INTERVIEW COACH
Rachelle Enns
Rachelle is a job search expert, career coach, and headhunter who helps everyone from students to fortune 500 executives find success in their career.
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Do you enjoy working as part of a team?
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TOP ANSWERS
OUR COACH SAYS
This is an important question to answer in a positive and slightly neutral way. Unless you know for sure if this firm offers a highly collaborative team environment, you want to avoid answering in a way that paints you into a corner.
Example #1
"I do enjoy working as part of a team. I am productive in both a team and independent environment. Do you offer a strong team environment here, or are you more individually task driven?"
Anonymous Answer
"I do enjoy working as part of a team, and I find it helpful at certain times. However, I also enjoy independent work."
Rachelle's Reply
Concise and to the point. You are independent while also being a team player. Well done!
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Anonymous Answer
"I enjoy working as part of a team but can work efficiently in both a team environment and individually. I feel that to be able to best contribute to a team setting; I need to be able to efficiently work individually to produce great solutions which can be built upon within a team setting."
Lauren's Reply
Great response. You see the value each individual possesses in order for the team to be successful. I altered your response slightly.
Lauren's Reply
"I enjoy working as a team, as it serves as an opportunity to display my strengths. I believe each person in a group must work efficiently and effectively for the entire project to be successful. I enjoy contributing to a team effort as well as taking on individual projects and tasks."
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Anonymous Answer
"I do enjoy working as part of a team. I am very productive in both a group and an independent work environment. I do believe I have a lot of contribution to a team, and multi-task work separately as well."
Lauren's Reply
Great response. It would be helpful to give an example of a time you worked as a team that had a successful outcome. An even stronger resonse would provide an example of a positive team effort/project and independent success within the same company.
Lauren's Reply
"I enjoy being part of a team due to the fact that I am well-organized and can multi-task so well independently. I can offer multiple ways to approach a project while managing several tasks. I am comfortable leading a team, and know the delicate balance of when to step back and collaborate with peers. (Example scenario here) In my previous work, I co-lead a project with a coworker. We were able to divide the work equally, and checked-in periodically to ensure our final product was cohesive."
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What is your greatest strength? Greatest weakness?
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When you answer this question be sure to talk about what you are really good at and what you are improving on. It's always best if you can talk about the steps that you are currently taking to improve yourself.
Example #1
"I have been told many times that my greatest strength is my ability to time-manage. This means that I consistently meet my deadlines and am able to deliver when I need to. The aspect I am working to improve would be my detailed documentation. I have been working on improving my notes so that anyone could pick up my files and fully understand where I was at, in my work."
Anonymous Answer
"My greatest strength would be flexibility. This allows me to time-manage and prioritise tasks to meet deadlines, while being prepared to address any new information or changes. At my previous legal internship, I had meetings and phone calls scheduled with different clients throughout the day. I had to balance these alongside my primary legal assignments so that I was able to complete tasks in a timely manner. An aspect I am working to improve would be overthinking. Sometimes I will overanalyze and overthink a situation which can lead to me doubting myself and the outcome. I've been actively telling myself to take a moment to step back and reevaluate the situation in a more macro sense."
Lauren's Reply
It would be helpful to add how you envision the firm can assist in lessening your weaknesses. Don’t harp too long or discuss your weaknesses in length of detail.
Lauren's Reply
"My most notable strength is flexibility. In my previous legal internship, I juggled primary legal assignments, meetings, phone calls, and unforeseen tasks throughout the day; Flexibility, Time Management, and Prioritization were essential in my success. Currently, my greatest weakness is overthinking. I believe the experience I gain at Legal Assistants will allow me to sharpen my skills and provide me more confidence to address my needs to overanalyze."
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Anonymous Answer
"I would say my greatest strength would be my persistence. I always want to do well at whatever I am doing, and I will go to great lengths to ensure that I am doing my job as well as I can.
I'm also very organized and good with time management. My greatest weakness is something that I have been working on a lot within the past year, and that is public speaking. I can do it, but I want to feel more confident and get to a place where I am not always so nervous about doing it."
Rachelle's Reply
Perfect response! The interviewer will be looking for ways that you are actively improving your weakness, which you readily answered.
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What qualities do you feel are most important for a successful legal assistant?
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This is a good opportunity to talk about your soft skills and why they make you a good fit for the position.
Example #1
"I feel that the most important qualities for a legal assistant to have would be a keen eye for detail, strong time-management and strong communication skills. You must have these to be successful in this career. I have managed to fine tune these skills over the years and can confidently say that I have these abilities."
Anonymous Answer
"I feel that strong time-management, communication, and attention to detail are vital to being a successful legal assistant. From my knowledge, legal assistants are highly flexible as they need to manage and draft a lot of case files but also provide secretarial support to the broader team. They're the glue that enables the team to work more efficiently."
Lauren's Reply
Great response. Though I made minor grammatical edits, you provided a well-rounded and thoughtful answer.
