30 Assistant General Counsel Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Assistant General Counsel interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Communication
1. Tell us about the last time you had to negotiate with someone.
How to Answer
As assistant general counsel, you will be negotiating on a routine basis. You may negotiate with internal and external partners. The hiring team wants to get an idea of your negotiation style and how it will fit in with the current legal team.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
This is an opportunity to highlight a specific skill and give an example of a successful negotiation. If you have a standard negotiation technique, that is fine, but you should also describe how you creatively reach an outcome that satisfies all parties.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I recently worked with an artist who was licensing a piece of artwork to one of their customers. The artist had never participated in such an arrangement and wanted to accommodate their customer but also leave room in the agreement to be able to use the artwork themselves later (and possibly license it to someone else). The customer pushed for an exclusive license. I talked with my client to determine which was more important to them: having the flexibility to use the piece in the future or keeping the customer happy in hopes of repeat business. By approaching the issue from this angle, my client was able to clarify what they wanted out of the deal. In the end, they worked out a deal that allowed them to maintain a good working relationship."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Direct
2. What is the most important piece of advice you've given someone?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The assistant general counsel will be advising various people within the organization. Your answer will indicate what you consider to be successful advice.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
This is an opportunity to highlight a success in your professional career. If you have been working in the legal industry long enough, you probably have some go-to advice for your clients.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I often tell my clients to run their idea by someone who is not in the industry. Something that they believe makes sense or will be successful may not get the same reaction from someone who doesn't have the industry experience they do. It doesn't have to be anything formal, but it's a quick opportunity to make sure they think through different aspects of a project. I've found that has helped my clients as most have come back to me and explained small changes they made after having these discussions. While I am a legal advisor first, I like to provide added value to help my clients think outside the box."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Direct
3. What activities do you do outside of work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As recent years have shown us, the work-life balance is less defined than in previous decades. It is a good sign if an interviewer is asking this question as it shows they have an interest in you as a person - not just as an employee who comes into the office every day.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
Share something that makes you unique. Your passions and projects are going to allow you to be an employee unlike anyone else.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"Outside of work, my priorities are my health and family. I incorporate activities that involve the entire family. Right now, we like swimming at our local pool, and we play board games every weekend. I also love spinning, so if I am not tied up in family activities, you will find me taking a spin class."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Direct
4. Are you comfortable working remotely?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
With the changes in the last couple of years, working from home is the new normal for many organizations. The interviewer may want to know your comfort level or expectations with remote work.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
If you have strong feelings about working remotely versus in an office location, now is the time to have that discussion. In your interview preparation, take the time to consider where you work best and what it would require to change.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have been working remotely for the last two years. I have a dedicated office space in my home and appreciate that I can work in an environment that maximizes my focus and efficiency."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Experience
5. What has been your most difficult project so far?
Focus Your Answer On
Remember that difficult projects do not have to fail. While describing the project, discuss why it was difficult, but be sure to include how it was successful as well. If you applied what you learned to another project, explain how it made that next venture less difficult.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
As an assistant general counsel, you may have tasks or questions that are routine. However, there will be plenty of difficult situations. You have to find legal solutions to a problem and minimize the impact of an issue on the business's bottom line. Illustrating how you have successfully handled past difficulties will demonstrate that you expect to have continued success in this role.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"The most difficult projects I have worked on are those that involve a lot of parties. Such situations are difficult because there are many opportunities for miscommunication or misunderstanding, which can affect the outcome. One of my clients had a case with three partners, two associates, and four paralegals because it involved multiple areas of law. One of the paralegals had amazing project management skills, so they were able to help the entire team stay on top of different tasks. I learned to consider how my work affects an entire team and my client. As teams work together more often, they become more comfortable with each other's work style. I look forward to the assistant general counsel position because the players have more consistent interactions, which I expect would facilitate the complex projects that will arise down the line."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Experience
6. Give an example of a process you automated.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
For businesses, efficiency is key. The interview wants to know that you can observe current processes and make suggestions to make them more effective. They want to know that you will not do things just because they've always been done that way.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Provide an example of a time you successfully made a process easier. If it includes technical knowledge the interviewer may not have, generalize the example as much as possible.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"It's always helpful to find a new way to do something. I've come to realize that sometimes even small changes make quite a big difference. For example, in a CRM program that was used at my firm, there were some inefficiencies in how our admin team would enter client data. After observing the process, I worked with the IT team to implement some changes in the data fields to make them more user-friendly for our admins. The changes not only helped with data entry but also made it easier for them to run applicable reports."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Experience
7. Do you have experience managing outside counsel?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
At times, it may make more sense to get a legal opinion from outside counsel, especially for specific issues that are not common in the industry. The interviewer wants to know if you understand when to engage outside counsel and how you would manage that relationship.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
How to Answer
If you have experience managing outside counsel, include information such as how you chose the specific firm, how you handled budget issues, etc. If you do not have experience managing outside counsel, use an example of another (non-legal) situation in which you had to seek an expert opinion that was outside your knowledge.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"Yes, I have experience managing outside counsel. I worked at Company B, which was a bank. There was an issue with trademark infringement, and we had to engage outside counsel to look into the issue. It was simply outside of our knowledge base, and we needed experts to successfully address the issue. It's incredibly helpful to use outside counsel for certain issues."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
