There’s a trick question at the end of nearly every job interview:
“What questions do you have for me?”
Many candidates assume this is just polite small talk — an open invitation to ask whatever is on their mind. But it’s not.
This is a substantive interview question that you can and should prepare for. Here’s why:
This moment tests whether you:
- Researched the company or firm
- Listened carefully during the interview
- Are genuinely enthusiastic and interested in the position
- Are a strong critical thinker who knows how to ask insightful, relevant questions
2. Build Relationships with Partners
As a first-year, I sometimes wondered: Am I too junior to connect with partners? Are they too busy to want to know me?
The truth: most partners appreciate and remember associates who take the time to introduce themselves and express interest in their work — even (and especially) at the junior level. Don’t hesitate to build these relationships early.
6 Questions Not to Ask (and What to Ask Instead)
Instead of: “What are the next steps in the interview process?”
Ask: Save process-oriented questions (benefits, start date, decision timelines, logistics) for the internal or external recruiter.
Instead of: “What is the path to partnership or promotion?”
Ask: “I’m hoping to find a long-term home where I can continue to grow. Can you tell me about your path here, and what it’s looked like for others in the group or department?”
Instead of: “What matters have you worked on recently?”
Ask: “I read about your recent representation of X in Y — I’m curious, [insert specific, thoughtful question].” (Prepare by researching the firm, practice group, company website, 10-K, TechCrunch, news coverage, Law360, etc.)
Instead of: “What is the five-year vision for the practice or group?”
Ask: “You represented several [industry] clients this year — is that a strategic focus for the team?” or “I read about [goal] in the 10-K — what will that look like for legal?”
Instead of: “What are the hours and work-life balance like?”
Save this one for post-offer conversations!
Instead of: “I don’t have any questions.”
Follow these rules of thumb:
- 3: Number of questions to prepare in advance
- 2: Optimal number of questions to ask
- 1: If the interview runs long, offer to ask just one
Bonus Tip: Level Up Your Interview Skills
Ask a follow-up question about something the interviewer mentioned earlier in the conversation. This demonstrates confidence, flexibility, critical thinking, and strong listening skills.
Remember: once you receive an offer, the universe of acceptable questions expands significantly. But during the interview, your goal is to show genuine curiosity, preparation, and alignment — and the questions you ask are one of the most powerful tools you have to do that.
