Assessment Centre Preparation for Candidate Preparing for Video Interviews

Video interviews change the dynamics of assessment centres in ways that matter for aspiring solicitors. Recruiters still want the same competencies - commercial awareness, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and ethical judgment - but those behaviours must be conveyed through a camera. Small issues that would be insignificant in person (audio glitches, distracting backgrounds, poor lighting) can create a negative impression remotely.

You also have fewer opportunities for spontaneous rapport and non-verbal cues. That makes preparation for tone, brevity and structure more important than ever. Many law firms will record interviews or use them as part of a longer assessment process, so first impressions carry weight and can shape subsequent scoring in group exercises, presentations and written tasks.

Practical consequence: If you can present clearly and calmly on video, demonstrate prepared legal reasoning and show adaptability with remote tasks, you improve your chances across the whole assessment centre, not just the initial interview.

Candidates preparing for video interviews encounter several specific obstacles. Being empathetic to these will help you focus your preparation.

• Managing technical issues that interrupt flow and increase stress.

• Conveying presence and warmth when non-verbal cues are reduced.

• Demonstrating teamwork and leadership in remote group tasks.

• Adapting answers to shorter time slots and to a frame rather than a room.

• Handling recorded interviews where there is no immediate feedback.

• Dealing with environmental factors at home, including shared spaces and background distractions.

• Maintaining energy over a day of remote assessment tasks, which can feel more draining than in-person events.

These are real hurdles, but they are learnable. Each can be mitigated through preparation, environment control and practice.

Below are targeted, actionable strategies arranged by theme. Implement these step-by-step and adapt them to your circumstances.

Technical setup and reliability

• Test Equipment Early: Check camera, microphone and internet speed at least two weeks before. Use a wired connection if possible.

• Create Backups: Have a second device ready (phone or tablet) and copy of meeting link on email or calendar.

• Use Simple Software Settings: Set virtual background off unless necessary. Keep camera at eye level and enable the highest-quality audio available.

Presentation and non-verbal impact

• Frame Carefully: Position your head and shoulders centrally with a little headroom. Keep notes out of sight and avoid fidgeting.

• Dress Professionally: Wear the same smart outfit you would in person; favour mid-tones that contrast with your background.

• Eye Contact Technique: Look at the camera to simulate eye contact, but glance at the screen briefly when reading colleagues' reactions.

Answering and structuring responses

• Use Adapted STAR: For situational or competency questions, use Situation, Task, Action, Result - but be concise. Begin with a one-line context sentence before the STAR elements.

• Prioritise Clarity: Lead with your conclusion, then evidence. This mirrors legal drafting and demonstrates persuasive structure.

• Time Management: Practice answers to typical questions within a two-minute time limit; many video interviews compress time.

Remote group tasks and presentations

• Clarify Roles Early: In group exercises, volunteer for a clear role (timekeeper, summariser) if it suits you. Remote groups reward visible structure.

• Use Small Signals: Use chat or hand-raise functions to indicate contributions. Speak early to set the agenda and then facilitate others.

• Share Screens Intentionally: Prepare slides that are legible on a small screen. Keep visuals simple: one point per slide.

Managing nerves and energy

• Run Mock Video Interviews: Record at least three mocks and review for pace, filler words and facial expression. Use a mentor for feedback - YourLegalLadder mentoring can be useful here alongside university careers services.

• Schedule Breaks: If the assessment day is long, plan short physical breaks to reset attention and posture.

Accessibility and adjustments

• Ask Early: If you need reasonable adjustments, contact the firm as soon as you receive the invite. Firms will usually accommodate additional time, breaks, or preferred platforms.

Legal content and commercial awareness

• Prepare Brief, Relevant Examples: Have two legal scenarios and two commercial examples ready to show legal thinking and client focus.

• Use Current Sources: Read weekly updates and market intelligence - resources such as YourLegalLadder, Legal Cheek and Chambers Student help you keep current for firm-specific answers.

Practical rehearsal checklist

• Practice on the platform the firm uses (Teams, Zoom or bespoke portal).

• Record yourself and review both audio clarity and body language.

• Do a full run of a mock assessment day: interview, group task, short presentation and a written exercise.

Short anonymised examples can illustrate how practical changes make a difference.

• Example 1: "Aisha": A graduate with excellent technical knowledge kept losing her train of thought in recorded interviews. She filmed three mock interviews, then implemented the one-line opening conclusion technique. By leading with a concise answer before expanding, she regained assessors' attention and moved from a borderline to a strong hire recommendation.

• Example 2: "Tom": A candidate with limited private space was worried about interruptions. He proactively informed the firm of potential background noise and negotiated a 10-minute earlier start time. He used a quiet library room and an external microphone. The assessors noted his calmness and clear communication, and he was offered a training contract.

• Example 3: "Priya": In a remote group exercise, she took a facilitative approach: she proposed an agenda, allocated tasks and used the chat to summarise agreements. Her leadership was visible through structured contributions rather than dominating discussion, which assessors praised.

Each of these successes depended on deliberate, small changes: structure your answers, control your environment where possible and use remote-specific behaviours to demonstrate leadership.

Use this timeline to prepare efficiently in the run-up to a video-based assessment centre.

1. Four weeks out

2. Create a mock assessment schedule that mirrors the firm's format.

3. Book at least two mock video interviews and one mock group exercise with a mentor or peer.

4. Review firm materials and market updates from YourLegalLadder, Chambers Student and LawCareers.Net.

5. Two weeks out

6. Finalise technical setup: get an external microphone, check internet, and set up lighting and background.

7. Prepare two legal examples and two commercial awareness notes tailored to the firm.

8. One week out

9. Do a full recorded mock day: interview, presentation and group task. Save recordings to review.

10. Send any reasonable adjustment requests to the firm if needed.

11. Forty-eight hours out

12. Confirm meeting links, time zones and backup devices. Charge devices and prepare water and a notepad.

13. Rehearse your one-line openings and STAR answers for common competency questions.

14. Day before

15. Check your room, lighting and attire. Lay out everything you need for the day.

16. Do a short 20-minute mock to warm up and relax.

17. Day of assessment

18. Join early, mute notifications and switch to focus mode on your devices.

19. Use the camera-to-eye technique and keep answers structured and pace-controlled.

Post-assessment

• Request feedback where possible and review your recordings. Log learnings into your application tracker and mentor notes.

• Update your progress in any tracking tool you use, such as the YourLegalLadder tracker, LinkedIn or a personal spreadsheet.

Small, consistent steps make a big difference. Focus on technical reliability, clear structure and remote-appropriate behaviours. If you'd like targeted help, consider a mock interview with a qualified solicitor mentor or practise with peers - both approaches help you convert preparation into performance.