how to prep for an attorney job interview

by Antonia Schmidt 5 min read

  1. Research the company thoroughly. Research and familiarize yourself with the company with whom you’re interviewing. ...
  2. Find out whether the company utilizes “behavioral” interview questions. More and more companies are using behavioral questions with attorney candidates during inhouse legal interviews.
  3. Familiarize Yourself with the Interviewers. It’s important to know about the people with whom you’ll be interviewing. ...
  4. Come up with questions of your own. Questions during the interview are very important! ...

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.
  1. Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ...
  2. Be presentable and dress your best. ...
  3. Come prepared to ask questions. ...
  4. Be personable and show enthusiasm. ...
  5. Be genuine. ...
  6. Promptly send a thank-you note.
Oct 28, 2020

Full Answer

How do you prepare for an interview as an attorney?

Feb 06, 2022 · Standard blind date rules apply: nice handshake, maintain eye contact, smile when appropriate, and always listen! Listening is the most crucial part. It can be difficult for attorneys to get out of talking mode, but the interviewer should do about 80% of the talking.

How do I prepare for a job interview?

gone on countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared for your job interview. Take the time to review the standard interview questions you will most likely be asked. These interview questions and answers on Candidate Attorney will help you strengthen your technical skills, prepare for the interviews and quickly revise the concepts.

What should I bring to a law firm interview?

Sep 27, 2011 · Public Defender Interviewing Process Panel. Take time to anticipate the types of questions likely to be asked in your interviews. Think through what your answers would be without “scripting” them or making them sound too rehearsed. The interviewer may pose hypotheticals or questions about substantive areas of law.

What questions do they ask in a law school interview?

May 01, 2008 · Practical, Real-World Job Interview Advice and Tips from Washington, D.C. Law Firm Attorneys and Recruiting Managers. We have entered the busiest time of year for hiring a lateral attorney. Recruiters at law firms are concentrating more on hiring laterals for busy and growing practice groups and less on on-campus interviews.

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How do you introduce yourself in an attorney interview?

LawOF: Introduce yourself. Answer: My name is Utkarsh Goel and I am currently pursuing LLB-3 Year Program. LawOF: What made you chose LLB? Utkarsh Goel: Since my school days, I had always been interested in law.Jul 24, 2016

How do you do well in law interview?

8 ways to prepare for a legal job interviewHighlight your successes. ... Be knowledgeable about what you've done. ... Frame your experience for the role. ... Know what's going on. ... Sell your soft skills. ... Prepare your questions — and your answers. ... Dress to impress. ... Relax and be yourself.

What questions are asked in a law firm interview?

Are you willing to make sacrifices for this company?What role do you tend to play in a team?Describe your ability to work under pressure.If you were hiring a manager for this job, what would you look for?Do you have any questions for me?Tell me a little about yourself.What area of law most interests you.

How do you crack a law firm interview?

Tips to Crack Legal interviews: A Complete GuideBe prepared. You should prepare for the basic interview questions. ... Research the company. ... Be Punctual. ... Dos and don'ts during interview. ... Be confident. ... Body Language. ... Questions Ask During an Interview for a Legal Job.Apr 18, 2018

How do see yourself in 5 years?

How to answer 'where do you see yourself in five years?' in an interviewGet clear about your career goals. Take some time to brainstorm what your career goals are for the next five years. ... Find connections between your goals and the job description. ... Ask yourself if the company can prepare you for your career goals.Jun 29, 2021

What are your strengths?

Some examples of strengths you might mention include:Enthusiasm.Trustworthiness.Creativity.Discipline.Patience.Respectfulness.Determination.Dedication.More items...

How do you answer what are your weaknesses?

Put your weaknesses in a positive lightEmphasize the positive, avoiding negative words like failure or inept.Talk about how you've transformed your weakness into a strength.Show how you recognize where you need to improve and take steps to better yourself.Dec 13, 2021

What are your weaknesses best answers?

Here are a few examples of the best weaknesses to mention in an interview:I focus too much on the details. ... I have a hard time letting go of a project. ... I have trouble saying “no.” ... I get impatient when projects run beyond the deadline. ... I could use more experience in… ... I sometimes lack confidence.More items...•Nov 2, 2021

What is your greatest strength answer samples?

