Interview Questions Forum

[clshopeful]

In anticipation for OCIs, I've looked up interview tips and stuff. Basically all the sources give the same question examples you'll be asked; Why law school? Why this firm? Whats your biggest accomplishment?

But for me, I've been asked some ridiculous ones.

I applied for my school's ADR board. In the interview (of 5 interviewers) I was asked: "We all have to make tough decisions. When is one time, as a leader, you had to make an unpopular decision? And why did you choose that decision?"

I'm thinking.. are you kidding? I've been in school my entire life, not running a business or some shit.


I wanted to say "I've honestly never been in that position and I don't want to exaggerate an experience to give you an answer". Is that so bad? Being 100% honest? I mean, anytime in my life I was in a leadership position, I always allowed a democratic process and take a vote/majority. I never would overrule the group because of my position (i.e., president of college club), which this question is looking for.



Any ideas as far to the question? Definitely one they just want to see what you come up with on the spot... but seems so ridiculous.

[Companion Cube]

Wow, those are some ridiculous and not at all extremely common interview questions.

[A. Nony Mouse]

and people wonder why posters here recommend that people not go K-JD.

[seagan823]

As the posters above hinted at, those are incredibly common interview questions. Interviewers are looking to see how you successfully apply your skill set in real life situations that would be relevant to the job you are going to be doing. Even seemingly straightforward questions like, "What are your weaknesses?" are best answered with concrete examples of how you have worked to overcome weaknesses. You should have a set of stories of your best moments as a student/teammate/leader/coach whatever that you can apply to a long list of questions. You also need to do a lot more research on interview questions in order to figure out what stories would be useful.

[rpupkin]

I applied for my school's ADR board. In the interview (of 5 interviewers) I was asked: "We all have to make tough decisions. When is one time, as a leader, you had to make an unpopular decision? And why did you choose that decision?"
[ . . .]
Any ideas as far to the question?

Here's what you do: turn that shit around on them. Instead of answering directly, ask: "When is one time you had to make an unpopular decision? Explain yourself." As you listen to their answer, look engaged, yet vaguely disappointed. Also, write down lots of notes.

When they finish answering, say something like: "Not bad, not bad. I've heard worse today." Before they get a chance to ask you another question, ask them about partnership prospects at their firm.

If you follow the above advice, a call back is GUARANTEED.

[RaceJudicata]

In anticipation for OCIs, I've looked up interview tips and stuff. Basically all the sources give the same question examples you'll be asked; Why law school? Why this firm? Whats your biggest accomplishment?

But for me, I've been asked some ridiculous ones.

I applied for my school's ADR board. In the interview (of 5 interviewers) I was asked: "We all have to make tough decisions. When is one time, as a leader, you had to make an unpopular decision? And why did you choose that decision?"

I'm thinking.. are you kidding? I've been in school my entire life, not running a business or some shit.


I wanted to say "I've honestly never been in that position and I don't want to exaggerate an experience to give you an answer". Is that so bad? Being 100% honest? I mean, anytime in my life I was in a leadership position, I always allowed a democratic process and take a vote/majority. I never would overrule the group because of my position (i.e., president of college club), which this question is looking for.



Any ideas as far to the question? Definitely one they just want to see what you come up with on the spot... but seems so ridiculous.

Is it you, or your brother that is asking?

[Abbie Doobie]

As the posters above hinted at, those are incredibly common interview questions. Interviewers are looking to see how you successfully apply your skill set in real life situations that would be relevant to the job you are going to be doing. Even seemingly straightforward questions like, "What are your weaknesses?" are best answered with concrete examples of how you have worked to overcome weaknesses. You should have a set of stories of your best moments as a student/teammate/leader/coach whatever that you can apply to a long list of questions. You also need to do a lot more research on interview questions in order to figure out what stories would be useful.

i have never been asked a question like that in a law-related interview. they just aren't that common in this legal field.

[Anonymous User]

There are some firms that are known to still use behavioral interviewing questions like these. They are not common in OCI, but you may find them in interviews for other legal jobs. Especially for a K-JD, they're not great questions because most people don't have significant stories they can talk about relating to a work environment. Also I've always thought the fact that a candidate can recite a prepared annecdote does very little to show whether it's representative of their character.

[Anonymous User]

Most excruciating interview I went on in law school consisted of three standard, 30-minute, let's-make-sure-you're-not-weird interviews -- followed by an hour-long interview of nothing but behavioral questions. I only have so many anecdotes I can remember, much less ones that paint me in a positive light, as I'm sure they realized well before the hour was up.