Being in charge of a successful law firm means that you may have the responsibility of hiring trainee solicitors. This is not a simple process, especially since there are so many candidates out there looking for the right opportunity. Asking the following questions will help you separate the best options from all of the rest.
Why Do You Want To Work Here?
This is a question that is typically asked when interviewing someone for a position, regardless of the industry, but it is crucial that you add it to your list of queries.
You want to find those who have answers that show a passion for law and justice while avoiding those who are simply interested in a paycheque.
In addition, you want to find candidates that are willing to learn and eager to grow with the firm. The last thing you want is to train someone well and have them leave to work for someone else as soon as they have the opportunity.
What Are Some Current Challenges You Feel Law Firms Face?
You might believe this is an odd question since they have yet to get into the field and see anything firsthand, but there is a solid reason for asking. The right trainee should stay abreast of what is happening in the industry, even if they have not found a firm they can call home.
If someone is unable to provide a good response, it means that you may experience issues later when it comes to having them remember new changes in case law and other things that can change with seemingly no notice.
What Is Your Biggest Weakness?
Everyone walks into an interview prepared to sell themselves and offer the most positive view. The problem with this is the fact that no one is perfect and there are always areas where one can improve.
Unexpectedly asking about a weakness will force the trainee to provide an answer without having time to study and come up with something impressive; they will just have to be honest.
Anyone who claims to have zero weaknesses or one that is trivial should not be considered. This is proof that they are not very self-aware and can be a detriment to your firm.
Which Module Was Your Favourite When Earning Your Degree?
Just because a degree has been obtained, it does not mean that one should forget everything they were taught along the way. Not only should someone be able to provide an answer to this, but it should be thorough and provide solid reasoning for making that particular choice.
Since they are going to be learning at your firm, you want to make sure that they are eager, hungry for knowledge and ready to tackle all hurdles. Their answer to the question should offer you a glimpse of that.
With all of the trainee solicitors walking around, it would be a shame to end up with one who is not considered one of the best. Asking the right questions will help you weed out all of the candidates that will not be an asset to your firm of online solicitors.
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