Heya
@lawstudent2
I think taking
3-4 minutes for the big questions (e.g.
why law,
why the firm, and
why you) is absolutely fine. What’s most important is that the interviewer can follow and recall the main points of your answer, and this is where
structure becomes essential. Summarising your key points briefly at the beginning and wrapping up with a conclusion at the end can really help the interviewer remember your answer.
I’d also recommend practising with someone, whether a friend, mentor, or even recording yourself. Ask them to summarise your answer afterward to check whether your main points were clear and memorable. For these longer questions, make sure you're not cramming in too much detail and rushing through your answer to fit the 3-4 minute timeframe. Prioritise depth over breadth where possible.
For other types of questions, aiming for
2-3 minutes with a clear structure should work well. If you feel like answering off the cuff will lead you to waffle, I'd recommend just taking a minute to think about the main points you want to hit. Overall, always focus on answering the question directly, and and keep in mind what you think will allow your interviewer to best recall the main points you've made.