Lauren's Reply
"I believe a successful legal assistant is a person who possesses strong time management skills, communication, and attention to detail. These qualities are essential to maintain multiple projects at one time and fulfill duties for multiple staff members. A successful assistant is flexible while managing case files and open to lending support to the broader team; they are the glue that enables the team to work smoothly and efficiently."
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Anonymous Answer
"The most important qualities that I think are essential for a successful legal assistant are organization, time management, and communication. I also believe that having a general passion or like for what you are doing in necessary too, as it keeps you motivated to want to do well. I think that I have all of these qualities."
Rachelle's Reply
Excellent! It's great that you added in the fact that you possess these qualities, too.
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Which areas of law are you most interested in?
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OUR COACH SAYS
Be sure to answer this question in a way that it relates to the firm that you are interviewing with. You don't want to say that you are most interested in an area of law that they do not even work in.
Example #1
"I have always been most interested in Family Law because of the variety between each case. I understand that a lot of what your firm does, is in Family Law?"
Anonymous Answer
"I am interested in any kind of law that focuses on human rights. I have always been dedicated to being educated on all kinds of humanitarian, social, and cultural issues, so that pairs well with my love for and interest in law. I would also say that I am highly interested in criminal law because of all of the other kinds of issues that intersect with that area of law in general."
Rachelle's Reply
Great response, and very thorough.
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How do you check your work for accuracy?
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This can be answered in a very simple way. You should be to the point and be sure to include any software or programs that you use to stay organized and accurate.
Example #1
"Once my work is complete, I am sure to give it a second review and sometimes will ask for another set of eyes if necessary. I have very strong research skills which is a great trait when it comes time to cross-referencing the facts of a case. To remain organized, I utilize a program called 'XYZ' which keeps me on task and on time."
Anonymous Answer
"I always double-check my work for accuracy. If possible, I like to get a third party to review the information. However, I have strong research and time management skills which allows me to easily cross-reference any facts. Often I'll use the app tools to organize my tasks into different projects and set timelines for each accordingly."
Lauren's Reply
Wonderful response. You have created organizational systems that enable you to work efficiently. I supplemented your response to reflect your analytical work style.
Lauren's Reply
"Throughout my career, I have fine-tuned my organizational and time management skills. As an analytical thinker, I have created systems to keep me on-time and accurate. With the use of calendaring applications, I set clear deadlines for each project, and allot time to double-check and cross-reference my work. And, if time allows, I receive third-party feedback as well."
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Anonymous Answer
"I go the extra mile to double, triple, and quadruple check to be sure. In documents, I find it important to read them out loud, so it's easier to catch any spelling errors. If possible, I will have another person look it over, but that's not always an option."
Rachelle's Reply
Your method of checking for accuracy is good, and very specific.
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How has your college degree prepared you to work in this firm?
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The interviewer is looking for less of an obvious answer and more of an answer that focus' on the soft skills or transferrable skills that you gained while attending college.
Example #1
"In addition to the knowledge in Law, I gained some really valuable skills while attending college. My ability to meet deadlines while working under pressure was a big one for me. College also taught me how to prioritize and juggle a large variety of tasks. All of these skills are ones that I look forward to bringing you and your firm."
Anonymous Answer
"I feel that studying law has challenged me to prioritize tasks in order to meet deadlines. Studying enabled me to develop my organizational and time management skills. Communicating with group members and tutors allowed me to consolidate my interpersonal skills. Ultimately, I feel I have a more holistic understanding of the steps taken to address any legal issues."
Lauren's Reply
Fantastic response. The interviewer getting a good sense of who you are and your level of readiness. You have the ability to collaborate with others and initiate productivity as a result of your educational experience thus far.
Lauren's Reply
"Studying law has offered several vital experiences that will help me succeed. Studying enabled me to develop organizational and time management skills; I had to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines to achieve desirable grades. Communicating with peers, tutors, and professors broadened my interpersonal skills and my exposure to varying work styles and personalities. Ultimately, my college experience provided me a holistic approach and understanding of ways to address legal issues. I am confident in my abilities to take the next step and begin my career."
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Anonymous Answer
"I did a lot of studying in college which gave me the organization and time management skills that I have now. I also communicated with my professors and advisors weekly which helped shape my communication skills.
In terms of the actual coursework, I took a lot of classes that taught me about government and law. I think those have given me the knowledge to be able to do this job well."
Rachelle's Reply
It sounds like your college education prepared you in many ways. You've done an excellent job communicating this.
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Why are you the best candidate for us?
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When answering this question be sure to tell the interviewer about your strongest skills, and perhaps some unique ones that set you apart from the rest of the candidates.
Example #1
"I feel I am the best candidate for you because I am highly skilled and experienced in divorce law, which is your firm's primary focus. Also, I am bilingual which makes me able to assist English and Spanish speaking clients."
Anonymous Answer
"I feel I am the best candidate for you because I not only have had experience in a similar role, but I have a keen eye for detail. In all my previous roles, I have endeavored to work above and beyond expectations, which enabled me to approach processes with a deeper understanding."
Lauren's Reply
Great start. It would be helpful to pack a punch here; you must convey knowledge and passion. You are vying for a position many are applying for, so try to make a lasting impression.
