Why Do You Want to Work for Our Firm? (Research & Alignment)

One of the most common law firm interview questions is, “Why do you want to work for our firm? Recruiters ask this to gauge your genuine interest and fit. In fact, “Why do you want to join this firm?” is reportedly asked by 9 out of 10 interviewers. To impress the interviewer, you must research the law firm thoroughly. Understand its vision, practice areas, notable cases, and culture, and align your answer with the firm’s values and strengths.

For example, if the firm is known for impactful litigation or a collaborative culture, mention that those aspects attract you and how your own aspirations and skills complement them. Research the firm’s vision, their work in your area of interest, and their impact cases. Outline how your skills and aspirations align with the firm’s ethos and how you could enhance their practice. Tailoring your answer this way shows that you’re not just job-hunting anywhere; you specifically want this law firm because it’s a mutual fit.

Tip: Cite specifics in your response. Instead of a generic answer (“It’s a great firm”), reference a recent high-profile case the firm won or an admired senior partner’s work. This level of detail proves you’ve done your homework and conveys genuine motivation to join. Ultimately, law firms in India want candidates who are enthusiastic about them, not just any job.

Handling Questions about Your Internships and CV

Legal interviews in India will inevitably dive into your CV and internship experiences. Your resume isn’t just a formality; interviewers often base most of their questions on it. Be prepared to field questions about any internship, project, or achievement listed on your CV.

For instance, you might be asked, “Tell me more about your experience at X internship,” or “How did your moot court experience prepare you for a position at our firm?” Interviewers use these questions to verify your skills and to see how you applied your legal knowledge in practical settings.

How to excel: Reflect on each internship you’ve done and identify the relevant skills and legal concepts you learned. If you worked on a contract negotiation during an internship, be ready to discuss what you did, any challenges you faced, and what you learned. Demonstrating specific legal knowledge or cases you encountered (say, a notable case you assisted on) shows not only that you gained experience, but also that you can apply legal concepts in practice. The ability to translate theory into practice is exactly what law firms look for in a candidate.

Importantly, know your own CV inside out. An interviewer’s primary goal is often to verify the claims on your resume. As one career coach puts it, “Trust me when I say this, there is nothing they are going to ask you apart from your curriculum vitae… however, it is going to be in much more detail.” In other words, if it’s on your CV, it’s fair game for detailed questioning. If you mention a research paper or a special law course, expect inquiries digging into those. Don’t list anything you’re not comfortable discussing at length.

Prepare anecdotes or brief explanations for each item, for example, what you accomplished in an internship or the outcome of a college project. This way, you can handle any CV-based question confidently and highlight your internship experience as evidence of your skills.

Deepen Your Published Research or Academic Work

If you have any published research, articles, or notable academic projects listed on your CV, anticipate a discussion around them. Interviewers (especially at top Indian law firms or if you’re interviewing for roles that value academic excellence) may ask you to elaborate on your research. For example, if you wrote a paper on intellectual property law, you could be asked about your conclusions or how it ties into practical lawyering.

Preparation is key: Reread your own work before the interview. Refresh your understanding of the methodologies, conclusions, and implications in relation to the law. You should be able to summarize your research’s main argument, defend any positions you took, and discuss any relevant legal developments related to your topic. The interviewer’s goal here is to see if you truly grasp what you wrote and to assess your analytical depth.

Don’t be surprised if an interviewer asks how your academic work or dissertation could be relevant to the firm’s practice. Even if the link isn’t obvious, you can respond by highlighting transferable skills: perhaps your research honed your ability to interpret complex regulations or improved your legal writing and others.

Tackling Scenario-Based Interview Questions

Many law firm interviews, especially for litigation roles or competitive corporate teams, include scenario-based questions (also known as situational or illustrative questions). These are hypothetical legal scenarios that test how you think on your feet.

For example, an interviewer might say, “Suppose a client’s contract has an ambiguous clause leading to a dispute, how would you handle it?” or “If you discovered a senior colleague was providing a client incorrect advice, what would you do?” These questions assess your analytical skills, ethical judgement, and problem-solving approach.

How to approach scenario questions: Stay calm and systematic. Interviewers aren’t necessarily looking for the “one right answer” but rather how you arrive at a solution. Start by clarifying the facts and identifying the legal issues involved. Then, outline the steps you would take to resolve the situation. It’s wise to walk them through your reasoning step-by-step, almost thinking aloud to show your structured thought process.

For instance, if asked about a contract dispute scenario, you might respond: First, you’d review the contract clauses and relevant law; second, identify the client’s objectives and risks; third, explore options like negotiation or legal notice; and finally, choose the best course of action.

