The legal profession offers a number of opportunities for the law students. Like any other popular career path, a career in law is also sought after by many aspirants. If you have studied law then it is quite likely that you are looking forward to joining a law firm and grow your career. The candidates have to go through the interview process once they are shortlisted based on their applications. A normal pattern is followed in the law interviews but the difference appears when the candidate is grilled for his academic knowledge in the law domain. Let us look at some common interview questions.

Why do you want to be a lawyer? There is a typical characteristic that the interviewer is looking for when he asks you this question. The attribute is that of a team player. In the law profession, you are expected to learn from your seniors and pass on the learning to your juniors when they make a start. Teamwork is an essential ingredient along with the individual capacity to handle a large workload. Taking the initiative and a passion for their work are the other important aspects.

Why have you chosen this profession? You decided to study law because you were impressed by the way the Barrister or Solicitor in a family relation practiced. You not only liked the extent of his academic knowledge but also the way he handled the finer points of a deal or dispute. You also have an eye for detail and can read between the lines and interpret things well. You can add the experience of the practice sessions in the college where you performed extremely well.

What is the most important issue facing the legal profession? The interviewer wants to test your knowledge of current affairs in the law domain and also your interest in the subject. The legal issues which are the talk of the town make it to the news headlines and are there all over the newspapers. Make it a point to be aware of the most crucial issues facing the fraternity with a thorough understanding. It would be better if you can point the issue in the domain area where your interviewing firm is operating. The specialty area could be a legal aid or corporate law.

What made you apply for a job in our firm? Here, the interviewer wants to test whether you know about their firm and whether you have bothered to take a good look at the company website. You can also show your interest in say finance or intellectual property which may be the core areas of operation of the company where you are appearing for the interview. The interviewer knows that you are not an expert in the area yet but he can definitely gauge your interest.

What is your understanding of a lawyer’s role in the business world? The lawyers are involved in advising their clients on a number of legal matters relating to business. It could be that the client is entering into a corporate purchase or a large financial transaction. The lawyers are required to advise on the laws and terms, prepare the documents, and ensure that the deal goes through smoothly. Similarly, they could be guiding the clients on their legal rights in a dispute resolution process.

Many more general questions may crop up during an interview but the ones listed here would give you a firm base to handle the interview smoothly. The interviewer may also test your discussion strengths and also your ability to hold onto your viewpoint.