Lauren's Reply
"I am the best candidate for this position because I have what it takes to get things done. I have excelled and exceeded expectations in previous roles, and I would like to bring my dedication, mastery, and attention to detail in this position. I am self-motivated and driven to take on multiple projects and ensure seamless quality. I have an unrelenting goal to become proficient in this work, and I would like to bring my energy and talent to your firm."
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Anonymous Answer
"Although my resume doesn't have a lot of direct experience on it, I am a hard worker and pride myself on always doing the best job I can. I do not do well with failure, and that drives me to go the extra mile to do things well.
I also genuinely believe that my college experience, as well as things from my past employment, have shaped me into someone who will be able to do the things required for this position."
Rachelle's Reply
This answer contains a great basis for hiring you; however, I would try to answer with more confidence. Also, at the end, use specific traits that are listed in the job posting. Please see an example below.
Rachelle's Reply
"I am the best candidate for you because I pride myself in delivering over expectations, and going the extra mile to do things right the first time. My college experience, as well as previous employment, has shaped me into someone reliable, dedicated, communicative, and organized."
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How can you contribute to our firm?
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This is a great question for highlighting your soft skills on our resume again.
Example #1
"I bring 6 solid years of work as a Legal Assistant and a very strong work ethic. I am a fast-thinker and a great multi-tasker. I would be happy to contribute all of these skills, and more, to your firm."
Anonymous Answer
"I will contribute to your firm by being a reliable, hardworking, and flexible professional support person to the IP team. I will bring my determination and practical understanding and will be more than happy to contribute my skills to an area I am passionate about."
Lauren's Reply
Excellent response. I altered the wording slightly to convey your desire to contribute to their team if given the opportunity.
Lauren's Reply
"My contributions to the firm will include reliability, flexibility, and an unwavering desire to help. I am an extremely determined and passionate person; it gives me great satisfaction to contribute to a strong group of professionals. I will bring fortitude and practical understanding to this role if given this opportunity."
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Anonymous Answer
"I am hard-working, detail-oriented, fast-paced, and organized. I think that all of those things will contribute positively to this office."
Rachelle's Reply
Try to refer to the job posting and identify the pain point that your position would solve for the firm. Please see an example below.
Rachelle's Reply
"I will contribute to your firm by being a reliable and professional support person to your law team. I will bring determination, knowledge, and practical understanding; allowing me to help pave a smooth path for the cases your firm takes on."
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What are your long and short range career goals and objectives?
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It is important for a hiring manager to know that they are hiring a very career driven person. You can answer this question in two parts.
Example #1
"My long term career goal would be to further my education as a paralegal and then eventually become a lawyer myself. My short term goal is to create a very strong reputation for myself in the industry as a trustworthy and knowledgable legal assistant."
Anonymous Answer
"My short term goal is to consolidate my skills within this role and make a strong reputation for myself as a knowledgeable and trustworthy legal assistant. In the future, if management believes that there are other roles better suited to my skill set, I may consider that, however, my focus is furthering this short term goal of mine. In the long term, I may seek to eventually become a lawyer myself."
Lauren's Reply
Great start. It would be great to use this as an opportunity to see yourself working for the firm. Include ways you can grow within their tenure there.
Lauren's Reply
"My short-term career goal is to build a strong reputation as a seasoned, knowledgeable, and trustworthy legal assistant. Sharpening my skills and mastery as a legal assistant is my primary focus. I believe this experience will help me build and create long-term career goals and objectives. Management will groom me for other roles in the future, which may include becoming a lawyer."
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Anonymous Answer
"In terms of my long-range career goals, in a few words, I want to be successful in helping people. Whether that is working for a non-profit or eventually getting my law degree, I want to have a career that I know will be centered around helping people. My short-term career goals entail setting me up to achieve my long-term goals successfully. I want to have positions that will make me a better employee in the long run."
Rachelle's Reply
Your answer sounds nice and honest; however, it sounds as though you may be okay with job hopping as well. Mentioning a non-profit, returning to school, or mentioning positions (plural) will all be red flags for the interviewer. I have reworded, below.
Rachelle's Reply
"My short-range career goal is to help people every day, utilizing the knowledge that I gained while attending college. This goal will fuel me in my long term goals which include leading a team of junior paralegals or even taking additional law coursework in tandem with my full-time job. My ultimate goal is to be with a firm that supports my learning and professional growth."
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What two or three things are most important to you in a job?
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Why would you stay in a position vs why would you leave a role? What workplace values do you put the most stock into? You should answer this confidently and matter-of-factly.
Example #1
"The top three things I hold most important in a job would be transparency, honesty and positivity."
Anonymous Answer
"I value honesty and support. I am seeking an employer who understands the value of work/life balance and is supportive."
Lauren's Reply
It would be helpful to the interviewer if you expanded upon your thoughts of honesty and support in the workplace. With specificity around those subjects, they will get a better sense of your work style and culture expectations. Cultural fit is always on the forefront of an interviewer’s mind.
