Application Process
How to Answer Motivational Questions
A structured approach to answering motivational questions in applications and interviews
EO Careers Team
If you’re preparing for law firm applications or interviews, this guide forms part of our wider Application Process hub, where we break down each stage from written applications to assessment centres.
Motivational questions are some of the most decisive questions you will be asked and also some of the most poorly answered.
Most candidates know what they want to say. Very few know how to say it in a way that sounds specific, grounded, and convincing.
This article explains how law firms assess motivation, how to structure strong answers, and how to avoid the generic responses that lead to rejection.
What are motivational questions?
Motivational questions test intent, judgment, and fit.
They are not designed to catch you out or test legal knowledge. Instead, firms use them to assess:
whether you understand what commercial law involves
whether you have a genuine reason for applying to that firm
whether your interests align with the role and training structure
Common examples include:
Why commercial law?
Why this firm?
Why this office?
These questions often appear straightforward, but they carry significant weight.
How law firms assess motivation
When listening to a motivational answer, assessors are asking:
Is this answer specific to our firm?
Does the candidate understand what we actually do?
Is their interest reasoned or superficial?
Can they link motivation to experience or insight?
Firms are not looking for passion alone. They are looking for informed motivation.
The structure that works
Strong motivational answers usually follow a simple logic:
Anchor your interest
Start with a clear reason for your interest in law, commercial law, or the firm. Avoid clichés.
Demonstrate understanding
Show that you understand the nature of the work, the clients, or the firm’s positioning.
Connect to you
Link that understanding to your experiences, interests, or skills.
Close with intention
Explain why this makes the firm or role a logical next step for you.
You don’t need to cover everything, but you need to be coherent.
Example: “Why commercial law?”
A weak answer:
“I enjoy problem-solving and working in a fast-paced environment.
A stronger answer:
“I’m drawn to commercial law because it sits at the intersection of legal analysis and business decision-making. Through my academic work and part-time experience, I’ve enjoyed situations where legal advice has a tangible impact on commercial outcomes, particularly where clients must balance risk, timing, and strategy. Commercial law allows me to develop legal expertise while remaining closely connected to how businesses operate in practice.
"Why this firm?”
This is where most candidates lose marks.
Generic answers usually mention:
reputation
global reach
culture
Stronger answers:
identify one or two concrete features
explain why they matter
connect them back to the candidate
“I’m particularly drawn to the firm’s strength in cross-border transactions, especially its work in the energy and infrastructure sector. I’ve followed the firm’s involvement in recent renewable energy projects, which aligns closely with my academic focus on regulatory frameworks and sustainability. The firm’s emphasis on early responsibility for trainees also appeals to me, as I’m keen to develop practical judgment early in my training.”
Common mistakes to avoid
Candidates often undermine good applications by:
repeating the firm’s website language
listing deals without explanation
trying to sound impressive rather than clear
answering “why this firm” in a way that could apply elsewhere
A useful test is: could this answer be sent to another firm with minimal changes?
If yes, it needs refining.
Preparing motivational answers properly
Effective preparation involves:
researching the firm’s practice areas, clients, and strategy
identifying what genuinely interests you
selecting experiences that support your interest
practising answers out loud to check clarity
You do not need to memorise scripts but you need to follow the structure.
Want to practise properly?
This article gives you the structure. If you want access to real motivational questions used by leading law firms alongside competency, commercial, situational, and ethical question you can access our full 80 Interview Questions Bank here.
