Log InSign Up

14 Paralegal Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various paralegal interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.

Paralegal Resume ExampleUse this template

or download as PDF

Common Paralegal Interview Questions

What made you choose to become a paralegal?

There are many reasons why someone might choose to become a paralegal. Some people are interested in the law and want to help lawyers with their work. Others might want to work in a law office but not be a lawyer themselves. And still others might be interested in the legal field but not have the time or money to go to law school.

The reason why an interviewer would ask this question is to get a sense of why the paralegal chose this career. This can help the interviewer understand what motivates the paralegal and what they hope to achieve in their career. It can also help the interviewer understand how the paralegal might approach their work and what kind of work they might be interested in.

Example: “I became a paralegal because I wanted to help people with their legal problems. I thought it would be a challenging and interesting career, and I was right. I enjoy working with clients and helping them navigate the legal system.”

What do you think are the key skills necessary for a successful paralegal?

There are a few key reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a paralegal. First, it allows the interviewer to gauge the paralegal's self-awareness and understanding of the role. It also allows the interviewer to see if the paralegal has thought about the skills necessary for success in the role and if they have aligned their own skills with those requirements. Finally, this question gives the interviewer insight into the paralegal's career goals and motivation for pursuing a career in this field.

Example: “There are many key skills necessary for a successful paralegal, but some of the most important include strong research and writing abilities, the ability to effectively communicate with clients and other attorneys, and excellent organizational skills. Paralegals must also be able to work independently and be detail-oriented.”

What do you think sets you apart from other paralegals?

An interviewer might ask "What do you think sets you apart from other paralegals?" in order to get a sense of what the candidate feels makes them unique and qualified for the role. This question can help the interviewer understand the candidate's motivation for wanting the job and their confidence in their abilities. It is important for the interviewer to understand how the candidate sees themselves in relation to others in the field in order to gauge their level of experience and expertise.

Example: “I believe that my attention to detail, combined with my strong research and writing skills, sets me apart from other paralegals. I am also very organized and efficient in my work, which allows me to handle a high volume of work with ease.”

What do you think are the biggest challenges faced by paralegals?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. First, they want to see if you are aware of the challenges faced by paralegals. Second, they want to see if you are able to think critically about the challenges and come up with possible solutions. Finally, they want to see if you are able to take these challenges in stride and continue to work effectively. By asking this question, the interviewer is trying to get a sense of your ability to handle obstacles and challenges that may come up in your role as a paralegal.

Example: “The biggest challenges faced by paralegals are:

1. Time management – Paralegals have to juggle a lot of tasks and deadlines, so time management is crucial.

2. Organizational skills – Paralegals have to be very organized in order to keep track of all the details in a case.

3. Research skills – Paralegals must be able to do thorough research in order to find the information needed to support their cases.

4. Writing skills – Paralegals must be able to write clearly and concisely in order to prepare effective legal documents.

5. Computer skills – Paralegals must be proficient in using computers and various types of software in order to do their job effectively.”

What do you think are the biggest benefits of being a paralegal?

There are several reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. First, they may be trying to gauge your understanding of the paralegal role and what it entails. Second, they may be interested in your thoughts on the benefits of the paralegal profession in general. Finally, they may be curious to know what you believe are the biggest benefits of being a paralegal specifically.

The benefits of being a paralegal can vary depending on the individual, but some of the most common advantages include gaining valuable legal experience, developing strong research and writing skills, and having the opportunity to work with clients directly. Additionally, being a paralegal can be a great way to advance your career in the legal field and potentially earn a higher salary.

Example: “The biggest benefits of being a paralegal are the ability to work closely with lawyers and other legal professionals, the opportunity to learn about the legal system, and the chance to help people with their legal problems. As a paralegal, you will have the opportunity to work on a variety of legal cases and learn about different areas of the law. You will also be able to use your skills and knowledge to help people resolve their legal problems.”

What do you think are the best ways to stay up-to-date with changes in the law?

The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the paralegal's understanding of how important it is to stay up-to-date with changes in the law. It is important for paralegals to stay up-to-date with changes in the law because they need to be able to advise their clients on the latest legal developments and help them make informed decisions about their cases.

Example: “There are a few different ways that paralegals can stay up-to-date with changes in the law. One way is to read legal publications on a regular basis. This can help them keep up with new cases and legislation that may be relevant to their practice area. Additionally, many states have Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements for attorneys, which paralegals can often fulfill by taking CLE courses. Finally, staying in touch with other legal professionals and exchanging information on recent developments is also a good way to stay abreast of changes in the law.”

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a paralegal. First, it allows the interviewer to gauge the paralegal's research skills. Second, it allows the interviewer to see how the paralegal thinks about legal research and what resources he or she would use. Finally, this question allows the interviewer to get a sense of the paralegal's overall understanding of the law.

Example: “There are a few different ways that you can research legal issues. One way is to go to the library and look up information in law books. Another way is to look online for articles or websites that discuss legal issues. You can also talk to a lawyer to get their professional opinion on a legal issue.”

What do you think are the best ways to communicate with clients?

An interviewer might ask "What do you think are the best ways to communicate with clients?" to a/an Paralegal in order to gauge their understanding of effective communication strategies. Good communication is essential for building trust and rapport with clients, and for ensuring that instructions are clear and concise. By understanding the best ways to communicate with clients, a paralegal can help to ensure that the attorney-client relationship is positive and productive.

