Are you an ambitious paralegal? Do you have what it takes to handle legal cases like a pro?
Whether you’re a newbie or you’re an established paralegal looking for interview advice, chances are you’re fretting over that intense Q&A. You’re eager to answer questions better than Erin Brockovich and desperate to land the career of your dreams.
Worry no more! To help you smoothly glide through that upcoming job interview and give off a great first impression, we’ve gathered a list of the top 10 most common paralegal interview questions with advice on how to answer each one, along with example answers and how to prep for a paralegal interview.
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What to expect in a paralegal interview
Beyond standard questions like “Why do you want to leave your current employer?” or “What are your salary expectations?” (which will normally be posed towards the end of the interview), paralegal job interviews are typically based on a mix of skills-based and behavioral questions.
Like with any interview, regardless the role and position, employers want to learn about four things:
- The level of your skills and knowledge
- Your past performance (and what you can do for the firm)
- Your motivation
- Your approach to work
Common paralegal interview questions
While there’s no way to tell which questions exactly will come up in a job interview for a paralegal position, it’s a good idea to research and prepare for as many as possible. The following 10 are a great starting point.
1. “Why did you decide to become a paralegal?”
This question will be asked to determine your passion and determination as a paralegal. Start off by outlining your interest for a particular specialization, whether it’s criminal justice, corporate, or personal injury. You can then move on to mentioning how drawn and committed you are to the research and data entry aspects of the job.
The interviewer will want to gain a sense of perseverance from you, so make sure to mention that this profession allows you to constantly learn and grow. Tell the interviewer that becoming a paralegal offers you the opportunity to think critically, enhance your communication and teamwork skills and, most importantly, actively participate in the legal process.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I’ve always enjoyed solving problems and researching complex issues. Becoming a paralegal allows me to leverage and combine these skills with my passion for the law. It’s a role where I can make a difference by supporting attorneys and clients, all while continuing to learn and develop professionally.
2. “What skills do you have to qualify as a paralegal?”
Now is the time to show off and recite your résumé — not in a robotic way, of course! Relax, take a deep breath, and give the interviewer a clear and concise run-through of your skills and experience.
They want to determine your true competency for the role. Becoming a paralegal can be challenging and complex, so make sure that you mention any previous training you might have had and what your experience was like. Cover any skills that you might have in law research, legal administration skills and client litigation.
It’s also a great idea to talk about how talented you are in developing and maintaining relationships with clients. Discuss your organization and planning skills, your great attention to detail and, finally, your patience and confidentiality.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I’m highly organized and detail-oriented, and I excel at legal research and writing. I’m a strong communicator, proficient in different legal software and able to manage multiple tasks under pressure and under tight deadlines. I’m dedicated to accuracy and efficiency, and this allows me to provide attorneys and clients with reliable support.
3. “Are there any practice areas that interest you in particular?”
This is yet another frequently asked question during a paralegal interview at a law firm.
You need to demonstrate an understanding of the type of law this firm does. Explain why you’re a good fit for the organization, and tell the interviewer what led you to apply for this role and company in particular. Make sure to do your research about the firm, and comment on your strengths and interest in the practice area in question.
Bear in mind that you don’t have to be an expert on an area just yet — especially if you’re applying for an entry-level role. You don’t even have to tell the interviewer that you’re committed to it for the rest of your career. Simply express that you’re interested in this practice area and that you’re eager to learn more.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I’m particularly drawn to family law. This practice area appeals to me because of the direct impact it has on people’s lives.
4. “How well can you handle criticism?”
Being a paralegal is no easy task. The job can be intense, demanding and incredibly tough. Sometimes, you’ll have to deal with criticism from seniors.
Show the interviewer that you can handle any stress, pressure and judgement from fellow lawyers or managers. Mention that you have thick skin and that you would never take any criticism personally. You understand that they’re trying to better you for the role and improve or maintain the overall reputation of the company.
It’s best to explain that you will take any critical remarks as an opportunity to improve and correct mistakes and that you will always respond to your seniors in a respectful and professional manner.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I view constructive criticism highlight valuable and an excellent opportunity for me to improve. I listen carefully, ask for clarification where needed and implement the feedback I received. I believe criticism is a natural part of professional growth, and that’s the kind of positive mindset I try to approach it with.
5. “Can you deal with difficult clients?”
Much of this role involves dealing with difficult clients. The interviewer will try to determine whether you can handle disgruntled, angry and impatient people with dignity, professionalism and skill. Shed light on your ability to deal with confrontation and mention that you never take anything personally.
Explain that you would listen to the client attentively, understand where they’re coming from (dealing with legal matters is tough, after all) and offer a reasonable explanation or solution to their issue.
Don’t forget to highlight your sense of empathy and patience when it comes to handling difficult clients. The interviewer also wants to hear that you’re aware that you’re representing the company and that you must maintain professionalism at all times.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
Yes. I remain calm, professional and empathetic when dealing with difficult clients. I listen actively to their concerns or complaints, validate their feelings, and focus on finding a suitable solution for them.
6. “How do you stay calm under pressure?”
Do you have what it takes to succeed under pressure? If that’s a “yes”, make sure you clearly clarify this during your job interview.
All jobs come with stress, but that of a paralegal can be incredibly exasperating. Talk about a time when you successfully managed a tight deadline and point out your ability to maintain quality work, even when under a lot of pressure.
Cover any skills you have in multitasking, organizing and prioritizing, and persuade the interviewer that you have what it takes to stay calm when feeling frustrated.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I prioritize tasks, break them into manageable steps and maintain a solution-focused approach. Taking a moment to breathe and refocus also helps me stay composed. I also rely on my organizational and time management skills to make sure deadlines are met.
