Interview Tips

It is difficult to predict what questions will be asked by employers at an interview. As a guide however, you should be prepared to speak with confidence on the following, and be able to support your answers with relevant examples:

 

  • Current role and legal experience
  • Experience relevant to this particular role
  • Reasons for leaving current position (do not be too critical)
  • Interest in this opportunity and knowledge about the organisation
  • Short and long term career goals
  • Interpersonal skills and working style
  • Strengths, weaknesses and achievements
  • Difficulties you have encountered and how you overcame them
  • Marketing, business development and client relationship skills
  • Management experience and client following (if relevant)
  • Salary expectations and notice period
  • Outside interests / Anything written in your CV
It is important to have a few questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview. Prepare at least four to five questions in advance of the interview. Below are a number of examples you might ask:

 

  • How has this position become available?
  • What is the structure of the organization/legal team?
  • What is the culture of the organisation?
  • How much training and support will there be?
  • What are the future plans of the business/department?
  • Who do you regard as your main competitors?
  • How do you appraise the performance of your employees?
  • What are the long term prospects for career progression?
  • How much business development will you be involved in?
  • Will you have responsibility for any junior members of the team?
  • Who would you report directly to?
Legal Counsel – Derivatives      Financial Institution      Hong Kong     5-10 PQE     More Info
Legal Counsel      E-commerce Platform     Hong Kong     3-10 Years     More Info
Securities Services Legal Counsel      Int’l Bank       Hong Kong     5-10 PQE     More Info
IBD Legal Counsel (VP/Director)      PRC Securities Company     Hong Kong     6+ PQE     More Info
Compliance Co-ordinator      US Fund      Hong Kong      4-7 Years     More Info
Head of Legal and Compliance      PRC Bank     Hong Kong     20+ PQE     More Info
China M&A Partner      Int’l Law Firm     Hong Kong     15-20 PQE     More Info
Real Estate Associate      UK Law Firm     Hong Kong     5+ PQE     More Info
Energy/Projects/Infrastructure Lawyer      Int’l Law Firm     Hong Kong     3-8 PQE     More Info
Funds Associate    Offshore Law Firm     Hong Kong     4-6 PQE     More Info
Dispute Resolution Associate      Int’l Law Firm      Hong Kong     1-4 PQE     More Info
Restructuring and Insolvency Associate      UK Law Firm      Hong Kong      8-10 PQE    More Info