Lauren's Reply
"Honesty and support are important to me in the workplace. I appreciate clear communication and directives, so that I may fulfill my duties and exceed expectations. Support can be conveyed in many forms such as collaborative projects, shared tasks, or positive morale. Feeling supported increases my motivation and stamina."
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Anonymous Answer
"The top three things I find most important to me in a job would probably have to be honesty, support, and transparency."
Rachelle's Reply
This response may leave more questions than answers. How can an employer offer you transparency, for instance? Like, in what way is this important to you? Do they support you in your learning, as you train, in your future career goals? Try being more specific. Please see below.
Rachelle's Reply
"The top three things that are most important to me are honesty, support, and transparency. I am seeking an employer who actively encourages employees to be open about their achievements, creating a safe and open workplace for all."
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How would you describe yourself?
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You can keep this answer short and sweet as there is no need to go on and on about yourself. What the interviewer is really looking for are a few keywords that describe how you see yourself. It would be smart to finish your answer with a question about what they are looking for, in their successful candidate.
Example #1
"I would describe myself as a hard worker, task-focused and efficient. Are those some of the skills you are looking for in your next Legal Assistant?"
Anonymous Answer
"I would describe myself as resilient and hard working. I grew up in a household that embraced working hard for what you get, and I've carried that work ethic throughout schooling and all work experiences. I have a genuine interest in law and entrepreneurship, and intellectual property law protects the intersection of these two areas."
Lauren's Reply
Great response. Your answer is unique and personalized, which the interviewer will appreciate.
Lauren's Reply
"I describe myself as a resilient, hard-working individual. I grew up in a household that embraced hard work, and these values have carried me through my educational and career advancements. I have a genuine interest in law and entrepreneurship, so this opportunity to work in IP Law is especially unique and dynamic."
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Anonymous Answer
"I have always been a hard-working person. I grew up in a household that embraced working for what you get, and I have always been fully prepared to do that into my professional career.
I do genuinely enjoy the law and things of that nature. I would say that it is one of my biggest interests in life. I've also come to find out that I enjoy working in team environments, even if that is a team of people all doing completely separate tasks."
Rachelle's Reply
Good response! I have reworded it simply for the sake of flow. I did remove the final sentence on teamwork as it didn't seem to add any impact to your previous 'about you' statements.
Rachelle's Reply
"I would first describe myself as hard-working. I grew up in a household that embraced working hard for what you get, and have always been prepared to do so, from school and into my professional career. I have a genuine interest in the law, human rights, and how the two come together. I would say the topic of human rights is one of my bigger interests when it comes to the law."
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What have you learned from the other attorneys/paralegals you've spoken with today?
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This question will be asked if you spent time earlier in the interview, either sitting down with other members of their team, or job shadowing for a short time. Your answer should be very positive and upbeat.
Example #1
"Thank you for the opportunity to speak with other members of your team today! Everyone here seems very happy to be working at this firm. I have gained more insight into the level of team work you have in this office, and I really like what I see. I would love the opportunity to work with you and your team."
Anonymous Answer
"Thank you for the opportunity to speak with other members of your team today! Everyone here seems very happy to be working at this firm. I have gained more insight into the level of teamwork you have in this office, and I really like what I see. I would love the opportunity to work with you and your team."
Lauren's Reply
Great response. It is always great to note the culture of the company. If you like the team members, it is likely you will be a great fit for them.
Lauren's Reply
"At the end of every interview, they will ask if you have any questions for the panel. Be sure to think about specifics you don’t know about the role, and ask for interview feedback as well."
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Anonymous Answer
"I am really happy to be here today speaking with all of you, and it seems as though everyone has a lot of respect for this job and this office. I have gained more insight into how important it is to work well with your co-workers and support them."
Rachelle's Reply
Once you go through the interview process you will likely have a more specific response dedicated to that firm; however, this one is good for the time being.
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What goals, other than those related to your legal career, have you established for yourself for the next 10 years?
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Hiring managers always want to know that they are hiring someone with personal goals, and drive. It is absolutely okay to talk about those goals but make sure that they are not contradictory to a long-term career with this potential employer.
Example #1
"10 years from now, I would like to have purchased my own home. Also, I would like to have enough money saved to take a really great trip to Thailand. Another goal is to further my education and turn my diploma into a degree. Those would, of course, be evening or weekend courses."
Anonymous Answer
"Ten years from now, I would like to have purchased my own home, possibly saved enough money to take my family on a trip to Japan and to be improving my skillset while working in a dynamic and supportive legal firm."
Lauren's Reply
This is a way for your interviewer to get to know you outside of the role you are applying for. Your response is a great one!
Lauren's Reply
"In ten years, I would like to be a proud homeowner with the ability to take my family to Japan. This has been a family dream of ours, and we would love to take in the sights and culture."
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Are your grades a good indication of your academic achievement?
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This question can be a tough one but it's intended to make you think a bit deeper into where your focus was during your post-secondary education. If you did not earn the GPA that you wanted, own up to it.
