Interviewing as an experienced lawyer is a genuinely different exercise from interviewing as a student or fresher, and preparing the same way you did years ago can trip you up. At a few years of PQE (post-qualification experience), the questions shift, the expectations rise, and what employers are assessing changes. If you are moving laterally, understanding how PQE-specific interviews differ helps you prepare for what actually matters at your level. Let me walk you through what changes and how to prepare.
Quick answer
As you gain PQE, interviews focus less on potential and fit-in-the-abstract and more on your actual expertise, track record and the specific value you bring. Employers expect you to discuss your real experience in depth (the matters or deals you have handled, at what level), to have clear expertise in your area, to demonstrate judgement and the ability to work at your level, and to explain your move convincingly. To prepare, know your own experience, be ready to discuss your work substantively (within confidentiality), show your expertise and judgement, and have a clear, positive reason for the move.
What changes as you gain PQE
The centre of the interview shifts from potential to proven capability. As a fresher, interviews probe whether you could become a good lawyer. At a few years PQE, they probe what you can actually do now: your expertise, the level you operate at, your judgement, and the specific value you would add. So expect deeper questions about your real experience, more assessment of your expertise and judgement, and a clear focus on why you are moving and what you bring. The bar for discussing your own work substantively is higher, because that work is now your main evidence.
What employers expect at your level
- Depth of your experience: be ready to discuss the matters or deals you have handled, your role and the level you worked at, substantively and within confidentiality.
- Clear expertise: a demonstrable command of your practice area appropriate to your PQE.
- Judgement and level: evidence that you can operate at the level of the role, handle responsibility, and exercise sound judgement.
- A convincing reason for the move: a clear, positive explanation of why you are switching.
How to prepare
Prepare for the higher bar. Know your own experience cold, and be ready to discuss your significant matters or deals in depth, within confidentiality, including your specific role and the level you worked at. Be ready to demonstrate your expertise and judgement, potentially through discussion of how you have handled real situations. Prepare a clear, positive reason for your move and what you bring to this role. And expect PQE-appropriate technical and situational questions, which you should be able to handle from real experience rather than theory. You are being assessed as a capable, proven lawyer, so let your track record and judgement show.
Common themes in PQE-specific interviews
Expect themes like deep discussion of your experience and matters, questions probing your expertise and judgement, “Why are you moving / why this firm?”, how you have handled specific real situations, and PQE-appropriate technical questions. Prepare to draw on your actual experience substantively.
YLCC ACTION STEP: Before a lateral interview, prepare to talk in depth about your two or three most significant matters or deals, within confidentiality: what they involved, your specific role, the level you worked at, and what you learned. At your PQE, your real experience is your main evidence, so being able to discuss it substantively is what interviews are checking.
PLEASE DON’T DO THIS: Please don’t prepare like a fresher, leaning on potential and generic answers; at your PQE, interviews want depth on your real experience and expertise. And please don’t be vague about your actual work (“handled various matters”); within confidentiality, be substantive, because that is exactly what is being assessed. Depth and judgement, not potential, are the currency now.
FAQs
- How do interviews differ for experienced lawyers? They focus on your proven expertise, track record and the value you bring, rather than potential and abstract fit. Expect deeper questions about your real experience.
- What do employers expect at my PQE? Depth of experience, clear expertise in your area, judgement and the ability to work at the role’s level, and a convincing reason for your move.
- How do I prepare for a lateral interview? Know your experience, be ready to discuss your matters substantively within confidentiality, show expertise and judgement, and prepare a clear reason for the move.
- Can I discuss confidential work in a PQE interview? Yes, at the level of type, nature and your role, without disclosing confidential specifics. See the deal sheet and matter list guides.
- What is the biggest mistake experienced lawyers make in interviews? Preparing like a fresher and being vague about their real work. At your PQE, depth and expertise are what matter.
Thank you for reading!
If you found this article helpful, explore more resources from YLCC and continue your legal learning journey.
