A properly selected employee is like a solid stone in the foundation of a business. This statement is fully true in relation to lawyers. Due to the specifics of the work, a lawyer is the one to whom they turn to in the most stalemate situations. His activities can turn out to be both great benefits and a complete collapse for the employer. A well-organized interview will allow you to clearly see the merits and demerits of a candidate for a vacant position and not make a mistake in making a personnel decision.
It is necessary
a piece of paper, a pen, an applicant's resume, an office or other secluded place where you can calmly talk
Instructions
Step 1
Prepare for the interview: - Think about what skills the vacant position requires: it is their presence that you need to find out from the applicant. So, if the work involves frequent participation in court hearings, the ability to present information in a favorable light and public speaking will come first. The routine work of drafting contracts will require knowledge of the fundamentals of contract law and attention to detail. The position of the head of the legal department, in addition to extensive work experience, will require the ability to lead a team. - If the applicant's resume is submitted in advance, study it carefully. Make notes in the margins or formulate on a separate sheet questions about the circumstances that you would like to clarify or specify in a conversation with the applicant. - Do not forget to write down and keep at hand during the conversation the surname, first name and patronymic of the applicant.
Step 2
At the beginning of the interview, introduce yourself, write down the personal and contact details of the applicant. Take him to the office, where you can talk without interruption.
Step 3
In the course of the conversation, find out: - what educational institution and when the applicant graduated, what is his average score, the availability of additional education; - what is the work experience. Ask a question about former employers, the period of cooperation with a particular organization, a list of main responsibilities. It will not be superfluous to inquire about the reason for the termination of the employment contract with the previous employer; - in which areas of law the applicant considers himself a specialist, in what areas he would like to deepen his knowledge; - what personal and business qualities the applicant considers distinguishing him as a good employee; - what additional he possesses skills useful for performing the proposed job; - if the nature of the work involves irregular working hours, heavy workloads, frequent stressful situations, business trips, find out if the applicant is ready for such job features.
Step 4
During the interview, make notes and notes for yourself: what to look for, what to find out additionally, what needs to be checked. Pay attention to the following points: - how correctly and freely the interlocutor expresses himself. A tongue-tied person is not the most successful candidate for the position of a lawyer, because oratory in this profession often plays the role of "shield and sword" - how erudite the interlocutor seems to be. An experienced lawyer is not so much a theoretician as a practitioner who knows how to implement an “inconvenient” rule of law to his own benefit; - in which branches of law the applicant appears to be a professional. A good lawyer, as a rule, has a solid base of general knowledge, but specializes in 1-2 selected areas; - how literate the applicant is and knows how to draw up official documents; - is the interlocutor accurate, attentive to details; - is he inclined to double-check important information in primary sources; - how authoritative the applicant looks, how confident and convincing he is; - what salary he expects.
Step 5
If you doubt the applicant's abilities, give him a check: ask him to solve a specific legal problem (situation) that exists or is allegedly taking place in your organization. If necessary, ask the applicant which former employer can give him good references. Write down the contact numbers of the applicant's previous supervisors.
Step 6
During the interview, not only the employer examines the applicant for the position, but the applicant, in turn, wants to find out information about possible working conditions. Tell him the main characteristics of the company, outline the scope of job responsibilities, name the size of the estimated salary. At the end of the interview, find out if the applicant still has a desire to work in your company and promise to contact him to tell about the results of the interview.