Example #1
"I graduated with a 3.4 GPA which I was satisfied with given that I was also working a full time job in the evenings and weekends while attending school."
Anonymous Answer
"I think that my grades are not the best indication of my academic capabilities but they definitely do highlight areas of improvement. I have always been academically capable, evidenced by the scholarships I've received in the past. Unfortunately, I did not do as well as I had hoped during the first few years when my family experienced extreme financial disadvantage, however, my grades have been rising due to prioritization and being able to adapt to my new circumstances."
Lauren's Reply
Your transparency is commendable; I added supplementary language that will help convey your message.
Lauren's Reply
"Like a CV or resume, my grades are not a complete summarization of my abilities, strengths, and uniqueness. I have always been academically inclined, as evidenced by my awards and scholarships. Unfortunately, I have not performed as well academically over the past couple of years due to personal family circumstances. I have, however, steadily improved my grades in recent times. I am adapting to new conditions and hopefully look forward to completing my education to embark on the next chapter in my career track."
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Anonymous Answer
"Absolutely. If you guys would like to look at my transcripts, you will see that during my first year at college I did not do well. Without making excuses, I took myself to community college where I could really spend some time bettering those grades and learning better habits. From there on I went back to my university for my junior and senior years and was on the Dean's List several times."
Rachelle's Reply
It sounds like you made some very dedicated choices to your educational career! I am sure you already know, but avoid the term 'guys' in a real interview :)
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Why did you leave your last position?
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If you left your last position without having a new one in place, this can be a red flag for a potential employer. Be sure to answer this question truthfully.
The likelihood that you will be asked this question is high so be sure to practice the answer. Remember: there is a big difference between being terminated and being laid off.
If you were terminated, you need to own that and be sure to have a good reply ready.
The likelihood that you will be asked this question is high so be sure to practice the answer. Remember: there is a big difference between being terminated and being laid off.
If you were terminated, you need to own that and be sure to have a good reply ready.
Example #1
"In my last position there were some difficulties between myself and a paralegal. I felt she was not working in an ethical manner and brought it to my supervisors' attention. Because she was the more senior paralegal, I was asked to step down from my role due to our inability to collaborate effectively. The lawyer I supported is willing to be a positive reference regarding my work abilities."
Anonymous Answer
"I had to return to school to finish my education."
Rachelle's Reply
Concise, and to the point!
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Do you understand the impact you, even as a legal assistant, will have on the lives of our clients?
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You will want to show the interviewer that you care about your job and understand the impact you have made so far in your career.
Example #1
"Yes, I absolutely understand the impact that I can make on the lives of my clients. They depend on me to pay attention to the details and they rely on me to have the best communication style so that everything goes as smoothly as possible. I am very thankful to be in a position where I can make a positive impact on people's lives."
Anonymous Answer
"Absolutely, and that is why I would really love and thrive in this position. They depend on me to pay attention to the details and they rely on me to have the best communication style so that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Any business that is successful begins with a solid base."
Lauren's Reply
Very solid response! I altered your response slightly, but overall this was very well stated.
Lauren's Reply
"I understand the impact my role has on the lives of clients. They depend on me to pay attention to details and utilize the best communication style for things to run smoothly. Every successful company requires a solid base, and I would love the opportunity to offer my skills in that capacity."
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Anonymous Answer
"Absolutely, and that is why I would really love and thrive in this position. Any business that is successful begins with a solid base."
Rachelle's Reply
Well said :)
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What are the main components of a case file and what steps are carried out to file a case?
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When you answer this, be sure to give clear steps and show that you have a solid understanding of the process.
Example #1
"The main components of a case file are case summarizing, material collection and organization, and law research."
Anonymous Answer
"I briefly understand it to include case summarising, material collection and organization and legal research. This is an area that I would need to learn more about. At uni, I read plenty of cases and opinions, but in terms of compacting everything relevant to a trial and filing it, I would need more knowledge on that."
Lauren's Reply
I altered your response to draw less attention to your inexperience with this particular area. See my suggestion below.
Lauren's Reply
"This would be an area of growth for me, and I welcome the opportunity to learn more. The case must be summarized; the material would be collected and organized, as well as legal research conducted."
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Anonymous Answer
"This is something about which I would need to learn more. In college I did read plenty of cases and opinions and even wrote my own legal brief, but in terms of compacting everything relevant to a trial and filing it, I would need some more knowledge on that."
Rachelle's Reply
Very honest answer. If you are interviewing for an entry-level role out of school, they likely will not ask this one.
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What type of work environment would allow you do to your best work?
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How do you work best? Independent or with a team? Do you need to be in a very calm or quiet environment in order to do your best work? Be sure to give a solid answer and then you can ask a follow up question afterward.
Example #1
"I do my best work when I am with a like-minded and collaborative team. I find that when there are other people to draw ideas and answers from, it makes for a very strong work environment. How would you describe the environment in your firm?"
Anonymous Answer
"I do my best to work in supportive and collaborative environments. I am ready to jump in and help anyone who needs me, and I appreciate the same gesture in return."
