Competition law (or antitrust) is a genuinely fascinating area because it blends legal analysis with economic reasoning and real business behaviour, and that blend is exactly what a competition interview probes. If you have one coming up, the good news is that as a student or junior you are not expected to be an expert; you are expected to show genuine interest in the area and a basic understanding of what competition law is about. Let me show you what these interviews test and how to prepare the competition-specific layer.
Quick answer
A competition interview tests the usual fit and CV questions plus a competition layer: a basic understanding of what competition law is about (ensuring fair competition, dealing with things like anti-competitive practices, abuse of dominance and reviewing combinations), an appreciation that it blends law with economic and commercial reasoning, and a genuine reason you want this area. You are not expected to be an expert, but you should grasp the basics of what competition law addresses, show interest in the law-economics-business intersection, and be able to reason through issues. Prepare the basics, follow relevant developments, and be ready to explain why competition.
What is specific about a competition interview
Competition law is distinctive because it combines legal analysis with economic reasoning and business realities. So a competition interview probes whether you find that intersection genuinely interesting, and whether you can reason about how businesses compete and why certain behaviour matters, at a basic level. The specific layer is about interest in the law-and-economics blend and basic understanding of what competition law addresses, not obscure technical doctrine. Show that you enjoy thinking about markets, business behaviour and fairness, and how law responds to them.
What a competition interview tests
- Basic competition understanding: roughly what competition law is about (fair competition, anti-competitive practices, abuse of dominance, combinations) and what a competition lawyer does, at a high level.
- Law-and-economics awareness: an appreciation that competition blends legal and economic/commercial reasoning, and interest in that.
- Reasoning: the ability to think through a market or business scenario logically, which competition interviews often probe.
- Why competition: a genuine reason this intersectional area appeals to you.
How to prepare
Focus your extra preparation on the competition layer. Build a basic understanding of what competition law addresses so you can discuss it sensibly. Appreciate and be ready to talk about the law-economics-business blend that makes the area distinctive. Follow relevant competition and business developments where you can. Prepare a genuine “why competition” answer, and practise reasoning through a simple market or business scenario, since competition interviews often value how you think about competition and business behaviour. You are showing interest and basic understanding plus clear reasoning, not expertise.
Common competition question themes
Alongside fit and CV questions, expect themes like: “Why competition law?”, “What do you find interesting about it?”, a scenario or reasoning question about business behaviour or markets, “What do you think competition lawyers do?”, and questions about any relevant exposure. Prepare with genuine interest and clear reasoning, not memorised doctrine.
YLCC ACTION STEP: Prepare to talk for a minute about why the law-economics-business blend of competition law interests you, using a simple example of business behaviour and why it might matter. That captures exactly what a competition interview is really checking for: genuine interest in the intersection and the ability to reason about it.
PLEASE DON’T DO THIS: Please don’t try to memorise and recite technical competition doctrine; interviews here value reasoning and genuine interest over recall. And please don’t apply with no real interest in the law-economics blend that defines the area; competition teams particularly value that curiosity. Reasoning plus genuine interest is the goal.
FAQs
- What does a competition interview test? Fit and CV questions plus a competition layer: basic understanding of what competition law addresses, appreciation of its law-economics blend, reasoning ability, and a genuine reason you want the area.
- Do I need to know economics for a competition interview? Not deeply, but an appreciation that competition blends law and economic/commercial reasoning helps, and interest in that intersection matters.
- What makes competition interviews distinctive? The law-economics-business blend and a focus on reasoning about markets and business behaviour, alongside genuine interest in the area.
- What are common competition interview questions? “Why competition?”, “What interests you about it?”, a reasoning scenario about business behaviour, and “What do competition lawyers do?” Prepare with interest and reasoning.
- What if I have no competition experience? Show genuine interest in the law-economics blend, a basic understanding of what the area addresses, and clear reasoning. Interest and reasoning count.
Thank you for reading!
If you found this article helpful, explore more resources from YLCC and continue your legal learning journey.
