American Bar Association Interview Questions & Reviews

Interviewed Apr 2012 in Washington, DC (took 5 days)

I first had a brief phone interview with HR based in Chicago. I was then scheduled an in person interview.

I began the interview process with a 1:1 on a Monday. I met with one lawyer who seemed very professional and knowledgeable. She asked me general questions about my experience, specific tasks that I had done that would apply to the job and asked me what I hoped to gain from the position. She also asked me about my newsletter skills, web design skills, and writing skills. Very informative and pleasant interview. She informed me that it would be a position that needed to be held for at least 2 years. She told me she would let me know by the end of the following week.

I received a call from the HR person based in Chicago on Tuesday, asking for another interview with the two other lawyers that I would be supporting. I came in the next day on Wednesday, and again, I was asked questions about my experience, specific programs that I had worked on, what strategies I could contribute to their work etc. I brought in examples of flyers that I had done for events which they appreciated and kept. They said they would be in touch by the end of the week (Thursday/Friday).

On Thursday at 2:30pm, the HR lady in Chicago informed me that they wanted to offer me the position, and that I needed to get back to them the following day, Friday, by noon. Seeing as I was given less than 24 hours to make a decision, I attempted to ask for a week extension to make this important decision. I was denied, even when I asked the weekend to decide, and again pressured to make a decision. I told the lady that I would get back to her the following day by noon as originally planned.

She then called at 5:30pm and informed me that after a conversation with the first lawyer, that they decided to rescind the offer. I had no background check, no nasty e-mails exchanged, nothing that I could think of that would cause them to rescind an offer in less than 5 hours. I can only guess hat it was my hesitation to make such an important decision in less than 24 hours. I have come away from this experience with an extremely negative impression of HR and the hiring lawyers of ABA.

I only tell my story to caution potential applicants of the unprofessional and rude behavior. I do not know what made them change their mind in such a short amount of time, but if this is how an employer treats their potential employees, I am not sure that I would want to work in such a hostile environment.