Interviewing for a legal job in the United States can be stressful. However, the good news is that many legal interview questions cover similar topics. You do not need to memorize answers to every question you could be asked, but you should think through the questions most likely to come up in your interview before it begins.
Here are some common questions to prepare for, along with tips for making a strong impression.
Start with the basics
Nearly every interviewer will want to know more about you, your background and why you are pursuing the opportunity. Be prepared to answer questions such as:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are you interested in this firm or organization?
- What area of law interests you?
- What are your greatest strengths?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- How does your international background make you a strong candidate for this position?
Don’t feel the need to memorize your answer to each question. But instead, make sure you know the main points you want to communicate.
Foreign-trained attorneys should also prepare for an important question: “Why do you want to work in the United States?” Think about how your professional goals connect to the position itself. Do not just talk about why you want to live in the United States. For example, you might be interested in cross-border transactions, working with international clients or developing expertise in a particular U.S. practice area. Your response should demonstrate a genuine interest in the position as well as the work you hope to do.
Know your résumé
Some interviewers will go line by line through your résumé and ask detailed questions about your previous legal positions, internships, research projects and other professional experiences. Be ready to talk about your résumé in detail. You may be asked:
- What did you learn from your last position?
- What was the most interesting project you worked on?
- What accomplishments are you most proud of?
- Tell me more about [specific interest].
It is common for employers to ask about your “interests” section, if you include this information. Spend some time considering your genuine interests and be ready to talk about them.
If you have practiced law outside the United States, U.S. interviewers may not be familiar with your country’s legal system, professional titles or qualifications. Be prepared to briefly explain your responsibilities in easy-to-understand terms. Rather than relying on a job title alone, describe the work you performed, such as drafting agreements, researching legal issues, advising clients or appearing in court. Include specific accomplishments if possible. This helps employers understand how your previous experience may translate to a U.S. legal workplace.
Prepare for behavioral questions
Employers will use behavioral questions to get an idea of how you have handled situations in the past. Common examples of behavioral questions include:
- Tell me about a time you faced a significant challenge.
- Describe a situation where you demonstrated leadership.
- Tell me about a time you worked with a difficult team member.
- Describe a time you had multiple competing priorities.
- Tell me about a goal you did not meet and what you learned.
- Give an example of a time you had to adapt quickly.
It is best to have specific responses to these questions. Think back to relevant experiences, the actions you took and what you learned from them. Consider times when you have demonstrated leadership, teamwork, conflict management, problem-solving and time management. It is a good idea to prepare several examples ahead of time. The same example may work for different questions.
Your international experience can provide particularly strong examples for behavioral questions. Think about situations where you worked across different cultures, navigated an unfamiliar legal system or communicated with clients or colleagues from different backgrounds. These experiences can demonstrate communication skills, adaptability and good judgment.
Research the employer
It is important to research the employer ahead of time. Review the employer’s website and research the person or people interviewing you. If possible, connect with attorneys from the firm ahead of time. You can do this by attending recruiting events at your law school or simply writing a professional networking email to the attorney. You should be able to answer questions such as:
- Why are you interested in our firm or organization?
- How do you think your international experience could contribute to our practice?
- Why do you want to work in this office or location?
- What interests you about our practice areas?
- Have you spoken with anyone who works here?
It is a good idea to identify two or three genuine reasons that the opportunity appeals to you.
Prepare questions of your own
In most cases, you will be asked, “What questions do you have for us?” You should have questions prepared. Some ideas for questions are:
- What kind of mentoring or professional development does the organization provide?
- What do you enjoy most about working here?
- How did you choose your practice area?
- What qualities make someone particularly successful in this role?
- How does your organization support foreign-trained attorneys transitioning to practice in the U.S.?
- How are work assignments distributed?
Don’t ask a question that can be answered by the firm’s website.
Be prepared to discuss your qualifications and work authorization
It is important that you are prepared to discuss your professional qualifications and eligibility to work in the United States. An employer may ask the following:
- Are you admitted to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction?
- Do you intend to take a bar exam in the U.S.?
- Do you require visa sponsorship?
Make sure you understand the requirements applicable to your situation before your interview.
Be professional
Lastly, remember to be professional. This means you should arrive early for interviews (or log in a few minutes early for virtual interviews) and be dressed professionally. You should also communicate professionally with all staff at the firm, regardless of whether someone is formally interviewing you.
Preparing for these questions ahead of time will help you communicate your experience and show U.S. employers what you can bring to their organization.
