Training Contract Interview Prep: Common Questions and Effective Answers

Apr 02, 2023

Written By Annika De Lathauwer

The types of questions that may come up in your training contract will vary based on the firm that you are interviewing for. The number of potential questions may seem intimidating, but it is important to remember that many of them are very similar. Once you understand the basic structure necessary to answer them, you will find that answers will come to you far more naturally. Below are some of the most common interview questions that may come up, and how to answer them.

Why have you chosen to apply to this firm?

You must have a clear answer as to why you would like to work at the firm you are interviewing for, as opposed to any of the other options. To do this, make sure you are aware of the firm's USPs (unique selling points). It is also important to be aware of which areas the firm specialises in and relate them back to your own interests.

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Which other firms have you applied to?

By the training contract application stage, you should have a rough idea of the type of firm you would like to work at. This question is put forward to see whether there is any continuity between your answers, showing that you have thought about what qualities are important to you about the future firm that you wish to work at and to show that you have done your research.

It is better to think about quality than quantity when answering this question. Although it may seem counterintuitive, mentioning the firm’s competitors can actually make you a more desired candidate.

Why do you want to be a lawyer?

This question may simply ask why you want to be a lawyer in general, or it may ask you why you would like to specialise in a certain field that you may have expressed an interest. You should have an answer ready for this question, since a lengthy pause (short pauses are fine) will make it seem as though you are not really that motivated to pursue this career.

When answering this question, you cannot simply rely on stating that you have a passion for the area. Rather, you must use real-life examples to show when you have demonstrated this interest. For example, did you watch a trial at court? Or, have you volunteered at a legal clinic? Most importantly, make sure to always link these examples back to the question.

How would you make sure that you stood out as a trainee?

Try to link these to the core values that the firm expects in its employees, and provide an example of how your experience has helped you develop these values. On top of this, you could demonstrate how you will dedicate yourself to working at the firm (i.e through taking initiative) and how you will also be someone that others will actively want to work with.

Can you describe a recent legal matter that you have read about or seen in the news?

This question is used to target your commercial awareness. A good answer will also show that you have a genuine interest in law and that you keep up to date with what is happening in the news, since this is important for lawyers so that they can understand commercial changes and learn and adapt their methods of work.

An ideal answer would be a recent development in the news that you can connect to the firm you are applying for and the areas of law that you are interested in.

What do you think the future of law looks like?

This question will require you to think beyond what you know is already happening in the legal industry and predict what will happen in the future. Be sure to give an interesting and relevant answer, while still being realistic. Employers are looking for someone who is knowledgeable on areas, such as technological, environmental and ethical considerations, and globalisation, which are all factors that may affect the legal industry in the future.

Can you tell us about a time when you…?

This question is formulated for the employers to gain a better understanding of any core skills and values you might have, as well as to see how you can handle making mistakes and move forward from them. As long as you can relate it back to the question, you can use any sort of experience, such as extracurriculars, work experience, part-time jobs etc.

It does not have to be a specifically law-related example. In this situation, using the STAR technique can be very useful:

- Situation – the situation you were handling

- Task – the task you were given

- Action – the action you took

- Result – the result of your actions and what you learned from the experience, which you can apply in the future to similar situations

Do you have any questions?

It is a good idea to have some questions prepared beforehand to show your interest in applying to the firm and to demonstrate the amount of research you have done on the firm. You could ask about how the firm will change in the upcoming years, what the interviewer enjoys about their role, as well as ask further questions about the firm's recent deals.

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