​A legal interview is less of an interrogation and more of an interactive, two-way business conversation. To stand out, you need to project confidence, demonstrate commercial awareness, and clearly communicate how your specific skills add value to the firm's work and clients. As specialist legal recruiters, we've sat in on hundreds of these conversations from both sides of the table, and we know what separates a candidate who’s remembered from one who isn't. Here are ten essential dos and don'ts to help you succeed.

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The Dos

1. Think commercially. Law firms and organisations are a business - when discussing your technical experience, explain the commercial impact or value add to the team and clients through that work.

2. Know your CV inside out. Be prepared to discuss in detail any past work experience, cases you've been involved in, or transactions you've contributed to.

3. Answer directly. When asked competency-based questions, use the STARR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection) to keep your answers structured, clear and relevant to the question asked.

4. Build genuine rapport. Let your personality come through, treat the conversation with the warmth of a client meeting rather than a stiff, scripted interrogation.

5. Ask meaningful questions. Have two or three thoughtful, open-ended questions ready. Ask about the firm's culture, day to day work for someone at your level or what the employer would view as someone being successful in the role looks like which will signal to you what good performance looks like.

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The Don'ts

6. Don't bluff if you don't know the answer. If you're asked an obscure point of law or a question you're unfamiliar with, be honest. It shows real confidence to simply say, "I don't know, but I'd be very interested to learn that and be involved in that work”.

7. Don't speak negatively about past employers. Criticising a current or previous firm or colleagues is unprofessional. It’s fine to signal what’s lacking in your current role but frame this up in a positive manner, as to what you’re looking for in your next role. For example, instead of saying I don’t get any mentorship in my role so that’s why I’m looking you can say that you’re looking to join a firm where there’s a good learning environment and stronger mentorship.

8. Don't bring up salary or title in the interview as that’s bad etiquette. Only discuss your expectations if the employer asks – sometimes they do, so be prepared for this question.

9. Don't over-rehearse. Memorising scripts makes your answers sound robotic and disingenuous. Prepare a solid outline of your experience and key talking points instead, so you can speak naturally.

10. Don't forget the formalities. First impressions matter. Looking professional, arriving slightly early for an interview, shaking the interviewer's hand, thanking

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them for their time, maintaining eye contact, keeping a confident posture and not fidgeting throughout is key.

This is exactly where the right preparation makes a difference. At CoLegal, we brief candidates on the team they're meeting, what's relevant to the role, and what's likely to come up, so they walk in ready rather than hoping for the best. Getting the small things right often makes the difference between a good interview and one that lands the offer.

If you've got an interview coming up, or you'd simply like to talk through how to put your best foot forward, get in touch with the CoLegal team. We're here to help you prepare properly.