Why You Should Ask Questions During a Legal Interview
There are a number of questions why you should ask questions during your legal interview. This is something we are going to get into soon. But first, you need to know when is the right time to ask questions. Normally, this is going to be towards the interview. Most law firms will give you the opportunity once they have completed their questions for you to ask your own ones.
Some people pass up the opportunity to ask questions in an interview. But this is something you should not do. You can use it to your advantage. Here are some reasons why.
It Gives a Good Impression
You are asked a lot of questions in a legal interview. Everything that is on your resume is looked at under a microscope. So, by the end of the interview, you will be tired. That is why a lot of people say they do not have any questions to ask. However, you can make a good, lasting impression when you do. That is why we always recommend rehearsing and preparing the questions you want to ask the legal interviewer. They are going to view you asking questions in a positive light and this is something that can make you stand out from other candidates.
It Shows You Are Interested
You want to show the legal interviewer that you are interested in the position and you are not just applying for anything. Those who are not that bothered about the job will not sit down and prepare questions to ask. But if you take the time to do this, it is going to show you are interested and want to work for the law firm. An interviewer is going to appreciate a thought-provoking question.
It Can Demonstrate Your Intelligence
Your resume shows the skills and experience you have on paper. In addition, you can demonstrate your personality and thinking by answering the interviewer’s questions. But you can also show your intelligence by asking the right questions at the end of the interview. It can reveal your thought process and how you have put a lot of work into the questions you are asking. The interviewer will see that you have a lot to give them and this can leave a lasting impression after the interview.
It Helps You Learn About the Law Firm
Let’s not forget that asking questions is more than just to make you look good. It is also the opportunity you get at the end of the interview to learn more about the law firm you are applying too. After all, you want to ensure that the position is a good fit for you and is what you are looking for. So, ensure that you ask questions that you want to know the answer to before you accept any job offer from the law firm.
20 Questions You Should Ask During a Legal Interview
As you have read, it is beneficial to add questions during a legal interview. Not only can you learn more about the position, but you can also make a good impression with your potential new employers.
So, you are probably wondering; what kinds of questions should I be asking during my legal interview? Let’s take a look at some good examples so that you can gain inspiration for your interview.
What would you say are the biggest challenges for the law firm at this moment in time?
What challenges can I look forward to when working with this law firm?
Is there initial training or supervision?
Is the law firm aiming to grow within the next few years?
Are there aspects that make this law firm unique from others?
For an attorney of my experience, what kind of tasks can I look forward to?
What are the attributes that will help someone succeed in this position?
What are your favorite things about this law firm?
How did you become interested in this area of law?
In this law firm, how is work going to be distributed between attorneys?
Are there any courses that could help me excel in this role?
Why did you decide to work with this law firm?
Can you tell me about the company culture of this law firm?
Do you work with the same senior attorneys or partners often?
Will feedback be available on my work and if so, how will it be delivered?
Are there opportunities to grow with the law firm?
What is the management structure like at this law firm?
Are there any further stages in the hiring process that I should be aware of?
Are there any skills or experience that you think I could improve on?
Do you have any concerns that I could address?
How to Think of other Interview Questions
The list of questions that we have provided for a legal interview is not exhaustive. In fact, there are a lot of other questions you can ask your legal interviewer and this will simply depend on the law firm you are applying to, as well as the position you are going for. Here are some things you can do to think of other interview questions that you can ask.
Do Your Research
First of all, you want to think of questions where the answers are not readily available. For example, if you can find the answer on the law firm’s website, this is not a question you should ask. You want your questions to be intriguing and show that you have done your research. It can make you a memorable candidate that is showing interest in the law firm.
Avoid Salary and Benefit Questions
Just like there are questions you should ask in an interview, there are also some that you should avoid. For example, you do not want to ask the legal interviewer about your salary or hours. This can create a negative impression that this is all you care about. While they are questions you want to know the answer to, avoid asking them during the interview. Instead, you can ask them once you have received an offer. This way, you can also find out about other benefits you can enjoy from the role.
Sound Enthusiastic and Positive
When you have decided on the questions you would like to ask in your legal interview, remember that the delivery is also important. In other words, you want to ensure that you are wording the question in a way that is positive and that you are really interested in the answer. This type of good energy is going to transfer to your legal interview and leave a good impression.
