CONVERSATION 會(huì)話
(A=Applicant I=Interviewer)
I: Let抯 begin by having you tell me about yourself and your background.
A: I have been working as a paralegal for the last 10 months through an agency that specializes in the legal field. My experience has been supporting attorneys in the field of labor law, where I have been able to apply my paralegal education. I was commended on my ability to take information and break it down into usable facts. I really love research and analyzing facts. My major in college was English, and as a result, my writing skills are my major strength. I am looking for a position where my research and writing skills can be used.
I: What do you think are the key qualities needed to succeed in the paralegal profession?
A: Flexibility would certainly rank high in this type of job. In my last position, I supported four lawyers, and it was not unusual for them all to give me high-priority items to do in the same day or week. There were days when I had to stop and prioritize my work just to get a handle on everything. I would discuss the urgency of their work with each of them so I didn抰 drop the ball. At the same time, I made sure each of them felt like his or her project was important on my agenda. I think communication is probably the next key quality. It really worked well when I talked with each of them, explained my situation, and got their input.
I: Can you give me an example of a time when you had to work above and beyond your job description?
A: There was a very important project that had to be researched and completed by the end of the week. Even though I worked extra hours every night for almost two weeks, my boss and I stayed until 2 a.m. for two nights before the final wrap up. It was very rewarding to have put so much effort into a project and see the really great results. My boss gave me a bonus for my extra effort.
I: Tell me about a time when you had to research a case and encountered some obstacles you had to overcome.
A: I remember a case that was filled with obstacles. The first thing I did was research through documents and past cases that had similar circumstances. I assembled the facts and then tried to put them together and analyze the next step. I was able to get some input from another lawyer I happened to see at lunch. Through some hard work and fact digging, I was able to find a way to overcome most of the obstacles. I took my findings to my boss and made some recommendations, which she and I discussed and eventually resolved. My boss was impressed with the work I had done.
I: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
A: My strengths are my caring about getting the job done. I am very results-driven and have been able to meet all my deadlines in past jobs. As far as weaknesses, I really enjoy my work, and sometimes I put in too much time. But I am aware of my tendency to overwork and have learned to pace myself more.
I: Tell me about a time when you had a confrontation with a coworker or boss.
A: I did have an issue with someone who was getting on my nerves. I asked her if I could talk with her one day, and we had a good discussion. It turned out she was not aware of the impact of her actions and that she really needed an explanation of the procedure. I took the time to explain the procedures, and there haven抰 been any problems since that day.
I: When do you find a job satisfying?
A: My biggest satisfaction is when I experience growth in a job. When I first started as a paralegal, I had a lot to learn. But through hard work, advice from some good mentors and continuing education, I have come a long way. I抳e learned to be flexible when possible and to deal with difficult people in a positive manner.
I: How would your coworkers describe you?
A: First, they抎 say I have a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I really enjoy working with people. Secondly, they抎 say I had great customer service skills. I put the customer first. And thirdly, they抎 say that I know the law. I put a lot of effort into my education as a paralegal and take it seriously.
I: Do you have any questions?
A: Yes, I do. On a scale of one to 10, what would you say morale was in this company?
I: 講講你自己和你的背景,我們開始面試吧。
A: 過去的十個(gè)月,我一直在一家法律專業(yè)代理處做律師專職助理。我的工作就是在勞動(dòng)法領(lǐng)域?yàn)榉墒聞?wù)代理人提供幫助,這樣我就可以應(yīng)用所學(xué)到的律師助理方面的知識(shí)于工作中。我具有獲取信息并能把它們轉(zhuǎn)變成可用事實(shí)的能力,這一點(diǎn)受到了人們的稱贊,而且我喜歡調(diào)查和分析事實(shí)。我大學(xué)時(shí)的專業(yè)是英語,所以寫作技能是我的專業(yè)特長(zhǎng)。我希望找一份能發(fā)揮我調(diào)查和寫作技能的工作。
I: 你認(rèn)為作為一名律師助理,取得成功的關(guān)鍵品質(zhì)是什么?
