应聘律师助理

律师助理主要在一些法律事务所或政府法律机构工作。一些律师助理主要从事公证工作，还有一些是从事商标注册代理工作。律师助理的工作职责包括：整理及保管法律文件、研究法律文件中的某些细节、为社会提供各项有偿法律服务并对外办理法律公证事务。

CONVERSATION 会话
（A=Applicant I=Interviewer）

I: Let's begin by having you tell me about yourself and your background.
讲讲你自己和你的背景，我们开始面试吧。

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.
过去的十个月，我一直在一家法律专业代理处做律师专职助理。我的工作就是在劳动法领域为法律事务代理人提供帮助，这样我就可以应用所学的律师助理方面的知识于工作中。我具有获取信息并能把它们转变成可用事实的能力，而且我喜欢调查和分析事实。我大学时的专业是英语，所以写作技能是我的专业特长。我希望找一份能发挥我调查和写作技能的工作。

I: What do you think are the key qualities needed to succeed in the paralegal profession?
你认为作为一名律师助理，取得成功的关键品质是什么？

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't 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.
在这类工作中，灵活性当然排第一位。我的前一份工作就是帮助四位律师，他们经常会在同一天或者同一个星期各自给我同样重要的工作去做。有时候，我必须把我的工作分出优先级，以便把每一份工作都做好。我会和他们每一个人商量一下工作的紧要程度，这样我就不会误事。同时我使他们每个人都确信在我的日程当中他（她）的工作是重要的。我认为第二重要的品质就是沟通能力。每次我和他们讨论问题时，这一点都很有帮助。我把我的处境说给他们听，听取他们的意见。

I: Can you give me an example of a time when you had to work above and beyond your job description?
你能给我举一个你必须加班而且超出你的工作范围的例子吗？

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.
曾经有一个非常重要的项目必须在周末之前调查清楚并完成。尽管我每晚加班都快两周了，有两个晚上我和老板还是工作到凌晨两点，直到完成。在一个项目上付出很大努力并能得到这么好的结果，是很值得的。对我的额外工作，老板嘉奖了我。

I: Tell me about a time when you had to research a case and encountered some obstacles you had to overcome.
讲讲你某一次为了调查一个案例，遇到了困难，但你必须克服这些困难的经历。

A: I remember a case that was filled with obstacles. The first thing I did was to 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.
我记得有一个案例遇到了很多障碍。我首先要做的就是调查清楚所有文档以及过去类似情形的案例，我将所有证据都收集起来，进行下一步的分析。碰巧在吃午饭时我遇到另一位律师，从他那里获得了一些信息。经过刻苦工作和对事实依据进行挖掘，我找到了一条能克服大部分困难的途径。我把我的发现告诉了老板，并提出了一些建议，最后经过讨论，困难都解决了。老板对我所做的工作非常满意。

I: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
你有哪些优点和缺点？

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.
我的优点就是一定要把工作完成。我是一个不达目的誓不罢休的人，而且在过去我总能完成我所做的工作。就我的缺点而言，我真的非常喜欢我的工作，有时在上面投入了太多的时间。但我已意识到了这一点，懂得适当调节自己。

I: Tell me about a time when you had a confrontation with a coworker or boss.
告诉我你有没有和同事或者老板发生过冲突？

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't been any problems since that day.
我确实和一个让我心烦的人有过争端。我问她哪天能不能跟她谈谈，我们就好好地讨论了一番。但她并没有意识到其所作所为的影响，也没有意识到她需要别人给她解释一下工作。最后我花时间给她解释了一下工作流程，从那以后就再也没有出现过什么问题。

I: When do you find a job satisfying?
你什么时候觉得工作令你最满意？

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 have learned to be flexible when possible and to deal with difficult people in a positive manner.
我最大的满足感就是当我体验工作中的成长的时候。我开始做律师助理时，有很多东西要学。但是经过我的刻苦工作，从良师益友那里得到一些建议以及深入学习，我已经懂得了很多。我学会了尽可能灵活些，以积极的态度和难以相处的人打交道。

I: How would your coworkers describe you?
你的同事怎样评价你呢？

A: First, they'll say I have a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I really enjoy working with people. Secondly, they'll say I had great customer service skills. I put the customer first. And thirdly, they'll say that I know the law. I put a lot of effort into my education as a paralegal and take it seriously.
首先，他们会说我是一个充满活力和热情的人，因为我非常喜欢和人一起工作。其次，他们会说我非常懂得客户服务技巧。我把客户放在第一位。第三点就是他们会说我懂法律，我读律师助理时付出了很多努力，并且我非常认真地对待它。

I: Do you have any questions?
你有什么问题要问吗？

A: Yes, I do. On a scale of one to 10, what would you say the morale was in this company?
有，以十分来计，你认为贵公司员工的士气如何？

（大耳朵英语 英语点津 Annabel 编辑）