Helping you prepare for your judicial interview

Once you have secured a judicial interview you will want to start your preparations. An interview coaching session with JSB will give you a good idea of what to expect at the interview. Together we will explore different examples and competencies to talk about that best demonstrate your capabilities. You will leave feeling fully prepared for your interview and confident in how you will conduct yourself.

Interview techniques have changed considerably in the last few years. Traditional interviews tended to work through a candidate's history chronologically. Most current interview technique is based primarily around asking questions which enable the candidate to demonstrate the degree to which she/he fulfils the criteria and competencies required for the appointment. Judicial interviews typically last around 45 minutes.

The format may change from one competition to another, for example, in terms of the timing of the interview and whether or not other assessment techniques are used. The most usual format is a panel interview of 2-4 people who usually consist of a legally qualified person such as a judge together with a lay person or a representative from the JAC.

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• Tips on excelling in a competency-based interview

  • First impressions are vital. The panel will make lots of conscious and unconscious judgements about you in the first 3 minutes. Think about the impression you want to give and how you will achieve this.
  • You will be judged on all of the criteria all of the time. Be mindful of your use of language and on not giving answers, or demonstrating behaviours, which may become contra-indicators. For example, they may want to see how well you handle pressure, so you will need to control your nerves.
  • Listen carefully to the question, especially as listening may be one of the criteria on which you will be judged. Your answer should provide behavioural evidence ie specific, relevant examples of your experience, wherever possible. Don’t risk thinking that the panel will assume that you are equipped for the role. Experience does not necessarily indicate competence.
  • Listen carefully to the tense of the question. Be careful not to turn specific questions into hypothetical answers. For example, don’t respond to a ‘what experience do you have ofâ?¦’ question with an ‘If I wereâ?¦., I wouldâ?¦.’ type of response.
  • Questions may be delivered using a ‘funnel’ technique.  Here you will be asked a general question and then further, more probing, questions will be asked. These additional questions may require more fact-based answers, clarity around your role or experience, or additional ‘evidence’. (See the section on funnel technique.)
  • Try to get behind the question. Do they want to know about your knowledge, your experience, your capacity to think through complex issues etc? For example, some hypothetical questions are not designed to ascertain what you would do in a given situation, but rather to enable the panel to be confident that you can see several choices and potential outcomes.
  • Be prepared by thinking, in advance, about how your experience is relevant to the appointment. Practise linking your experience with the criteria.
  • Where you have no directly relevant experience choose the closest alternative.
  • Decide in advance what you want the panel to know about you and your experience/strengths. Look for opportunities to offer this information, without detracting from the questions.
  • Read the body language of the panel to help you decide how much information to give and when you have said enough.
  • Structure your responses. It is often helpful to begin with a high level or summary response, and provide increasing levels of detail, as required/requested. It is acceptable to ask the panel if they need more.
  • If you are unclear about a question or what is required from you, ask for clarification.
  • Be aware of your body language. How are you sitting?  What does your posture say about you? If you are unsure, practise sitting in front of a mirror.
  • Maintain eye contact with whoever is asking the question. Initially, direct your response to that person and increasingly look at other panel members for indications of their wish to follow up. Always look at other panel members when you have finished.
  • Keep in mind the criteria you think you need to demonstrate for the appointment and ensure your answers reflect these.
  • Present a congruent picture i.e. make sure your behaviour during the interview matches your answers. 
  • Give yourself thinking time. Don’t rush in; short silences are fine.