Ace That Interview: Part 1 - Behavioural Interview

Are you preparing for a legal job interview and wondering how to ace those challenging behavioural questions? Behavioural interviews are a popular tool in the legal industry, used to assess how you’ve handled past situations, particularly in high-pressure or ethically sensitive environments.

In this newsletter, we focus on behavioural interview techniques, with the STAR method and other strategies to help you prepare for your next interview. This is Part 1 of our special series, so stay tuned for more insights!

🎯 What Is a Behavioural Interview?

A behavioural interview is designed to gauge how you’ve acted in real-life legal scenarios—especially when dealing with complex cases, challenging clients, or ethical dilemmas. Rather than asking hypothetical questions, interviewers often use questions like:

• “Tell me about a time when you managed a difficult client during a case.”
• “Describe a situation when you had to prioritise conflicting deadlines in your legal work.”

By focusing on past behaviours, interviewers can predict your future performance. Your responses should highlight key skills like communication, time management, and ethical decision-making, which are crucial in the legal field.

⭐ Mastering the STAR Method: Your Guide to Structured Answers

The STAR method provides a structured way to answer behavioural questions by breaking down your response into four key parts: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This approach ensures that your responses are clear, concise, and impactful—perfect for legal professionals dealing with complex cases.

Let’s take a closer look with examples from the legal industry:

1. Situation: Begin by describing the context of the situation. What was the case or legal matter?
2. Task: Explain your specific role in the situation. What were you responsible for?
3. Action: Detail the steps you took to address the challenge. Focus on what you did to contribute to the case or resolve the issue.
4. Result: Share the outcome, ideally with measurable results. Even in challenging cases, highlight any positive impact or lessons learned.

🔍 Other Proven Behavioural Techniques to Ace Your Legal Interview

While the STAR method is highly effective, there are other techniques that can complement your approach in a legal interview. These techniques allow you to further showcase your skills and adaptability in various legal scenarios.

1. PAR Technique (Problem, Action, Result)

• The PAR method is similar to STAR but focuses on the problem you faced, the action you took, and the result. It’s an effective way to address questions about legal challenges or conflict resolution.
• Example: “A corporate client was facing a potential breach of contract from a key supplier. I reviewed the contract thoroughly, identified a potential clause we could use to mitigate the impact, and drafted a strong legal argument. As a result, we negotiated a favourable settlement and avoided a lengthy lawsuit.”

2. SOAR Method (Situation, Obstacles, Actions, Results)

• The SOAR method includes obstacles, which is useful when you want to emphasise how you overcame legal challenges or complications in a case.
• Example: “In a pro bono case involving a tenant dispute, I faced obstacles when the opposing party refused to settle. Despite limited evidence, I worked closely with the client to gather key documents and presented a strong argument in court. Despite initial setbacks, we secured a favourable outcome for the tenant.”

3. CAR Technique (Challenge, Action, Result)

• CAR is a concise approach that focuses on the challenge faced, the action you took, and the result achieved. This works well for rapid-fire questions in a legal setting.
• Example: “I was assigned a complex merger with tight deadlines. I prioritized critical tasks, streamlined the due diligence process, and collaborated effectively with both legal and business teams. The merger was successfully completed within the deadline, and the client was satisfied with the outcome.”

💡 How to Choose the Right Legal Stories for Your Interview

When preparing for a legal interview, it’s important to select relevant, impactful stories that showcase your ability to navigate the complexities of the legal profession. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Relevance to the Role: Choose examples that align with the specific legal skills required for the role you’re applying for. If the position requires strong litigation skills, focus on cases where you’ve demonstrated courtroom strategy or negotiation prowess.
2. Significant Outcomes: The legal industry values results. Highlight cases or situations where your actions led to a positive resolution—whether that’s winning a case, resolving a dispute, or improving a client relationship.
3. Ethical Considerations: Legal professionals are often faced with ethical dilemmas. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve navigated such situations in a way that upholds the integrity of your practice and complies with legal standards.
4. Brevity and Clarity: Lawyers often work with complex information, but your interview answers should be clear and concise. Avoid getting lost in too much detail, especially when explaining legal terminology. Your goal is to communicate your point effectively.

🚀 Pro Tips for Legal Behavioural Interviews

• Prepare for Case Studies: Legal interviews often include case study questions. Be ready to analyse hypothetical legal scenarios and apply your legal reasoning skills to offer practical solutions.
• Showcase Attention to Detail: Legal work requires precision. Demonstrate your attention to detail by being specific in your responses. Highlight how thorough legal research or meticulous drafting contributed to a successful case outcome.
• Be Ready for Ethics Questions: Ethics are crucial in the legal profession. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve handled situations involving conflicts of interest, client confidentiality, or ethical dilemmas. Stay true to your values and emphasise your commitment to legal ethics.

Wrapping Up: Your Path to Legal Interview Success

Mastering the STAR method and other behavioural techniques will position you as a strong candidate in your next legal interview. These methods allow you to showcase your experiences, demonstrate your legal acumen, and highlight your problem-solving skills—key attributes every law firm or legal department is looking for.

Stay tuned for Part 2 in our “Ace That Interview” series, where we’ll explore advanced interviewing techniques and share more insights to help you stand out in your legal career.

I am here to support your legal career journey!

Best regards,

Jharna Jagtiani

Founder, The Career Blueprint