Helping with mock interviews for law school students tomorrow: what are some good mock interview questions to ask beyond the typical “tell me about yourself” and “why do you want to work here”

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Tell me about an interesting legal issue you have studied/worked on? I want to see if someone can talk fairly intelligently and succinctly about a legal issue and why it’s interesting.

likehelpful

How do you handle setbacks?

Tell me about a recent team project you worked on; what was your role? What was the outcome?

What distinguishes you from the other candidates? What do you want me to remember about you after we’re done here?

What key factors do you look for when vetting/deciding which firm to join?

likehelpful

AA1 - yes, the questions also help to observe their thinking process and how well they can articulate their points.

Your CDO likely has a list. I’d ask, but just use your normal list of questions when interviewing.

like

I’ve always liked the: “what would you do if you were give a million dollars and had to spend it within seven days - you canning pay debt. You cannot invest or save it, and you cannot donate it.”

It catches interviewees off guard and you learn a lot from them. Especially as it pertains to this field.

helpful

I’d have to echo TL1. This question opens the door to implicit bias, too. Example being: Candidates from underprivileged backgrounds may have different responses to others who are accustomed to larger sums of money at their disposal. It’s no wonder some interviewees are caught off guard.

What’s the most difficult specific problem/challenge you’ve had to deal with working as a member of a team, and how did you solve/handle it?

like

Faced a potential Armageddon scenario in the middle of major litigation involving internal team strife; brokered a solution that managed to keep the engine running until a positive case outcome.

I still love the standard "tell me about something that you'd like to be better at or improve on." Really helps me get an idea of what they think success or being a good lawyer looks like, and what holes they think they need to fill to get there

like

What kind of law do you want to practice? What was your favorite and least favorite class? What questions do you have for me? The last one is often the most revealing.

“Tell me something about yourself not on your resume. “

It is interesting how often people stumble on that question as if their resume tells their entire life.

I ask everyone to tell me what tools they use to organize their work day. Email, to list, apps on the phone, paper planner, etc. If they can articulate a routine/system for how they get stuff done in the personal life and current job position, it gives me some insight to how well they can keep up with and manage the speed and volume of complex litigation.

Related Posts

Has anyone appeared for any interviews for company "bot mantra" ?

like

Best tips for sending thank you notes via email to all the people you interviewed with?

like

Any Aftersales Marketers in OEM? I have an interview and I am looking for insights into the role. How big is the aftersales part of the business? Role challenges, opportunites, pros/cons?

like

Anyone faced this interviewer at Capegemini? For one of the interview questions, I told "I didn't get a chance to work on that area" like that. Then she told "Did you read the job description fully before applying for interview"?
what will be your response for such rude interviewers?

like

Anyone out there an expat who is working in Ireland in HSE, Ireland East Hospital Group? Or more specifically in the Wexford General Hospital? I’m invited to interview and would love to converse about the system a bit!

like

brb...applying for a new role

Post Photo
likefunny

I’ve been at my job for a little over 5 months and I’m realizing it’s not really the best fit (mainly the product and culture). What is the minimum time you’d say you need to stay at a job for it to not negatively impact your resume? I was really hoping to stick around for at least a year and feel guilty, but not sure it’s worth the overall sacrifice.

like

Passed first phone screen (GCA) and have an upcoming call with hiring manager. Should I expect a formal format (GCA, RRK, etc) or are HM rounds typically unstructured/can be anything? Product strategy role if relevant

like

I got through all the rounds of interviews (including 2 technical panels) at CrowdStrike before being assured that I was nearing the end of the process and was expected to receive an offer soon… almost two weeks ago now? Anyone else experienced this kind of delay from CS or similarly sized organizations? Did I get ghosted? Anything more I should be doing?

like

I just graduated law school and am applying to privacy manager/operations roles. I've worked on data privacy projects for the past year at a big law firm as a summer associate/law clerk, but no privacy experience at a tech company. I am CIPP/US certified, but I haven't had any interviews yet. Any advice appreciated

like

Had a networking call with a partner that said they won’t be interviewing until 2021 for lateral hires. Friend said that’s not entirely true, and to try networking with others in that same office. Don’t want to come across as pushy. If a Partner really liked me, couldn’t they make a push to interview me? 🤔

like

I recently interviewed for an in-house role and after the final round of interviews was informed I was rejected. However, the in-house team wants me to interview for another position. Is this common?

like

Have a first interview for an associate solution architect role next week. Should be a technical interview, as i saw the interviewer is another solution architect. Any tips on how I should prepare for this?

like

How honest is too honest in an exit interview? I am leaving because of problems with one partner in particular but I do not want to burn a bridge in case I ever need the firm in the future.

like

Last week I've completed a very long (7 round ) interview process. It's been 5 days since then, I am waiting for final decision

After a follow-up yesterday, I got the below message

"Apologies for the delay, due to some critical meetings, we couldn't re-group internally. I will setup a check in with you on Monday. Hope that's okay"

I'm still not clear if the decision is positive or not

like

Hi,

I have offer interview next week of 1 hour.
I already have offer of 16 lpa. My YOE is 5.7, how much can I ask from EPAM? And they can happily pay?

Need to know the market situation for Scrum Master.. applied for the openings found in company career sites, got no response so far. Any ideas how to approach?

