17 Law Firm Receptionist Interview Questions and Answers

The receptionist is the first person that most people see when they enter a law firm. This person is responsible for the first impression of the law firm. As a result, the receptionist needs to be able to handle difficult customer service inquiries and be able to multi-task.

The receptionist is also responsible for handling the phones, greeting clients, and handling the mail. In order to be a successful receptionist, you need to have excellent customer service skills and be able to handle difficult inquiries.

To help you prepare for your interview, we have put together a list of the most common receptionist interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with legal terminology?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the language of law. If you are interviewing for a position as a legal receptionist, it’s likely that you will need to know some basic terminology. Use your answer to highlight any relevant knowledge or skills you have related to legal terms and processes.

Example: “I am familiar with many common legal terms because I worked in my previous role as an administrative assistant at a law firm. My job was to schedule meetings between attorneys and clients, so I had to understand what each party meant when they used certain words. For example, I learned that ‘discovery’ is the process where both parties exchange information about their case.”

What are some of the most important skills for a law firm receptionist to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills they’re looking for in a law firm receptionist. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the skills listed on your resume and how those skills helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “The most important skill for a law firm receptionist is excellent communication skills. As a law firm receptionist, I am often communicating with clients, attorneys and other staff members about various tasks and projects. Having strong communication skills helps me relay information clearly and efficiently so that everyone understands what’s going on.”

How do you handle stress while working?

Working as a law firm receptionist can be stressful at times. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and personality traits needed to handle stress in the workplace. In your answer, share two or three strategies that help you manage stress. Explain how these strategies helped you overcome challenges while working as a receptionist.

Example: “I find it helpful to take short breaks throughout my workday. I also practice deep breathing exercises when I feel stressed. These techniques help me stay calm and focused on my work. Another strategy I use is delegating tasks to coworkers. For example, if I’m busy answering phones, I’ll ask another coworker to file some paperwork for me.”

What is your experience working in a law firm?

This question can help the interviewer learn about your experience level and how it relates to the position you’re applying for. If you have no law firm receptionist experience, consider describing a similar role in another professional setting.

Example: “I’ve worked as a legal assistant at my current law firm for three years now. I started out answering phones and scheduling appointments but quickly moved up to helping attorneys with their research and organizing files. My work ethic and attention to detail helped me gain more responsibilities over time, which led to my current role.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to manage a difficult client.

Interviewers ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional in challenging situations. In your answer, try to focus on the steps you took to resolve the situation.

Example: “In my previous role as a law firm receptionist, I had a client who was very upset about his case. He kept calling me throughout the day to complain about different aspects of our services. I remained polite but direct with him, explaining that we were doing everything we could for him. Eventually, he calmed down and stopped calling me so often.”

If a client calls and asks to speak with an attorney, how would you respond?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you have the confidence and skills to make important decisions on behalf of the attorney.

Example: “If a client calls and asks to speak with an attorney, I will first ask if they are currently represented by our firm. If they say yes, then I will transfer them to their attorney’s line. If they say no, then I will tell them we don’t accept new clients at this time. This is because it’s important for us to only represent clients who already have a relationship with our firm.”

What would you do if you noticed that an attorney was not getting along with a client?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle conflict and whether you have experience resolving interpersonal issues. In your answer, describe a situation in which you helped two people resolve their differences or helped someone solve a problem with another person.

Example: “In my previous role as a receptionist at a law firm, I noticed that one of our attorneys was having trouble communicating with his client. The attorney was very busy and didn’t want to take time out of his day to talk to the client on the phone, so he kept sending emails back and forth with the client instead of talking to them directly. I talked to the attorney about the issue and asked if there was anything I could do to help him communicate more effectively with the client. He told me that he just needed some time to get through all of his work before he could call the client back. After that conversation, he called the client later that same day.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

Working as a law firm receptionist can be stressful at times. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to perform well under pressure. In your answer, share an example of a time when you performed well under stress. Explain how you were able to remain calm and focused despite the circumstances.

Example: “I find that I do my best work when things are hectic. When there is a lot going on around me, I am able to stay focused and complete tasks quickly. At my previous job, we had a very busy day where many clients came in for appointments. I was able to keep track of all the different people who needed help while also answering phones and greeting visitors. I feel like I thrive in chaotic situations.”