“My greatest strength is attention to detail. I've always been detail-oriented in my work, and it's something I enjoy. I saw on your job description that this role involves a lot of detail-oriented work, which is one reason I applied.”

How do you answer why do you want to work for this law firm?

How do you answer: "Why do you want to work for this law firm?"Practice areas.Sectors.Clients & deals.Size of the firm.Company culture.Personal motivations.Think about why these features matter to you.Nov 22, 2021

What do you say in a law interview?

4. Preparing for the Law Firm's Interview QuestionsTell me about yourself.Why did you decide to go to law school?Why did you choose your law school?Is your GPA an accurate reflection of your abilities? ... What makes you think you are a good lawyer?What do you know about our firm?What area of law most interests you?More items...

Why should we hire you as a lawyer?

Good reasons could include a combination of the following: working full time to pay for law school, being very involved in student legal groups, working on a research project with a professor, participating in legal clinics, taking extra clinical classes, or working in industry to gain experience in your planned ...Sep 27, 2016

How To Research A Law Firm For An Interview?

Securing a fantastic legal career requires several criteria that you have little or no control over. You cannot control the economy, competition, o...

How To Dress For A Law Firm Interview?

If you want to fit in as a rookie lawyer, it is time for some law firm attire. But first...What Not To Wear? Do not wear anything too flashy or ost...

How To Prepare For A Law Firm Interview?

Many law students and non-law students need to know the right way of interviewing for a job. It is so frustrating talking to one lawyer after anoth...

When Do I Need To Start Preparing For A Law Firm Job Interview?

Immediately! The earlier you start preparing for your first law firm job interview, the more options you will have. Waiting until the last minute t...

Where Do I Begin My Law Firm Interview Preparation?

Start with yourself and who you are as a person. A law firm interview is not just a chance for you to sell yourself but a time for a lawyer to lear...

What Are Some Ways Of Knowing Who I Am And How To Sell Myself For A Law Job?

The key way of knowing who you are is by using an interview preparation guide. The best way to prepare yourself for a law job is to understand what...

What Is A Plan Of Action And How Does It Help Me To Get Into A Law Firm?

A plan of action is basically a summary of yourself and your practice or area of law that you can memorize. It is also important for job applicants...

How Do I Prepare For An Attorney Interview?

The most common ways students and fresh grads usually prepare for attorney interviews are:Step 1: Practice your answers with a friend or classmate....

What Is The Best Law School Interview?

The best law school interview is one that puts you at ease, allows you to show your best side, and leaves the interviewer impressed enough with you...

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About Harrison Barnes

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks.

General questions

When you're interviewing for the role of legal assistant, you'll likely meet with an attorney, firm partner or paralegal who will be responsible for overseeing your work.

Questions about experience and background

Because a firm may be looking for particular experience based on the attorneys' needs, interviewers often ask legal assistant candidates about their work history.

In-depth questions

An interviewer may ask you a couple of in-depth questions to learn more about what they can expect from you if you're hired. Your answers can show how you support a legal team, the knowledge you have about different legal processes and how you may have managed a difficult situation in your previous work history.

Legal assistant interview questions with sample answers

You can prepare for an interview process by practicing answering sample questions for the role you're applying for. Here are some example questions and answers to review:

1. Which factors in determining legal merit might junior prosecutors neglect?

Demonstrates the candidate’s experience and their ability to provide inexperienced prosecutors with guidance.

2. Can you explain what tasks you typically would delegate to associates?

Evaluates the candidate's experience and ability to assign suitable tasks to legal clerks and associates.

3. What are your recommendations for increasing successful prosecutions?

Assesses the candidate’s knowledge of the criminal justice system and their ability to increase prosecution success rates.

4. Can you describe your proudest achievement as a prosecutor?

Reveals the candidate's knowledge and experience, as well as their ability to fulfill the mandate of a district attorney.

5. Which procedures would you implement to address criminal prosecution backlogs?

Highlights the candidate’s experience, as well as their ability to resolve challenges associated with the role.

