of its training contract, and this appeals to you, that is definitely something to mention in your answer.

However, do not just conclude your answer there. Finish by linking this difference to yourself. Are there any experiences you have had at university, work or in extracurricular activities which demonstrate why you are well suited to this training contract? In this way, you are backing up the reasons you are giving with specific and exact evidence.

Situational questions

Another type of video interview question is a situational question. In this type of question your interviewer or the platform will present you with a situation you might be faced with at the firm during your training contract and expect you to walk them through how you would respond.

The best way to answer these questions is to have a clear plan of action and structure to your hypothetical response. The best answers demonstrate an escalation in the steps they would take.With this step-by-step structure you demonstrate a sensibility to the role of a trainee at a law firm.

The research you did into the firm will also come in handy here, as you can make sure your answers embody the firm’s values and culture.

Competency questions

Finally, you are also highly likely to be asked competency questions. These questions seek to identify if you have the key skills which a trainee needs to excel. You may also be asked to give an example of a situation in which you have demonstrated this skill. Key skills which are often asked about include: collaboration, working under pressure, effective communication, and time management.

Again, it is important to structure your answers well, so they are as clear as possible. A method that is often recommended is the STAR method, which involves detailing the Situation, Task, Action Taken and Result Achieved. It can be helpful to answer and think of your responses according to this framework, as it ensures that you don’t miss any points in demonstrating your key competencies. Furthermore, a good way to prepare competency questions is by creating a written bank of situations from different areas of your life in which you have shown different skills so that you are not having to think of examples on the spot in the video interview. You may find that you used a variety of skills in one situation so it can be applied for different competencies.

Overall, the most important things to remember in order to succeed in a video interview are to be yourself and keep calm. The time pressure and lack of face-to-face contact sounds daunting but these fears can be eased through good preparation and practice.

Selection & Assessment