Grilling the lawyer in the interview chair
I asked Kate Neville, a career consultant who serves attorneys considering a professional transition, to share her advice on hiring a lawyer for a nonlegal job. She shared her advice in today’s and Tuesday’s posts.
What are the common problems that tend to crop up among former lawyers in new fields?
- Being stereotyped as confrontational and stiff.
- Frustration with being referred to as a “recovering lawyer.”
- Lack of management training.
- Need for business development/fundraising skills.
- Expectation of shorter hours and more work-life balance (this may not be accurate in new field or position.)
- Lack of a professional community with shared experience.
- Lawyer jokes.
You’re hiring a manager. You don’t need a lawyer to do the job you’re hiring for, but one has applied. What should you ask in the interview?
- Why are you interested in this position?
- What don’t you like about the practice of law?
- What are you looking for in a change of professional direction?
- What experience and skills do you bring to the table that will allow you to excel in this position?
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Tags: interviewing, Kate Neville, lawyers, Recruiting
Categories: Advice, Best Practices, Recruiting
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