Lauren's Reply
Great response! Be prepared to answer follow-up questions related to your response.
Lauren's Reply
"Prepare for follow-up questions such as:
“If you were working on a large volume workload, and a colleague asked for assistance, how would you deal with the situation?”
“How do you diffuse a challenging situation with a colleague?”
“What things motivate you at work?"
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Anonymous Answer
"I work well in environments that offer a lot of support if someone needs it. I want to do my best and also work well independently, so if I am asking for help, it is something with which I need to help. I know that everyone's time in this kind of office is valuable; however, I know that helping others and supporting one another is key to a successful office."
Rachelle's Reply
Your response is okay; however, try to position it a bit more positively as it sounds hesitant - as though you are convincing them to want to help you. I have reworded the response below.
Rachelle's Reply
"I do my best work in supportive and collaborative environments. I am ready to jump in and help anyone who needs me, and I appreciate the same gesture in return."
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Can you give me an example of a situation where you demonstrated an eye for detail?
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Tell the interviewer a short story about a time when you made a change or caught a critical error in a case file.
Example #1
"Last month when I was working a divorce file I noticed that one of the pieces of artwork was not itemized in the final draft. I was able to fix that error before anything was submitted. This saved us, and our client, a lot of additional time and potential conflict."
Anonymous Answer
"Although this isn't specifically related to the legal field, in my previous work experience as a waitress, I had to bake slices and cakes for catering. There were times when decorations weren't placed exactly like the other pieces, and I would make sure to scan through all of them and tweaked any that were not uniform."
Lauren's Reply
There is a way to take your example and equate it to your legal role. See my suggestion below.
Lauren's Reply
"I previously worked for a caterer and had to ensure all plates were presented uniformly. My attention to detail was used just as much in that role, as it is as a legal assistant. When conducting research, I am locating discrepancies or critical pieces of information in the midst of a large volume of documents. I have always utilized a high level of attention to detail throughout my body of work, and I only envision this skill to be heightened and sharpened over time."
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Anonymous Answer
"Although this isn't completely related to the legal field, in my previous work experience as a busser, I had to expo, which means I had to organize the food coming out on the line with the tickets. There were a few times when people were about to take trays out with the wrong items on them."
Rachelle's Reply
Your answer is not related to the legal field but is still very relevant when it comes to your eye for detail. Good response :)
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How do you deal with sensitive or confidential information?
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When you answer this question be sure to talk about how great you are with confidential and sensitive matters. Perhaps bring up a time when you were complimented by someone within the firm on your strong sense of professionalism.
Example #1
"I have a very high level of professionalism and am often commended on my ability to keep sensitive information safe. I always follow protocol and am sure to treat sensitive information with the utmost care."
Anonymous Answer
"I have a very high level of professionalism and am often commended on my ability to keep sensitive information safe. I always follow protocol and am sure to treat sensitive information with the utmost care. At my previous legal internship, I worked on some trademarks for a famous public installation artist. I dealt with highly sensitive and creative material which couldn't be shared with anyone outside of my team."
Lauren's Reply
This is a wonderful response! Well done. I made very slight edits.
Lauren's Reply
"I have a very high level of professionalism and have been commended for my ability to keep sensitive information safe. I always follow protocol, and treat confidential information with the utmost care. In my previous internship, I worked on trademarks for a famous installation artist. I dealt with highly sensitive and creative material that could not be shared with anyone outside of the team."
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Anonymous Answer
"I have a high level of professionalism and would never expose confidential information. At my previous job, managers often told us of secret releases or secret business opportunities that we absolutely could not share with the public."
Rachelle's Reply
Very good!
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Do you work well under pressure?
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This question gives you a great opportunity to talk about a time when you worked very well under intense pressure.
Example #1
"Yes, I do work very well under pressure. One example of this is when I worked in my previous firm I was a legal assistant to 2 full time lawyers, and one part time. I heard from them a lot that I always managed the pressure in a very professional and calm way."
Anonymous Answer
"Yes, I do work well under pressure. An example of this is when I was organising a careers networking night for the Australia China Youth Association. I had to manage my team to ensure that we were able to finish budgeting, writing up proposals, contacting company representatives by our deadlines. It was important for me to remain calm and professional in the situation to optimise efficiency within the team, despite the looming deadline."
Lauren's Reply
Great situational example! Be mindful of spelling errors; I have altered the words “organize” and “prioritize” several times.
Lauren's Reply
"Yes, I consider myself a person who handles stress and pressure very well. Being organized helps me to remain calm and diligent. I once organized a networking event for the Australia China Youth Association. This particular project was large in scale with many team members to manage. I was charged with finishing the budget, writing proposals, and contacting company representatives. I met all of the required deadlines with the use of a clear action plan and calendar system."
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What subject did you like the most at school? Why?
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When answering this question, be sure to include topics that would be related to this new position.
Example #1
"When I was attending University, my favourite subject was Family Law. I found the variety in each case to be very interesting. There was always something new to learn. This is part of the reason that I would love to work in your firm - because you focus solely on Family Law."
