Why law? That's a question you're going to be asked over and over again if you are starting to think a career in law might be the one for you. You'll be answering it on work placement application forms, during mock interviews, at tutor meetings, when applying for courses, at scholarship interviews… the list goes on.
It has some variations – 'why do you want to be a lawyer?' and 'why do you think you're suited to a career in law?' – but it's basically the same question.
So if you are at school or college and thinking about a career in law, it's a good idea to start considering how you're going to answer it. And not just because you'd look stupid if you fluffed it.
Once you've worked out 'why law', you will find you can apply yourself to the process of achieving your goal in a more focused, determined and disciplined manner.
'Come on, the question seems simple enough. What's the fuss?'
When you're filling out application forms, you need to be structured and logical in your answers. A personal question – 'why law?' – can feel somehow unexpected and can be very offputting. It is easy to get into a muddle if you have not thought it through.
These terms will be discussed in this essay, along with appropriate teaching strategies to support children’s learning in the physical, temporal and interpersonal aspects for an optimal learning environment. The childcare profession is to be an employee of educational assistant in the school system.
The first time I answered this question, I was applying for a mini-pupillage and had little legal experience. I wrote: 'Law, being a vital component in the successful integration of people, impresses me with its in-built readiness to change in accordance with society.
'The long-standing legal system in this country and the relationship between parliament and the courts provide a dynamic professional environment within which to work.' Although I had worked hard at my answer and showed that I knew a little about the legal system, I had not thought carefully enough about why I personally was intending to pursue a career in law.
My answer was not a convincing enough argument and I was unsuccessful as a result. How did I know that law is a dynamic professional environment within which to work? There was no proof to back it up.
'Ok! Just tell me what I need to say…'
Many different kinds of people succeed at the law, and the best answer really will depend on your personality.
Consider carefully your own reasons and source of motivation. We may agree with Aristotle that 'the law is reason free from passion', yet an answer as to why you might want a career in law is the opposite – it is a rare opportunity to show your passion, so don't be afraid to.
It will help you stand out next to someone else, and an interviewer may well remember you by it.
This does not mean be whimsical or sentimental. Instead, be specific in your answer about your influences and your natural enthusiasm will shine through.
Law affects every part of our lives and it is really not difficult to find examples ot that: driving a car, buying something from a shop, getting into a fight, being employed, renting a house… There is no right answer, just a convincing one.
My own motivation came from seeing a small part of the law in action. I was employed as a student support officer when I was asked to research and present my findings to a board of directors on upcoming changes to visa regulations affecting students.
By gaining a practical insight I realised two things – first, the power the law has on people's lives, and second, interpreting law effectively can mitigate loss of income.
Incorporating this into my answer to 'why law?' gave me, in the absence of any real legal experience, the chance to show a more personal response. It also mentioned research and presentation skills. A better attempt!
'That's all very well, but I'm 17 and never had a job before'
Get the best qualifications you can at school, at college and, if you follow the conventional route into law, at university. That goes without saying.
But don't underestimate the importance of practical experience at this stage. It is not crucial to study law as an A-level subject or read a hundred textbooks.
There are some characteristics that your interviewers, tutors and employers will be expecting from you straight away, such as how good you might be with clients, how much commercial awareness you have, and what characteristics you can bring to a role.
Work experience helps prove you are competent in these areas, and leaves you with a wealth of examples to talk about on application forms and during interviews.
There are a whole range of options out there – you should apply to chamber sets, solicitors firms and courts, but if you struggle to get these placements immediately, you can also get great value from work experience elsewhere, such as in the financial sector, or in retail or charity work. So before I leave you to mull over your answer to 'why law?', here are three useful tips to improve your chances getting work experience:
1. Write a tailored letter, targeting a specific person in a firm 2. Try requesting one to two days, not two weeks, as you are more likely to gain shorter placements than longer ones 3. Make sure you write a thank you letter – few people do this and it is a good way for you to be remembered positively, in case you want to go back.
Introduction
Entering the Nursing Field
Nursing Major Career Paths
Getting a Nursing Job
Getting Back After a Break
Applying for the Job
Nursing Resume Example
Nursing Skills
Nurse Practitioner Skills
Interview Questions and Tips
Why Did You Choose Nursing?
What Is Most Rewarding?
