3 answers
Brockton
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
3
Questions
Asked
318 views
What was the interview process like to be a Lawyer?
I am in tenth grade and looking forward to being a lawyer in my future. I want to know if there are any additional questions that an interviewer might ask me that I need to know. Are there any "go to" questions that I need to know?
3 answers
Justin Sommers
Lawyer
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Justin’s Answer
Brockton, in my experience applying to legal jobs as well as other jobs outside of law, if you get asked to come to an interview, the employer has usually already decided that your qualifications are good enough to get the job, so the main thing is that they want to know they'll be able to work well with you. For this reason, the questions are usually designed to find out whether you're going to be dedicated to your job, whether you are truly interested in the work, and whether you are going to be easy for the employer and other colleagues to get along with. So while the questions may vary depending on the job, it will be important to answer questions in such a way so that these character traits shine through.
Marva Levine
Attorney
14
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Marva’s Answer
Hi Brockton,
What a great question. It shows that you want to be prepared - and that is the first step to success.
You received some great advice from Jami. Here are a few more thoughts:
You will have many interviews before law school. Summer and part-time jobs, internships, and maybe college. Use all of them as a learning and practice opportunity. You can also ask a relative or friend to practice with you: pretend that they are an employer and have them ask you some questions.
There is a good chance that your first interview might be by phone or video. If by phone, shut off your television and music and go into a quiet room. Dressing nicely will make you feel good and give you confidence that the interviewer can hear, even if they can't see. And standing up will make your voice sound stronger. And on video - dress for the interview as if it was in person. Try to sit with a blank wall or a neat room behind you (don't let the interviewer see an unmade bed) or practice with a virtual background.
I would also practice the art of paying attention. That doesn't just mean putting your phone on silent and away. It means to focus on the interviewer and concentrate on what the interviewer is saying. Practicing with a friend or relative could be helpful here.
Finally, let your personality show. This can be hard to do when you are nervous, but the more interviews you do, the less nervous you will be. Before the interview, take a few minutes to think about the opportunity, why you are a good fit for it, and what you would bring to them. Even the most junior person on a team brings a tremendous amount - enthusiasm, energy and a new way of looking at situations. Best of luck, to you.
What a great question. It shows that you want to be prepared - and that is the first step to success.
You received some great advice from Jami. Here are a few more thoughts:
You will have many interviews before law school. Summer and part-time jobs, internships, and maybe college. Use all of them as a learning and practice opportunity. You can also ask a relative or friend to practice with you: pretend that they are an employer and have them ask you some questions.
There is a good chance that your first interview might be by phone or video. If by phone, shut off your television and music and go into a quiet room. Dressing nicely will make you feel good and give you confidence that the interviewer can hear, even if they can't see. And standing up will make your voice sound stronger. And on video - dress for the interview as if it was in person. Try to sit with a blank wall or a neat room behind you (don't let the interviewer see an unmade bed) or practice with a virtual background.
I would also practice the art of paying attention. That doesn't just mean putting your phone on silent and away. It means to focus on the interviewer and concentrate on what the interviewer is saying. Practicing with a friend or relative could be helpful here.
Finally, let your personality show. This can be hard to do when you are nervous, but the more interviews you do, the less nervous you will be. Before the interview, take a few minutes to think about the opportunity, why you are a good fit for it, and what you would bring to them. Even the most junior person on a team brings a tremendous amount - enthusiasm, energy and a new way of looking at situations. Best of luck, to you.
Jami Ibrahim
Career Consultant, Urban Planning, GIS, Resume Writing
22
Answers
Kaduna, Nigeria
Updated
Jami’s Answer
Hello Brockton,
That's great to hear that you're interested in becoming a lawyer! It’s also so cool that you already have such a clearly defined career interest.
To answer your question, when you're preparing for interviews, whether they're for internships, college applications, or even mock interviews, there are several common questions you should be ready to answer.
Here are some Standard Interview Questions to expect:
1. Tell me about yourself.
- This question is often an opener, so prepare a brief personal summary that highlights your interests, education, and goals related to law.
2. Why do you want to be a lawyer?
- Think about your motivations for pursuing a career in law. This could include a passion for justice, interest in a specific area of law, or a desire to help others.