8. What major challenges and problems did you face in your last position?
Focus Your Answer On
In your answer, highlight the lessons you learned while practicing law. Use examples of challenges that you anticipated and were able to overcome.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
Do not use this question to vent or complain about past co-workers. Your answer should demonstrate that while you try to prepare for a variety of issues and outcomes while practicing law, there will inevitably be problems. Explain to the hiring manager what you learned and whether you were able to avoid similar problems later.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"The biggest challenge I had in my last position was delivering bad news to clients. No one wants to be the bearer of bad news, and clients can get upset when they feel like they are not getting what they expected. I've worked on my listening and communication skills so I can deliver bad news in a way that the client will understand. Inevitably, there were angry responses, and at first, I took those personally. I learned a lot from my colleagues about how to compartmentalize and move forward with clients who did not have the outcome they expected. Interacting with clients is not a skill they teach in law school, but I've learned and grown in that area as I've worked in law."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
9. What do you think has contributed the most to your success?
The Goal
Throughout your career, you have probably had different bosses, roles, training, etc., but there is at least one thing that has been consistent that has helped you achieve your goals. This may be a legal-specific attribute if you have been practicing law for a long time, or it may be a personality trait.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus your answer on your strengths and talents. When you are good at something, it's easy to believe that everyone is good at it, but your strength is unique, and this is an opportunity to celebrate that.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have always loved learning new things. I have found this to be beneficial throughout my career as I have a vast amount of knowledge, and I am effective at sharing what I know with people. I believe this will continue to contribute to my success as things change quickly in law. I don't consider keeping up with the changing landscape to be work - I simply love doing it."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
10. How do you incorporate diversity and inclusion in your workplace?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Organizations are dedicating more resources to diversity and inclusion initiatives. In a role such as assistant general counsel, you will be a leader that needs to understand and move these initiatives forward.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
How to Answer
Provide thoughtful insight into how you incorporate these values into your working environments. Explain the movements you are particularly supportive of and the positive change you have seen from organizations that succeed in diversity and inclusion.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I appreciate the focus on diversity and inclusion that companies have taken recently. There is such a spectrum of actions that contribute to the workplace being successful in this area. I focus on being compassionate and understanding with my colleagues. I treat them professionally and understand that everyone brings unique circumstances to the workplace. I believe keeping an open mind and being patient is key to supporting the long-term growth of diversity and inclusion in the workplace."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
11. What do you anticipate to be the most challenging part of this job?
The Goal
This is an opportunity to share where you may need some additional training or support during onboarding to the position. It can also provide you with some clarification on the job description.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
In your answer, focus on providing potential solutions to the challenge you identify. By doing so, you are being realistic about your expectations while setting yourself up to succeed in the role.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I've only managed a team of two people in previous roles. I noticed that this position has five direct reports. Managing other people is relatively new for me, so I am still learning to incorporate management style into my work. But I look forward to leading the team into this next phase and helping us grow."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
12. Have you ever needed to speak up against a course of action?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Companies have leaders, sales teams, and others who have a talent for developing new ideas. However, they are not trained in spotting the legal obstacles the business will encounter when implementing these ideas. A general counsel needs to be confident enough to speak up against moving forward when it's in the best interest of the company.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
Provide an answer that shows you understand that your priority is to protect the company but that you also do not want to hinder the growth and development of its business lines. Explain how you would mitigate negative outcomes if the team decides to move forward against your advice.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"In previous roles, I've had to counsel clients on a variety of outcomes. Sometimes, there are obvious legal issues with a course of action a client wants to take. If I think the client will push back and want to move forward, I make sure that we have a plan in place to mitigate the potential damage. It's not easy to be the person saying no, but it is part of the job, and I am comfortable helping people better understand the potential outcomes of their plan."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
13. How would you define strategic thinking?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
General counsels are often members of the executive team, which guides the organization into the next phase of its business. Your interviewer wants to know that, in addition to tackling day-to-day operations, you can provide a strategy to grow the business.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Provide your general thoughts on implementing strategic thinking. Include a specific example where you successfully applied such a strategy.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I think the most important part of strategic thinking is communicating the goals that the team has developed. If the executive team is aware of what needs to be accomplished in the next year, but that information never filters down to every employee, the strategy will never be effectively implemented. It is also important to find those individuals who know how to activate a strategy. I was a member of a committee that was responsible for enhancing the corporate culture of the organization. When the committee met, we realized how easy it is to get stuck discussing the hypotheticals of what we wanted to implement. I realized how important action is when developing new ideas."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
