Latest Legal Firms Law Researcher Interview Questions

Q – 1 Tell me a time when you did not get along with a co-worker?

Ans- I used to lock heads with a fellow officer. We disagreed over a lot of things – from civilian interaction to who got what shifts to how to speak with a victim’s family. Our personalities just didn’t mesh. After three months of arguing, I pulled her aside and asked her to lunch. At lunch, we talked about our differences and why we weren’t getting along. It turns out, it was all about communication. We communicated differently and once we knew that, we began to work well together. I really believe that talking a problem through with someone can help solve any issue.

Q – 2 Described your employment history?

Ans- The panel will probe into your work history. They will look at the duties you performed in your previous jobs. Share with them any supervisory responsibilities you held. You should mention any accomplishments you had or recognitions you received. Don’t fret if your work history consists of minimum wage jobs. You can still show them you are a dependable worker who will get the job done.

If you have worked several jobs, they will ask you why you left one job for another job. Be truthful in your answer. If you left because the new job paid more money or because you did not like what you were doing, then tell them that. If you were fired from a job, they will inquire as to why you were terminated.

If you have just graduated from college and have not yet joined the work force, you probably still have a work history. You should talk about any summer jobs you had, or part-time jobs you had while in school. The panel is looking for reliability. Someone who arrives to work on time and gets the job done. Someone who does not abuse sick leave and has no problems taking orders from a superior.

Q – 3 Tell me are you currently participating in any type of personal fitness program?

Ans- Physical fitness is one of the key attributes of a good police officer. The job may require you to chase a suspect, forcefully apprehend a subject or defend yourself from an attacker. These occurrences do not happen every day, but you must be physically prepared for them.

The job of a police officer can be very stressful. Stress can lead to several ailments including heart disease. Studies have shown that a body that is in good physical condition is better prepared to handle stress. Therefore, law enforcement agencies are looking for individuals who have developed a healthy and fit lifestyle.

Q – 4 Are you currently in any financial debt?

Ans- Just because you have an outstanding balance on your credit cards, a car loan, a student loan, and/or mortgage payment does not mean you wont be hired. Most people have borrowed money to pay for the more expensive things in life. What they want to know is if you are credit worthy.

A person who is not capable of paying his bills may not be a dependable employee. If you have accumulated a large amount of debt on your credit cards, this too may disqualify you. Accumulating large amounts of unsecured debt shows that you have exercised poor judgement and may be a risk.

Q – 5 Have you ever used an illegal drug?

Ans- If you are currently using any illegal drugs, then you will not pass the interview. You cannot break the law while at the same time seek a position which enforces the law. You should openly admit to any previous drug usage. Each agency has certain parameters as to the type of drug and the amount of usage they will accept. If you fall outside of these parameters, there is nothing you can do but apply with another agency.

If you smoked a joint a few times in high school or college, admit to it. This does not necessarily disqualify you. As long as the panel believes this was an infrequent occurrence in your past, and that you are now a responsible adult, you should pass this portion of the interview.

Q – 6 Have you ever sold illegal drugs?

Ans- If you have ever sold drugs, don’t count on getting hired.

Q – 7 Do you drink alcohol?

Ans- Moderate drinking is acceptable. What they are looking for are those people who drink excessively. Too much drinking can lead to absence from work, poor work performance, bad health, and financial troubles.

Q – 8 Have you ever been arrested?

Ans- As with your driving record they will run a criminal history through the National Crime Information Center to see if you have a criminal record. Nearly every police agency will not hire you if you have been convicted of a felony charge. A misdemeanor conviction does not necessarily disqualify you for the job. They will inquire as to what type of sentence you received. They will ask you about the details of the case.

If this was something you did as a juvenile, then share that with the panel. Their concerns are whether or not this is the only time you were caught. If you were arrested but the charges were later dropped or you were found not guilty, they will question you concerning the charges.

Q – 9 Could you ever been involved in a motor vehicle accident or received a speeding ticket?

