Why Have You Chosen a Career in Law? How to Answer Legal Sector Interview Questions Brilliantly.

By: Andrew Reed | Updated: 16 October, 2024
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why choose a career in law?

When applying for your first job in the legal sector or even making your career moves upwards one of the top interview questions will be: why choose a career in law? In this post you will learn how to answer brilliantly, plus discover other key interview questions and answers.

Why Have You Chosen a Career in Law? Why do you want to work in the legal sector? They seem like  simple questions but your personal reasons may not be the same as someone else’s. There is also the fact that there are many different roles within this field, and while you may want a career in one, you may not be interested in another.

That being said, your ability to answer this complex question may affect the chances of your application or interview being successful.  Anybody asking this question wants to understand what your drive is, what you see for your future with them and how sincere you are about working there.

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There are many rewarding opportunities within the legal sector

Embarking on a career in the Legal Sector can unlock a world of exciting and rewarding prospects, particularly with the wide range of career paths to explore.

This field provides an opportunity for growth and the possibility of flexible work schedules. These are just a few of the compelling reasons that make a career in this sector both satisfying and rewarding.

If you’re thinking of a career in this domain, rest assured, you’re on the right track. Here are a few reasons that make the Legal Sector a choice you won’t regret.

Why choose a career in law?

You will be asked this question at some point in the application and interview process, so you must be prepared and formulate a convincing answer. Your reasons may be varied and you will know why you’re interested in this particular career path, however putting it into words can often be difficult.

Before we continue, here are some alternative interview question that you might come across:

  • Why does a career in law appeal to you?
  • What do you find appealing about a career in the legal field?
  • What aspects of the legal sector are you most interested in and why?

Motivation is a key part of your answer, and the recruiter is looking to see this and gauge your suitability for the role you applying for.

It is not necessarily an easy interview question to answer when put on the spot in an interview situation, but to help you here are some reasons why this career path may appeal to you.

Intellectual challenge: Law is a highly dynamic field. The ever-changing and evolving nature of the Legal Sector can provide an intellectual challenge.

Societal impact: Lots of people are drawn to this field because of the opportunity to make a positive impact on society. Lawyers often play key roles in shaping policies, defending rights and promoting justice.

Diverse opportunities: The legal sector offers a variety of career paths, from corporate law to criminal justice, and intellectual property to international law. This diversity allows people to find a role that suits their interests and skills.

Financial rewards: While it’s not the case for everyone, some areas of law are known for being particularly well-paid.

Development of skills: A career in law helps develop transferable skills such as problem-solving, research, negotiation and communication skills.

The reasons for people choosing a career in the Legal Sector can vary greatly depending on their personal interests, goals and experiences.

What skills are required for a career in the legal sector?

This is another common interview question targeted at new entrants. They are aiming to discover firstly if you know what is required and secondly if you bring those key skills and abilities.

Every role within law is going to have its own set of skills and requirements, but here are some common ones that you may come across:

  • Analytical skills
  • Communication skills
  • Research skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Ethics
  • Resilience and stamina
  • Attention to Detail

When answering, the key is to match your own skills with the requirements of the post. Study the job description and highlight the top 5 requirements. Formulate your answer to target these, highlighting previous achievements or tasks completed which clearly show your capabilities.

What do you know about the responsibilities associated with a career in law?

Another common interview question also targeted at getting your views about what is involved in a post in the law sector.

Your answer show outline how responsibilities are going to vary a lot depending on the actual role since a legal secretary will not have the same responsibilities as a lawyer for example.

However, here are some responsibilities you might expect to encounter in the Legal Sector:

  • Preparing legal documents
  • Providing legal representation
  • Advising on legal matters
  • Conducting legal research
  • Ethical conduct
  • Regulatory compliance

Why are you suited to a career in the Legal Sector?

Despite the field being home to a wide range of roles and career paths, some things are fairly common across the board. If you have any or all of the following attributes then you may be well suited to a career in this field:

Analytical skills – Lawyers must be able to look at legal issues from multiple perspectives and develop the best strategies to solve them.

Communication skills – Effective oral and written communication skills are crucial. Lawyers must be able to persuasively present their cases and communicate with clients, colleagues, and judges.

Research skills – The ability to research quickly and effectively to understand client’s needs is important.

Problem-solving skills – The ability to solve complex problems is essential in the legal profession.

Interpersonal skills – People in the Legal Sector often work with a variety of people, including clients, lawyers and court personnel. They must be able to work well with other people and build relationships.