14. As an Assistant General Counsel, what do you believe is your best asset?
Focus Your Answer On
The interviewer is asking for your best asset, not the top five. This is a great time to give your elevator pitch on the one thing that sets you apart from everyone else.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
If you have an understanding of your talents and strengths, this will be an easy question to answer. Your talents are what make you unique. Pick one, and explain how you stand out as the best person for this role.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I believe my best asset for this position is my ability to adapt to various situations. While I am prepared and organized, I also am very aware that in this industry, not everything goes to plan. I can easily evaluate various situations, organize information, and come to a conclusion, even in a situation I did not anticipate."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
15. What is your work philosophy?
How to Answer
Everyone defines work-life balance differently. This is your opportunity to define your expectations and how you approach work.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
This question can identify whether you will fit in with the company culture. Share your thoughts and provide some context about how your philosophy has changed or developed over the years.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I appreciate a workplace that allows for flexibility. I try my best in everything I do, including my work. I also want to work with others who are positive and enjoy the work they are doing. Having a positive attitude can make a big difference when there are challenges at work. Overall, I want to keep growing in my career and will continue to create opportunities for myself to move forward."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
16. What decisions are easiest for you to make? Which are the most difficult?
Focus Your Answer On
Another way to think about this question is to identify the tasks and projects you enjoy doing. When people enjoy what they are doing, they often complete the work faster, and it feels easy to them.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
Utilize this question as an opportunity to highlight your strengths and talents. If you are having trouble identifying difficult decisions, think of a skill you are currently working to improve and explain why you are focusing on developing that skill.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I've been working in employment law for over five years, so I find issues in that area easy to address. I feel most challenged by situations in which there is no favorable outcome for my client. For example, one of my clients was involved in a case where they were going to have to either settle with the other party or have a judge determine the damages. Those are difficult decisions because both will negatively impact the client."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
17. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Focus Your Answer On
Think about how past colleagues would describe you. After providing the three words you choose, provide a brief example of how those words apply to your work style.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
How to Answer
Personality tests often provide reports that can narrow your style, talents, working approach, etc. You can use the results from a personality test if you find them to be accurate in your experience.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am most often described as independent and goal-oriented, and I also have a passion for learning new things. My colleagues appreciate my ability to stay on task. While I enjoy working in a team setting, I do not need micromanaging. I am capable of managing my tasks and identifying new projects that I believe would be helpful for the team and business."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
18. What have you done to further your own professional development in the past five years?
Focus Your Answer On
The law is constantly changing. By explaining how you have taken charge of your professional development over the years, you show that you are dedicated to your career and want to continue to grow professionally.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
How to Answer
Lawyers have continuing education requirements, but this question looks for more than your ability to meet the basic requirements. Share any conferences you have attended, networking groups you joined, or volunteer opportunities you have pursued.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my last position, I wanted to gain more experience in people management. I asked the partner in the firm if I could interview and manage our summer associate. Through that process, I learned a lot about hiring and expectations for short-term employees. I grew professionally as I learned how to communicate assignments to another person and guide them through the next step of their career."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
19. What achievement are you most proud of so far?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your resume may list your past achievements, but in asking this question, the interviewer specifically wants to know what you value most. This does not have to be a professional or legal-related achievement. It allows the interviewer to get to know you better as a person.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
For some people, it can be difficult to talk about achievements. It may feel like bragging, and people have mixed emotions about this. If you are one of those people, practice this answer so you can confidently discuss your success!
