# Opinions wanted from Lawyers on callback interviews

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-from-lawyers-on-callback-interviews/269069>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 13, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-from-lawyers-on-callback-interviews/269069 "2004-10-13T20:35:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-from-lawyers-on-callback-interviews/269069/1 "2004-10-13T20:35:13Z")

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What defines a good callback interviewee? Are there any specific questions that the interviewee should ask? What about answers to questions like what do you want in 5 years, strengths-weaknesses etc.? I have a book on successful interviewing but it isn’t very tailoured to law firms and last year I went on 7 callbacks and didn’t get a BigLaw job so this year I’m sort of nervous and wanting to put my best foot forward with the opportunities I’m getting. I know last year I was also really unsure about what I wanted to do and now I’m positive I want to be a litigation associate but any insights that could be provided on what makes a hiring board go from “Possible” to “Hireable” would be appreciated. I have an appointment with my school’s silly OCI peeps but historically I’ve found them to be worthless. Usually they’re more interested in telling you that unless you’re in the top 5% you should just crawl off somewhere and die.

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**Author:** ![Ozchick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f6c823/32.png) [@Ozchick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ozchick)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2004, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-from-lawyers-on-callback-interviews/269069/2 "2004-10-14T01:13:31Z")

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Um…“Why do you want to work for our firm in particular?” (know some speil about the firm - most have a website you can get ideas from.) “why are you interested in x area of law?” (be able to rave for a while about your pet area)

“Describe a legal problem that is prominent in the news at the moment. How would you solve it?”

“What do you think are the top 5 qualites of a good lawyer?” (I always say good communication skills, teamwork, a drive for excellence…yadda, yadda)

Man, I hate interviews. You just have to have so much bullshit up your sleeve. It’s all about playing a game and if you don’t know the rules you’re at a real disadvantage. I’ve sat about 6 interviews, so I’ll let you know if I remember any more of the questions I been asked. Right now I’m in serious memory repression.