3. What skills do you think are important for a lawyer?
- Consider skills like critical thinking, communication, negotiation, and research. Be ready to discuss how you've developed or plan to develop these skills.
4. How do you handle stress or pressure?
- Law can be a high-stress field, so interviewers may want to see how you cope with challenges. Share specific strategies or experiences.
5. Describe a time when you faced a difficult situation and how you resolved it.
- This question is often about problem-solving and resilience. Have a specific example ready that demonstrates your ability to handle adversity.
6. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Be honest and self-reflective. Choose a strength relevant to law and a weakness you are actively working to improve.
7. Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
- Think about your career trajectory, whether it includes law school, areas of practice, or specific goals you hope to achieve.
Some Law-Specific Questions include:
1. What areas of law are you most interested in, and why?
- Have a couple of specific areas in mind (like criminal, environmental, or corporate law) and explain your interest in them.
2. Have you ever participated in any activities that involved public speaking or debate?
- Law involves a lot of communication, so discuss relevant experiences, such as debate clubs or public speaking events.
3. How do you approach research and analysis in problem-solving?
- Share your methods for gathering information and constructing arguments, as research is critical in law.
4. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession today?
- This shows your awareness of current events and trends in the legal world. Be prepared to discuss a relevant issue.
Here are some Tips for Preparing:
- Research the Field: Stay informed about current events in the legal realm and think critically about issues.
- Practice Responses: Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to refine your answers.
- Reflect on Experiences: Think about your volunteer work, internships, or relevant coursework, and be ready to discuss those experiences.
- Ask Questions: Be prepared to ask insightful questions about the role, the field of law, and the organization, showing your genuine interest.
Preparing for these questions and having thoughtful responses can help you feel more confident during interviews.
Good luck with your future endeavors in law!
That's great to hear that you're interested in becoming a lawyer! It’s also so cool that you already have such a clearly defined career interest.
To answer your question, when you're preparing for interviews, whether they're for internships, college applications, or even mock interviews, there are several common questions you should be ready to answer.
Here are some Standard Interview Questions to expect:
1. Tell me about yourself.
- This question is often an opener, so prepare a brief personal summary that highlights your interests, education, and goals related to law.
2. Why do you want to be a lawyer?
- Think about your motivations for pursuing a career in law. This could include a passion for justice, interest in a specific area of law, or a desire to help others.
3. What skills do you think are important for a lawyer?
- Consider skills like critical thinking, communication, negotiation, and research. Be ready to discuss how you've developed or plan to develop these skills.
4. How do you handle stress or pressure?
- Law can be a high-stress field, so interviewers may want to see how you cope with challenges. Share specific strategies or experiences.
5. Describe a time when you faced a difficult situation and how you resolved it.
- This question is often about problem-solving and resilience. Have a specific example ready that demonstrates your ability to handle adversity.
6. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Be honest and self-reflective. Choose a strength relevant to law and a weakness you are actively working to improve.
7. Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
- Think about your career trajectory, whether it includes law school, areas of practice, or specific goals you hope to achieve.
Some Law-Specific Questions include:
1. What areas of law are you most interested in, and why?
- Have a couple of specific areas in mind (like criminal, environmental, or corporate law) and explain your interest in them.
2. Have you ever participated in any activities that involved public speaking or debate?
- Law involves a lot of communication, so discuss relevant experiences, such as debate clubs or public speaking events.
3. How do you approach research and analysis in problem-solving?
- Share your methods for gathering information and constructing arguments, as research is critical in law.
4. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession today?
- This shows your awareness of current events and trends in the legal world. Be prepared to discuss a relevant issue.
Here are some Tips for Preparing:
- Research the Field: Stay informed about current events in the legal realm and think critically about issues.
- Practice Responses: Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to refine your answers.
- Reflect on Experiences: Think about your volunteer work, internships, or relevant coursework, and be ready to discuss those experiences.
- Ask Questions: Be prepared to ask insightful questions about the role, the field of law, and the organization, showing your genuine interest.
Preparing for these questions and having thoughtful responses can help you feel more confident during interviews.
Good luck with your future endeavors in law!
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