Anonymous Answer
"My favourite subject so far would be contracts. I found it to be very structured yet varied. I felt like this helped shape my outlook on agreements in general. Moreover, I enjoyed the practical application. However, this will probably change once I complete my intellectual property units."
Lauren's Reply
Great start. I assisted with refining your response.
Lauren's Reply
"I thoroughly enjoyed studying Contracts, because it helped shape my outlook on agreements. The coursework was structured and practical, which was very helpful."
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Can you give me an example of a situation where you needed to deal with multiple priorities at once and how you deal with it?
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Be sure to have a few real-life examples in mind that you can draw from for questions such as this. Give a brief example and be sure to keep it positive. IE: "There are many times a year when I have multiple cases that I am working on, and they all have the same priority level of 'urgent'. I am able to manage these situations by ensuring that I utilize my time well. I block off sections of my day for strict research and am sure to do away with distractions such as constantly stopping to check email. My current employer often comments on my strong multi-tasking abilities."
Example #1
"There are many times a year when I have multiple cases that I am working on, and they all have the same priority level of 'urgent'. I am able to manage these situations by ensuring that I utilize my time well. I block off sections of my day for strict research and am sure to do away with distractions such as constantly stopping to check email. My current employer often comments on my strong multi-tasking abilities."
Anonymous Answer
"At my previous legal internship, I would be working on multiple legal assignments, all having the same priority level of 'urgent.' I was able to manage the workload by ensuring that I optimised my time. I used the app todoist to prioritise tasks pertaining to each legal assignment and blocked off sections of my schedule to make room for strict research to ensure I wasn't distracting myself by constantly checking my emails."
Lauren's Reply
Very practical, real-world response. The interviewer is getting a strong sense of how you time manage and stay calm while having a large workload. The words "prioritise" and “optimise” are often used in your responses. Ensure you are spelling them correctly, and consider alternate wording.
Lauren's Reply
"At my previous legal internship, I would work on multiple urgent legal assignments at one time. I managed the workload by optimizing my time. I utilized the app todoist to prioritize tasks pertaining to each legal assignment and blocked off sections of my schedule to dedicate to research. By doing so, I was not distracted by constantly checking emails or attending to other tasks."
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How do you handle stressful situations?
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Being a Legal Assistant can be a very stressful career. When you answer this question it is good to acknowledge that and talk about a time when you have been complimented on your ability to manage stress very well.
Example #1
"Being a Legal Assistant can be a stressful job. I have become more accustomed to the stress of deadlines and large work loads over time and feel that I handle stress really well. I will take a moment to take a deep breath, and re-think my strategy when I become overwhelmed with stress. My colleagues have often complimented me on my ability to stay calm throughout stressful times."
Anonymous Answer
"Being a Legal Assistant can be a stressful job. I have become more accustomed to the stress of deadlines and large workloads over time and feel that I handle stress well. I will take a moment to take a deep breath and re-think my strategy when I become overwhelmed with stress. My colleagues have often complimented me on my ability to stay calm throughout stressful times."
Lauren's Reply
This is a wonderfully thoughtful response. Be prepared to respond to possible follow-up questions about work-life balance.
Lauren's Reply
"Be prepared to answer questions such as:
“How do you maintain work/life balance?”
“Other than deep breaths, what are other ways you decompress and remain focused through long and stressful workdays?”"
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How do you manage your research work considering there is so much to look through?
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Be sure to answer this question by giving an example of a time when you had an extraordinarily large amount of research work and a tight deadline.
Example #1
"I am very good at prioritizing my work and now that I have more years' experience as a Legal Assistant, managing a large work load has become much easier. Just last month I had a very tight deadline for a case that required a lot of research. I did work many overtime hours for that case. I am absolutely open to working overtime when required. I will also ask for assistance when required."
Anonymous Answer
"I am very good at prioritizing my work and in my previous legal internship, I was able to consolidate this skill. As a legal intern with no knowledge of New York Law, I had to quickly acquaint myself with the trademark filing process as well as the business database to ensure I could complete all tasks in a timely manner. I did work overtime when required and I will ask for assistance when required."
Lauren's Reply
You are definitely expressing resourcefulness and not shying away from things you are unfamiliar with. Thinking quickly on your toes and fully immersing yourself in a new role will be very attractive to the interviewer.
Lauren's Reply
"I manage large-scale projects such as research work by prioritizing each piece and setting clear deadlines. In my previous internship, I had no prior knowledge of New York Law. I quickly acclimated myself to their trademark filing process and the business database to complete all tasks promptly. I worked overtime to account for the learning curve and asked for assistance when needed."
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Why did you choose to pursue a career as a Legal Assistant?
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Is there a specific time you can think of when you first knew that you wanted to pursue a career as a Legal Assistant? This question gives you an opportunity to talk a little bit about yourself from a personal perspective.
Example #1
"When I was growing up, my mom worked as a legal assistant. I really admired how important her work was, and saw how much she enjoyed it. She seemed so smart to me - knowing all of these legal terms, and always having a good answer for things. Naturally, I was drawn to this career and am happy that I pursued it!"