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I serve on the board of a local non-profit. When I was offered a position on the board, I was so proud because the other board members are community members that I look up to and am honored to work with in this capacity."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
20. How do you evaluate your success?
Focus Your Answer On
Not everyone knows how they define or evaluate their success. For some people, it's about the title they achieve. For others, it's a certain salary. You may evaluate your success daily using another metric. There is no wrong answer to this question, but since it's not something we often think about, be sure to prepare for such a question.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Remember To
Think about how you have succeeded in the past. When things come easily to you, it's easy to believe that everyone is good at that skill, but your successes are unique and can provide further insight into your natural talents. Your description of these successes will allow the hiring party to ensure that the role will match your unique talents.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I evaluate my success in two ways: short-term and long-term. I am a list maker, so I routinely write down my goals for the week. I define success as completing the items on my list. I say this is successful because it reflects that I managed my time as I expected and that I had realistic goals set. In the long term, I rely on feedback to evaluate if I am being successful. If clients refer their friends and family, I believe that is a success. When my partner assigned me a challenging project, I thought of that as a success because it showed that he trusted me and appreciated my previous work."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
General
21. Why do you want a career as an assistant general counsel?
Focus Your Answer On
If you are applying for a position as assistant general counsel, you likely have experience working either at a law firm or in a junior position within an in-house legal department. Explain how or why you are ready to take on the next step as an assistant general counsel.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
Use this question as an opportunity to highlight past success, and explain how your career has grown so far. This will allow you to explain why you want this role to be the next step in your career.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I've spent the last few years working as an associate at ABC Firm. In that role, I have learned how to counsel clients through various issues, focusing on mergers and acquisitions. I have found that I enjoy thinking through the effects these deals have on businesses. After talking with colleagues who work as general counsel, my understanding is that they do this daily in the work they do. I want to transition into an assistant general counsel position so I can focus on one client and use my business skills to ensure the company is protected and in the best position to meet its goals in the coming years."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Leadership
22. Tell me about your most successful leadership experience.
Focus Your Answer On
Talking about your past successes can also set you up to explain how you intend to replicate that success in the future. Don't be misled into thinking that success has to mean something big; you have plenty of small victories in your professional career that would be a valid answer to this question.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
You can use this answer to showcase your talents. Share your experience and explain how you plan to continue to succeed in this new role.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I believe my most successful leadership experience so far has been leading a committee that reports to the executive team about the current risks in the business units. Our committee spends the entire quarter analyzing the procedures of different departments and shares what we observed. Along with the observations, we provide recommendations on how to mitigate various risks we identified. The executive team can then decide how to move forward."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Leadership
23. Have you supervised or managed others before?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As assistant general counsel, there may be others on your team who will report to you. This may include other junior attorneys, paralegals, administrative assistants, or interns. The interviewer may simply want to know if you have managerial experience, and they may follow up with questions about your management style (if you have previously supervised others).
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
If you have supervised others in previous positions, take this opportunity to explain your management philosophy. If you do not have managerial experience, you can still provide insight into which management styles you have seen that worked well in your previous positions.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"While I have not worked in an official management capacity yet, I have had the opportunity to assign tasks to administrative assistants. Our legal team at X Corporation had two administrative assistants who helped the entire legal team. However, they directly reported to our general counsel. I was extremely grateful when they helped me with administrative tasks. When I asked them for help, I would be sure to fully explain the requirements and my timetable. If something was done incorrectly, I simply talked to them about it professionally. I never had a situation where I had to go to their boss with an issue."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Management
24. What kind of supervisor do you work best under?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
An assistant general counsel will report to a senior member of the team - the general counsel, chief legal officer, etc. The interviewer wants to get an idea of whether you would fit in with the style of management currently in place on the team.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Answer this question honestly. If you answer vaguely in an attempt to move on in the interviewing process, you may run into issues later if the management style does not work for you. Also, remember that you are interviewing the company as well, so this can be an opportunity to ask about the general management style currently in place.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I want to learn from the team leaders. I work well independently, so I do not respond well to micromanagement. While I appreciate feedback, I want a supervisor who trusts me to get the task done how I see fit. Perhaps we can discuss further whether this matches with the management style currently in place."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Operational
25. How do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Assistant general counsels get assigned a variety of tasks. Some may be legal, others may be more compliance-oriented, and sometimes the task only has to do with the effects on a particular business line. The interviewer wants to know how you address a variety of tasks and organize them to ensure all the work gets done.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
How to Answer
Describe how you organize your day. After a few years of working in a career, most professionals have a routine that works. Perhaps you block out your calendar during your most productive hours so you can focus on work rather than meetings during those times. Share what has worked for you in the past and how you communicate with your colleagues to ensure all projects get the necessary attention.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"If I am assigned a project, I make sure that I understand the timeframe in which it needs to be completed. I also ask if there are preferences to be updated before project completion. The top priority item is the one that has the first deadline. However, if there are no pressing deadlines, I would tackle the items that were most important to the business. As I am not going to necessarily know that information from the start, I would work with the general counsel and other leadership to align their priorities with my projects."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Operational
