What do you think is the most important skill for a successful paralegal?

My approach for this question was to pick one of the key competencies required in the job description and then answer in a STAR structure how I have effectively demonstrated this competency. I finished off my answer by linking it to the importance of my role as a paralegal and how it would help me thrive in the role. My answer structure was as follows:

Explain the most important skill and why 

• I said I believed great attention to detail is the most important skill in my opinion.
• It is crucial for the successful completion of paralegal’s roles (document review, drafting, proofreading, legal research) – more important than other skills that are required less frequently. 
• It helps build strong relationships of trust with supervisors, so they are willing to delegate more intellectually challenging and high quality work, as I can prove I am less likely to miss key details and avoid making silly mistakes that slow the progression of the team.

Example of my excellent attention to detail

• Situation – my experience as a paralegal in my current role.
• Task – reviewing register of title and conducting property due diligence for our client who was a company wanting to acquire residential property, with an objective of opening a shop.
• Action – I performed a thorough line by line analysis of each entry in the register and noted there was a use covenant in the register prohibiting any other use for the property other than as a private dwelling. Therefore, I promptly identified the issue from my meticulous review of the title and raised this with my supervisor.
• Result – we quickly offering the client solutions to get around this risk, enabling the deal to progress quickly. There could have been a serious disruption to the matter progress if I missed this entry, which could have damaged the firm’s strong client relationship.

Link result to why I would thrive as a paralegal at the firm 

• The example demonstrates my attention to detail which helps me proactively find solutions to client issues, build strong client relationships and undertake responsibility from the outset.
• I understand the smallest mistakes could have negative implications for the firm’s client relationships – leading to greater time and costs being incurred by the client.