A: 在這類工作中,靈活性當(dāng)然排第一位。我的前一份工作就是幫助四位律師,他們經(jīng)常會(huì)在同一天或者同一個(gè)星期各自給我同樣重要的工作去做。有時(shí)候,我必須把我的工作分出優(yōu)先級(jí),以便把每一份工作都做好。我會(huì)和他們每一個(gè)人商量一下工作的緊要程度,這樣我就不會(huì)誤事。同時(shí)我使他們每個(gè)人都確信在我的日程當(dāng)中他(她)的工作是重要的。我認(rèn)為第二重要的品質(zhì)就是溝通能力。每次我和他們討論問題時(shí),這一點(diǎn)都很有幫助。我把我的處境說給他們聽,聽取他們的意見。
I: 你能給我舉一個(gè)你必須加班而且超出你的工作范圍的例子嗎?
A: 曾經(jīng)有一個(gè)非常重要的項(xiàng)目必須在周末之前調(diào)查清楚并完成。盡管我每晚加班都快兩周了,有兩個(gè)晚上我和老板還是工作到凌晨?jī)牲c(diǎn),直到完成。在一個(gè)項(xiàng)目上付出很大努力并能得到這么好的結(jié)果,是很值得的。對(duì)我的額外工作,老板嘉獎(jiǎng)了我。
I: 講講你某一次為了調(diào)查一個(gè)案例,遇到了許多困難,但你必須克服這些困難的經(jīng)歷。
A: 我記得有一個(gè)案例遇到了很多障礙。我首先要做的就是調(diào)查清楚所有文檔以及過去類似情形的案例,我將所有證據(jù)都收集起來,放在一起,等著下一步進(jìn)行分析。碰巧在吃午飯時(shí)我遇到另一位律師,從他那里獲得了一些信息。經(jīng)過刻苦工作和對(duì)事實(shí)依據(jù)進(jìn)行挖掘,我找到了一條能克服大部分困難的途徑。 我把我的發(fā)現(xiàn)告訴了老板,并提出了一些建議,最后經(jīng)過討論,困難都解決了。老板對(duì)我所做的工作非常滿意。
I: 你有哪些優(yōu)點(diǎn)和缺點(diǎn)?
A: 我的優(yōu)點(diǎn)就是一定要把工作完成。我是一個(gè)不達(dá)目的誓不罷休的人,而且在過去我總能完成我所做的工作。就我的缺點(diǎn)而言,我真的非常喜歡我的工作,有時(shí)在上面投入了太多的時(shí)間。但我已意識(shí)到了這一點(diǎn),懂得適當(dāng)調(diào)節(jié)自己。
I: 告訴我你有沒有和同事或者老板發(fā)生過沖突?
A: 我確實(shí)和一個(gè)讓我心煩的人有過爭(zhēng)端。我問她哪天能不能跟她談?wù)?,我們就好好地討論了一番。但她并沒有意識(shí)到其所作所為的影響,也沒有意識(shí)到她需要?jiǎng)e人給她解釋一下工作。最后我花時(shí)間給她解釋了一下工作流程,從那以后就再也沒有出現(xiàn)過什么問題。
I: 你什么時(shí)候覺得工作令你最滿意?
A: 我最大的滿足感就是當(dāng)我體驗(yàn)工作中的成長(zhǎng)的時(shí)候。我開始做律師助理時(shí),有很多東西要學(xué)。但是經(jīng)過我的刻苦工作,從良師益友那里得到一些建議以及深入學(xué)習(xí),我已經(jīng)懂得了很多。我學(xué)會(huì)了盡可能靈活些,以積極的態(tài)度和難以相處的人打交道。
I: 你的同事怎樣評(píng)價(jià)你呢?
A: 首先,他們會(huì)說我是一個(gè)充滿活力和熱情的人,因?yàn)槲曳浅O矚g和人一起工作。其次,他們會(huì)說我非常懂得客戶服務(wù)技巧。我把客戶放在第一位。第三點(diǎn)就是他們會(huì)說我懂法律,我讀律師助理時(shí)付出了很多努力,并且我非常認(rèn)真地對(duì)待它。
I: 你有什么問題要問嗎?
