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Four Styles Adopted by Interviewers When Interviewing Paralegals

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published February 22, 2013

By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search

Contrary to what you may have heard, the legal interview is not a lion's den, but an arena with special qualities. The special qualities affect both style and kind. Let's consider different styles adopted by interviewers who interview paralegals. Be conscious of the style, but don't get taken in by style. "Style," as opposed to "kind," has more to do with the individual's approach to you and not to the interviewing situation.

The disarming, charming, non-alarming style

Most legal interviews are very pleasant and positive experiences. Most non-adversarial chats are conducted by those who are "disarming, charming, and non-alarming." Attorneys are excellent at getting the relaxation response from job candidates. This is generally good, because the interviewees tend to relax and perform in a confident manner. The caveat here is that interviewees relax too much, reveal too much, open up too much, and generally talk too much. Answers become overly long and meandering. It is almost as if the relief felt in the interview causes an overly familiar style that, in the end, offends. Keep your composure at all times in the interview process, no matter how relieved and elated you may feel.

The distant, remote, cool style

If someone is remote and cold, don't respond in kind. Try to measure your responses and temper yourself, but do not be dragged down by the gravity of their dignified bearing. Stick to your bio, be yourself, sell your skills, and stay upbeat and enthusiastic. Those who are too nervous will probably be muted by this style and thus descend into quietude. The cocky and nervous will chatter and could disqualify themselves. It is the composed, upbeat, positive, and buoyant interview that will make an impression.

The professorial style

If a lawyer or administrator gives you a "mini bar exam" and tests your memory and intellect, do your best, but get in your story, stay enthusiastic, and don't lose your cool. If your memory serves you well and you know all the answers, very good. If your memory does not serve you well, talk about how the paralegal knows where to find the answer end has the willingness to pursue a question until she gets an answer. The worst response is to gnarl up inside and get red-faced because you are not passing their test. Remember, you do not know how other candidates have fared: It may be a test of your poise as much as of your knowledge.

The distracted, irritated, gruff style

Many attorneys interview "on the run," in the middle of their busy day. If someone is distracted, antagonistic, and gruff, it is probably a matter of temperament and a busy schedule. Do not take it personally. Keep your poise, stay professional, generate enthusiasm, call it an adventure, and do your best. Those who interview this way do so because their day is one up-and-down roller coaster ride, and they are taking just a few minutes out to talk to you. If you get your story in and declare your virtues positively, the interviewer may be very impressed. You must get this interviewer's attention with a professional presentation. A muted and intimidated presentation will not win the day.

See the following articles for more information:

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 defense
Family law
Trusts & estates
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.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

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