Preparing for a Paralegal
Interview
Adams & Martin Group
Preparing for an interview can be one of the toughest aspects of a paralegal’s job search. Many
paralegal candidates make the mistake of spending most of their time securing the interview (i.e.,
searching websites for employment opportunities, tweaking their resumes and writing cover
letters) and very little time actually preparing for the interview once it is secured.
Pulling off a successful job interview is the single most important step of the job search process.
There are several ways to ensure an interview’s success and maximize the chances of receiving an
offer.
Research
One of the biggest mistakes paralegals make in preparing for job interviews is not conducting
enough research on the potential law firm employer. A visit to the law firm’s website will yield a
wealth of useful information, including biographical profiles on the attorneys with whom they will
be interviewing and information about the practice group’s recent successes and most important
clients. When preparing for an interview with a corporation, useful sources of information include
business publications such as Forbes, Crains, Money, Kiplinger’s, The Wall Street Journal and
Investors Business Daily.
“30 Second Commercial” and List of Accomplishments
For most paralegal candidates, pre-interview jitters are inevitable. However, taking the time to
commit to memory a “30 second commercial” and preparing a one-page bullet point list of his/her
professional accomplishments will greatly reduce interviewing anxiety and help keep the focus on
their qualifications.
Most interviews begin with some variation of “tell me something about yourself.” Having a
concise, well prepared answer to that question will ensure that the interview starts off on the right
note. Committing the “30 second commercial” to memory will bolster a candidate’s confidence
and ensure a positive first impression. One example of a “30 second commercial” is:
“I have 5 years of experience as a commercial litigation paralegal. I really enjoy legal research
and writing, and I have with me a couple of examples of my work. I am interested in working
for your firm in particular because you have an excellent reputation and offer the chance to
work on high profile cases such as the recent XYZ Corporation case.”
Many candidates walkout of an interview wishing that they had gotten more points across to the
interviewer. One way to ensure that all essential qualifications are emphasized is to prepare a list
of talking points that can serve as a road map for the interview or at least serve as a point of
reference when asked a difficult question. This list should contain specific examples of significant
accomplishments and skills, such as receiving a promotion or taking continuing legal education
courses.
Additional Information to Bring
In addition to several resume copies and a bullet point list of relevant accomplishments, all of the
following items should be neatly organized in a portfolio and ready to share with the interviewer.
Professional References and Letters of Reference: Professional references should include the
person’s title, law firm name, direct telephone number and email address. Letters of reference
from supervisors, either at a current or a previous position, instantly bolster a candidate’s
credibility.
Transcripts/Certificates: College and/or paralegal program transcripts/certificates should always
be included in your portfolio.
Legal Writing Sample: Legal writing samples should demonstrate a candidate’s analytical and
research skills and should not be taken from form documents.
Follow Up
Candidates should send a thank-you note within 24 hours of an interview. Thank you notes
should be sent to every interviewer. Email is OK, but be sure to follow protocols for formal
business correspondence. Thank you notes should reiterate the candidate’s interest in the position
and emphasize his/her specific qualifications for the position.
Of course, interviewing for a new position will always be difficult. Taking the time to properly
prepare for and not just secure a job interview will help make a lasting, positive impression on the
interviewer.