Discover the key strategies for acing your legal employment interview with insightful questions. This guide emphasizes the importance of proactively engaging in the interview process by posing relevant queries to your potential legal employer. From understanding the reasons behind an open position to evaluating the management style of the manager you'll be reporting to, these questions provide crucial insights into the law firm's values and organizational dynamics. Learn how to express enthusiasm, showcase your compatibility, and leave a lasting impression by delving into topics such as organizational goals, work environment, and characteristics of successful employees. This comprehensive guide equips you with the tools to make informed decisions about accepting a legal job offer while demonstrating your commitment and interest in the role. Elevate your interview game and optimize your chances of landing the ideal legal position with these invaluable insights.
1. Why is it important to always ask questions during a legal employment interview?
Asking questions demonstrates your interest in the job and the law firm. Employers prefer candidates who show genuine curiosity, indicating a strong desire to contribute to the organization.2. How can understanding the reasons behind an open legal position benefit the candidate?
Knowing why a position is open provides valuable insights. If due to growth or promotion, it signals positive organizational aspects. If due to termination, it allows the candidate to address concerns and showcase their suitability for the role.3. What role does understanding the management style of the manager you report to play in a legal job?
The management style of the person you report to significantly influences your work experience. Knowing this in advance helps ensure compatibility, making the working relationship more productive and pleasant.4. How does asking about goals for the first 30, 60, and 90 days contribute to evaluating a law firm's organization?
Well-defined goals indicate a well-organized law firm, while vague or undefined goals may suggest potential challenges. This question helps candidates assess whether the law firm has clear expectations and structured roles.In addition to asking smart questions, be prepared for the essential interview questions every attorney should know.
5. Why is it crucial to inquire about the characteristics of the most successful employees within a legal organization?
Understanding the traits valued by the legal employer provides insight into the law firm’s culture. Tailoring your responses to align with these characteristics increases the likelihood of being perceived as a strong fit for the organization.- Practicing thoughtful questions is most effective when you attend every interview opportunity and use real scenarios to refine your approach.
Generally, at the end of an interview, the interviewer will ask something along the lines of, “Do you have any questions for us?” It is very important that you always ask questions in an interview when given the opportunity. Incredibly, the most common answer to this is “no” and (not so incredibly) this is the answer most likely to prevent you from being hired. The “no” answer is passive and does not demonstrate any interest or imagination. To ensure your interview questions—and overall impression—don’t trigger rejection, this video 21 Reasons Major Law Firms Reject Candidates (and How to Stand Out Instead) explores the mindset of hiring partners in detail.
You should always have questions prepared prior to the interview because your questions, like your answers, are something that will determine whether you get the job. After addressing the ‘tell me about yourself’ question, you’ll want to follow up effectively — our video on answering the ‘tell me about yourself’ question shows how to start strong.
When legal employers ask questions in an interview it shows:
- You are interested in the job and the hiring organization. If someone is not interested, they generally do not ask questions. Legal employers want to hire attorneys who are interested in the job. If you really want the job, you are likely to have questions that you want answered.
- You are prepared. Legal employers love it when attorneys seem prepared for interviews. Being prepared shows interviewers that you are likely to be prepared for meetings and other tasks if you work for them. This will make you stand out in the interview. You should never go into an interview and think you can “wing it” (even if you can). The more prepared you are, the better off you will be.
- You are interested in establishing further rapport. When you ask questions, you are giving the interviewer the opportunity to talk about themselves. This is very important. While a good interviewer will give the opposite impression, most interviewers (and people) are far more interested in talking about themselves than listening to your answers. If the interviewer likes your questions and enjoys giving answers to them, it will help you establish rapport and get the job.
If you are asking questions properly, you will get the interviewer talking and enjoying the conversation. While the six questions below are important to ask, you should also feel free to include anything that properly serves to further demonstrate your interest in the job.
Here are some good questions to ask in a legal employment interview:
- You can also explore our common legal interview questions and suggested responses for guidance on preparing effective questions for your interviewer.
See Related Articles:
- Law Firm Interview Resources
- What Should I Bring to a Job Interview?