Scenario-based questions are often used to assess your understanding of your area of interest. Use these opportunities to demonstrate how you can apply legal concepts to real-life situations and deliver solutions.” If the scenario is from your stated area of interest (e.g., a corporate law scenario when you expressed interest in M&A), it’s a golden chance to display your knowledge. Remember to consider multiple perspectives or potential consequences in your answer, as this shows thoroughness.

Tip: It helps to familiarize yourself with common hypothetical questions beforehand. For example, commercial law firms might ask how you’d advise a client on a breach of contract, while a litigation chamber might pose an ethical dilemma. Practice a few such scenarios so you feel comfortable thinking under pressure. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can guide you in structuring responses to behavioural hypothetical questions.

Navigating Salary Expectations and Negotiation in Legal Interviews

Discussing salary expectations can feel tricky for candidates, especially freshers who may be unsure of industry standards. Yet, in many Indian law firm interviews, toward the final stages or HR round, you may be asked, “What are your salary expectations?” or told to negotiate terms. How you handle this question is important. It signals whether you’ve done your market research and how you value yourself.

Do your homework: Before the interview, find out the typical salary range for the role and your level (intern, associate, etc.) in India. Ask your legal recruitment agency for a fair figure. Legal recruitment agencies like Human Elevation help you understand the market rate for your role and your own professional worth. Armed with this information, decide on a reasonable range for yourself. For fresh graduates from top law schools, there might be a fairly standard package on offer. For lateral hires or those with a few years’ experience, factor in your current salary and a fair raise.

When communicating your expectation, it’s often best to give a range rather than a single figure and make sure that range is realistic. Career experts suggest presenting a salary range to show flexibility while keeping the lower end of your range near your true target.

For example, if you believe ₹8-10 lakhs per annum is fair for the role, you might say, “Based on my research and qualifications, I’m looking at around ₹8 to 10 lakhs.” This way, if the firm had ₹8 lakh in mind, you’re within range, and if they could go higher, you’ve left room for negotiation.

Equally important is your tone and attitude during salary discussions. Be confident but not arrogant, and always remain professional. If you’re a fresher, it’s okay to indicate that you’re open to the standard entry-level salary if that’s the firm’s policy (many Indian law firms have fixed starting salaries for new associates). If you’re coming with experience, you might briefly mention your current CTC and expected hike, grounding it in market standards. The key is to neither sell yourself short nor price yourself out of the market. Show that you know your worth, but also that you’re excited about the role itself, not just the pay.

Final Tips for Acing Your Legal Interview in India

Preparing for common questions and topics will give you a significant edge, but don’t stop there. Here are some final interview tips for law students and young lawyers in India to ensure success:

• Practice your personal introduction: Almost every interview opens with “Tell me about yourself.” Have a concise, confident summary of your background, strengths, and interests. This sets the tone and is a great opportunity to highlight in brief what’s in your CV (your law school, internships, achievements) in a narrative form.
  
• Stay updated on current legal developments: Especially for interviews with top-tier law firms in India, be aware of major recent legal news or judgements in your area of interest. You might be asked for your opinion on a recent Supreme Court decision or a new bill. Being well-read shows a genuine interest in the legal field.
• Dress and behave professionally: First impressions matter. Wear formal business attire (a suit or Indian formals as appropriate) and arrive on time. A confident handshake, good posture, and polite etiquette go a long way in convincing interviewers that you’ll represent the firm well. These nonverbal cues reinforce the positive impression created by your answers.
• Be ready for oddball questions: Interviewers sometimes throw curveballs (e.g., “How do you handle stress?”or even unexpected puzzles) to see how you react. If faced with a question you didn’t anticipate, take a moment to gather your thoughts. It’s okay to think aloud or ask for clarification. Your calm approach in such moments can impress them even more than the answer itself.
• Ask intelligent questions at the end:When the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for us?” have one or two thoughtful queries ready. It could be about the firm’s work culture, associate training programs, or recent developments in the firm’s practice. Asking questions shows you’re truly engaged and interested. In fact, it’s considered very important to do so, it signals that you listened and are serious about the opportunity. 

For example, you might ask, “What does a growth trajectory look like for a junior associate here?” or “Can you tell me about the team structure in the XYZ practice group?” This turns the interview into a two-way conversation and leaves a positive impression.

Conclusion

Excelling in a law firm interview in India comes down to preparation and presentation. By mastering the common legal interview questions, knowing your CV inside-out, practicing scenario-based answers, and handling topics like salary with poise, you position yourself as a confident, well-rounded candidate.

Remember, every interview is as much an opportunity for you to learn about the firm as for the firm to learn about you. So approach it as a professional conversation. With these interview tips and a bit of practice, Indian law students and fresh graduates can step into their legal interviews ready to impress and ultimately secure that dream job in the Indian legal job market. Good luck!