Process chemists/scientists! What was one interview question that you received when you interviewed with your current company? And what's one question you would ask a potential candidate during their interview?

likehelpful

Hi,

Any anyone have any idea about current product/sr. Product manager salary in unicorn startups in India? (Maybe city wise say Bangalore, NCR).

Actively interviewing and I think glassdoor data is bit outdated.

Current Role: Product Manager
Salary: 23 lpa
Year of experience: 4.5

like

More Posts

Why did LTI & Mindtree got merged? Any specific reason or just L&T merged its both IT companies just for sake of competition?

like

Ihave 3 years of experience. Have been working in ETL Testing. Pay 4.3L. I am learning DevOps currently to make a shift. Any suggestions or tips for getting hands on experience would be appreciated.
Thanks.

like

My son's service dog

Post Photo
like

Anyone else find it strange that Slack and Company has advised their employees that they are shutting the agency down on Friday, yet they still have available positions showing up online.

Anyone work in EY's Performance Improvement/Financial Management group that wouldn't mind me asking some questions? Trying to get more insight on day-to-day work and background required.

like

Can someone recommend a good Used Rolex dealer that offers 0% financing? Thanks!

likefunny

Is it possible to become a community manager without a degree?

like

To any AA EXP 🐠 for 2019, do they update the EP luggage tags or do you retain the ones from 2018?

like

Someone take me to lunch in the NY office tomorrow. Analyst here 🙇🏻

Does it matter what your aspirations are post-mba when the admissions team reviews applications?

funny

Hello tout le monde
Entre bearingpoint et wavestone, quel cabinet conseilleriez-vous ?
Quel est le salaire pour un senior consultant (4ans d'exp) sur Paris ?
Mercii !

like

Any of you think Salesforce will do layoffs because of all what's going on? I really hope not

like

What's happening at Heartbeat, does anyone know?

Can someone from EY explain the difference between these two groups: 1. Transaction Diligence-FS and 2.Transaction Diligence-Financial Due Diligence

like

Curious how you would rate your firm for POC.

Heard Boston Consulting Group is hiring in India at Principal level. Any PMD willing to chat for a potential referral. Thanks

like

What do you know abt korn ferry’s leadership practice?

likehelpful

How do i get my students to engage more in live online lessons? Obviously, I can grade them on participation, but are there any other creative ideas to actually get them to WANT to participate?

like

Would like to terminate a signed home purchase agreement;
Loan approval is pending but would like to back out now

Anyone here has any suggestions on how to go about it without loosing the initial deposit

like

I have got offer letter for 30LPA from XYZ and joined company for client allstate on sept 1st . But now XYZ company is saying they haven’t got the approval for 30LPA from Allstate and they are still waiting for the update. It’s been 15days since I joined , and XYZ said my payroll has started from the day I joined ie 1sept only as mentioned in offer letter.

Now , what do they mean by not getting approval from Allstate client for 30LPA ? Can they reduce my ctc now ?

like

Additional Posts in Law

My favorite office activity: canceling meetings.

like

Why are weddings so expensive?!

like

Should an employment lawyer consider getting a PHR/SPHR certificate? Is it worthwhile?
A lot of in house opportunities seem to be looking for them

like

Anyone leave big law to go to a mid/smaller firm solely for a better quality of life, take the pay cut, then realize jokes on you? If so, what did you do once you realized?

like

Can someone explain the payscale for in-house? Starting to consider moving from BigLaw, but I want to know what I’m getting into (NYC Based)

like

Any CT associates willing to share their firm’s salary scale?

like

Some co workers were laughing about the lawyer dog case out of Louisiana. I was walking by and explained why it was the right ruling. Think I’m officially racist

funnylike

Thinking of starting my own law firm. Has anyone on here gone solo? how did you go about floating your paycheck up front. I was thinking family law while taking on PI?

like

In a personal injury case not involving a motor vehicle accident, how can a plaintiff settle a case if only one of defendants’ carriers covering one year has appeared when defendants...(cont)

like

What’s the stupidest mistake you’ve made as a young lawyer?

like

Best gifts for older parents who genuinely have everything and won't tell me what they want??? I'm stuck. Please help! Any gifts your parents have absolutely loved?

like

Need insight into Butler, Weilhmuller, Katz, Craig, Tampa office. I have an interview for an attorney position and wanted to know billable requirements and office environment. What there WFH policy is if they have it. Any insight would be appreciated.

like

Thoughts on Paul Weiss - corporate?

like

What do you all get your boss for the holidays? I’m thinking a bottle of good whiskey should suffice. Would like some input on this subject.

like

In Corpus Christi. Solo Practice. Business plummeting. Does TWC pay laid off employees?

like

Any attorneys on here who make less than 6 figures and are 5 or more years out of law school?

like

Anyone know how/ where to begin working with recruiters? I’m currently doing in-house work on a contract-basis and want to get my foot in the door with larger firms in New York.

like

Here to restate the understated truth of our profession..

Post Photo
likesmartuplifting

Re: exit opportunities - which is better? Big law, highly specialized or boutique corporate firm where I do everything but “specialize” in m&a, VC and capital markets?

like

My dad's friend over the holidays: "are you one of those 'save-the-world' lawyers?" Me thinking about this now: "ahahaha"

likefunny

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal