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14. 律师助理
CONVERSATION 会话（A=Applicant I=Interviewer）
I: Let's 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: 讲讲你自己和你的背景，我们开始面试吧。
A: 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到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，这一点受到了人们的称赞，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: 你认为作为一名律师助理，取得成功的关键品质是什么？
A: 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: 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: 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: 讲讲你某一次为了调查一个案例，遇到了许多困难，但你必须克服这些困难的经历。
A: 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，放在一起，等着下一步进行分析。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: 你有哪些优点和缺点？
A: 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: 告诉我你有没有和同事或者老板发生过冲突？
A: 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: 你什么时候觉得工作令你最满意？
A: 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: 你的同事怎样评价你呢？
A: 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: 你有什么问题要问吗？
A: 有，以十分来计，你认为贵公司员工的士气如何？
paralegal 律师助理 agency 代理
attorney 律师 commend 表扬，称赞
rank 等级，排列 input 意见
prioritize 把吳?钟畔却涡ò agenda 日常工作事项
drop the ball 失败 rewarding 值得的
obstacle 困难，障碍 get on one抯 nerve 使呅姆3
morale 士气，道德，品行 tendency 趋势
律师助理应该具有律师资格证书,有一定的工作经验和独立办案的能力，并具备律师执业证。
The ability to take information and break it down into usable facts is very important.
具有获取信息并能把它们转变成可用事实的能力是很重要的。
1) My experience has been supporting attorneys in the field of labor law.
civil law
commercial law
criminal law
我的工作经历就是我一直在帮助 劳动法 方面的律师。
民法
商法
刑法
2) I am looking for a position where my research and writing skills can be used.
applied
utilized
我想找一份能运用我的研究和写作才能的工作。
3) Flexibility would certainly rank high in this type of job.
be primary
be first
be number one
这类工作中灵活性当然是 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
我老板对我的工作 印象非常深刻。
很满意
很满意
5) I did have an issue with someone who was getting on my nerves.
a conflict
a disagreement
a dissension
我确实和一个令我恼怒的人 有过争议。
发生过冲突
有过争吵
有过意见不合
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
作为一个律师助理，我在学习上付出了巨大的努力，并很认真地来对待它。
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。
