Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision
Theme: Decision Making Role: Judicial Clerk Function: Legal
Interview Question for Judicial Clerk: See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Judicial Clerk: Assists judges by conducting legal research, drafting opinions, and managing court documents. This role falls within the Legal function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here
Sample Answer
Example response for question delving into Decision Making with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence
- Identifying the Difficult Decision: I was faced with a difficult decision when I had to choose between two job offers
- Context & Importance: The decision was important as it would shape my career path and determine my future growth
- Gathering Information: To make an informed decision, I researched both companies extensively, considering factors such as company culture, growth opportunities, and salary packages
- Weighing Pros & Cons: I created a list of pros and cons for each job offer, evaluating factors like job responsibilities, work-life balance, and potential for professional development
- Seeking Advice & Input: I sought advice from mentors and professionals in the legal field, discussing the potential long-term implications of each job offer
- Considering Personal Values: I reflected on my personal values and career aspirations, considering which job aligned better with my long-term goals
- Making the Decision: After careful consideration, I decided to accept the job offer that provided more growth opportunities and aligned better with my career aspirations
- Outcome & Reflection: In hindsight, I believe I made the right decision as the job has allowed me to develop my skills and progress in my legal career
Underlying Motivations
What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question
- Problem-solving skills: Assessing the candidate's ability to make tough decisions and handle complex situations
- Decision-making process: Understanding how the candidate approaches decision-making and weighs different factors
- Resilience & adaptability: Evaluating how the candidate handles challenging situations and learns from them
- Judgment & critical thinking: Assessing the candidate's ability to analyze information and make sound judgments
Potential Minefields
How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags
- Lack of clarity: Providing a vague or unclear explanation of the difficult decision made
- Avoiding responsibility: Blaming others or external factors for the difficult decision instead of taking ownership
- Negative outcome: Focusing solely on the negative outcome without discussing any positive aspects or lessons learned
- Lack of preparation: Not being able to provide specific details or examples of the difficult decision
- Inability to handle pressure: Demonstrating an inability to handle the stress or pressure associated with making difficult decisions
- Lack of critical thinking: Failing to explain the reasoning or thought process behind the difficult decision
- Unethical behavior: Describing a difficult decision that involved unethical or questionable actions