Obviously, the manner in which these topics are handled is different for each candidate because each candidate is unique. There are no standard answers.
However, there is one topic – the questions that a candidate should ask his interviewer – where I do repeat myself often. I have a couple of favorite questions that invariably earn high marks from my candidates during their post-interview debriefings. In order to have more than a couple of great questions at the ready, I decided to ask my fellow BCG recruiters about their favorite questions. My goal was to develop a list of truly outstanding questions - my “Top Ten,” if you will - designed to impress the interviewer and make my candidate more memorable – a key feature in a competitive market if one hopes to secure an offer.
Before I get to my Top Ten Interview Questions, I need to discuss the more mundane questions you may want to ask at some point during the process. For example, you probably do want to ask about how work is assigned, how feedback is given to associates, when you will get client contact, and how deals are staffed (partner-to-associate ratio.) I do not mean to disparage these questions. They are important and will provide important information about whether any particular position is right for you. However, nearly all candidates ask these questions, and you want to be able to set yourself apart from the crowd.
- See Interviewing Tips for more information
follows:
- Beyond individual questions, knowing the broader focus areas firms evaluate is crucial—this article on Mastering the Interview: Key Focus Areas for Lateral Attorneys ties everything together for a winning interview strategy. Just as you’ll want to prepare answers to questions the interviewer asks you, it’s equally important to develop strong responses to the interviewer’s final prompt — check out how to answer the “Do you have any questions for me?” question.
1. What has been your most exciting experience working at this firm?
- To fully leverage these questions, attorneys should go on every interview they’re offered to strengthen responses through repetition.
2. Is there anything that you did not know about this firm when you joined that would have been helpful or good to know?
3. If you and I were to work together on a matter, how would you utilize an associate with my skill set?
4. What career growth can I reasonably expect if I meet your expectations?
5. What precipitated your hiring need right now?
6. Why did you choose this firm?
7. Of which accomplishment is this firm most proud?
8. Where could you use the most support in your practice right now?
9. How would you characterize the culture and philosophy of the firm?
10. What is your favorite part of your job?
Enhance your preparation by viewing this video that demonstrates how to leave a strong final impression with smart questions.
- To complement these top ten questions, you may also find our common legal interview questions and suggested responses helpful for more comprehensive preparation. For attorneys who want the most comprehensive overview, the “Definitive list of law-firm interview questions and answers” offers 100+ questions along with commentary.
I cannot stress the importance of engaging your interviewer in thoughtful conversation; these questions go a long way toward the goal. You may not want to use all of them (or any of them) if the interviewer does not seem amenable to innovation. However, commit them to memory in case you want to use them, as you may be pleasantly surprised by how these questions can turn an interview around for the better. Good luck, and remember – there are no stupid questions!
- Attorneys with more than a decade of practice face distinct expectations—our guide to law firm interviews for senior attorneys explains how to answer with authority. If you’re looking to go beyond the top ten, you may also want to review the full list of the “50 Essential Law Firm Interview Questions” to deepen your preparation and anticipate less-common queries. Besides rehearsing your answers, you’ll gain a unique edge by reading the “Off-the-Record interview tips from law-firm interviewers” to understand how interviewers really think.
For context on how to prepare beyond just questions, explore this step-by-step guide to law firm interviews to ensure you’re fully confident. If you’re an attorney with 10+ years of experience, you should also review the tailored “Advice for senior attorneys on law-firm interviews. You’ll also find value in the article on “Common legal interview questions and suggested responses” when preparing the kind of standard behaviours most interviewers explore.
See the following articles for more information about law firm interviews:
- Law Firm Interview Resources
- Top 23 Law Firm Interview Tips: How to Excel in Law Firm Interviews
- Top 12 Reasons Attorneys Do Not Get Law Firm Interviews
- Interview Questions and Reminders
- Interview Skills 101: Focusing on the Positive
- Post-Interview Thank You Notes
- Special Attorney Interview Tips for Senior Associates
- Special Attorney Interview Tips for Junior Associates
- The Importance of Self-Confidence in a Law Firm Job Interview
- Knowing What to Ask and When to Ask It
- How Attorneys Can Build Real Wealth by Choosing Consistency Over Illusion
- 21 Pieces of Career Advice No One Gives Attorneys
About Harrison Barnes
No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.
A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter
Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:
- Immigration Law
- Workers Compensation
- Insurance
- Family Law
- Trust and Estate
- Municipal law
- And many more...
This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.
Proven Success at All Levels
With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:
- Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
- Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
- Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
- Growing firms in small and rural markets
He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.
Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search
Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.
The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys
Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.
- His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
- He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
- His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
- He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.
Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes
If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.
Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here
With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.
A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success
Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.
Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:
- Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
- Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
- Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.
This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.
A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives
Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.
He has worked with:
- Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
- Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
- Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
- Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.
For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.
Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation
If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.
Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.
Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.
About BCG Attorney Search
BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.
Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
