The Secret to Acing Your Law Firm Video Interview Every Time!

Oct 30, 2023

Written By Lewis Ogg

Video interviews are becoming increasingly synonymous with the law firm application process. Students looking to pursue a career in commercial law will likely encounter one and will have to impress to progress to the next stage of the application.Just like in-person interviews, there is a technique for video interviews: requiring both confidence with certain skills and adequate preparation. Keep reading this article if you want cutting-edge tips on how to nail that video interview.

Preparing for the Video Interview

One thing to note is that there is a difference between a video and a virtual interview, as confusing as that distinction sounds. A virtual interview is simply a traditional interview that is conducted virtually, so it still keeps all the features of a usual two-way interview. These are also very common in law firm applications. Video interviews, however, are one-way interviews where students will be prompted with unseen questions and given a limited time frame to answer before the video automatically uploads itself.

Much like dressing appropriately for an in-person interview, you should ensure that your video setup is appropriate to conduct a professional interview properly. Some of the most common mistakes made by students are doing the interview in a dimly lit room, not centring the camera angle to their face, or not checking sound quality before the interview. Law firm recruitment departments are swamped with applications, so don’t expect leniency if your presentation isn’t professional.

Part of being professional is also looking like you are suitable for the job. Many applicants will not take the time to dress smartly for the interview because it is pre-recorded. Remember, just like any other interview, there is someone on the other end you are trying to impress, so show your professionalism by dressing up.

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Crafting Impressive Responses

When taking part in a video interview, preparing and effectively using your time is vital. Before undertaking one of these interviews, you must properly research the firm (meaning that you are aware of its key practice areas, general culture, recent cases that interest you, and why you want to join). When preparing, remember that you will have no time to research once you have seen the question.

Many students find answering these questions difficult because they are spontaneous, and you are speaking directly into a camera. When answering, you must come across as both confident and professional, so consider your language and ensure your body language is open (e.g., try not to fidget or shy away from the camera).

The STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can be a very helpful structure to support less confident speakers. What this technique aims to allow a student to convey is what the situation was, what you had to do, what action you took to remedy the situation, and what was the result of that action. By taking this structured approach, you clearly demonstrate your thought process and reflections to a recruiter.

Integrating commercial awareness into your answers is often called an impossible task by frustrated applicants. However, the reality is that firms are generally not searching for a financial or entrepreneurial wizard. Instead, they want to see you understand how their firms are positioned within the wider legal market, and how the legal sector interacts with the broader economy.

Body Language and Communication

As mentioned above, proper body language and communication are vital in any video interview, but applicants often find it far more challenging to achieve online than in person. Maintaining eye contact, which is a great way to project your confidence and openness, can be difficult when you are talking into a camera. One way to help with this is to place a picture behind the camera. This means that for the interviewer, it appears like you are maintaining eye contact, and you personally have something to focus on when talking.

Body language can vary significantly from person to person, and recruiters are aware of this; however, make sure you are doing the easy things to convey interest and engagement. Maintaining good posture throughout shows your continued engagement; if you can, hand gestures can make you appear more confident when articulating a point. Finally, remember that firms recruit people who want to work for them, so having a smile or a positive facial expression can go a long way to impress.

As with in-person interviews, applicants often find themselves tripping over their words, using too many “umm”s and “likes”. These filler words make your point seem less thought-through and poorly presented. Instead, when preparing, make sure you have given yourself prompts that can jog your memory during the interview. If you have forgotten your point, it is better to be silent momentarily to regain your argument than to stumble over it.

Voice modulation and speaking clearly have become even more important over video calls than in person because of any potential audio troubles at either end. Take the time to test your microphone before the interview and work out what noise level will record as a normal speaking voice.

Handling Nervousness and Stress

Many people find video interviews to be anxiety-inducing experiences because of their restrictive and unfamiliar nature. If you find yourself in this position, take the time to re-centre yourself. Try breathing slowly, deeply, and consistently or close your eyes and focus on visualising an environment you associate with being more relaxed.

Mock interviews can also be extremely helpful not only for reducing anxiety about the real thing but also for improving your general technique and quality of responses. Try setting up mock interviews with your peers, even better if they already have a training contract, or ask a mentor to sit in while you run through some example questions for feedback. If you are still a student, the careers service may also run clinics where they do mock video interviews.

Perhaps the most important component of the video interviews is time management. There will be a strict time limit (typically two minutes) at which point the recording will end. The hardest part of having this cutoff is balancing filling the time against having enough time to finish your point. I would advise anyone to double-check all their tech (especially audio and video) before beginning the recording and rehearse common questions like “why law” in time conditions to get used to the format.

Conclusion and Success Tips

The important message to take away from this article is not to take a relaxed approach to video interviews just because they are not live. Do the easy things to separate yourself from the crowd, like dressing appropriately and making sure your audio and video appear professional. Presenting confidently can be challenging, but if you take the time to properly research the firm, practice questions under timed conditions, and use the STAR structure, you’ll go into the interview with a a strong foundation.

Overall, remember that despite being pre-recorded, another person will be assessing you from the video. Don’t forget to keep a human touch; having a smile, maintaining eye contact, and showing positive body language can make a real impression on recruiters.

After reading this article, I hope the prospect of video interviews is slightly less daunting and confusing. These interviews are a skill that is developed over time through practice and application. Take the time to try applying these principles in your next video interview, and don’t be disheartened if you fail. If you put your best effort into each and every interview, you will soon find them to be a blessing rather than a curse.

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