General Interview
Questions and Tips
CLCDN Shared Resource Collection: General Interview Questions and Tips
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INTERVIEWS
You have been asked by an employer to attend a job interview. Now you have a
chance to meet the employer face-to-face and impress him or her with your
ability to do the job. The interview is the most important aspect of the job search
and the competition is likely to be stiff. You must be well prepared to sell your
services and convince the employer that you are the best person for the job.
When you go for your interview, you have two main purposes in mind:
 To convincingly communicate to the interviewer your qualifications for the
position
 To assess whether the particular job and work environment will be satisfying
and appropriate to your employment goals
Remember: you are qualified for the job or else the employer would not have
contacted you.
Interview Types
Firm Interviews - Most firm interviews are relatively informal and more about
getting to know the candidate than assessing their knowledge of substantive law.
These interviews are largely conversational and may have anywhere from one to
five lawyers present. The goal of these interviews is to allow interviewers to gain
a better understanding of who you are and what your personality is like. They are
looking for a person that ‘fits’ with their firm.
Government interviews – Government interviews have a heavier focus on
substantive law than firm interviews. These interviews are typically done by a
panel of four to five interviewers. They require you to illustrate who you are, as
well as a strong knowledge of the government and its programs. You will be
asked to answer how you would handle hypothetical situations given to you
during the interview. Some government interviews require you to complete a
written component on the day of your interview that you will not be able to
prepare for. Criminal record checks and some extra information may be needed
for these interviews.
ON CAMPUS INTERVIEWS (OCIs)
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Some employers will come to campus to conduct interviews. These are short –
about 20 minutes in duration – and part of what is a very long day for the
interviewers (and for you). Often the employers will have previous summer or
articling students on hand, so it’s a great chance to ask questions about the kind
of work they do there.
OFF CAMPUS INTERVIEWS
Off campus interviews are also common, especially for local smaller and fartheraway firms. These are often scheduled during the same recruiting period as the
employers that participate in the OCIs.
OTHER SITUATIONS
Some firms will not interview on campus or contact your law school’s career
office. You must make contact yourself in order to find out if and when they hire
students. Try to learn as much about the firm as possible before you contact the
firm. Check their web site and consult with your law school’s career office. Learn
who the contacts are at the firm and contact them with your questions.
INTERVIEW-RELATED EVENTS
Receptions
Before interviews, some firms hold receptions. They are a good opportunity to
meet some of the people on the employer’s recruitment committee. While
concentrating on meeting these individuals, try not to ignore the other lawyers
and representatives of the firm. You don’t want to seem impolite and while many
of the others in the room won’t be interviewing you, they will often have
significant hiring input.
Dinners
Many firms select a group of students to take out to dinner. This is yet another
situation for the firm to get to know you and for you to get to know the firm. Relax
and be yourself. Firms want to see the person they are looking at hiring. Dinners
are usually formal and will often involve drinks. Remember that you are in an
informal interview session and avoid ordering food that may present problems
(e.g., ribs) and watch the number of drinks you have.
Interview Scenarios
The following overview applies to most firm interviews, which are relatively
informal and more about getting to know the candidate than assessing their
knowledge of substantive law.
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Single Interview
In this case, the decision as to whether or not to hire the applicant is based on
the result of one interview only. The interviewer(s) will usually ask general
questions about your background, as well as detailed questions concerning your
knowledge of the job and relevant work and non-work experience. This is
relatively uncommon with law firms, who will often use the first interview as a
screening process only.
Serial Interviews
Serial interviews normally begin with an initial screening interview to ascertain
whether the applicant should be further considered for the job. Questions tend to
be general in nature and related to your basic qualifications and employment
goals. Do not be surprised if the firm’s representatives spend more time talking
than they do asking questions. Firms will often use this as a chance to see how
you react to what they are saying. The questions you ask based on this
information can go a long way in deciding whether or not you will be asked back
for another interview.
In most circumstances, there will be more than one lawyer from a firm conducting
the interview. They will likely report back to a committee who will review both
your application and the notes the interviewers made. It is at this point that they
will decide whether or not you will be contacted for a second interview.
The second interview situation will often be at the firm’s office and will usually
involve some of the committee members, if not all of them. Subsequent
interviews are more intensive than screening interviews. They focus on the
applicant’s educational and employment background, skills and abilities, and
job/company knowledge.
Interview Questions
While it is impossible to prepare for the exact questions you will be asked, many
of the same questions come up at each interview. Preparing for those questions
may help you answer them, as well as give you material to answer unexpected
questions. Remember, a well-prepared answer sounds much better than saying
you don’t know, but you shouldn’t sound like you are reading from a script either.
Practise answering the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
How does your education equip you for this job?
Why do you want to work for us?
What do you know about us?
Why do you feel qualified to perform this job?
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5. In what ways do you believe you can make a contribution to our
organization?
6. What skills have you acquired in a recent job and how do they relate to the
position?
7. What are your short and long-term career goals?
8. Where do you see yourself in five (x) years?
9. Why did you choose this occupation?
10. What do you know about the responsibilities of the job for which you are
applying?
11. What do you look for in a job?
12. What type of work environment do you prefer?
13. What did you like best or least about your last job?
14. What would you describe as your best achievement to date?
15. Describe occasions when you have demonstrated initiative.
16. What motivates you?
17. What are your thoughts on routine work?
18. You may be required to occasionally work overtime. How do you feel
about that?
19. Why did you choose your law school?
20. What is your greatest strength or weakness?
21. What subjects did you like best or least at law school?
22. Could you explain this grade (typically a bad one)?
23. Have you applied to other firms?
Interview Tips
AT THE INTERVIEW:
If you have taken the time to prepare, you should be relaxed and confident during
the interview. Here are some things to keep in mind for interviews:
1. Dress professionally. This is a conservative profession. Formal dress is
required. This generally means a dark-coloured suit.
2. Go alone. Employers have selected you for the interview. Leave your
friends at home.
3. Arrive early: fifteen minutes before your scheduled interview.
4. Be friendly and courteous to the receptionist and other staff. These
individuals are your prospective co-workers and their perceptions may be
considered in the hiring process.
5. Smiles and shake hands firmly with the employer. Greet the interviewer by
name.
6. Do not sit until you are invited to do so. Do not slouch. Sit up and look
alert.
7. Listen carefully to the questions you are asked and think about the
answers.
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8. Elaborate briefly on your experience, skills and background.
9. Be a good listener. Ask for clarification if you are not sure of the question.
10. Be calm and poised. Be aware of your nervous habits and try to keep
them under control.
11. Respond to questions with brief and direct answers. Be specific and keep
to the point.
12. Eye contact and body language are important. Look at the interviewer
when answering.
13. Speak clearly and distinctly. Avoid “er” and “ah” and other annoying voice
habits.
14. Don’t criticize your old job or boss.
15. Do not discuss politics, religion or controversial subjects.
16. Do not ask about salary or benefits unless you have been offered the
position.
17. Be ready to ask questions about the firm/organization, if you’re invited to
do so.
18. When the interview appears to be ending, summarize your interest in the
job.
19. Thank the employer when the interview is over.
20. Do not forget to say goodbye to the receptionist.
The CLCDN would like to thank the Career Development Office at Dalhousie
University’s Schulich School of Law for these interview questions and tips.
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