Ethics – Lawyers and people who work with them are expected to uphold the law and adhere to a strict code of ethics. They must maintain client confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest.

Resilience and stamina – The legal profession can be demanding, with long hours and high-pressure situations. Resilience and stamina can both be important for coping with these challenges.

Attention to detail – Legal work often involves dealing with large amounts of information and complex documents. Lawyers must have a keen eye for detail to spot potential issues and inaccuracies.

Above else, anyone working in the legal profession in any capacity will be expected to hold ethical standards in high regard so this needs to be a strong part of who you are.

What qualifications do you bring which are essential for this law job?

Depending on the actual role that you are looking at, the requirements will be slightly different. Generally speaking, however, you will need the following education and qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree: 

The first step to becoming a lawyer and to start your career journey is to obtain a bachelor’s degree. The exact field of study can vary depending on the university, but many aspiring lawyers major in political science, history, economics, or business.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

With a Bachelor’s degree safely acquired, the next step is to take the LSAT, which is a standardised test used for law school admissions in several countries, including the United States and Canada.

Juris Doctor (JD) Degree

Once admitted into a law school, you’ll need to complete it, which typically takes three years and culminates in a JD degree. These schools provide a broad education on the law. You’ll study in areas like constitutional law, contract law, property law, criminal law and torts.

Bar examination

After graduating from law school, your next task is to pass the bar examination in the jurisdiction where you plan to practice. The bar exam tests your knowledge of the law and is a requirement to obtain a license to practice.

License to practice

After passing the bar exam, you can apply for a license to practice law in your jurisdiction.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

Now that you are a lawyer, you may need to participate in continuing legal education programs in order to keep your license.

How do I apply for a career in the Legal Sector?

Applying for a role within the Legal Sector is similar to applying for any other job, it’s just possibly a little more in-depth due to the nature of the work.

Here are some steps that will need to be taken when making your application:

Conduct a self-assessment

Before doing anything else, assess your knowledge, experience and your skills. You should consider your strengths and weaknesses, your experience, the types of work and areas of law that interest you, skills that you want to develop, the qualities you can bring to an employer, and where you want to work.

It’s a bit of a list but writing it down can help you with looking for your ideal role within the Legal Sector.

Job search

The inevitable job search involves you looking for job vacancies in the legal sector. Websites like Simply Law Jobs or the Law Gazette can be a good place to start.

You can also check the websites of law firms and ‘regular’ job boards.

Prepare your application

Once you have found a suitable position to apply for, you can do so directly through the job posting. The application usually involves submitting a CV and a cover letter. There will also likely be an application form for you to complete.

Your CV and cover letter are two of the most important documents you will create, and they need to be right. The first thing is to make sure that your qualifications are highlighted first, followed by any practical experience that you may have (legal administration, perhaps?).

Your cover letter is where you need to sell yourself, so put the more important information at the top – and do the same thing with your CV. Don’t be afraid of sounding confident in either, remember that you are selling yourself and now is not the time to be shy or humble.

Once you have everything down, including your application form if one was needed, you now need to proofread it. Go over it with a critical eye and be sure there are no mistakes or things left out.

 A word about the law application process

The application process for a career in the Legal Sector in the UK typically involves the following steps:

Know where your skills and interests lie: Understand your strengths, weaknesses, and the areas of law that interest you the most. Think about the skills you want to develop and the qualities you can bring to an employer.

Understand the roles: There are a range of roles in the legal sector in the UK such as solicitor, barrister, arbitrator and more. Each of these roles has different responsibilities and requirements.

Training and qualification requirements: Depending on the role you are interested in, you may need specific qualifications. For example, to become a solicitor, you need to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and two years of qualifying legal work experience.

The job hunt: Next you need to look for positions in the legal sector. Websites like Simply Law Jobs or the Law Gazette, list current job openings in the law sector.

Application: Once you’ve found a suitable job, apply as per the instructions given in the listing. This usually involves submitting a CV and cover letter and, sometimes, completing an application form.

Interview: If your application is shortlisted, you’ll be invited for an interview. This could be a face-to-face interview, a telephone interview, or an online (video) interview.

Careers within the Legal Sector are varied so if you have a passing interest in this area, you likely going to find something that suits you perfectly.

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About the Author |
Experienced interview coach with Anson Reed and co-author of the bestselling interview guide Top Answers to 121 Job Interview Questions. With over 20 years experience of recruiting and leading large teams Andrew is well placed to know just what is required to secure a job offer.
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