Anonymous Answer
"I wanted to pursue this role because I have a strong interest in consolidating my skillset. I love learning and being able to facilitate and optimise processes. In this role, I'd be able to not only contribute my skills to an industry that I am passionate about, but also know that I am helping shape the entrepreneurial landscape."
Lauren's Reply
Very strong response! I made slight spelling edits.
Lauren's Reply
"I love learning and being able to facilitate and optimize processes. In this role, I would be able to not only contribute my skills to an industry I am passionate about but also know that I am helping shape the entrepreneurial landscape. I have genuinely found a role that fulfills my passions and elevates my skillset."
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What are you doing to better yourself as a Legal Assistant?
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Are you taking any additional courses? Are you reading case studies on your spare time? Do you want to advance your career in any way? These are all examples that you can give when answering this question.
Example #1
"I am currently taking a weekend course to become a stronger user in Excel. I really do enjoy bettering myself and am looking at taking an additional course in Estate Procedures as well."
Anonymous Answer
"I am currently taking an online course to become a stronger user in the Microsoft Suite as well as planning to take Intellectual Property units to further my understanding of the area."
Lauren's Reply
Wonderful response. You see the need to sharpen administrative skills as well as expand your legal knowledge.
Lauren's Reply
"I am currently taking an online course to strengthen my skills in Microsoft Suite as well as planning to take Intellectual Property units to further my understanding of the area. For me, being a strong Legal Assistant requires not only legal knowledge, but proficiency in the proper administrative tools and applications as well."
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Tell us about a time you had to handle a difficult client.
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When you answer this question, you should be prepared with an example of a time when you had a difficult client. Be sure to tell the interviewer about the positive outcome and any feedback you received from a supervisor.
Example #1
"I had a situation with a very difficult client just last week. We were handling his very complicated divorce and he was on edge. The client began to yell at me on the phone, demanding that he speak with his lawyer that moment. I was able to calm him down by simply listening and saying things like 'I understand'. I did receive positive feedback later on in regards to how well I handled that situation and the client ended up apologizing the next time he saw me."
Anonymous Answer
"At my previous legal internship, I had a distraught client who was handling a complicated divorce. She was scared for her safety and kept calling me repeatedly throughout the day to express her concerns. I was able to calm her down by listening and being empathetic but also was assertive that I wasn't qualified to advise on her current situation and that she should contact the police instead. My previous employer commended me for my professional conduct and said that the client had given highly positive feedback."
Lauren's Reply
You have provided a great example for the interviewer. You are calm under pressure, and remain proactive versus reactive when faced with challenging clients. I assisted with some supplemental language. See below.
Lauren's Reply
"At my previous legal internship, I assisted a client who was distraught during a complicated divorce. She feared for her safety and reached out to me several times a day to express concerns. I deescalated her calls by listening intently and nonjudgmentally while offering her practical advice and firm boundaries. I referred her to police authorities and stated that I was not qualified to provide advice on the situation. The client felt heard and assisted, resulting in positive feedback from her and my previous employer. When dealing with a difficult client, I remain proactive versus reactive; I attend to situations calmly and rationally."
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How familiar are you with the law we practice at our firm, or the law I specialize in?
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This is a great opportunity to show the interviewer that you did some research on their firm prior to the interview. Be sure to highlight any of your work experience that you think would be comparable to what it is they do.
Example #1
"From the research I have done, I see that your firm specializes in Family Law and Divorce. The past 4 years of my career have been primarily focused on those areas of law as well. In total, I have 5 years' experience as a legal assistant within family law."
Anonymous Answer
"From the research I have done, I understand that your firm specializes in intellectual property law. Although I have yet to start my IP units at law school, I have had three months of experience in a similar role at my previous legal internship in New York."
Lauren's Reply
This is a great start. I would hold off on disclosing the IP units you have yet to complete in school, however. I changed the wording of your response to reflect eagerness to learn.
Lauren's Reply
"Based on my research, your firm specializes in Intellectual Property Law. I have legal assistant experience from my previous legal internship in New York that will be extremely helpful for you and the firm. I am eager to immerse myself in IP Law and expand my knowledge in this specialty."
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How has your education prepared you to work for us?
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When you answer this question be sure to include specific courses that were especially helpful to your career. You can also talk about any additional training.
Example #1
"When I was attending university, I would have to say that my favourite, and most applicable course, was the Family Law Procedures course. Attending post-secondary education, in itself, taught me a lot about managing deadlines and being efficient with my time."
Anonymous Answer
"Attending university enabled me to consolidate my organizational skills as well as my ability to prioritize tasks. I am still studying at the moment, but once I complete my intellectual property law units, I will have a deeper understanding of the law behind the work."
Lauren's Reply
It would be helpful to provide a new response and sentiment. The question is repetitive, but try to make sure your response is not.
Lauren's Reply
"I am currently immersed in knowledge and concepts that I can directly and actively put into use. I am increasing my knowledge base every day and would build upon my momentum by taking on this role."
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