26. How do you analyze a problem before deciding on the course of action to take?
Focus Your Answer On
Law school provides training on specific critical thinking skills. By having a system of analysis, you can keep information organized and ensure you have thought of all possible risks and outcomes for the problem at hand. Explain your method of legal analysis and how it has helped you tackle issues.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
This is an opportunity to highlight your problem-solving skills. As assistant general counsel, you will be expected to work efficiently and accurately to address various business partners' concerns. By having a system of legal analysis already established, you demonstrate that you are prepared for the role.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"When a problem is presented to me, I ask my colleagues who have experience in the area if they have come across a similar issue in the past. After some initial (informal) research, I dive into the current law and cases that address the issue. Next, I evaluate the specific problem and the established law to see if there is an outcome that we can count on or if there are enough differences that other outcomes are possible. It is only after thinking through these different scenarios that I provide a conclusion for the course of action we should take.
Although the process may sound long, it does not have to be. I've found that by discussing the issue with colleagues, I'm able to more efficiently tackle the research I need to get done on my specific problem."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Operational
27. How do you handle stress and pressure?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
When working as an assistant general counsel, every day will be different. You may have long-term projects, but you will also be responsible for fielding questions daily on a variety of issues. In-house legal teams are expected to have the knowledge and resources to answer questions efficiently. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle a variety of tasks and stressful situations.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
The legal profession, like many others, is filled with stress and pressure. If you have strategies to deal with stress in the workplace, this is an opportunity to dive deeper into this conversation with the hiring team. It is also an opportunity to ask more about the culture of the workplace and whether it is considered high-stress or filled with conflict. If this is not an environment you are comfortable in, then you can learn more about if the place is the right fit for you.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"When I find myself in a stressful situation, I make an effort to stay very organized. I am better equipped to handle issues when I do not have to worry about small details like running behind on a deadline or not being able to locate certain documents. Overall, I remain professional in stressful situations. I am mindful of my tone while speaking with others, do not place blame, and keep an eye on the goal. I would expect that others on the team have a similar approach."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Situational
28. Have you ever been overloaded with work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
In an assistant general counsel position, your scope of work will be broader than the projects assigned to you at a law firm. You may have more meetings, and if you are overseeing other employees, you may have additional coaching and professional development work to do. The interviewer wants to know that you are prepared for a role that may be different from your current arrangement.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
The Goal
Be honest in your answer, but if you say yes, take the time to clarify if the problem was the amount of work being assigned to you or a time management issue on your part. Share the important lessons you have learned and how you keep your workload manageable.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"At my firm, we have a lot of tax clients. During tax season, the attorneys are very busy and put in much longer hours than at other times of the year. Thankfully, we have understanding partners who communicate well. They encourage us to talk to them if we feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, it is helpful to get their perspective on how to tackle the workload since they have experience. Aside from that season, I feel that my work has been manageable."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Situational
29. How have you handled making a wrong or bad decision?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
People within the organization are going to seek your advice and counsel on a daily basis for a variety of issues. Inevitably, you will make a mistake. The interviewer wants to know how (or if) you are resilient and accountable to take ownership of the issue and manage the best possible outcome.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
While it is imperative to be honest when answering such a question, focus your answer on your solution and what you learned from the experience. Do not get caught up in the negativity of recalling your mistakes; focus on how you have grown since.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"I had a client who went against my advice and proceeded with a course of action I did not agree with. Instead of terminating our relationship, we moved forward to complete the deal she was pursuing. When it went badly, the client was understandably upset but wanted to take her anger out on me by threatening various actions against me. In the end, everything was resolved, but I learned to trust my instincts about when to end client relationships."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Technical
30. What is a compliance issue that our organization could face in the next year?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Corporations are subject to a variety of laws and regulations. Since those continually change, you are responsible for keeping up with developments and helping the organization prepare.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
How to Answer
Provide an answer that demonstrates that you have researched the business and applicable laws that apply to the organization.
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022
Answer Example
"Since Company A keeps personal data from customers around the globe, there are various country-specific privacy laws that will need attention in the next year. In my previous role, I guided clients through applying GDPR to their business operations, and we have successfully implemented compliance policies and training for the regulations. I look forward to taking on a similar role in this organization."
Written by Nicole H. on January 8th, 2022