How Attorneys Can Answer the 'Do You Have Any Questions for Me
 
QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS ARTICLE
 

1. Why is it important to always ask questions during a legal employment interview?

Asking questions demonstrates your interest in the job and the law firm. Employers prefer candidates who show genuine curiosity, indicating a strong desire to contribute to the organization.
 

2. How can understanding the reasons behind an open legal position benefit the candidate?

Knowing why a position is open provides valuable insights. If due to growth or promotion, it signals positive organizational aspects. If due to termination, it allows the candidate to address concerns and showcase their suitability for the role.
 

3. What role does understanding the management style of the manager you report to play in a legal job?

The management style of the person you report to significantly influences your work experience. Knowing this in advance helps ensure compatibility, making the working relationship more productive and pleasant.
 

4. How does asking about goals for the first 30, 60, and 90 days contribute to evaluating a law firm's organization?

Well-defined goals indicate a well-organized law firm, while vague or undefined goals may suggest potential challenges. This question helps candidates assess whether the law firm has clear expectations and structured roles.
 

5. Why is it crucial to inquire about the characteristics of the most successful employees within a legal organization?

Understanding the traits valued by the legal employer provides insight into the law firm’s culture. Tailoring your responses to align with these characteristics increases the likelihood of being perceived as a strong fit for the organization.

Generally, at the end of an interview, the interviewer will ask something along the lines of, “Do you have any questions for us?” It is very important that you always ask questions in an interview when given the opportunity. Incredibly, the most common answer to this is “no” and (not so incredibly) this is the answer most likely to prevent you from being hired. The “no” answer is passive and does not demonstrate any interest or imagination.

You should always have questions prepared prior to the interview because your questions, like your answers, are something that will determine whether you get the job.
 
The Power of Asking Questions in Legal Job Interviews
 
When legal employers ask questions in an interview it shows:
 
  • You are interested in the job and the hiring organization. If someone is not interested, they generally do not ask questions. Legal employers want to hire attorneys who are interested in the job. If you really want the job, you are likely to have questions that you want answered.
  • You are prepared. Legal employers love it when attorneys seem prepared for interviews. Being prepared shows interviewers that you are likely to be prepared for meetings and other tasks if you work for them. This will make you stand out in the interview. You should never go into an interview and think you can “wing it” (even if you can). The more prepared you are, the better off you will be.
  • You are interested in establishing further rapport. When you ask questions, you are giving the interviewer the opportunity to talk about themselves. This is very important. While a good interviewer will give the opposite impression, most interviewers (and people) are far more interested in talking about themselves than listening to your answers. If the interviewer likes your questions and enjoys giving answers to them, it will help you establish rapport and get the job.
 
I also want to be clear that your objective in every interview is to get the job. Thus, when an employer answers your questions, it is important that you make certain the interviewer understands that their answers and description of the law firm match your strengths. I am not recommending you do not tell the truth; however, you need to find commonality between you and the law firm.
 
If you are asking questions properly, you will get the interviewer talking and enjoying the conversation. While the six questions below are important to ask, you should also feel free to include anything that properly serves to further demonstrate your interest in the job.
 
Here are some good questions to ask in a legal employment interview:
 
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