34 Legal Receptionist Interview Questions

Legal receptionists help law firms and legal departments operate efficiently by greeting customers, scheduling appointments, managing deliveries and performing a variety of other administrative duties. Businesses who are hiring legal receptionists often interview eligible candidates first to determine whether they have the experience and skills required for the role. Learning about legal receptionist interview questions can help you prepare your answers and make a positive first impression on hiring managers. In this article, we outline 30 questions you may encounter in a job interview for a legal receptionist role and provide some example answers you may find helpful.

Related: Guide to Writing a Legal Receptionist Resume (With Examples)

10 general legal receptionist interview questions

A hiring manager may ask you some general legal receptionist interview questions to discover information about your personal interests, career goals and reasons for applying. This can help them learn more about you as a candidate and whether you're a good fit for the position and the company culture. For this reason, it can benefit you to study some general questions you may encounter to ensure you're well-prepared and make a positive first impression. Here are 10 general questions an interviewer might ask you in an interview for a legal receptionist role:

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. Why did you apply for this position?

3. Tell me about some of your major career goals.

4. What do you consider as your most significant professional accomplishment?

5. Why do you believe you're a good fit for this position?

6. What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses as a receptionist?

7. What do you enjoy most about being a receptionist?

8. What do you enjoy least about being a receptionist?

9. Where do you see yourself professionally in five years?

10. How might your previous employer and colleagues describe your working style?

Related: 10 Interview Hacks to Help You Prepare for a Job Interview

10 questions about experience and background

During a job interview, you may encounter some specific questions relating to your experience and background as a legal receptionist. Hiring managers typically ask these types of questions to assess your level of experience and skills. To help you prepare for this, here are 10 experience-related questions that apply to a legal receptionist's role:

1. Tell me about some of your most significant experiences as a legal receptionist.

2. Do you have any certifications that make you a desirable fit for this role?

3. What type of software programs are you familiar with for scheduling appointments?

4. How much experience do you have performing administrative tasks such as data entry?

5. Do you have any experience using legal software?

6. Do you have strong knowledge of legal terminology?

7. Tell me about a time you provided a client with excellent customer service.

8. What was the biggest challenge you experienced in a legal receptionist role? How did you handle the situation?

9. Describe a time you had to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously in a legal receptionist role. How did you prioritise your tasks?

10. Have you ever worked with sensitive information before? If so, how did you ensure it remained private?

Related: 5 Situational Interview Questions With Example Answers

10 in-depth interview questions

A hiring manager may also ask you several in-depth questions related to the role. The purpose of these is typically to gain insight into how you might respond to hypothetical scenarios. This can be an excellent opportunity to emphasise your hard and soft skills. Here are 10 in-depth questions to help you prepare for your job interview:

1. How would you handle working with colleagues who had different working styles from your own?

2. How would you handle a situation in which a colleague consistently disagreed with your feedback?

3. If you identify an error that could delay a project's deadline, how might you handle this situation?

4. If you were to train an entry-level employee in legal receptionist best practices, what type of training might you prioritise?

5. How would you manage a relationship with a difficult client?

6. If a client calls and asks to speak to a lawyer, but the lawyer isn't in the office, how might you handle the situation?

7. What would you do if you were managing an employee, and they didn't meet your expectations?

8. What are some situations that can arise in the daily operations of a legal receptionist's role that may require you to multitask?

9. What steps can you take to ensure an office remains well-stocked with supplies?

10. If we wanted to improve our customer service, what's an effective strategy you could recommend?

Related: How to Use the STAR Interview Response Technique

4 interview questions with example answers

Here are some example questions with answers you may find helpful as you prepare for a legal receptionist job interview:

1. What skills do you believe are essential to the role of a legal receptionist?

An interviewer may ask you a question like this because it can help them gain a clearer understanding of your skills and what capabilities you can bring to the position. To answer this question satisfactorily, consider mentioning some skills listed on your resume and explaining how they've helped you perform in previous roles. Here's an example answer to this question:

Example: ‘I believe the most important skill a legal receptionist can have is communication. As a receptionist, I'm consistently communicating with lawyers and clients about scheduling requirements and project tasks. Having proficient communication abilities enables me to convey information clearly to parties of interest, which helps ensure the business operates smoothly.’

Related:

• What Does a Legal Receptionist Do? (Plus Skills)

• 4 Types of Communication (With Examples)

2. What are some ways you manage stress in the workplace?

Because the role of a legal receptionist can involve busy working conditions, a potential employer may want to know whether you're a candidate who's capable of managing stress effectively. As you answer this question, aim to provide two or three strategies you find helpful in handling physical and emotional pressure. Here's an example answer you may consider:

Example: ‘Whenever I feel pressure beginning to mount at work, I find it beneficial to practise deep breathing exercises. I typically do this for five to 10 minutes, and it helps calm my nervous system and refocus my energy on completing my duties. Another strategy I've found useful is delegating tasks. For example, I may have multiple meetings to attend, so asking a colleague to file some paperwork for me can help free up my schedule and reduce stress.’

Related: 18 Helpful Tips for Stress Management in the Workplace

3. How would you respond if a client called and asked to speak to a lawyer?

You may encounter a question such as this one because it can help an interviewer identify if you're experienced at handling client phone calls. An effective response to this question shows the interviewer you know how to make the right decisions on behalf of a lawyer. Here's an example answer:

Example: ‘In a situation like this, I would first ask the caller if our firm is currently representing them. If they are a current client, I would transfer them to their lawyer's line. If they aren't a client, I would inform them that the lawyer does not accept calls from non-clients. I would then provide the caller with information about how they can make an appointment to obtain our legal services.’

4. How do you build trust with new clients?

A hiring manager might ask you this question to assess your ability to welcome clients and form positive relationships with them. Because practising law firms often rely on attracting clientele, a hiring business may prefer a receptionist who understands the importance of making clients feel valued. As you form your answer, consider including an example of how you might use your interpersonal skills to build trust with clients. Here's an example answer you might find helpful:

Example: ‘Through my experience, I've found that the most effective way to build trust with new clients is to greet them warmly and listen to them. For example, whenever I identify a new client, I always make it a priority to greet them at reception and offer them something to drink. As they tell me about themselves and their reasons for booking the appointment, I find it useful to take notes. This helps me remember information about each client. It also shows them I care about their situation and desire to make a positive impression.’