Hi,
I just graduated from UG and I'm about to interview for a legal asst. job at a few places. I'm wondering what is expected of me and my plans when I go to these interviews (my next interview, and most in general, are firms with 3 - 8 lawyers on staff). Do employers want you to be staying with the firm for more than a year? More than 2? Should I volunteer my law school ambitions? And if so, will attending a school in the same city/area be a plus/negative? How would information that I plan to attend a very prestigious, yet far away, school go down with them?
Any questions you can answer would be greatly appreciated. I think there are a lot of opportunities I'd be good for, but I'm afraid I might be shooting myself in the foot by forecasting my future in particular ways when I'm not 100% sure how my plans are actually going to unfold.
EDIT: Additional questions. How would one break into the higher ranking Vault firms and how is that different from a small-medium sized firm? I don't see them posting recruitment ads and I'm not sure how to locate their offices in my area (or even which ones have offices in my area).
Legal Assistant Job Interview Questions/Answers Forum
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Re: Legal Assistant Job Interview Questions/Answers
(1) At the interview, you should emphasize that you specifically want to work at a small firm. Small firms allow you to work closely with attorneys and clients on a daily basis and shoulder significant responsibility. You're also likely to know what's going on in every matter at all times, giving you a bird's eye view of the lawyering process and the way law firms function.
(2) Staying for a year or two is not a problem. If you are certain that you'd like to go to law school, you can say so. If you want to attend a specific school, I don't see a problem telling them which one. The lawyers I've met at such firms enjoy working with bright young ambitious people who are willing to learn and work hard.
(3) It's VERY important that you come off normal and easy to work with.
(2) Staying for a year or two is not a problem. If you are certain that you'd like to go to law school, you can say so. If you want to attend a specific school, I don't see a problem telling them which one. The lawyers I've met at such firms enjoy working with bright young ambitious people who are willing to learn and work hard.
(3) It's VERY important that you come off normal and easy to work with.
