Video Interviews Guide

Video interviews are now a standard part of the law firm application process.

They are commonly used at the early screening stage to assess motivation, communication, judgment, and overall suitability before inviting candidates to assessment centres.

If you’re new to this stage, it helps to understand how video interviews fit into the wider recruitment journey. For a full overview, visit our Application Process hub.

This guide explains how law firm video interviews actually work, what firms are assessing behind the scenes, and how to adapt strong written answers into confident, natural video responses without sounding scripted or robotic.

Why video interviews feel harder than written applications

When the BBC first introduced on-screen news presenters in the 1950s, many experienced radio journalists struggled.

These were people with exceptional voices and subject-matter expertise. On radio, they were authoritative and compelling. On camera, many suddenly appeared stiff, uncomfortable or disengaged. This was not because they lacked knowledge, but because they hadn’t adapted to the visual medium.

The broadcasters who succeeded were not necessarily the best journalists on paper. They were the ones who:

• Learned where to look (the camera, not the script).

• Controlled facial expressions and body language.

• Adjusted pacing, pauses and tone for viewers, not listeners.

• Practised delivering the same content in a more conversational, visually engaging way.

Nothing about the news itself changed. The delivery did.

A law firm video interview works the same way.

Your answers might be strong and your experience might be relevant. However, if you treat a video interview like a written application read out loud, you’re missing the point.

Video interviews assess how you communicate as much as what you say.

That’s why preparation matters.

What are video interviews?

Video interviews are now standard in law firm recruitment, particularly at early stages. They are used to shortlist candidates for assessment centres and to assess key competencies such as communication, motivation, structure of thought and commercial awareness.

Pre-recorded video interviews

This is the most common format. You are shown one question at a time on screen. For each question, you’ll usually have:

• 30–90 seconds to prepare

• 30–120 seconds to answer

Each question appears individually and is unseen in advance. Once it’s displayed, you’re typically given a short window to think through your answer (often anywhere between 30 seconds and two minutes). When this preparation time ends, the platform will automatically begin recording your response.

You’ll then have a fixed amount of time to answer. This is usually between 30 and 120 seconds, depending on the firm and the question. The recording may stop automatically when time runs out, or you may have the option to end it early if you finish speaking.

This process repeats for each question until the interview is complete. Some platforms allow one retake per question, while others don’t, so it’s important to check the instructions carefully before you begin.

Because the format is timed and structured, success is not exclusively about what you say, but how clearly and confidently you communicate under pressure. Treat it as a professional conversation, even though you are speaking to a camera.

Types of questions you can expect

Video interviews usually include a mix of:

• Motivational questions (why law, why this firm, why you)

• Competency or strengths-based questions

• Situational-judgment questions

• Occasional commercial or ethical scenarios

You’re rarely expected to demonstrate technical legal knowledge. Firms are assessing thinking, communication, and professionalism.

How law firms assess your answers

Firms are not looking for perfection. They are asking:

• Did the candidate answer the question directly?

• Is the response structured and easy to follow?

• Does the candidate sound genuine rather than rehearsed?

• Do they understand the firm and the role?

A clear, well-structured answer will almost always score higher than a more complex answer that’s difficult to follow.

How to prepare properly for video interviews

1. Start with your written application

This is one of the most overlooked steps. Assume the video interview is testing for consistency. Re-read every answer you submitted. Be ready to expand on anything you mentioned, even briefly. If you can’t explain a point naturally on camera, it likely needs refining.

2. Prepare frameworks, not scripts

Memorised answers are easy to spot and they usually perform poorly.

Instead:

• Prepare bullet-point frameworks

• Practise speaking from prompts, not sentences

• Focus on clarity, not polish

3. Structure your answers clearly

A simple structure works best:

• Firstly — answer the question directly

• Secondly — support with reasoning or an example

• Finally — link back to the firm or role

This helps assessors follow your thinking, especially when reviewing multiple recordings back-to-back.

4. Practise on camera

Record yourself answering common questions and watch it back. Fix the clarity, pace and filler words. Most candidates fail because they’ve never:

• Seen how they look on camera

• Timed themselves properly

• Practiced speaking naturally to a screen

5. Manage time deliberately

A common mistake is over-explaining early and running out of time.

A useful timing guide:

• Intro (10–15 seconds): answer the question directly

• Main points (60–70%): two or three structured points

• Close (10–15 seconds): brief conclusion or firm link

If there’s a visible timer, aim to finish slightly early.

6. The mindset that helps most

Law firms are not trying to catch you out.

They are assessing your clarity, judgment, professionalism and potential. Calm and thoughtful answers will outperform forced enthusiasm every time.

Practical setup tips

• Neutral background (no clutter)

• Face a window or light source (not behind you)

• Laptop at eye level

• Business-appropriate outfit

• Quiet room + phone on silent

• Stable internet (test beforehand)

• Close other tabs and notifications to help you stay fully-focused.

Example: good video interview answer

Question: What do you hope to gain from this workshop? (1 minute response time)

I believe the workshop is a great opportunity to learn more about Bristows' work in intellectual property and other areas of law. I’ve been particularly impressed by some of the firm’s landmark cases, such as acting for L'Oréal in its trademark case against eBay and for Samsung in a patent dispute with Apple.

Through networking at the workshop, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the firm’s culture and its commitment to diversity. I also strive to widen access to legal careers for underrepresented groups through my work at [Organisation], and Bristows' involvement with the Social Mobility Foundation aligns perfectly with my goal of a more inclusive legal industry.

I’m also keen to learn more about the client secondment opportunities, especially with companies like Sony and Google. I see this as a unique way to gain industry experience during the training contract.

Other common video interview questions

• What skills would you bring as a trainee solicitor?

• Tell us about a recent commercial story that interested you

• What challenges do law firms face in the next five years?

• Describe a time you worked under pressure

• How would you handle negative feedback?

• What do you hope to gain from this vacation scheme or open day?

Want to practise properly?

If you want structured practice with 80+ real interview questions, grouped by category, access the full Interview Question Bank here.