LawCareers.Net’s 10 tips for training contract interviews

Reading time: 11 minutes

Preparing for a training contract interview? The largest application deadline for training contracts falls at the end of July, with interviews following this. If your training contract application is successful, you’ll be invited to an interview with the firm and for this, preparation is key. So, how can you convert your training contract interview into a training contract offer?

This guide breaks down 10 practical training contract interview tips, including what law firms are really looking for and how to stand out.

 For those at the application stage, read our Feature on acing online training contract applications.

Your training contract interview checklist

Before your interview, make sure you can confidently:

• explain why law and why this firm;
• discuss at least one commercial topic in depth;
• evidence your skills with examples from your application;
• ask insightful, well-researched and firm-specific questions; and
• show clear understanding of the firm’s practice areas and recent work.

1. Research the firm (going beyond the website)

Strong candidates don’t just regurgitate information from the firm’s website back to them – they interpret it.

You should conduct research into various aspects of the firm, including its: 

• practice areas – what areas is the firm known for;
• recent deals/cases – what the firm has been involved with recently;
• clients and sectors – who the firm works with; and
• geographical reach – where and how the firm operates.

You should then take this a step further:

• What trends are affecting those practice areas?
• What challenges might the firm’s clients be facing right now?

There are several useful resources to kickstart your research:

• LawCareers.Net's Practice Area Profiles provide firsthand insights into various practice areas from lawyers on the ground.
• Our Practice Area Profile podcast episodes and videos also include profiles of lawyers working in various practice areas, so have a listen and gain some further insight into whatever area you’ve taken an interest in.
• LawCareers.Net’s Commercial awareness hub, sponsored by Mayer Brown International LLP, is a great tool for developing your commercial mindset and identifying the extent to which firms want to see this skill in use during your interview.
• LawCareers.Net’s Commercial Questions – weekly articles written by leading law firms to give you the insider knowledge as to what trends are on the minds of those already working in the profession.

You could also try Googling the firm to see whether any recent news results show up that relate to the firm’s commercial movements. This could trigger further research and topics to discuss at the interview stage.

Of course, you won’t be expected to know everything about the firm and the profession. However, being able to show that you’ve conducted thorough research and understand the firm and its operations will stand you in good stead.

2. Dress the part (even on video)

Knowing what to wear to a training contract interview can sometimes be a little daunting – but what does the phrase ‘formal/business attire’ actually mean? Our advice is to dress as though you’re already doing the job. This also applies to video interviews – dressing the part:

• helps you get into a professional mindset;
• makes a strong first impression; and
• projects confidence.

For more advice on what to wear to a training contract interview, read this Oracle.

3. Know your application inside out

Your application was obviously great because it got you the interview. The firm will likely base some of their questions on the experiences and achievements you set out in your application. So, prepare to explain:

• your key achievements and experiences;
• the skills you’ve developed (with evidence);
• leadership or responsibility roles (eg, captain of the netball team or president of the university’s law society) and the transferable skills picked up through these roles; and
• any gaps or weaknesses, and how you plan to address these.

A simple way to prepare could involve picking three to four key examples and practise explaining:

• the situation;
• what you did; and
• what you learned.

Be honest with every answer you give – don’t provide the interviewer with a response because you think it’s what they want to hear. This is your chance to get to know each other and show them that you’re a good fit for the firm.

Read this guide to training contract applications for advice on putting together an excellent application.

4. Prepare answers to common interview questions

Most training contract interviews include questions along the lines of:

• Why law?
• Why this firm?
• Why this practice area?

These are questions you can prepare answers to before your interview. Your answer should be:

• well-researched and specific – make them authentic to you and your goals;
• personal – use examples from your journey; and
• evidence based (how you’ve explored law).

Interviewers will see right through any answers that have clearly been pulled from a template off the internet or the firm’s website.

To answer these questions successfully, it comes back to being honest:

• Why did you pick law?
• Has a career in law been a life-long ambition? If it hasn’t, don’t say that it has!
• Did you meet a law firm representative at a law fair who sparked your interest?
• Do you have a keen interest in the firm’s specialist practice area or the fact that it’s a global/small high-street firm?

Focus on your unique story and motivation to ensure you stand out and are remembered for the right reasons.

Training contract interviews aren’t going to be full of questions you can easily prepare for (like the above). Interviewers want to test your knowledge and understanding, so you’ll need to think on your feet. If you don’t know the answer, it’s ok to say so. Remember, many of the answers you’ve prepared can often hold relevant information you can use for scenario-based questions, so don’t be intimidated.

Read ‘How to handle a scenario-based question at a training contract interview’ for more advice.

Your university’s careers service can help you practise your answers, so ensure you’re making the most of them.

5. Prepare a topic to showcase your commercial awareness

 ‘Commercial awareness’ essentially means understanding how law firms and clients operate in the real world. You’ll all know by now that it’s the key skill that all law firms look for in their future lawyers.

Not sure where to begin with developing your commercial awareness? Read our latest the ‘Trending commercial issues to know about in 2026’ for the lowdown on:

• geopolitics and trade;
• sustainability and climate;
• economic outlook;
• AI and technology; and
• more trends you should have on your radar as you enter the legal world.

You can read LCN’s ultimate guide to commercial awareness for our top tips on developing and using this skill.

Start building your commercial awareness from the start of your journey as a lawyer. Good preparation includes:

• following legal and business news regularly (not just the night before your interview);
• engaging with podcasts, videos and/or analysis (eg, LawCareers.Net’s Commercial Questions and Wrestle with PESTLE series); and
• practising explain issues simply.

Read ‘Three podcasts and influencers you should be following to boost your commercial awareness’ for some inspiration.

6. Speak slowly and think before you answer

Nerves are completely normal during a training contract interview, but firms aren’t expecting perfect answers. To help tackle these nerves in the moment:

• ask the interviewer politely if you can take a minute to think about your answer;
• remind yourself to speak slowly and pause between the question and your answer – you’re allowed thinking time;
• listen carefully to the questions; and
• ask for clarification if needed.

It’s much better to give structure, thoughtful answers than to rush or make something up.

7. Ask the firm thoughtful questions at the end

At the end of an interview, you’re given the chance to ask questions, which is a fantastic opportunity to stand out.

Avoid asking questions that you can easily find answered on the firm’s website.

At this point, you should know a fair bit about the law firm, how and where it operates and who its clients are. So, you could ask about:

• recent firm developments (eg, has the firm gone through a recent merger?);
• practice area strategy;
• training contract structure; and
• the interviewer’s experience at the firm.

Here’s an example question: “How has the firm adapted its approach to [recent trend]?”

Use LCN’s advice on researching firms to help you identify areas to ask about.

If you know who your interviewer is beforehand, do some research via LinkedIn: 

• on their journey;
• the practice area they work in; and
• how they came to be specialising in it.

These insights can help you to engage in a conversation with the person interviewing you and ask interesting questions.

Always have a couple of questions up your sleeve that show you’re engaged with the interview, the firm and the training.

You can check LCN’s News for up-to-date articles on mergers and more.

8. Request reasonable adjustments if required

If you require reasonable adjustments for the interview, the law firm must accommodate them under the Equality Act 2010.

Reasonable adjustments could include, but are not limited to:

• wheelchair access;
• a sign-language interpreter;
• extra time to complete assessments; and
• receiving the interview questions ahead of the interview.

Once you know the format of the interview (if this isn’t provided to you, reach out to the firm’s graduate recruitment team to ask), request the reasonable adjustments early so you can perform at your best on the day.

It might be easier to outline the reasonable adjustments you require and why within an email. If a firm is unable to make any of the adjustments you’ve requested, they should be open to having conversations with candidates about adapting assessments to meet your needs.

9. Be polite to everyone you meet

Your interview starts before you enter the room. Be polite and engaged with everyone you meet, including:

• reception staff;
• the employee who comes to collect you to take you to the interview room;
• any trainees you meet; and
• the recruitment team.  

10. Reflect on your interview

So, how do you think you did?

Afterwards, take time to review:

• what went well;
• what you could improve on for next time; and
• how you can prepare better for the next one.

Whether or not you have another training contract interview in the pipeline, it’s a good idea to review the interview and your initial application to help you:

• improve for future interviews;
• build confidence in what went well;
• identify the gaps you need to fill; and
• refine your research and preparation strategy.

Read LCN’s advice on asking law firms for feedback in The Oracle.

Most importantly, don’t forget to look after your mental wellbeing during the application and interviewing process.

Good luck!

Olivia Thorne (she/her) is the content manager at LawCareers.Net.