If you have an upcoming scholarship interview, you are feeling nervous and you do not know what to expect…keep reading.
First and foremost, if you haven’t done so already, please check out @danithebarrister on Instagram. She has arranged an informative IGLive series on scholarship interviews. I appear in the first of the series where we discuss all things scholarship interviews!
I wanted to put pen to paper (well fingers to keyboard) to summarise our discussion.
I am a Middle Temple scholar so for those of you with interviews with the same Inn this is likely to be very helpful.
My scholarship interview was virtual. I am aware that interviews in this round will also be virtual. This really helped to calm some of those nerves. There is nothing like the comfort of your own home! However, whilst you are virtual, remember to make eye contact and to have a smile on your face. First impressions count.
Both myself and Dani agreed in our IGLive that the interview itself was more informal than we expected and for the most part we felt at ease. Although, when we were thrown off (which is bound to happen no matter how prepared you are) it was important to stay calm and composed. In particular, if you are interviewing with Inner Temple you will face an advocacy exercise and a case analysis exercise. Dani and I agreed that if you are taken by surprise by a question or exercise, it is important to ask for more time when you need it.
That being said, there are ways you can prepare and limit that element of surprise. See below:
Something a lot of people want to know is what questions were asked. I did a mock interview (I highly recommend you do one if you get the chance) and the interview itself (obviously). So, I have compiled a list of questions I was asked across both interviews:
1. Why do you want to be a barrister?
2. What challenge did you face as secretary of a student society and how did you overcome it?
3. Why not a solicitor, don’t they do the same thing?
4. Tell us about your extra curriculum that you have undertaken to be successful as a barrister.
5. Why do you want to be a criminal barrister?
6. Tell us about a recent case that you have read.
7. If you could change one law, what would it be and why?
8. Tell us about a time you saw good advocacy and why was it good? Tell us about a time you saw bad advocacy and why was it bad?
9. What would I do if I didn’t get a scholarship?
Dani and I agree that with each and every question you should be embedding your experiences. The panel want you to show them, rather than tell them that you meet their interview criteria. Also, it is through your experiences (that will always be unique to you) that you can show your individuality!
If you are faced with a question similar to number 2, the STAR approach is always the best approach. STAR stands for: Situation, Task, Action and Result. Your answer should always focus on the actions you took and the result!
There are certain questions you can ‘prepare’ in advance. Especially, why you want to become a barrister which will almost always come up or what law you would change and why. Also, what you would do if you do not get a scholarship. Ultimately, the panel want to know that you are not just going to change career’s because you were unsuccessful in your scholarship interview. They want to know that you are determined and will continue to pursue your dream career.
In my view, it is really important to do some research into recent cases that interest you. You are almost certainly going to be asked to tell the panel about one. Similarly, it is important to consider topical cases and or issues, including: the impact of Covid-19 on the criminal justice system and custody time limits; the recent employment law case regarding Uber; or the Supreme Court decision on Shamima Begum’s appeal/ right to a fair trial.
Being commercially aware is something that tends to scare people. Personally, I think it can be as simple as doing a dig on LinkedIn, Twitter, and online news reports to find the most recent topical legal issues and cases.
Overall, myself and Dani were in agreement that the most important thing is to be confident. If you are not feeling 100% confident in yourself when you enter that interview, then fake it until you make it. In the interview you will need to persuade the panel that you have the potential to succeed in a career at the bar. Confidence is one of the easiest ways you can do this!
Don’t forget to be yourself. When you let your personality shine through, that is when you will stand out to the panel. The bar is diversifying, and this is loosely demonstrated by the scholarships themselves so do not be afraid to show your true self. So, be genuine and remember at all times that whoever you are, you have something amazing and unique to offer the bar, and that you are deserving of that scholarship!
There is no wrong or right way to approach your scholarship interview but I hope this blog post has given you some helpful advice and solid direction.
To sum up, I think you need to do the following: good preparation, embed your experiences in your answers, be confident and demonstrate your true self. If you can do that, you will smash that upcoming interview.
Until next time,
The Woman on a Mission
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