would law firms ask you to switch languages in the middle of interview??

divaination

Esteemed Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Junior Lawyer
  • Oct 31, 2022
    85
    77
    i didnt say i was fluent but i put good/B2 italian and cantonese for the CC application, would they switch languages mid-interview to test my capability?
     

    sxw517

    Legendary Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
  • Sep 20, 2021
    646
    618
    i didnt say i was fluent but i put good/B2 italian and cantonese for the CC application, would they switch languages mid-interview to test my capability?
    I have had this worry in the past, having put working proficiency in French on a few applications (which I am), but obviously don't want to be answering interview questions in a language other than my mother tongue.

    And in the few interviews I have done for previous roles in finance and now in law, it has been mentioned once and that was only in the context of my year abroad. I feel that interviewers are conscious of interview nerves on our part and the last thing an applicant would want to do is probably switch language mid-interview!

    PS - so I wouldn't worry!
     
    • Like
    Reactions: divaination

    futuretrainee202X

    Legendary Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 28, 2022
    183
    213
    i didnt say i was fluent but i put good/B2 italian and cantonese for the CC application, would they switch languages mid-interview to test my capability?
    If this was in the London office, I'd say unlikely as those skills aren't required for the job. If you were interviewing for the Hong Kong office, they will test your Chinese through a written test and bilingual/trilingual interview. But with the latter, I think you might know that already :)
     

    Jessica Booker

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
    14,505
    20,199
    i didnt say i was fluent but i put good/B2 italian and cantonese for the CC application, would they switch languages mid-interview to test my capability?
    If the role you have applied to requires the language, then yes (eg if it is a dual location TC). Otherwise extremely unlikely and even then it would be more likely an informal conversation purely by chance where your interviewer also speaks the language, rather than an actual assessment.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: AvniD and divaination

    AvniD

    Legendary Member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Oct 25, 2021
    1,124
    2,094
    i didnt say i was fluent but i put good/B2 italian and cantonese for the CC application, would they switch languages mid-interview to test my capability?
    This is my nightmare - my fluency in my third/fourth language is basic and I feel like I would jumble up my sentences if I was ever put on the spot as a test to see how good I am 😅 I feel like we tend to worry most about the things that have the least chance of occurring! Having said that, I completely agree with everything that's been said so far - you should be absolutely fine in the interview and in case you're still concerned about being asked about this, I'd very quickly practice greetings and conversation starters if for nothing else but to calm nerves 😅
     
    • Like
    Reactions: divaination

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Newsletter

    Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.