Questions to Ask and Avoid in a Legal Interview

When it comes to interviewing for a legal job, everybody gets nervous. You want to share your experience and skills, as well as sharing your passions and legal professionalism. Overall, you want to make the best first impression you can.
 

A lot of people spend hours preparing for the type of questions they are going to be asked. This can be about their legal qualifications and the skills they have developed through previous positions. But one thing that people ignore when they are preparing for an interview is the questions they are going to ask the employer.

 
Indeed, you will always be given the opportunity in a legal interview to ask any questions you have. Some candidates panic and say they do not have any so that they can finish the interview. But this is a fantastic opportunity to make a good impression. It does not matter whether you want to become a legal secretary or a criminal lawyer, this is an opportunity you have to impress your potential employer.
 
The Questions You Should Ask During an Interview
 
First of all, let’s start with some great questions to ask your interviewer. The purpose of these questions is to allow you to learn more about the position and what you can expect when you work at the law firm. Of course, they also help to convey your interest and that you are eager to learn more. This is going to be appreciated by interviewers wanting to find the right legal candidate.
 
Are There Important Points I Should Know About the Position?
 
Let’s not forget that an interview is not just for the law firm. It is also going to help you decide whether you really want to work here too. Thus, this is why this is an important question to ask. It is going to give you an insight into what you can expect and if there are any aspects you should consider. After all, you want this to be the right fit for your legal career too.
 
Are There Challenges Associated With This Position?
 
It does not matter what legal job you are applying for, there are going to be some challenges you face. This is not always a bad thing. It just means that you might have to work a little harder. The good thing is, when you know what they are, this is something that you can prepare for. So, ask about any challenges to expect so that you can start preparing how you are going to overcome them.
 
Can You Describe What a Typical Day is Like at Your Law Firm?
 
You want to know more about the legal job you are applying for to ensure that you are the right candidate. Asking what a typical day is like is a good way to find out. The legal interview can describe what your tasks and responsibilities are going to be. This way, you can think about what this is something that you can handle and that you will enjoy. Remember that you will spend at least 40 hours of your week here. You want it to be a legal career that feels rewarding and aligns with your aspirations.
 
How Do You Assign Work?
 
Again, an interview is your opportunity to find out more about a legal position and what it is like on a daily basis. We know that working in law means you are going to have a busy schedule. So, you are going to want to know how what your workload is going to be like and how work is assigned. An interview is going to be able to tell you how this is all going to work on a daily basis in the office.
 
What Traits and Experience Are You Looking For?
 
Asking the interviewer this type of question shows that you are curious and that you want to impress. You will be able to tell how they answer this question if you have done well in your interview. Indeed, you can expand on their points and highlight anything that you might have missed before. While you do not want to go over the top, you can still bring their attention to how your trains and experience align with what they are looking for.
 
Are There Opportunities to Grow Here?
 
One of the best questions you can ask is whether there are opportunities to grow with the law firm. This is a simple question that can demonstrate that you are ambitious and want to continue to improve your skills. You want to develop in the future and not just settle for the same role. This is a question that legal interviews love and it can also show that you want to stay with the law firm and you are not just using them as a stepping stone to something else. You are willing to grow and improve.
 
The Questions You Should Not Ask During an Interview
 
Remember that every question you ask during an interview will matter. Indeed, asking the right questions will make a good impression. However, there are also some questions that an interview does not want to hear. So, you could be having a great interview and in the last 10 minutes, you might ask a question that ruins all your hard work. This is the last thing you want. Here are some questions you should hold back on asking in order to look good to your potential employer.
 
What Will My Salary Be?
 
Everybody wants to know how much they are going to get paid. A lot of job descriptions and advertisements will not tell you. However, you have to stop yourself from asking this question. It can make you appear money-orientated and it does not help make a good impression. The best time to ask about your salary is when you have received a job offer.
 
How Many Hours Do I Have to Work?
 
Again, you are going to want to know how many hours you are expected to work during the week. This can help you shape your free time and know when to prioritize your job. However, it is another question that is not well received during an interview. Again, the best time to ask this type of detail about your job is after you have received the offer.
 
Are There Any Benefits I Can Enjoy?
 
A lot of legal employees will offer you benefits when you work for their law firm. This can include local business discounts, gym memberships and other perks. But the interview is not the place to ask this question. The employer may think that this is all you are interested in. So, this is another one you can send to your employer when you get an offer for the job.
 
Can You Address the Rumors I Have Heard?
 
Unfortunately, there are a lot of rumors that spread about law firms. Some of them may be true. However, others can be very unfair. The difficulty is, you cannot always tell the real information from the fake. If you have heard some rumors concerning the law firm you are applying to, avoid asking the employer about them. This can come across as being very judgemental. In addition, it can give the impression that you concentrate on negativity.