Writing successful applications - Commercial Law Academy

120+ common application questions

120+ common application questions

Here is a list of 120+ common law firm application and interview questions, organised into the following categories: motivation questions, questions about your skills and experience, and commercial awareness questions.

Throughout, we have included links to course chapters, video lessons and articles on our platform that specifically address the corresponding questions (note that only subscribers will be able to access the specific video lessons and articles however).

At the start of each category, we’ve listed out the courses that are relevant to those types of questions. However, don’t forget that we offer a broad range of additional courses, for example courses covering psychometric tests, interview preparation, converting internships, alternative careers, launching and running a business, networking and LinkedIn, negotiation, writing professionally, presenting and managing nerves, and overcoming imposter syndrome and rejection.

Motivation questions

Key courses: Writing successful applications, Law firm research, profiles and interview insights, Introduction to commercial law, Interview case studies

Career motivation / understanding

Why law?

Writing applications course - chapter 3

Why commercial law?

Writing applications course - chapter 3

Why do you want to work in-house?

Intro to commercial law course – video lesson covering different types of legal careers

Why does private practice appeal?

Intro to commercial law course – video lesson on the benefits of a training contract

Which other careers have you considered and why have you not pursued these instead? Why not work as a barrister / investment banker / consultant?

Writing successful applications course – video lesson covering how to discuss other careers that you have considered / Intro to commercial law course – video lesson covering different types of legal careers

Why are you career changing?

Writing successful applications course – example career changer's career motivation answer

Where do you see yourself in 5 / 10 years’ time?

Writing successful applications course – video on how to answer where do you see yourself in 10 years' time

What are your career ambitions?

Writing successful applications course – video on how to answer where do you see yourself in 10 years' time

Understanding of the role

What do you think the job entails?

Intro to commercial law – video lesson on the role of trainee solicitors

What qualities does a successful trainee need to possess?

Intro to commercial law – video lesson on the key skills that trainees need to demonstrate

Which key challenges do you think you would face as a trainee / junior lawyer?

Intro to commercial law – video lesson on the key challenges faced during training contracts

What do the firm’s key practice areas do in the context of a deal?

Intro to commercial law – chapter 3 / Interview case studies – chapter 1 (a law firm's role on a transaction)

Firm motivation / research

Why this firm?

Law firm research course – chapter 2

Why are you attracted to the specific type of work we carry out (e.g. M&A, private client, disputes etc.)

Law firm research course – chapter 2

Why does our particular sector focus appeal?

Law firm research course – chapter 2

Which of our practice areas most interest you?

Law firm research course – chapter 2 / Intro to commercial law course – chapter 3 (reasons why each practice area might appeal)

Why do you want to work in this particular office?
Why do clients choose this firm?

Interview case studies course - video series on what clients consider when choosing law firms (and an accompanying case study)

How does this firm maintain a competitive advantage?

The business of law firms course - video series on how law firms maintain a competitive advantage

What makes this firm different?

Video lesson covering the three potential meanings of this question

What do you think will be the key challenges facing the firm over the next 3-5 years?

The business of law firms course – video on law firm strategies and challenges / Legal technology course – video on key law firm business challenges / Current affairs course – legal industry trends video

Tell us about a recent deal or case that we’ve worked on
Which of our clients appeal to you and why?
How did you research our firm?

Law firm research course – chapter 3

Which other firms have you applied to, and why?

Writing successful applications course – video lesson

Do you have any questions for us?

Preparing for interviews course – video lesson

Questions designed to get to know you

Key courses: Writing successful applications, Networking & LinkedIn

General questions about you and your background

Tell us about yourself

Writing successful applications course – video lesson covering how to answer "tell us about yourself"

Tell us about your work experiences

Writing successful applications course – chapters 2, 4 and 6

Why should we pick you?

Writing successful applications course – chapter 5

Which 3 qualities would you bring to this firm?

Writing successful applications course – chapter 5 / Intro to commercial law – video lesson (key qualities to consider)

Why did you choose your degree?

Writing successful applications – article

What made you decide to study in the UK? How did you research university options?

Writing successful applications – article

Why were [insert] grades lower than your others?
Why did you not secure a training contract last year?
Tell me about your cultural awareness.

Writing successful applications course - article on discussing cultural awareness

Tell us about any relevant prizes, awards and achievements

Writing successful applications course - article

Competency / experience-based questions

Challenges and achievements

Tell us about a time where you overcame a challenge

Writing successful applications course – article on discussing achievements and challenges

What is your greatest achievement?

Writing successful applications course – article on discussing achievements and challenges

When have you demonstrated commitment in the face of adversity?
When have you excelled under pressure?

Writing successful applications course – article on working under pressure

Have you ever had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get things done?

Organisation and time management skills

How have you overcome conflicting deadlines in the past?

Writing successful applications course – video lesson (example answer to tell me about a time when you have managed competing responsibilities), Interview case studies course - scenario-based case study involving balancing competing responsibilities

How do you organise yourself / manage your time / prioritise tasks?

Writing successful applications course – article on organisation skills, Interview case studies course - scenario-based case study involving balancing competing responsibilities

Tell me about a time where you had to manage competing responsibilities

Teamwork and leadership

Tell us about a time when you worked effectively as part of a team

Writing successful applications course - video lesson on teamwork, Interview case studies course - scenario-based case study involving teamwork and conflict resolution,

Have you ever had to boost the morale of a team member? If so, what strategies did you use?

Writing successful applications course - video lesson on teamwork

When have you had to adapt your approach to deal effectively with different people?

Writing successful applications course – article on adaptability and flexibility

Tell us about a time where you had to deal with a difficult or stressful situation whilst leading or working in a team

Interview case studies course - scenario-based case study involving teamwork and conflict resolution, Writing successful course applications – article on dealing with conflict

How do you handle difficult people?

Interview case studies course - scenario-based case study involving teamwork and conflict resolution, Writing successful applications course – article on dealing with conflict

When have you successfully led a team?

Writing successful applications course – article on leadership skills

Communication, networking, adaptability and client-facing skills

When have you had to utilise effective communication skills?

Writing successful applications course – article on communication and networking skills

Tell me about a time when you have benefitted from networking with others

Networking and LinkedIn course – chapter 5

When have you demonstrated client-facing skills?

Writing successful applications course – article on client-facing skills

Have you ever had to demonstrate adaptability to meet expectations?

Writing successful applications course – article on adaptability

Problem-solving, innovative thinking and initiative

When have you had to think “outside the box”?

Writing successful applications course – article on problem-solving and innovative thinking

Tell me about a time when you had to come up with an innovative solution to a problem

Writing successful applications course – article on problem-solving and innovative thinking

Tell us about a time you have shown initiative

Writing successful applications course – article on problem-solving and innovative thinking

Analytical skills and attention to detail

When have you demonstrated analytical skills?

Writing successful applications course – article on analytical skills and attention to detail

When have you had to pay close attention to detail?

Writing successful applications course – article on analytical skills and attention to detail

Negotiation and persuasion

When have you demonstrated negotiation skills?

Writing successful applications course – article on negotiation skills / Negotiation course

When have you had to bring someone else around to your way of thinking?

Writing successful applications course – article on negotiation skills / Negotiation course

Mistakes and failure

What is the biggest mistake you have made and how did you deal with it?

Writing successful applications course – article on describing a disappointment

Tell us about a time when you have received negative feedback. How did you handle it?

Writing successful applications course – article on describing a disappointment

Scenario-based questions

What would you do if your boss removed you from a project that you’d been working on for a long time?
What would you do if you knew that a senior member of staff had given incorrect advice?

Writing successful applications course – article on discussing ethics