Risk and Practice Management
Sample interview questions
The following is a list of open-ended sample interview questions for use when preparing to hire a new staff member or associate. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, and should be amended or added to as appropriate for your work environment.
Another valuable resource is from Homewood Human Solutions™, your health and wellness provider, entitled "Interviewing Strategies: Finding a Good Fit"
Staff Interview questions - general
- What do know about lawyers and the legal profession?
- What is your opinion of lawyers and the legal profession?
- Define or describe good customer service.
- Have you had any experience working with a customer or client centered group?
- What is important to you in a job?
- When you are under a lot of stress, what is your typical reaction?
- What motivates you the most?
- Have you ever made an error in judgment that you had to address with your employer? How did you handle it?
- What do you expect to find at this law firm that you don’t have in your current or last job?
- How do you measure your own success?
- What causes you the most stress in the workplace?
- What are two examples of tasks that you do not particularly enjoy doing? How were you motivated enough to complete those tasks?
- Tell me about your software skills — the programs you know and what you can do with them.
- Tell me about the best boss you ever had. Now tell me about the worst boss. What made it tough to work for him or her?
- Have you ever been in a situation where a document you drafted was returned due to errors? What effect did this have on you?
- If you took out a full-page ad in the newspaper and had to describe yourself in only three words, what would those words be?
- Have you ever had to resolve a conflict with a coworker? How did you resolve it?
- What can you tell me about email and file encryption? Are there other security issues you are aware of with electronic filing and email?
Interview questions for new associate
- What interests you in the position and working here?
- What have you liked and disliked about being a lawyer?
- Do you have marketing experience? What has worked/not worked for you?
- What has been the most challenging aspect of your career?
- Do you have experience with technology and social media?
- Tell me about your professional network.