What are 10 questions that an interviewer might ask for a paralegal position?

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Craptacular in Olympia, Washington

36 months ago

I have to do this retarded assignment where I come up with 10 questiont that a potential employer might ask of a prospecitve paralegal during an interview. I really have no idea what to put. Can you give me some suggestions?

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Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida

36 months ago

Actually, they really don't ask questions, you chat and they get a feel for you.

Cheesy questions are:
Do you have any experience? How well do you handle stress? Do you have a car so you can travel to offices? Why did you leave your last job?

Good ones for your paper are
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How much trial experience do you have?
3. Are you willing to do scheduling?
4. There will be times when you have to work 12 hours days. Can you do that?
5. Are you familiar with the Civil Rules of Procedure for our state and can you navigate your way through them?
6. Tell me of a rough situation you have had and how you handled it.
7. Are you a team oriented person?
8. Tell me the basic process of a litigation case from beginning to end.
9. What is the difference between a mediation and arbitration.
10. Are you a happy person?

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Paralegal in Dallas, Texas

36 months ago

I have been asked the following questions when interviewing for a paralegal job:

How do you feel about working for female attorneys?
Do you have a problem working for female attorneys?
You get a deposition notice in the mail, what do you do?
What are some types of pleadings you have drafted?
Do you consider yourself a proofreader?
Do you know the clerks at the courthouse?
What kind of interactions have you had with expert witnesses?
Can you work overtime? travel? do you have a car?
How are you with prioritizing?
Do you like phone work?
How many trials have you worked? Did you win?
How big are the cases you have worked on? How many exhibits in the cases?
Are you okay with doing personal things for attorneys?
What has been your quota in the past and have you meet it? How much do you bill a month?
Why did you leave your last job?
I went to law school with so and so at your last firm, do you know him/her?

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Paralegal in Dallas, Texas

36 months ago

Here are some more:

Do you have a problem filling in for the secretary when she is out?
Who have been your clients in the past?
Are you looking for a job you can stay at for many years?
Can you be discreet? Can you keep secrets?
Do you know Summation [or any legal software program]? (They assume you know Microsoft Office Suite and Word Perfect.)
Do you know how to electronically file?
Are you a notary?
Have you used PACER?
Do you know how to do background checks? How would you do one?
Do you consider yourself a case manager?

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Mary in Tampa, Florida

36 months ago

Well - I guess mine responses were cheesy. :)

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Mary in Tampa, Florida

36 months ago

I know what one of the top ten questions might be. Q: Are you stupid? (can you all hear the humor in there?)

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Wil- CP in Lewisville, Texas

36 months ago

Paralegal in Dallas, Texas said: Here are some more:

Do you have a problem filling in for the secretary when she is out?
Who have been your clients in the past?
Are you looking for a job you can stay at for many years?
Can you be discreet? Can you keep secrets?
Do you know Summation [or any legal software program]? (They assume you know Microsoft Office Suite and Word Perfect.)
Do you know how to electronically file?
Are you a notary?
Have you used PACER?
Do you know how to do background checks? How would you do one?
Do you consider yourself a case manager?

-----------------------------
Did you get the JO after all these question ??????

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Paralegal in Dallas, Texas

36 months ago

hahaha - those were from a lot of different interviews!!

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dh in Northern CA, California

36 months ago

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: That's a question to ask the supervising attorney!

LOL! No kidding.

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kmm in Wilmington, Delaware

35 months ago

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said:

Actually, they really don't ask questions, you chat and they get a feel for you..........

OMG- that is what happens- the chat. Questions are asked of course, often to pass the test to get to the chat. SO- be prepared for the questions.

Yeah, the chat- that is so correct. To get a better feel for you.

Geez- I remember being intervied at Prestigious Firm in Philadelphia. I sat individually with the BIG, BIG partners- and it was a "chat" with each one.

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abyrd18 in Battle Creek, Michigan

22 months ago

What do you tell your employees about any legal concerns or issues that we should be aware of when conducting these interviews? What subjects should we cover and which ones should we avoid?

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