- Off-the-Record Interview Tips from Law Firm Interviewers
1. Why Is This Position Open?
This is an important question to ask because it can give you a lot of information and may be very relevant to helping you decide whether (or how much) you want to work for the law firm. The position could be open for the following reasons:
- Someone got promoted.
- Someone left.
- Someone got fired.
- The law firm is growing rapidly and needs more attorneys.
If someone left, or got fired, you should try and understand the reasons why. For example, the legal employer’s expectations for the person may be unrealistic. The pay may not be commensurate with this role. Alternatively, the law firm may just be a lousy place to work.
If someone has left or been fired, it also makes sense to try and figure out how many attorneys have had the same job in the recent past. There could be a problem with the job that makes it difficult to do well.
If someone left, or got fired, it is also a good idea to try and find out how long the person was in the job before you. If someone spent several years there, this is generally a good sign and means that (all things considered) they were able to get along with others and do well there.
If someone is getting promoted, or the law firm is growing, this is an excellent sign. Law firms that are growing and promoting attorneys tend to have good things going on, their revenues are increasing and they are doing something right. These are good law firms to be part of.
INTERVIEW ADVICE: If the position is open because the law firm is growing, or someone has been promoted, express your enthusiasm for working for a law firm that has opportunity for advancement.
INTERVIEW ADVICE: If the position is open because someone was fired, or has left, make sure you let the interviewer know that the issues the other employee had are not something that you too would have. This is an opportunity to express how you are different, more competent, more loyal and a better fit for the job.
2. Who Would I Be Reporting to and What Are They Like?
The manager (or managers) you report to is a very important calculation for any legal job. Being a manager is something that not everyone is good at. In contrast, some attorneys are exceptional managers.
When the interviewers start telling you about the manager you will be reporting to, you can [hopefully] get a sense of whether they are someone you could work for. For example:
- Some bosses are micromanagers and will tell you how to do every single thing. Some attorneys like this management style because it is predictable while others find it smothering.
- Some bosses are completely hands-off and just expect you to be motivated and do the work. Some attorneys like this management style while others need more direction.
- Some bosses have zero management experience and will make lots of mistakes. Some attorneys like this while others prefer an experienced lawyer.
- Some bosses have tons of management experience. Some attorneys like this while others prefer a lawyer more receptive to new methods and ideas.
You need to have a very good understanding of the management style the manager has who you will be reporting to. The person you work for can either make your life and job very pleasant, or they can make it like hell. You need to make absolutely sure that you are comfortable with the person you are working for.
Throughout the years, I have seen numerous legal careers both advanced and destroyed by someone who had the fortune or misfortune to report to a given individual. You need to make sure that you are going to work for someone you feel comfortable with.
INTERVIEW ADVICE: If the interviewer does tell you about a person you believe you would do well working for, it is important that you make sure the interviewer understands this. Make sure you express why you may be a good match for working with that supervisor.
3. What Goals Would You Have for Me during the First 30, 60 and 90 Days?
This will generally explain the expectations of the law firm you are going to be joining and how well-organized they are.
A well-run firm is going to be able to answer this question and give you milestones. When they give you the answer to this question, their objectives will be reasonable and achievable. Their answer will also give you an indication of whether you feel this is a position you can excel in.
A poorly run firm may not be able to provide you with a definitive answer to this question. If the position and its responsibilities are not well-defined, this means that you may find yourself in trouble down the road. If your position is not well-defined, and others’ positions are also not well-defined, the odds are pretty good that the law firm may end up experiencing problems down the road. In order to succeed and grow, most law firms need to be well managed and have clearly defined jobs for their employees.
Notwithstanding, some law firms do not have clearly defined roles for attorneys because they operate in a multi-tasking environment and expect their employees to be self-motivated and get all the work done, regardless of what it is. If this is the case, the most important thing you can do is make sure that you are comfortable with the work and the environment. As long as you are comfortable with this type of situation, you may be in good shape.
INTERVIEW ADVICE: If the law firm has clearly defined tasks and roles, tell the interviewer that you enjoy working for a firm with such structure. In many cases, the person interviewing you will have been involved in defining various roles in the firm and will appreciate your comment.
INTERVIEW ADVICE: If the law firm has less defined roles for its employees, it is important for you to stress the fact that you are willing to jump in and do whatever needs to be done.
