Vacation Scheme Video Interview? Avoid These Deadly Mistakes That Most Applicants Make!

Dec 20, 2023

Written By Lewis Ogg

Video interviews have taken an increasingly important place in the vacation scheme application process since the pandemic. Due to their growing prominence, it’s vital that students take the time to master this fantastic opportunity for employers to understand your motivations and personality. This article will not only identify common mistakes made by applicants which undermine their interviews, but also provide actionable advice to help you improve.

Fumbling the basics – technical blunders

One of the biggest problems for video interviews is the possibility of technical mishaps. Applicants need to be aware of the elements, such as video and audio, which go into effectively communicating online.

Prior to the interview, you should take the time to check all the elements that could cause a possible disturbance:

Video – Check that the camera on your device is working properly, the frame is properly centred on the position you intend to sit, your face is well-lit, and the camera angle is at eye level.

Audio – Test your microphone before starting. Most video interview platforms have a test function

Internet Connection – Make sure you arrange to take the interview in a location which has a strong and consistent network connection. To increase connection strength, ask your parents or flatmates to not use the WiFi during your call or use an ethernet cable to establish a direct connection.

While all this technical advice might feel slightly daunting, in practice, it is very achievable and should feel quite natural to those who have studied or worked virtually. The best way to confirm that you have all these technical points in place is to ask a friend to join a call with you.

Another challenge of online interviews is managing your backdrop. With in-person you would typically go to the firm’s office, meaning that they would instantly visualise you in a professional setting. For online interviews, ideally, you will have a plain white background. However, if this is not possible, then making sure your background is neat and tidy (or blurring it) allows you to convey a professional image.

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Underestimating the preparation game

Proper research of the firm you are interviewing at is an integral component of a successful interview. Without this key element, you leave yourself incredibly vulnerable to answering questions inadequately or being entirely unable to answer a question.

A checklist to start your research might look like this:

a) Market area – What tier of the legal market does the firm occupy, and what are their closest competitor firms? How do they stand out from their competitors?

b) Client base and Practice Areas – Consider the types of work the firm is engaged in. Is it a full-service firm? Is it dominated by corporate work? Within these practice areas, who are the largest clients and how long have they been clients for? Do these clients only use the firm for one practice area (e.g. employment), or do they use them for other services?

c) Recent cases and news – Make sure you are up to date with any large cases the firm has been involved in, especially if they have been newsworthy. Additionally, it is also worth having a case which particularly interests you that you have taken a bit more time to study in detail.

Generic Responses

When interviewing either online or in person, it is crucial that you are unique when answering questions. Interviewers will be reviewing a host of candidates for a limited number of places, so a surefire way to make sure you aren’t progressed is to blend into the crowd. Students, especially those who have never done an interview before, will often rely on answers to common interview questions that they have read online. So, because everyone tends to use the same handful of websites, your answer will then be repeatable and generic.

Researching the firm thoroughly allows you to give tailored responses to the questions. For example, let’s say you’re asked what about a career in commercial law appeals to you. This is an invitation to say what about commercial practice at that firm appeals to you, citing recent deals and the commercial tasks past trainees have completed.

Ignoring commercial awareness

Commercial awareness is an understanding that black letter law is not practised in a vacuum and that there are a plethora of business and economic considerations that go into any decision. Commercial awareness is so important for candidates because it provides the context in which legal exchanges take place. Without understanding the commercial needs of your client, you will never be able to provide the most effective advice.

Being commercially aware is not something that can be achieved overnight, so start researching early. Stay up to date with legal news; the Financial Times and Legal500 are good options. Additionally, consider attending webinars on market trends to give yourself a broader understanding.

Non-Verbal Blunders

As with an in-person interview, body language is a hugely important aspect of delivering a good impression. However, candidates often struggle to adjust to the seemingly unnatural conditions of a virtual interview and can look stressed and overwhelmed.

When trying to send a positive and enthusiastic message with your body language, the value of a smile cannot be overlooked. Law firms appreciate that this is an incredibly stressful opportunity, so candidates that smile regardless come across as positive and optimistic. Also, remember not to slouch or curl your shoulders, as this can make you appear uncomfortable and shy.

Not searching for feedback

For the vast majority of candidates, their first legal interview will not be their last. As a result, seeking feedback is key to professional development.

After every interview, you should also take the time to personally reflect on your performance. Consider what went well and what you would do differently next time.

Conclusion

Successful interviews are a matter of preparation, whether that be in the smoothness of your delivery, the quality of your communication, or the depth of your wider knowledge. This should fill you with confidence as it means performing well in a video interview is possible for anyone if they take the time to prepare.

While this call for preparation makes progress sound simple, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Improving requires a willingness to learn and to incorporate constructive criticism. Once you realise the importance of thorough preparation and taking feedback into consideration, you’re one step closer to securing a vacation scheme.

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