Help- Job Interview for Paralegal vacancy

[britlaw75]

Ive got a paralegal job interview

The firm is very small. There is no info on the net. Specialises in Advocacy

Ive finished the LPC (they require someone with LPC or BVC)

Actually, I got an interview 2 hours after I sent my CV by email

Anyway, Im getting no luck getting Training Contract interviews and need
experience

1. What kind of questions should I be prepared for?

2. How should I answer if they ask me about my future (ie becoming a solicitor). why would they hire me if I will leave for a TC. They say they require LPC but how do I tackle the issue of why I want a paralegal job???

thanks

[MrX]

If it's a smaller firm, and it sounds like it, then they may question you on your links to the local area, it's not guaranteed but possible.

Basically just read up on what the firm specialises in, find some current issues in those areas, and have plenty of questions to ask them.

Other than that it's impossible to know what questions to prepare for with smaller firms. I once had an interview in a small regional firm where the senior partner just sat and looked at me and barely asked a question.

[sophy]

Hi

Do you have any advice you could pass on to me? I am in the same boat except my interview is with Berrymans...

[sumoking]

Have you tried using google news to throw up the odd titbit of info on the firm or partners?

[sophy]

Yeh Sumoking I think I am now the resident expert on BLM

[Inhousedude2000]

You've got to be honest about your Training Contract aspirations, it could save you wasting a hell of a lot of time and effort. They will know who they are looking for - what I mean is that if they are looking for an ambitious paralegal, you will do yourself no favours by playing down your career goal to qualify as a solicitor. Flipside, if they are looking for a non-ambitious paralegal (because they do not have any TCs going), if play down your aspirations you will just end up in the wrong job.

Not being offered a job is not 'failing', it is a process of determining whether both sides are right for the other, and not getting the job (as I have found) will usually be the 'correct' outcome and a blessing in disguise. Just be honest and be yourself.

[MrX]

You've got to be honest about your Training Contract aspirations, it could save you wasting a hell of a lot of time and effort. They will know who they are looking for - what I mean is that if they are looking for an ambitious paralegal, you will do yourself no favours by playing down your career goal to qualify as a solicitor. Flipside, if they are looking for a non-ambitious paralegal (because they do not have any TCs going), if play down your aspirations you will just end up in the wrong job.

Not being offered a job is not 'failing', it is a process of determining whether both sides are right for the other, and not getting the job (as I have found) will usually be the 'correct' outcome and a blessing in disguise. Just be honest and be yourself.

Unfortunately some firms do seem to think that people should spend their lives as paralegals