7. “Are there any areas in which you struggle? If so, how do you handle this weakness?”
When you get a question that covers weaknesses, it’s important to answer honestly. Always give your answer a positive spin by saying how you’re working to improve this “flaw” and how you positively dealt with it in the past.
Being a paralegal means handling heavy workloads, disgruntled clients, difficult cases and pressuring seniors. Whatever it is you struggle with, tell the interviewer, but mention that you will be careful to avoid any mistakes and that you’re committed to continuous improvement.
They want to see that you have a sense of self-awareness and that you can honestly articulate any weakness.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I sometimes struggle with over-perfectionism, and this can slow me down. But I’m taking steps to improve in this area by setting time limits for tasks and reminding myself that producing high-quality work is about balance.
8. “Have you had to make any complex legal decisions? Tell us about it.”
During your paralegal interview, your interviewer will try to gain evidence of your logical decision-making. You will be facing serious legal matters, after all, and your decisions can be life-changing for your client.
Think about a time in the past when you had to deal with a complex legal case. What decisions did you make? Recite your story to the interviewer and mention that you made these decisions independently.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
In my previous job, I was tasked with summarizing conflicting case law to recommend the best precedent for a case. By thoroughly researching and comparing outcomes, I offered a clear analysis that supported the attorney’s argument in court.
9. “What are your feelings for working for the defense of criminals?”
Working for a law firm comes with its own set of challenges, one being that you might have to participate in defense of a criminal. This is a common question to arise during a paralegal’s interview, as it will demonstrate your grit and sense of professionalism.
Explain that you’re ready to deploy professional legal services to anyone, without any discrimination. Clarify that you’re capable of separating your personal feelings from the job and how important it is to provide equal representation to every client.
This role requires that you’re diplomatic, no matter what charges a client is facing. It is, therefore, vital that you communicate this during your interview.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
Everyone has the right to a fair trial, and working in defense ensure that justice is upheld. I focus on the legal aspects of the role, regardless of the allegations.
10. “Why should we hire you?”
This is one of the most common interview questions to expect for any profession.
Your hiring manager wants to know why they should hire you as their paralegal, instead of anyone else. This means it’s time to really showcase your legal knowledge and skills.
They want to know how you can benefit the organization. Is it your specialist knowledge? Perhaps it’s your research skills. Highlight your strengths and always relate them to the benefit of the company and the needs of the job.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I bring a strong work ethic and a passion for the legal field. My ability to stay organized, manage multiple deadlines and deliver reliable and accurate support ensures that I can contribute to your team’s success, as well as the firm’s.
How to prepare for a paralegal interview
So, how do you go about preparing for an upcoming paralegal interview? Here are some quick tips:
1. Research the law firm
First things first, spend time researching the law firm to get a better understanding of its mission, culture and values, as well as the type of cases it typically handles and the areas of law in which it practices.
This can be achieved by reviewing the firm’s website, reading up on company news, and even connecting with current or past employees. If you know someone who works there, even better — they will be able to provide you with first-hand insights.
2. Understand the scope of the role
Go back to the job description, and study it carefully and thoroughly. Pay special attention to the “about us”, “responsibilities” and “qualifications” parts to better understand the scope of the role and what exactly is expected from the ideal candidate.
All this information will be extremely valuable during the interview, as it will guide your responses to the questions you are asked.
3. Practice your answers to potential questions
Compile a list of questions you might be asked during your interview (including the ones listed above) and prepare answers around your own experiences, strengths and goals. Then, once you’ve done that, practice them out loud in front of a mirror.
Better yet, you can enlist the help of a trusted friend or relative to role-play as the interviewer and ask you the questions on your list. This can provide you with valuable feedback on not just your answers but also your overall performance, delivery and body language.
4. Read up on interview etiquette and best practices
One of the most important things you can do when preparing for a job interview, especially if it’s been some time since your last one, is to take a refresher in interview etiquette and best practices.
This includes things like offering a firm handshake, keeping your answers short, listening actively, mirroring the interviewer’s body language, and not interrupting the interviewer while they’re speaking.
The good news is that we’ve got plenty of interview resources to help you out!
5. Manage your stress levels
Interviews are nerve-wracking, to say the least. There’s no doubt about that!
But interview nerves, if left unchecked, can hinder your entire performance and potentially take you out of the running for your dream job. Indeed, interviewers want candidates who are confident and who won’t be reduced to a puddle at the first setback on the job.
You can avoid this by eating a good meal beforehand, doing some breathing exercises, talking to a friend, and arriving to the interview a little earlier. And remember: the more prepared for the interview you are, the less nervous you will be!
Questions to ask employers
If there’s one interview mistake you want to avoid making, it’s not asking any questions of your own. Remember: interviews are meant to be a two-way conversation, and they’re as much an opportunity to find out more about the position and company as they are for hiring managers to learn about you.
Some questions that you can ask the interviewer, both during and at the end of the interview, include:
- What types of cases would I be primarily working on?
- How does the firm measure success for a paralegal in this position?
- Can you explain the training process for new paralegals hired at the firm?
- What are the firm’s short- and long-term goals?
- Can you tell me about the attorneys and the team that I would be working with?
Final thoughts
Regardless of your chosen specialization in law, these are the most commonly asked questions you’ll go up against during your paralegal interview. Just make sure to thoroughly prepare!
Brush up on your résumé, explore the company you’re applying to, and ready your interview answers according to the tips outlined in this article. This will make you more likely to sell yourself as a viable candidate for the role.
What other questions might you be faced during a paralegal interview? Have you had any that we didn’t cover on our list? Let us know in the comments section below.
This article is a partial update of an earlier version originally published in 2019.