Do you have experience using legal software?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience using legal software programs. If you have experience with these types of programs, share what type of software you used and how often you used it. If you don’t have experience with legal software, explain that you’re willing to learn the program if needed.

Example: “I’ve worked in a law firm receptionist position for five years now, so I’m familiar with many different types of legal software. In my current role, we use Case Manager Pro, which is an online database where attorneys can store all their case information. The system allows us to access documents from anywhere as long as we have internet access. We also use Time Tracker Pro, which helps us keep track of our work hours.”

When meeting with clients, what is the most important thing you can do to build trust?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you can help clients feel comfortable in the office. They want to know that you understand what it takes to make a client feel welcome and valued. In your answer, explain how you would use your interpersonal skills to build trust with clients.

Example: “I think the most important thing I can do when meeting with clients is listen to them. When they come into our office, I always try to greet them warmly and offer them something to drink. While they are waiting for their appointment, I take notes about what they tell me so I can remember details later. This helps me learn more about each client’s situation and shows them that I care about what they have to say.”

We want to improve our customer service. Tell us about a strategy you would use to do this.

Customer service is an important aspect of any law firm. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you would improve their current practices. In your answer, explain a strategy that you used in the past or one that you plan on using in the future.

Example: “I believe that providing excellent customer service starts with having a friendly receptionist at the front desk. I would use my interpersonal skills to make sure every client who comes into the office feels welcome. I would also encourage all employees to greet clients when they come in and thank them for visiting the firm. This small gesture can go a long way toward improving our customer service.”

Describe your experience with administrative tasks such as filing and data entry.

Administrative tasks are a large part of the role, so it’s important to show that you have experience with these types of duties. When answering this question, describe your previous administrative experiences and how they helped you develop skills in filing and data entry.

Example: “In my last position as an office receptionist, I was responsible for managing all incoming calls and directing them appropriately. This included taking messages, transferring calls and handling any questions or concerns callers had. In addition to this, I also managed outgoing calls by scheduling appointments, confirming client information and communicating with other departments when necessary. These tasks taught me how to use various software programs for data entry and record-keeping.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their law firm. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and abilities while also mentioning any transferable skills that may be helpful in this position.

Example: “I am passionate about customer service and have experience working as a receptionist at my current job. I enjoy helping people and making them feel welcome when they come into our office. In my previous role, I helped clients with scheduling appointments and finding information online. I think these skills would help me succeed in this role.”

Which law firms have you worked for in the past?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. It’s important to be honest when answering this question, as it can help them determine if you’re qualified for their law firm. If you’ve worked at multiple law firms in the past, consider listing all of them.

Example: “I have worked for three different law firms in my career so far. I started out working for Smith & Jones Law Firm where I was responsible for answering phones and scheduling appointments. After two years there, I moved on to work for James & Associates where I continued doing similar receptionist duties. Now, I’m excited to be here at Johnson & Associates.”

What do you think is the most important thing that law firms can do to improve their customer service?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have any ideas for improving the customer service at their law firm. They want to know that you are aware of how important good customer service is and that you can help make improvements in this area. In your answer, try to think of a specific way that you would improve customer service at the law firm.

Example: “I think one of the most important things law firms can do to improve their customer service is to hire more receptionists who are friendly and helpful. I believe that having a positive attitude and being willing to go above and beyond for clients will help create a better experience for everyone.”

How often do you update attorneys’ calendars?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage multiple projects. Your answer should show that you are organized, detail-oriented and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “I update attorneys’ calendars at least once a week. I also send out reminders about upcoming meetings or appointments so they don’t forget. If an attorney has a lot of cases going on, I will check in with them more often to make sure they have everything they need.”

There is a mistake in a legal document an attorney has drafted. What do you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your attention to detail and ability to solve problems. Your answer should include a specific example of how you handled this situation in the past, as well as what steps you took to ensure it didn’t happen again.

Example: “In my previous role, I noticed that there was a mistake in one of the documents an attorney had drafted. The document was due to be filed with the court by noon, so I immediately called the attorney and let them know about the error. They were able to correct the mistake before filing, which saved the client from having to file another document later.”