Tell us about a challenge you have faced. What are the skills you used to overcome that challenge and how are they transferable to help you with a career as a lawyer
Is this question best answered in reference to a challenge in the pursuit of a career in law or can it be a challenge in another capacity, eg. in another role / in a personal capacity / throughout academic journey?
Hiya
@wowcha
This sort of question is frequently asked in various application forms, and you can absolutely draw on any challenge from your personal or professional life. You definitely don't need to limit yourself to just law-related examples.
When answering questions like this, I’ve found it really useful to pick an example that showcases my personality and highlights what makes me stand out as a candidate. For instance, I once talked about the challenge of doing volunteer work internationally, where I had to navigate significant communication and cultural barriers in a rural part of the country I was living in at the time. This example allowed me to demonstrate my interest in other countries and culture, whilst also highlighting the skills I used to overcome the particular challenge I faced at the time.
I've read examples of people describing interesting challenges they faced at work, volunteering at a student society, or even a personal struggle - I once reviewed an excellent application where the candidate answered a very similar question and discussed overcoming a speech impediment. It was a powerful example that showed resilience and maturity.
Using a challenge from your pursuit of a legal career could work well too, depending on the example. Just bear in mind that many candidates are applying to firms, and it could be harder for you to stand out when discussing challenges in this context. Whatever example you choose, the key is to show how you approached and overcame the challenge in a thoughtful, mature way.
Good luck!