A: 有,以十分來計(jì),你認(rèn)為貴公司員工的士氣如何?
paralegal 律師助理 agency 代理
attorney 律師 commend 表?yè)P(yáng),稱贊
rank 等級(jí),排列 input 意見
prioritize 把吳鐘畔卻渦ò agenda 日常工作事項(xiàng)
drop the ball 失敗 rewarding 值得的
obstacle 困難,障礙 get on one抯 nerve 使呅姆³
morale 士氣,道德,品行 tendency 趨勢(shì)
律師助理應(yīng)該具有律師資格證書,有一定的工作經(jīng)驗(yàn)和獨(dú)立辦案的能力,并具備律師執(zhí)業(yè)證。
The ability to take information and break it down into usable facts is very important.
具有獲取信息并能把它們轉(zhuǎn)變成可用事實(shí)的能力是很重要的。
1) My experience has been supporting attorneys in the field of labor law.
civil law
commercial law
criminal law
我的工作經(jīng)歷就是我一直在幫助 勞動(dòng)法 方面的律師。
民法
商法
刑法
2) I am looking for a position where my research and writing skills can be used.
applied
utilized
我想找一份能運(yùn)用我的研究和寫作才能的工作。
3) Flexibility would certainly rank high in this type of job.
be primary
be first
be number one
這類工作中靈活性當(dāng)然是 很重要的。
主要的
排第一位
排首位
4) My boss was impressed with the work I had done.
pleased with
satisfied with
我老板對(duì)我的工作 印象非常深刻。
很滿意
很滿意
5) I did have an issue with someone who was getting on my nerves.
a conflict
a disagreement
a dissension
我確實(shí)和一個(gè)令我惱怒的人 有過爭(zhēng)議。
發(fā)生過沖突
有過爭(zhēng)吵
有過意見不合
6) I put a lot of effort into my education as a paralegal and take it seriously.
make great efforts
put a lot of work
作為一個(gè)律師助理,我在學(xué)習(xí)上付出了巨大的努力,并很認(rèn)真地來對(duì)待它。
應(yīng)聘律師助理
律師助理主要在一些法律事務(wù)所或政府法律機(jī)構(gòu)工作。一些律師助理主要從事公證工作,還有一些是從事商標(biāo)注冊(cè)代理工作。
律師助理的工作職責(zé)包括:整理及保管法律文件、研究法律文件中的某些細(xì)節(jié)、為社會(huì)提供各項(xiàng)有償法律服務(wù)并對(duì)外辦理法律公證事務(wù)。
BASIC EXPRESSIONS 基本句型表達(dá)
1) I have been working as a paralegal for the last 10 months through an agency that specializes in the legal field.
過去的十個(gè)月,我一直在一家法律專業(yè)代理處做律師專職助理。
2) I was commended on my ability to take information and break it down into usable facts.
我具有獲取信息并能把它們轉(zhuǎn)變成可用事實(shí)的能力,這一點(diǎn)受到了人們的稱贊。
3) I am looking for a position where my research and writing skills can be used.
我希望能找到一份能發(fā)揮我調(diào)查和寫作技能的工作。
4) Flexibility would certainly rank high in this type of job.
在這類工作中,靈活性當(dāng)然應(yīng)該排在第一位。
5) I made sure each of them felt like his or her project was important on my agenda.
我使他們每個(gè)人都確信在我的日程工作事項(xiàng)中他(她)的項(xiàng)目是重要的。
6) It was very rewarding to have put so much effort into a project and see the really great results.
在這個(gè)項(xiàng)目上付出這么大的努力,并能得到這么好的結(jié)果,是很值得的。
7) My boss was impressed with the work I had done.
老板對(duì)我所做的工作非常滿意。
8) I did have an issue with someone who was getting on my nerves.
我確實(shí)和一個(gè)讓我心煩的人有過爭(zhēng)端。
9) My biggest satisfaction is when I experience growth in a job.
我最大的滿足感就是當(dāng)我體驗(yàn)工作中的成長(zhǎng)的時(shí)候。
10) I put a lot of effort into my education as a paralegal and take it seriously.
我學(xué)律師助理時(shí)很努力,并且我非常認(rèn)真地對(duì)待它。