Interview preparation

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Know what to prepare for. Explore role-specific prompts and build practice answers from your own experience.

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Practice prompts based on occupational tasks

These Applyace practice prompts use O*NET tasks for paralegals and legal assistants. They are not reported employer questions. If you have not done a task, explain your approach and learning needs instead of inventing experience.

  1. 1. Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.

    Describe a real example of this task. What was your responsibility, and what happened?

  2. 2. Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.

    How did you decide which approach or tools to use? Explain the tradeoffs.

  3. 3. Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.

    What could go wrong during this task? Describe how you would check your work.

  4. 4. Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.

    Explain a time you coordinated this work with someone else. How did you communicate?

  5. 5. Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.

    How would you handle an unfamiliar part of this task? Identify what you would need to learn.

  6. 6. Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.

    What evidence would show this task was completed successfully?

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Practice one answer with your own evidence

Pick an occupational task, then outline a real example. This is practice, not a prediction of an employer’s questions.

Your answers stay in this page’s memory. They are not sent to Applyace or saved when you leave. Download your work to keep it.

Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.

Your draft

Your draft will appear here as you add your own evidence.

Complete all three fields, then review your wording for accuracy. Leaving fields blank never generates fictional achievements.

Questions to ask the interviewer

  • Which of these occupational tasks takes the most time on your team?
  • How do you measure success in the first three months?
  • Which tools, training and support are available for this role?

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