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How can I prepare for an interview that will include behavioural questions?

Many lawyers interview very well in a conversational style of interview, but get thrown as soon as the interviewer asks behavioural-based questions. Questions such as: "Describe a time that you…

user iconLawyers Weekly 30 April 2009 Careers
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Many lawyers interview very well in a conversational style of interview, but get thrown as soon as the interviewer asks behavioural-based questions. Questions such as: "Describe a time that you couldn't meet a deadline for a client. What did you do?"

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

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Practice, practice, practice! This is the best way to be prepared. Before the interview get a friend or family member to ask you sample questions. You can obtain some examples of typical behavioural questions from Mahlab Recruitment. Imagine you are in the interview and try and respond to the question without stumbling.

In the days before the interview, write down specific examples you can use in the interview to demonstrate you have the key skills sought. For example, if the new role will require you to practise in a new area of law, think of a time that you have had to do this already in your career and how you went about the task. If you have written things down before the interview, it is amazing how often people can visualise that piece of paper in the interview and recall specific examples to use in their interview.

Finally, if you are asked to describe a situation you cannot recall ever being in, think laterally and tell the interviewer what you would do if you found yourself in that situation.

- Nicola Phillips, senior consultant (Vic) at Mahlab Recruitment

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