What questions should I ask in an interview?

Many employers feel confident about candidates who ask thoughtful questions about the company and the position. You should take time before the interview to prepare several questions for your interviewer (s) that show you’ve researched the company and are well-versed about the position. Some examples of questions you could ask include: 1 What does a typical day look like for a person in this position? 2 Why do you enjoy working here? 3 What qualities do your most successful employees have? 4 I’ve really enjoyed learning more about this opportunity. What are the next steps in the hiring process?

Why is it important to research a company?

Researching the company you’re applying to is an important part of preparing for an interview. Not only will it help provide context for your interview conversations, but it will also help you when preparing thoughtful questions for your interviewers.

What is the purpose of interview preparation?

Preparing for an interview primarily means taking time to thoughtfully consider your goals and qualifications relative to the position and employer. To accomplish this, you should perform research on the company and carefully review the job description to understand why you would be a good fit.

How to prepare for a job interview?

1. Carefully examine the job description. During your prep work, you should use the employer’s posted job description as a guide. The job description is a list of the qualifications, qualities and background the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. The more you can align yourself with these details, the more the employer will be able ...

Can you predict every question you will be asked in an interview?

While you won’t be able to predict every question you’ll be asked in an interview, there are a few common questions you can plan answers for. You might also consider developing an elevator pitch that quickly describes who you are, what you do and what you want.

Why is it important to practice interviewing?

Just like public speaking, practicing interviews is the best way to relieve anxiety and improve your confidence. Practice may feel tedious, but repeatedly experiencing the interview process will make you more comfortable and help you give the right impression.

What are the challenges of an interview?

Most people are uncomfortable with this idea, but presenting yourself accurately and positively doesn't have to feel like a sale. The truth is that you do have professional skills and experiences that may set you apart from other applicants, so it's acceptable and expected for you to acknowledge them to your potential employer.

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General Questions

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These questions help a hiring partner get to know you a little more by understanding your passions, interests and how you may fit into the firm's culture: 1. What adjectives would your friends use to describe you? 2. What are your biggest strengths? 3. How do you handle feedback? 4. What is your biggest acco
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Questions About Experience and Background

  • These questions help an interviewer understand how your education and previous experience translate to the role: 1. What was your favorite course in law school and why? 2. Tell me about a case you were lead on that substantially broadened your knowledge of the legal field. 3. Which extracurricular groups were you involved in during law school? 4. Tell me about your law school i…
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In-Depth Questions

  • An interviewer may ask these questions to get to know how you build a relationship with clients and navigate court issues. These questions also give you a chance to explain your processes and display the parts of your personality that make you the right candidate for the role. 1. How do you build trust with a client? 2. How would you keep clients informed about the status of their cases…
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Law Firm Interview Tips

  • Here are some interview tips to consider so you can present yourself well to the hiring partner: 1. Familiarize yourself with recent court rulings. 2. Research the law firm. 3. Bring examples of papers you've written.
See more on indeed.com

General Questions

  • When you're interviewing for the role of legal assistant, you'll likely meet with an attorney, firm partner or paralegal who will be responsible for overseeing your work. The purpose of these questions is to help a hiring manager learn more about you as a candidate, including what your career ambitions are and why you're applying for their open position. It's important for an intervi…
See more on indeed.com

Questions About Experience and Background

  • Because a firm may be looking for particular experience based on the attorneys' needs, interviewers often ask legal assistant candidates about their work history. With a better understanding of your unique qualifications, a hiring manager may be better able to compare your experience to those of the other candidates and determine which one to hire at the firm. Consid…
See more on indeed.com

In-Depth Questions

  • An interviewer may ask you a couple of in-depth questions to learn more about what they can expect from you if you're hired. Your answers can show how you support a legal team, the knowledge you have about different legal processes and how you may have managed a difficult situation in your previous work history. You can prepare for some in-depth questions by reviewin…
See more on indeed.com

Legal Assistant Interview Questions with Sample Answers

  • You can prepare for an interview process by practicing answering sample questions for the role you're applying for. Here are some example questions and answers to review:
See more on indeed.com