Handling Patient Complaints
Questions About Training
Questions About Rude Doctors
Questions About Stress
Writing a Thank You Letter
Types of Nursing Careers
Air Force Nurse
Registered Military Nurse
Registered Nurse
Telephone Nurse
Nursing From Home
Licensed Practical Nurse
When preparing to interview for a nursing position, it’s helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask nursing candidates is 'What made you choose nursing as a career?' If you have an interview for a nursing position, you want to arrive confident and prepared for your interview. Reviewing questions that interviewers might ask will help you do that.
What the Interviewer Really Wants to Know
When an interviewer for a nursing position asks you “Why did you choose nursing as a career?” the interviewer is trying to learn the personal reasons you may have for becoming a nurse.
The interviewer is also trying to learn what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at what you do.
Your answers should provide the basis for a discussion about your passion for nursing, your qualifications, and your skill set.
How to Answer the Interview Question “Why Did You Choose Nursing as a Career?”
Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as what strengths you possess that make you an excellent nurse and the best candidate for the job.
You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to nursing, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you would like to answer them.
Don’t try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths.
4 Ways to Answer: Why Did You Choose Nursing as a Career?
Examples of the Best Answers
Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.
I wanted to do something in my career that is challenging, interesting, and makes a difference in people's lives daily. In the nursing profession, you deal with many aspects of patient care, and I enjoy the variety in the routine.
Why It Works: The interviewer will be pleased to know that the candidate wants to make a difference in people’s lives. The candidate also makes a point to mention that patient care is a priority.
Dealing with patients and their families and helping them through what is often a difficult time for them is extremely satisfying for me.
Why It Works: This works because the candidate is letting the interviewer know that working with patients is of primary importance.
My mother is a nurse and seeing the satisfaction she feels every day by helping people in her job inspired my own interest in the field. I knew from the time that I was very young that nursing was something I wanted to do with my life.
Why It Works: This is a good answer because it shows the candidate’s passion for the nursing profession along with a family history of working in the nursing field.
Through college and nursing school, my interest in nursing and commitment to the field became even stronger as I found that I also had an aptitude for the work. I believe my ability to communicate with people and to explain things clearly in both a technical and non-technical way is one of the things that makes me a good nurse.
Why It Works: This is a very good answer that shows that interviewer the candidate’s confidence and awareness of the strengths possessed that enhance the candidacy.
I chose nursing as a career because I love learning new things. As a nurse, I am always challenging myself to keep current on medical trends and training so that I can provide the best care to my patients. Every day as a nurse, I learn something new from my colleagues and patients, which inspires me to explore deeper knowledge of the techniques and procedures I use.
Why It Works: This works because the candidate shows a willingness to keep current on skills and education necessary in the medical field.
Tips for Giving the Best Answer
Analyze the Job Posting: It’s a good idea to look carefully at the job posting, and the hospital website to get a feel for what they are specifically looking for in the person who fills the open position, as well as the general culture of the hospital.
Share Your Skill Set: Be prepared to discuss your clinical skill set, as well as your personal qualities, that make you qualified for the job. The interviewer may ask you to provide examples of situations where you applied those skills. You should have a list of your nursing skills with you, preferably on a copy of your resume.
Discuss Patient Scenarios: You will be asked about challenges you have met and problems which you have solved in patient care contexts. Be ready to share specific patient scenarios where you intervened with difficult cases and individuals to help generate positive outcomes.
Show You're a Team Player: Nurses must be effective team members and get along with challenging personalities. Be prepared to share examples of how you have dealt with difficult colleagues.
Practice Your Answer. Prepare an answer to this question and practice your answer.
What Not to Say
Avoid Negativity: Don’t complain about difficult patients, other nurses you’ve known, doctors, or other hospitals.
Avoid Physical Complaints: Don’t complain about the grueling physical aspects of the nursing profession. You chose this career and are applying for this job.
Possible Follow-Up Questions
How do you handle the stress that comes with a nurse’s job? Best Answers
Why do you want to work here? Best Answers
Are you organized? Best Answers
Key Takeaways
Be prepared to discuss both your clinical skill set and personal characteristics that make you a good nurse.
Take a list of your nursing skills with you.
Have some sample patient scenarios and why they were challenging in mind.
Don’t complain about past jobs, patients, people, the nature of the work, or anything else.
Go over sample interview questions to prepare for your interview.
Prepare an answer to this question by making notes and practice it.
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What the Interviewer Really Wants to Know
How to Answer the Interview Question “Why Did You Choose Nursing as a Career?”