The practice of law is undoubtedly a stressful one. There are tight deadlines that are not negotiable and often competing demands for a paralegal’s time. There will be many times where the paralegal is under intense pressure and will need to perform their best. You want to know that the person that you hire as a paralegal will not wilt under the pressure under which they are placed. What to look for in an answer:

• Evidence of work in high-stakes areas
• The ability to remain calm when pressed or flustered
• Skill in multitasking and prioritizing

The legal profession can often be intense and extremely demanding. Often, the lawyers are under intense pressure themselves and may take their frustration and anxiety out on their paralegal. While verbal abuse is never acceptable, you also want to know that your paralegal does not have an unreasonably thin skin. They also need to be able to give quality work products to anyone who asks, regardless of the manner in which they do so. What to look for in an answer:

• The ability to dissociate under verbal pressure
• A track record of working with difficult people
• Diplomacy skills to handle crisis

The paralegals who are most valuable to attorneys are the ones who can be trusted with high-level responsibilities. Some clients may not want to pay an attorney’s rates for some types of legal research. Alternatively, the attorney’s efforts and attention may also be needed elsewhere. Paralegals who can perform legal research are the ones who can be relied on to help the attorney prepare for their engagement. What to look for in an answer:

• Sound legal research skills
• The ability to know where to find information
• Evidence of ability to understand legal issues

In asking this question, you can understand the type of duties that the current employer trusts the paralegal to handle. If their job functions include advanced work, it suggests that their current boss believes the paralegal to be capable. You will also gain an understanding of the paralegal’s ability to handle a diverse workload that consists of many different areas. What to look for in an answer:

• A wide variety of work assignments
• Some assignments that are advanced in nature
• Evidence that the attorney requires critical thinking

Your paralegal may not be perfect, but they need to be very close to it. You simply cannot have errors in your support functions. You need to know that the paralegal is conscious of their weaknesses and makes an attempt to correct the issue. Being aware of their biggest weakness means that they will be careful to avoid any mistakes that are associated with it and will try to improve. What to look for in an answer:

• Evidence of self-awareness
• The ability to articulate any weaknesses
• A commitment to continuous improvement

When vetting potential paralegals, it's important that you ensure they have the necessary experience for the role. If you're hiring a paralegal whom you expect to have past work experience and training, then ensuring they have the appropriate legal skills is vital. Their answer should clearly describe the legal-specific job duties they've held in the past. Excellent answers to this question usually include:

• A description of common paralegal tasks
• A detailed list of the paralegal's past legal responsibilities
• The desire to learn more and expand their knowledge in a specific area