Behavioral Interview Questions: What Legal Employers Really Want to Know

Gone are the days of just rattling off your resume in interviews. Today, legal employers want to understand how you think, how you work with others, and how you handle pressure—and behavioral interview questions are their go-to.

Here’s how to prepare and stand out:

🧠 What Are Behavioral Questions?

These are the “Tell me about a time when…” prompts. They’re designed to uncover how you’ve handled situations in the past to predict future behavior.

Examples:

• “Tell me about a time you had to manage a difficult client.”

• “Describe a moment when you missed a deadline and how you handled it.”

• “How do you prioritize when you’re juggling multiple matters?”

🧩 Use the STAR Method

Structure your answers with:

• Situation: Brief background

• Task: What you were trying to do

• Action: What you did (not your team)

• Result: How it turned out—and what you learned

✅ Bonus Tip: Choose examples that are recent, relevant, and reflect the skills in the job description.

⚖️ Focus on Core Legal Competencies

Legal employers are often assessing:

• Judgment under pressure

• Client service orientation

• Ability to collaborate

• Ethical decision-making

• Attention to detail

Make sure your examples reflect these traits.

📌 Quick Practice Prompt

“Tell me about a time you had to take initiative to solve a legal issue before it became a problem.”

Practice your answer using STAR. This is the kind of story that can differentiate you from other candidates.

Want help preparing for your next interview?

At Premier Pursuit, we’re here to help. Contact us for help with your next interview!

Martina Ellerbe
Legal Recruiter
PREMIER PURSUIT
Expert Legal Recruitment | Empowering Attorneys. Elevating Legal Teams.
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