5. Do you prefer working independently or on a team?

“I enjoy a blend of the two. I like having a team to strategize with, get diverse opinions
from, and reach out to for feedback. But I am also comfortable taking on assignments
that require me to work independently. I find I do some of my best work when I can
focus alone in a quiet space, but I really value collaborating with my teammates to come
up with the best ideas.”

6. When you’re balancing multiple projects, how do

you keep yourself organized?
: “I’m used to juggling projects at my current job where I’m often moving between
coding one software program to another. I use the timeboxing technique to make sure
they’re all on track, allocating time on my calendar for certain tasks. I’ve found it really
helps me prioritize what needs to get done first, and it holds me accountable for the
more repetitive day-to-day tasks I’m responsible for.”

7. What did you do in the last year to improve your

If you chose to work on your personal development, you could say something like the
following.

Example: “Like everyone else, I, too, gained some time last year from not having to
travel two hours a day to and from work. I decided to spend my time on things I love. So
I got back to learning how to play the guitar and journaling. I feel it brought me closer to
myself and has been really great for my mental health and productivity.”

$____” (then fill in with your desired salary range and rationale).

9. Are you applying for other jobs?

Example: “I’ve applied to a couple of other firms, but this role is really the one I’m
most excited about right now because…”

10. Tell me something about yourself

“I am currently a Legal Researcher at ____, where________________.
Before that, I worked as a court interpreter for almost 5 years
_______________________. And I really enjoyed the work that I did, since
I loved the chance to observe actual court procedures
___________________, which is why I’m so excited about this opportunity
to apply in the supreme court as a full pledge lawyer.
Why do you want this job?
I’ve always been passionate about __________________, and I think I want
to begin my career as a Lawyer in the judiciary, so I want to be a part of it”).

Why should we hire you?”

“I know I am a newly passed lawyer—but I have a 6 year experience working
in the RTC , I also know from experience that it can be challenging to work in
the judiciary, but I’m confident that I can give my 100 percent in any task given
to me.

What are your greatest strengths?”

“I’d say one of my greatest strengths is bringing organization to hectic court
environments and implementing processes to make everyone’s lives easier

I like working in the team but I can also work independently on assigned tasks.

Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.”

“I think that a good leader is someone who can make decisions while also
listening to others and being willing to admit when you’re wrong and course
correct. In my role as ABCC, my team and I were
responsible_____________________. I quickly assigned different tasks to
members of my team, ________________________. 

Tell me a time you failed.

As an employee, I consider it a failure whenever I’m caught by surprise bec it
means that I was not able to prepare well. But I learned that It’s OK to fail—
everyone does sometimes—but it’s more important to learn from it.

What’s your work style?”

“I tend to do my best work when I’m collaborating with colleagues and we’re
working together toward a common goal. 

What’s your management style?”

“Management style is so hard to put your finger on, but I think in general a
good manager gives clear directions and actually stays pretty hands-off, but is
ready and available to jump in to offer guidance, expertise, and help when
needed. I try my best to make that my management style. I also go out of my
way to make sure I know when my team needs help

How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?”

“I stay motivated by thinking about the end result. I’ve found that even in the
midst of a challenging situation, reminding myself of my goals helps me take a
step back and stay positive.”

What motivates you?”

“I’m driven primarily by my desire to learn new things—big or small—and take
on new responsibilities so that I’m constantly growing as an employee and
contributing more to my team and organization

What are your pet peeves?”

“It bothers me when an office’s schedule is really disorganized, because in my
experience, disorganization can cause confusion, which can hurt the motivation
of the team

“Where do you see yourself in five years?”

“In five years, I’d like to be in a position where I know more about my longer-
term career aspirations as Lawyer

What should I know that’s not on your resume?”

“Well, one thing you won’t find on my resume: the time I had to administer
emergency CPR. Last year, I was at the lake when I saw a young girl who
looked like she was drowning. I was a lifeguard in high school, so I swam out,
brought her to shore, and gave her CPR. Although this was—hopefully—a one-
time event, I’ve always been able to stay calm during stressful situations, figure
out a solution, and then act.