Lawyers: 1 Question You May Want to Ask All Potential New Hires

Running your own law firm is no easy task -- and then come the growing pains. Inevitably, there will come a time when you need to bring more people onto your team. First, you'll consider whether you should hire a contractor or a full-time employee. Then, you'll consider whether to hold a contest for the position (uh, probably not).

Well, we recently learned of a tip that aims to make your whole interviewing process a lot easier. All you need to do is ask one question...

'Tell Me About Your Friends.'

Ok, it's not technically a question, but Inc. reports that asking about one's friends gives some good insight into the candidate before you. Why? Inc. explains, "Good people hang out with good people." So, the logic goes, if the candidate's friends are motivated overachievers, then she probably is too. On the flip side, if her friends are slackers, she may share some undesirable traits with them.

Other Things to Look For

Some prospective employers look for fidgeters. Wait, what?

The reasoning is, "If they can't sit still, it tells me they are going to be energetic on the job," one employer tells Inc. Yet another employer bucks the trend by having a bias against people from upper-middle class families or who went to good schools, stating "Give me smart people who had to work hard for everything they got. Those are the people I want working for me."

What's Right for You?

Here's the thing: There can be as many "magical" interview questions or "tells" as there are interviewers. The key thing to remember is what are you looking for in a new hire? Maybe you have a bias for people that graduated from you alma mater, or who have quirky interests.

In the end, it's up for you to decide -- and be prepared, not every new hire is not going to be great. Sometimes people interview well, but don't execute. But what they lack in performance, they may make up for in an interviewing lesson.

Related Resources:

• Hire a Mom (or Two): 5 Reasons Why Moms Make Great Attorneys (FindLaw's Strategist)
• Should Your Firm Consider Law School Rankings When Hiring? (FindLaw's Strategist)
• How to Spot and Hire a Great Paralegal: 5 Tips(FindLaw's Strategist)
• Spend more time practicing and less time advertising. (FindLaw Lawyer Marketing)