Use these questions to identify a candidate’s technical knowledge and abilities
Use these questions to determine how a candidate handled situations in the past
Use these questions to assess a candidate’s personal traits and cognitive skills
Why this matters:
The best solicitors are able to quickly establish their credibility by demonstrating their expertise. This often means performing preliminary research before meeting with a new client or stakeholder to gain a better understanding of the challenges they’re facing. While more details will emerge during their conversations, going into meetings with a base level of knowledge is critical to earn their trust.
What to listen for:
- A high level of professionalism and a commitment to building trust.
- Answers should indicate that the candidate does an appropriate level of research.
- Candidates may mention asking the right questions to demonstrate an awareness of current issues.
Why this matters:
In order to accurately and thoughtfully discuss any legal decision, a solicitor must have a firm understanding of the legal principles underpinning the case and the variables involved. As such, their answer will reveal a lot about their level of knowledge and their critical thinking skills. It may also showcase their powers of persuasion, even if you don’t agree with the conclusion they come to.
What to listen for:
- A compelling and ethical answer.
- Specific details about why they viewed the decision as incorrect, with a firm legal basis.
- If a candidate is unable to think of an example, this could be a sign that they don’t follow developments in the industry closely.
Why this matters:
This question can give you an idea of how established candidates are in their career and where their priorities lie. Have they achieved a high-level victory, or did they play a supportive role? Are they invested in helping their employer grow? There are no wrong answers, but responses may indicate whether candidates will find fulfillment at your organization.
What to listen for:
- Ideally, answers will demonstrate alignment with your organization’s mission and goals.
- Top answers may detail why the success was so impressive or meaningful, without coming across as boastful.
- A vague or abrupt answer could indicate a lack of experience or passion.
Why this matters:
Solicitors often have to juggle a robust and varied caseload, so excellent time-management skills are essential. To ensure deadlines are met and clients or stakeholders are satisfied, your new hire must be able to prioritize tasks effectively and stay organized. They also need to know when to delegate or outsource work to ensure it’s completed on-schedule and to a high standard.
What to listen for:
- Evidence that the candidate is able to delegate or outsource work appropriately.
- A strong commitment to meeting deadlines.
- Top answers may cover specific time-management techniques, such as time blocking.
Why this matters:
Solicitors often have to negotiate on behalf of their clients or employer. This requires them to build a rapport with the opposing party, listen to their concerns and demands, and strategize a solution. By asking this question, you can test your candidate’s negotiation skills while also getting a sense of how discrete they are, since revealing sensitive details about a case may be a red flag.
What to listen for:
- Ideally, the candidate will show how they successfully reached a mutually beneficial compromise.
- Answers should demonstrate a suitable level of discreteness.
- More junior candidates may provide an example from their personal life.
Why this matters:
Whether it’s proactively offering legal recommendations, seeking out business development opportunities, or taking the time to mentor a junior employee, the best solicitors go beyond the basics of the job description to enhance the value of their role. This question can also tell you if a candidate is passionate about their work and comfortable taking initiative.
What to listen for:
- Signs that the candidate is dedicated to going above and beyond.
- A proven track record of putting client/stakeholder satisfaction at the forefront.
- The ability to recognize when an action is in the organization’s best interests.
Why this matters:
This question can help you assess a candidate’s passion for their work. Since the legal field is vast and complex, most solicitors specialize in one area of law—such as commercial, tax, or intellectual property (IP) law—and develop deep subject matter expertise. If your new hire is passionate about the type of law they’ll be practicing every day, they’re likely to seek out opportunities to refine their skills.
What to listen for:
- Signs that the candidate wants to deepen their knowledge.
- Good answers may mention intellectual curiosity or a personal connection.
- If a candidate only mentions a superficial reason, such as high salaries, probe them for more details about their passion.
Why this matters:
Depending on the area of law your organization is involved in, you may decide to swap out inheritance tax for another relevant legal concept, but the goal is the same: to test your candidate’s communication skills. Solicitors often have to deal with laypersons, so they need to be strong communicators who can share their knowledge in a clear, concise, and accessible manner—building confidence and trust in the process.
What to listen for:
- Excellent verbal communication skills.
- An ability to break down complex legal concepts in a way that is easy to understand.
- Strong answers will avoid legal jargon and other terminology that a layperson might not be familiar with.
Why this matters:
Regardless of what type of law they practice, solicitors must be tuned in to the trends and changes impacting their industry—otherwise, the advice they provide may not reflect the current reality. You need to know that your candidate stays abreast of the latest developments and is always thinking about how it will impact their employer or clients.
What to listen for:
- A keen understanding of the industry and how it is evolving.
- Answers may touch on regulatory changes, social issues, or economic trends.
- Listen for references to news sources the candidate follows, such as legal websites or journals.
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