See Related Articles:
- Interview Preparation Techniques
- Acing Your Interview Starts with Assessing the Interviewer
- The Secret to Effectively Sharing Concerns about Your Current Employer without Committing the Most Common Interview Blunder
4. What Do You Like Most about Working Here?
The answer to this question will generally tell you a lot about the law firm, its values and how the employees feel about the organization. I love listening to employers’ answers to this question because they reveal so much about the business.
Some interviewers will tell you that they work really hard in the job but it is worth it because the work is rewarding. One time, I was interviewing with a big law firm in New York, and the interviewer gave me this answer.
“How hard do you work?” I asked.
“Hard” he said.
“How hard?” I asked.
“I have not had a day off in at least four months,” he told me.
These answers can tell you a lot about what it is like working for the law firm. When I heard this, I decided this was not the place I wanted to work.
Other interviewers will smile when hearing this question and tell you about how much they like their colleagues, how everyone works together and the firm does not feel like a competitive place to work. If you enjoy this type of camaraderie, then this is the answer you want to hear.
You can develop a good picture of the organization from answers to this question. In most cases, you will learn how seriously the legal employer takes themselves, how much opportunity there is at the firm and whether you will be happy there.
INTERVIEW ADVICE: Regardless of the answer, it is important that you make the interviewer feel like they are understood. If the interviewer tells you everyone likes to go out for a beer after work, you should act like you enjoy developing friendships in the office. You should make the interviewer feel like you identify with them.
5. What Are the Characteristics of Your Most Successful Employees?
The answer to this question will provide you with a valuable perspective on what it is like working in the firm. I have seen interviewers give very interesting answers to this question:
- It is important to network with a lot of attorneys outside of work.
- Hard work is rewarded here, and you need to show commitment.
- If you stick it out here, you will be successful.
- You need to bring in a lot of business to be successful.
If you ask this question to enough interviewers, you are going to start to see a trend. The law firm may value the ability to network, hard work may be the most commendable trait, or business generation may matter most. Regardless of what their answer is, you need to make sure it is something you are comfortable with.
The more important message this sends to the interviewer, though, is that you are interested in being one of the organization’s strongest performers.
INTERVIEW ADVICE: When the interviewer answers this question, you should stress that you share the qualities of their most successful employees.
6. What Are the Next Steps?
This is the most important question you can ask at the end of the interview. When you ask this question, it shows the interviewer that you are still interested in the job. It also gives you the opportunity to express that you are excited and feel you would be a good fit.
The best interviewees always ask this question with a tone that suggests they are ready to start the job right away. When you ask this question, it forces the interviewer to think about you as if you have already been hired.
In addition, you will be able to determine their level of enthusiasm toward you. The interviewer may say you seem like a “terrific fit”, and they will get back to you shortly. Other legal employers will be vague, say they are still interviewing, and you will hear from them once they make a decision.
- Closing strong is critical, yet many attorneys fail earlier in the process. Learn more in Why Most Attorneys Screw Up Interviews and Their Legal Careers.
INTERVIEW ADVICE: When you end an interview, always act confident. Show the interviewer you feel like you can do the job well. Make sure they feel like you are grateful for the interview and hope to get the position.
See Related Articles:
- The Importance of Interview Preparation — No Matter How Confident You Feel about Your Interviewing Skills
- The Art of Interviewing: Tips for Converting Interviews Into Offers
- The Five Reasons Law Firms and Legal Employers Do Not Hire You After an Interview
Conclusions
When you are looking for a new position, it is important that you learn as much as you can about the law firm as possible. These six questions will give you the information you need to determine whether you should accept an offer from the legal employer. In addition, these answers will show the interviewer you are committed as a candidate and interested in doing the job.
- For a broader list of targeted inquiries you may face in boutique or community-based firms, explore small law firm interview questions and answers. Once you’ve mastered this key question, strengthen your overall readiness by reviewing the Top 10 Interview Questions During Your Law Firm Interview.
Finally, when an interviewer asks if you have any questions, a useful strategy is to tell them you have written down some questions, and then open a folio with your inquiries (even if you only ask these six questions). It makes the interviewer believe that you really have taken the time to think about the interview and working there.
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.