Example: “There are a few different ways that paralegals can communicate with clients in order to provide the best possible service. First, it is important to be clear and concise when communicating with clients. This means being able to explain legal concepts in layman’s terms so that the client can understand. Second, it is important to be responsive to client inquiries. This means returning phone calls and emails promptly and keeping the client updated on the status of their case. Third, it is important to be available for clients. This means having flexible meeting times and being willing to meet with clients outside of normal business hours if necessary. Finally, it is important to be professional at all times. This means maintaining a high level of confidentiality and treating the client with respect.”

What do you think are the best ways to work with attorneys?

An interviewer might ask this question to get a sense of the paralegal's ability to work collaboratively and effectively with attorneys. This is important because the paralegal-attorney relationship is crucial to the successful completion of legal tasks and projects. By understanding the best ways to work with attorneys, a paralegal can help to ensure that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively.

Example: “There are a few different ways to work with attorneys that can be considered the best. First, it is important to be organized and have all of your documents in order. This will save the attorney time and energy trying to find things. Second, be respectful of the attorney's time and do not waste their time with non-essential questions or tasks. Third, be sure to communicate clearly and concisely so that there are no misunderstandings. Lastly, always follow up with the attorney after meetings or phone calls to make sure you are on the same page.”

What do you think are the best ways to manage your time?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to a paralegal. First, it can give the interviewer some insight into how the paralegal plans and organizes their work. This can be important because it can show whether the paralegal is able to manage their time effectively and get their work done in a timely manner. Second, the answer to this question can also reveal how the paralegal Prioritizes their work and what methods they use to stay on track. This is important because it can show whether the paralegal is able to handle multiple tasks and deadlines effectively. Finally, the answer to this question can also give the interviewer some insight into the paralegal's work style and how they approach their work. This can be important because it can show whether the paralegal is organized and efficient in their work.

Example: “There are a few different ways that you can manage your time, and it really depends on what works best for you. You can try to keep a schedule and stick to it as closely as possible, or you can try to be more flexible and just go with the flow. You can also try to set aside specific times for certain tasks, or you can try to do a little bit of everything at once. Whichever method you choose, just make sure that you are consistent with it and that you make an effort to stick to it.”

What do you think are the best ways to handle stress?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a paralegal. First, it can give the interviewer some insight into how the paralegal copes with stress and whether they have healthy coping mechanisms. It can also give the interviewer an idea of whether the paralegal is able to manage their workload in a healthy way. Finally, it can give the interviewer an idea of whether the paralegal would be a good fit for the work environment.

Example: “There are a number of ways that people can deal with stress, and what works best may vary from person to person. Some common methods include exercise, relaxation techniques, and positive thinking. Additionally, it is often helpful to identify the source of the stress and find ways to avoid or minimize exposure to it.”

What do you think are the best ways to stay organized?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a paralegal. First, it shows that the interviewer is interested in how the paralegal organizes their work. This is important because organization is a key skill for any paralegal. Second, it allows the interviewer to get a sense of the paralegal's work style. This is important because it can help the interviewer determine if the paralegal would be a good fit for the organization. Finally, it gives the interviewer an opportunity to see how the paralegal thinks about their work. This is important because it can reveal how the paralegal approaches problem-solving and other tasks.

Example: “There are a few different ways that you can stay organized as a paralegal. One way is to keep a physical planner where you can write down deadlines, meetings, and other important information. You can also use a digital planner, which can be synced with your email and calendar to help you keep track of everything in one place. Another way to stay organized is to create a system for filing documents and keeping track of client information. This may include using software like Microsoft Excel or Access to create databases, or using physical folders and labels to keep things sorted. Whatever system you use, the important thing is that it works for you and helps you to keep track of everything you need to do.”

What do you think are the best ways to deal with difficult clients or situations?

There are many difficult clients or situations that a paralegal may face during their career. It is important for the interviewer to know how the paralegal would deal with these difficult clients or situations. The interviewer wants to know if the paralegal is able to handle difficult situations and if they have the ability to think on their feet.

Example: “There are a few different ways to deal with difficult clients or situations. One way is to try and understand where they are coming from and why they are acting the way they are. Another way is to stay calm and professional, even if they are being difficult. Sometimes diffusing the situation with humor can help as well. Ultimately, you just want to do whatever you can to resolve the issue and make the client happy.”

What do you think are the best ways to promote yourself and your services?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. First, they want to see if you are able to promote yourself and your services effectively. Second, they want to see if you are able to think of creative ways to promote yourself and your services. Finally, they want to see if you are able to think of ways to promote yourself and your services that are not too expensive.

Example: “There are many ways to promote yourself and your paralegal services. Some of the most effective ways include:

1. Creating a strong online presence - This can be done by setting up a professional website and/or blog, and actively engaging in social media.

2. Developing marketing materials - This could include creating an overview of your services, writing articles or blog posts related to your area of expertise, and developing other collateral such as infographics or eBooks.

3. Networking - Get involved with local bar associations, attend industry events, and connect with potential clients through LinkedIn and other online platforms.

4. Speaking engagements - Share your knowledge and expertise by speaking at events or conferences related to your practice area.

5. Writing for publications - Write articles, blog posts, or whitepapers that showcase your expertise in a particular area of law.”

Related Interview Questions