Ans- You can be sure they will run a computer check to see if you have had any motor vehicle violations. This is one example of where your ability to tell the truth will be verified. Just because you were ticketed for speeding, illegal parking, or for an accident does not mean you are immediately disqualified from obtaining a position with them. Every agency will accept a person who has minor infractions.

Nobody is perfect. The agency may have a certain number of violations they will accept. If you exceed the set number, then you are disqualified. For example, four or more speeding tickets in the past two years may be unacceptable. Each agency usually sets the standards they deem appropriate.

What they are looking for is a pattern of deviant behavior. You are applying for a job which enforces the law. If you have demonstrated that you continually break the law, no matter how minor the violation, they are not going to hire you. The other concern is that a police officer spends a great deal of time in a motor vehicle. They want to make sure you can properly handle a vehicle and that you are not going to get into an accident.

Q – 10 Explain about your military service?

Ans- If you were in the military, the panel will ask you about your time in the service. They will want to know which branch you served in, what was your highest rank, and what were your duties and responsibilities. If you saw combat, you should mention it to the panel.

They will also want to know what type of discharge you received. They may ask you why you left the military.

If you received a medical discharge, the panel will explore this. They will want to know what percentage is your disability. They will also inquire as to the specific nature of your disability. You will need to show that you can perform the full range of duties required of a law enforcement officer.

Q – 11 Which traits do you need to improve upon?

Ans- After asking you about your qualities, expect them to ask you about the areas you feel you need to improve. You are not telling them that you are weak or terrible, but you are admitting there are things you could strengthen. This is not the time to air your personal laundry.

Choose one or two items, state them and state how you are working to improve them. If you don’t mention anything, then you are portraying yourself as being perfect and the panel will feel that you are not being truthful.

Q – 12 Which qualities do you possess?

Ans- This question may also be asked in other ways such as, What are your strong points? or What assets will you bring to this agency? This is your chance to brag about yourself. Everyone has good qualities. Tell them what characteristics you possess that will help you in your job performance.

There is a big difference between articulating your strength and boasting. State things as matter-of-fact and avoid embellishing. If you were in a supervisory position, make clear your ability to manage people. Avoid statements such as: Everyone likes me or Everyone knew how well I did this. State your strengths as measurable or documented things.

Such statements would be: There was a low turn over during the time I was a supervisor or My boss gave me additional responsibilities. Being liked is an admirable trait but showing your ability to perform is more important. Take some time before the interview and think about your strong points.

Q – 13 What are your future goals in Law Enforcement or in life?

Ans- Usually this refers to your goals in law enforcement. However, they may ask you about your goals in life. The key is to give them some specific goals which are obtainable. Saying that your goal is to be the best police officer or agent that you can be is too vague. Is your goal to be the Director or Chief? This may be your goal and one day you may achieve that status. However, at this point in time, you should start with smaller goals.

Tell them your first goal is to get into law enforcement. Your second goal may be to join a specialized field within the department. Perhaps you want to be on the SWAT team or serve as a canine officer or become a supervisor. If you are able to articulate your goals, this makes you a more desirable candidate.

Q – 14 Do you want a career in law enforcement firm?

Ans- If you have always wanted to be a police officer since you were a little kid, then tell them that. Of course, what they really want to know is specifically why do you want to go into law enforcement? If you tell them you want to kick butt and arrest people, you will not pass the interview.

Tell them what it is about law enforcement you find attractive. Maybe you like investigative work and would enjoy the challenge of trying to figure out what happened or who did it. Emphasize the high moral standards you have. Protecting your community is something you would like to do.

The panel may also ask why you want a job with their specific agency or department. Do not tell them you always wanted a job with them. Do not tell them they are the best agency even if you feel that way. They will not view your answer as sincere. To them, it looks like you are saying whatever you need to say to get the job. In this case, flattery will get you nowhere.

