how to answer the tell me about yourself question for a lawyer

by Darron Roob 8 min read

Interviewers can ask "Tell me about yourself" in many ways. Describe yourself in 3 words, or one word are some of the other versions of this question. Summarise all your important academic and professional achievements in a subtle manner.

Answering the Dreaded "Tell Me About Yourself"
  1. Think of your answer as a story that ends with why you are sitting in that particular room at that particular moment.
  2. Not treating yourself as a client: I'm really happy to have this interview. ...
  3. Being your own advocate: I am passionate about IP law.
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Oct 3, 2016

Full Answer

How to answer “why do you want to be a lawyer”?

Easy and commonly asked questions: 1. Tell me about yourself. 2. What is your connection to [our city]? 3. Tell me about what you did last summer. (Applies only if you didn’t already talk about this during your elevator pitch.) 4. Which practice area are you interested in and why? 5. Why are you interested in our firm? 6.

How to answer “tell me about yourself in an interview?

A: A successful lawyer must remain unbiased and objective despite their personal view. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to handling conflicting personal and professional opinions. What to look for in an answer: Interest in following the law and separating personal views from their case.

What questions do they ask in a law school interview?

Jan 26, 2017 · The answers might inform your answer. 1. What kind of job are you applying for? A creative role demands that you are innovative, perhaps unorthodox and able to generate ideas. Lawyers tend to be more cautious, accurate, prepared to abide by the rules. It’s good to project an image which broadly links to the employer’s expectations. 2.

What to look for in a good lawyer?

Mar 20, 2021 · Think of this question as an opportunity to share your elevator pitch—discuss your relevant experience, skills, and goals. You can also use this question as an opportunity to explain how you became interested in this area of law or even why you decided to pursue law. Your response should be brief and targeted to your audience.

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Can you please name a Supreme Court case that impacts your practice of law on a daily basis?

The purpose of this question is not necessarily to test the substance of the answer but more the fact that the candidate has an answer. This is indicative of the fact that they are informed and see the larger picture. So much of what a lawyer does relies on having strong background knowledge of the law.

Can you give an example of where you have chosen to involve yourself in the broader legal community?

Lawyers that network and do the “extra-curricular” activities are generally better informed about recent developments than other attorneys. In addition, networking helps a lawyer build a reputation in the legal sector. Attorneys who have better connections with other attorneys benefit from getting referrals of business from those other attorneys.

How do you handle a disagreement with a superior over a legal matter?

Disagreements happen in the practice of law. Two attorneys can reach different opinions about an issue and both can be correct. It is even more difficult when one of the attorneys works for the other. Part of being a successful lawyer is learning how to make one’s voice heard without being overbearing.

Can you elaborate on a situation where you were unsuccessful and how you handled it?

You should get a sense of how the lawyer handles adversity because there is quite a bit of it in the legal profession. A good lawyer will learn from failure and make the necessary adjustments so it does not happen again in the future. Every lawyer will experience failure at some point.

What does the employer NOT want?

To know your name. Don’t start an answer with “My name is….” The employer knows that – it managed to ask you to the interview.

1. What kind of job are you applying for?

A creative role demands that you are innovative, perhaps unorthodox and able to generate ideas. Lawyers tend to be more cautious, accurate, prepared to abide by the rules. It’s good to project an image which broadly links to the employer’s expectations.

2. What experience is the employer looking for?

If you’re applying for a graduate scheme then the employer won’t be expecting too much from you in terms of previous work experience. A job in a shop or restaurant, maybe some volunteering, that’s fine. If you’re looking at an SME then the employer will be expecting a bit more.

3. What skills does the job demand?

Perhaps there is a way of working in these skills by reference to some of the things you have done?

4. What is your motivation for applying for the job?

This might be the moment for a quick pitch of your enthusiasm, it’s engaging to hear someone enthusing about the prospect of a job. Don’t overdo this though and avoid being obsequious. Don’t tell UK employers that you would be “honoured” to work for them, it’ll sound odd. (It might be fine for an Asian company though!)

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General questions

These questions help a hiring partner get to know you a little more by understanding your passions, interests and how you may fit into the firm's culture:

Questions about experience and background

These questions help an interviewer understand how your education and previous experience translate to the role:

In-depth questions

An interviewer may ask these questions to get to know how you build a relationship with clients and navigate court issues. These questions also give you a chance to explain your processes and display the parts of your personality that make you the right candidate for the role.

Sample interview questions and answers

Review these sample interview questions and answers to form your own responses:

Law firm interview tips

Here are some interview tips to consider so you can present yourself well to the hiring partner:

5 Attorney Interview Questions & Answers

1. As an attorney, you will need to deal with clients in a way that makes them feel comfortable disclosing personal and often uncomfortable information with you. How do you plan on maintaining your professionalism?

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The Goal

Hiring authorities commonly use this question as an icebreaker to start the interview. The way you answer this question can help determine the flow of your discussion or even the direction your interviewer takes with subsequent interview questions.

What to Avoid

Avoid giving overly personal statements. When you respond, you can add a splash of personal information; however, choose something like, 'I love to read science fiction books,' vs. 'I was recently diagnosed with...' Also, avoid discussing factors unrelated to your career, like where you were born or your relationship status.

Pro Tip

An interviewer may not always ask, 'Tell me about yourself' using this exact wording. Other ways your interviewer may ask this question: - Tell me about your career journey. - Talk to me about your career. - Walk me through your professional background. Be prepared to encounter multiple variations of this common interview question.

How to Answer

Many interviews begin with the question, 'Tell me about yourself.' This question can turn any well-prepared candidate inside out because it's open-ended.

26 Community Answers

"I am a dedicated and hardworking person who enjoys learning new things each day about myself and the things around me. I enjoy finding solutions and fixes to problems when I can but not in a way that can become obsessive.

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General Questions

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These questions help a hiring partner get to know you a little more by understanding your passions, interests and how you may fit into the firm's culture: 1. What adjectives would your friends use to describe you? 2. What are your biggest strengths? 3. How do you handle feedback? 4. What is your biggest acco…
See more on indeed.com

Questions About Experience and Background

  • These questions help an interviewer understand how your education and previous experience translate to the role: 1. What was your favorite course in law school and why? 2. Tell me about a case you were lead on that substantially broadened your knowledge of the legal field. 3. Which extracurricular groups were you involved in during law school? 4. Tell me about your law school i…
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In-Depth Questions

  • An interviewer may ask these questions to get to know how you build a relationship with clients and navigate court issues. These questions also give you a chance to explain your processes and display the parts of your personality that make you the right candidate for the role. 1. How do you build trust with a client? 2. How would you keep clients informed about the status of their cases…
See more on indeed.com

Law Firm Interview Tips

  • Here are some interview tips to consider so you can present yourself well to the hiring partner: 1. Familiarize yourself with recent court rulings. 2. Research the law firm. 3. Bring examples of papers you've written.
See more on indeed.com