You should tell them what you like about their agency. If you have heard good things about their department, then tell them that. If you know someone who works for them, you can probably mention their name. Tell them that this person had good things to say about them. Be honest but do not try to snowball them. After all, these are police officers that are interviewing you.

Q – 15 Do you know about their agency or department?

Ans- If you go into the interview not knowing anything about this particular job, it makes you look bad. The interviewers will ask themselves, Why would this person apply with us when he or she does not know anything about us? Lacking this knowledge makes it look like you are applying with any agency just to get your foot in the door. Even if this is true you do not want to give the appearance that you will use this agency as a stepping stone to a career with another agency. You do not have to know everything about this agency. However, take the time to read up on this agency. Prepare yourself for this question.

Q – 16 How your friends describe your personality?

Ans- My friends would probably say that I’m extremely persistent – I’ve never been afraid to keep going back until I get what I want. In college I worked as a program developer, recruiting keynote speakers for major conferences. I usually got one rejection after another – this was just the nature of the job. But I really wanted the big players – so I wouldn’t take no for an answer.

I kept going back to them every time there was a new company on board, or some new value proposition. Eventually, many of them actually said “yes” – the program turned out to be so great that we doubled our attendees from the year before. A lot of people might have given up after the first rejection, but it’s just not in my nature. If I know something is possible, I have to keep trying until I get it.

Q – 17 What motivates you in Law Researcher Legal Firms?

Ans- I’ve always been motivated by the challenge – in my last role, I was responsible for training our new recruits in firearm care, and wouldn’t stop teaching until each recruit passed the course. I know that this job is very fast-paced and I’m more than up for the challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.

Q – 18 What you like least about your previous job?

Ans- There was nothing about my last job that I hated, but I guess there were some things I liked less than others. My previous role involved traveling at least twice a month. While I do love to travel, twice a month was a little exhausting – I didn’t like spending quite so much time out of the department. I’m happy to see that this role involves a lot less travel.

Q – 19 When you were most satisfied in your job?

Ans- I’m a people person. I was always happiest – and most satisfied – when I was interacting with community residents, making sure I was able to meet their needs and giving them the best possible comfort in a tough situation. It was my favorite part of the job, and it showed. Part of the reason I’m interested in this job is that I know I’d have even more interaction with the public, on an even more critical level.

Q – 20 There is a gap in your employment record, why?

Ans- My work is important to me, so I won’t be satisfied with any old job. Instead of rushing to accept the first thing that comes my way, I’m taking my time and being selective to make sure my next position is the right one.

Q – 21 What is greatest failure which not belong to law enforcement, and what did you learn from it?

Ans- When I was in college, I took an art class to supplement my curriculum. I didn’t take it very seriously, and assumed that, compared to my Engineering classes, it would be a walk in the park. My failing grades at midterm showed me otherwise. I’d even jeopardized my scholarship status. I knew I had to get my act together. I spent the rest of the semester making up for it, ended up getting a decent grade in the class. I learned that no matter what I’m doing, I should strive to do it to the best of my ability. Otherwise, it’s not worth doing at all.

Q – 22 What salary are you looking in Law Enforcement?

Ans- I’m more interested in the role itself than the pay. That said, I’d expect to be paid the appropriate range for this job, based on my five years of experience. I also think a fair salary would bear in mind the high cost of living here in New York City.

Q – 23 Tell me why should we hire you in Law Enforcement firm?

Ans- I’ve been a law enforcement officer for the past five years – my chief has said time and time again that without me, the department wouldn’t function as well as it currently does. I’ve also taken the time to educate myself on some of the non-standard techniques that may come in handy while on duty. I can react quickly in hectic situations, and can handle the responsibilities of a leadership role. What’s good enough for most people is never really good enough for me.

Q – 24 What’s your greatest weakness related to public law?

Ans- I’ve never been very comfortable with public speaking – which as you know, can be a hindrance in this field. Realizing this was a problem, I asked my previous department if I could enroll in a speech workshop. I took the class, and was able to overcome my lifelong fear.

Since then, I’ve given several safety presentations to school children across the county. I still don’t love it, but no one else can tell!”

Q – 25 Where you see yourself in ten years?

Ans- In ten years I’d like to have an even better understanding of what it takes to be a good officer. Also, I really enjoy being the first to a scene, and I work very well under pressure. Ultimately, I’d like to be in a commander-type position, where I can use my organizational skills and industry knowledge to benefit the people working with me, and those we are there to help.

Q – 26 Why you want to work in law enforcement industry?

Ans- I have always appreciated and admired those who put their lives on the line to protect our communities. My interest really piqued in law enforcement however, after I witnessed a domestic dispute and watched the responding officers diffuse the situation. I heard the calling as I saw the officers control the situation and remove one of the parties from harm’s way. It was then I knew that this is what I was meant to do.

Q – 27 Why are you leaving your current police job?

Ans- I’ve learned a lot from my current role, but now I’m looking for a new challenge, to broaden my horizons and to gain new skill-sets – all of which, I see the potential for in this department.

Q – 28 What you think about your previous chief of Law?

Ans- My last chief taught me the importance of time management – he didn’t pull any punches, and was extremely driven. His no-nonsense attitude pushed me to work harder, and to meet goals I never even thought were possible.

Q – 29 Tell us about yourself? Illustrate with examples?

Ans- I’m a very energetic and well-rounded person who can follow instructions well. I am a good communicator and quite a team player. At the last department I was with I initiated advanced medic classes for the officers who were interested in learning new first-aid techniques. It had such a positive impact that they are offering the same course again this year.

Q – 30 Do you have you any questions about LAW?

Ans- The best questions to ask are those that you really would like to know the answer to, rather than those you can find in books on interview skills. If you research the company well enough, you will find a number of questions naturally arising that you wish to be answered.

You should, though, concentrate on questions that show your interest in, and motivation to do, the job itself, rather than the rewards it will bring. So, for example, you should ask about training and career progression in preference to pay and pensions!

Some examples of questions you could reasonably ask at interview:

“What are other recent training contract students now working on?”
“Are there any particular types of client which I might expect to work with when I first begin work?”
“Are there any key developments planned for the firm over the next few years?”
“How do you market the firm?”

Q – 31 What have you done during your vacations?

Ans- The interviewer is likely to be interested in the broad picture – not just in any law-related placements you may have done. This could include paid or voluntary work, travel or dissertations. Think about all your past experiences and which aspects of them might be relevant to the work of a solicitor.

Consider the skills you could demonstrate from your vacation time.

These could be:

Planning events and activities
Organizing others to do things or go to places
Helping others in difficult circumstances
Offering advice to friends or relatives
Making decisions on different vacation opportunities.

Q – 32 Suppose if you were posted to our Paris office, how would you expect the work there to differ from that in London?

Ans- Many graduates apply to City firms because of the possibility of international work – this question will help to sift out those who do not have a realistic appreciation of what it would be like to work in an English law firm’s foreign offices. Again, the firm’s website or brochure should give some insight into this work. Focusing on the type of client and the nature of the advice they will be seeking would be a good place to start.

Q – 33 Would you have coped if, a week before that deadline, you had been told that it had been brought forward by three days?

Ans- This often happens in solicitors’ firms, especially in the City – you need to show that you can be flexible and adaptable and that you don’t panic.

Describe some of the things you may have to do in such circumstances.

These might include:

Delegation of less pressing work to others in your office
Negotiation of the new deadline, just in case there is any leeway
Taking additional work home with you
Seeking help from others on the case that has been brought forward.
An assessment of what can reasonably be done in the time available.

Q – 34 When was last time you had to work to complete a task against a deadline?

Ans- “The last time I had to hand in an essay” will probably be the most common answer – if you can come up with anything more original it will probably be appreciated! This is an opportunity to give an indication of your ability to plan your work, organize your time and handle several competing priorities – more essential skills for a solicitor.

Consider including in your answer:

Any restrictions or limitations that risked your meeting the deadline
Your effective prioritization of tasks which enabled you to be on time
The need for initial planning and organization
How you handled conflicting demands from other sources
The need to be focused on the task at hand.

Q – 35 What do you do if your client is determined to take a case to court even though you believe he has no chance of winning and have advised him strongly not to do so?

Ans- A question to test your common sense, integrity, persuasive and diplomatic skills. Questions like this may require some thought before answering and it is quite OK to take a minute or so to think it through.

You may feel you need more input from the interviewer regarding what type of a case it is. Beware asking for too much additional information, however. This may turn a single hypothetical question into a long and drawn out discussion.

Q – 36 Do you think is the most important issue facing the legal profession at the moment?

Ans- A question to test whether you have done your background reading. Even if you are not a law student, law-related issues frequently make it out of the law reports sections of the daily papers and into the main news pages, and you should certainly have read these. Your answer may depend on the type of firm, such as whether it specializes in legal aid or corporate law.

Be prepared for quite detailed questioning and challenging on your answers to questions of this type, and don’t be afraid to argue your point of view – the interviewer will want to test how well you can think on your feet, stand your ground and make a well-reasoned argument.

Q – 37 Do you plan to do your legal practice course (and/or GDL)?

Ans- You may not even have applied for this course yet, as many firms will interview for training contracts in September and applications for the LPC open in October. However, you should be aware of where the course is available and give reasons for your favored option, academic or personal. You may want to ask if the firm has any preference.

Consider the following reasons for choosing a course in your answer:

Quality of course/institution
Location
Cost
Recommendations of others
Research you have undertaken.

Q – 38 Which other firms have you applied to Job?

Ans- It is OK to say that you have applied to others – not to have done so would indicate either a lack of interest or gross over-confidence. But make sure that the ones you mention are of a similar type to the one interviewing you -the interviewer will be looking for a commitment to their type of practice and for a methodical approach to applications.

You could mention other firms with similar:

Legal specialisms
Types of clients
Geographical location[s]
Numbers of staff

Q – 39 Have you applied to this justice firm?

Ans- You have probably applied to a number of firms, using broad-brush criteria such as type of practice or location. It is OK to mention these, but you also need to say something more specific about what attracts you to this firm among all the others that you have applied to. You may mention what you have read on the firm’s website or in the legal press, or what you have heard from previous years’ graduates in the legal profession or from academics.

Highlight positive, developmental factors such as the in-house training provided or specialized areas of law within the firm into which you hope to gain an insight, rather than the convenience of the location or the range of social activities.

Q – 40 Do you want to become a solicitor?

Ans- Your reasons could take various approaches: why you want to join the legal profession; why you want to become a solicitor as opposed to a barrister; why you are interested in the particular firm interviewing you. It is a good idea to give an account of any practical experience, such as work placements, that has given you an insight into law in practice. You can also take the opportunity to put over your personal qualities and interests that relate to the work, such as communication and interpersonal skills, initiative, numeracy and flexibility.

Try not to simplify your answer. In other words do not suggest that there is one reason, and one reason alone, for your choice. You should be firing on all fronts in answer to this question. The interviewer needs to be convinced that Law is something you really want to do and have thought about seriously.

Q – 41 Did you first become interested in a career in law?

Ans- Your interest may have been sparked off by talking to friends or family in the legal profession, by careers presentations, by reading or by assessing your personal suitability for different careers and finding law a good match. It may also have been fired by watching television courtroom dramas and legal soaps but this is not the best answer to give!

Describe how your awareness of the profession developed and what initial steps you took to follow up your interest. Was there a key individual who helped you along the way? Where did you get information about the career from? Were there any other occupations that rivaled Law at this stage?

Answer in detail, but do not launch into a long-winded account. Do sound enthusiastic!