1. Tell me something about yourself/ Can you talk about the work you did as a consultant lawyer?

My name is Hyvimarly Chrisa Baculi Sayno-Ballad. I was born in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. I worked at DENR- CENRO
Sanchez Mira as a Consultant Lawyer and at Provincial Legal Office of the PG-Cagayan as an Administrative Officer V
and Legal Counsel.

Working as a Consultant Lawyer and Legal Counsel, I have concentrated on:

 giving legal advice and assisting in handling disputes
 drafting the legal documents
 other functions such as but not limited to the following:
o Assist in
 fact finding and filing court cases;
 administrative confiscation, mediation and settlement cases;
 Prepare pleadings and memoranda, draft resolutions and letters
 Appear as a trial lawyer for the Province

Being a lawyer for the province and as a lawyer assigned in downstream was an eye-opening. It gave me a window of
opportunity to gain not only the legal knowledge and experience but the opportunity to meet and interview clients (poor,
underprivileged, unfortunate) as well as to serve the public personally, and finally to understand that there is really a need
for lawyers in the government.

2. WHAT DO YOU DO TO CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION?

I believe it is important for successful attorneys to stay abreast of the latest news in the industry. To that end, I attend the
mandatory continuing legal education and conventions, or other opportunities provided by local bar association. I strive to
attend conferences, seminars and workshops in order to interact with and learn from my peers.

3. WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU THINK A GOOD ATTORNEY SHOULD HAVE?

The most important skills an attorney should have

a) Communication skills
a. Orally articulate
b. Good written communication skills- clearly, persuasively and concisely
c. Not just about projection
d. Good listening skills
e. Public speaking- EXPERIENCE

b) Legal research skills

a. Being able to research quickly and effectively is essential to understanding a client and his needs
b. Resourceful

c) Analytical skills
a. Absorb large quantities of information then having to distil it into something manageable and logical

d) People skills
a. End of the day, every decision of a lawyer will affect people’s lives.
b. Must always decide upon the best interest and approach to take in order to achieve the desired outcome

e) Judgment skills
a. Draw reasonable and logical conclusions or assumptions from limited information
b. Anticipate the possible weaknesses of a case or argument

f) Perseverance

g) Creativity
a. In order to outmanoeuver the challenger, the lawyer must think outside the box.
b. Anticipate the problems

4. WHAT TYPE OF LAW CAREER ARE YOU HOPING TO HAVE AND HOW WILL THIS POSITION HELP YOU?
I have some experience in the other field like the academe and the secretariat world, but my heart has always been in
public law. I see it as a great step toward my professional career I have always wanted, so I am excited to get a chance to
work in the company even if it is in a different sector.

5. HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CLIENTS?

Every client-attorney relationship, in my opinion, has to be built on mutual respect.
I have to get my client to trust me and my skills enough to answer my questions with complete honesty.
Many legal cases require the client to share personal information. I build this respectful and trusting relationship by being
friendly, patient and understanding. The process of building a relationship may take a while, but it is so rewarding when it
happens.

6. Benefits of being a young lawyer:

a) Wide selection of career options
b) Mental simulations and intellectual rewards
c) Work environment
 d) Enthusiasm and energy

7. What are your bad habits? And how do you intend to prevent them in interfering with your work?
8. Handle conflict
a. Don't Gossip About The Conflict. ...
b. Address The Conflict Sooner Rather Than Later. ...
c. Discuss The Problem Face-To-Face. ...
d. Try To Find Common Ground. ...
e. Keep An Open Mind And Listen. ...
f. When It's Your Turn To Talk, Stay Calm. ...
g. Know When You Need To Involve A Third Party. ...
h. Learn From Both The Conflict And The Resolution.

9. What is leadership? A simple definition is that leadership is the art of motivating a

group of people to act toward achieving a common goal.

In a business setting, this can mean DIRECTING WORKERS AND COLLEAGUES

WITH A STRATEGY to meet the company's needs.

This leadership definition captures the essentials of being able and prepared to inspire
others.

Effective leadership is based upon ideas (whether original or borrowed), but won't
happen unless those ideas can be communicated to others in a way that engages them
enough to act as the leader wants them to act.

Put even more simply, the leader is the inspiration for and director of the action. They
are the person in the group that possesses the combination of personality and
leadership skills to make others want to follow their direction.

10.

11. Pregnancy:
a) An opportunity to demonstrate your resourcefulness and preparation.
b) Be ready with a plan for minimizing the impact of your absence:
a. Advance work, planning, reallocation of duties and areas of responsibilities
c) Studies also show that pregnancy emphasizes personal attributes like COMMITMENT and FLEXIBILITY
d) It is a part of life for many: those of early and mid-career workers.

COMPETENT
COMMITMENT
CHARACTER
COOPERATION
CREATIVITY
CHARISMA

CIRCUMSTANCE
COMFORT ZONE
COMPATIBILITY
CONFIDENCE

1. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure?

Answer tips
You may say that you thrive(prosper) under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position
applied for.

EXAMPLES:
Dealing with deadlines on a regular basis

1. Answer samples
“Pressure is actually a catalyst and a substantial form to my work. When there is an imperative deadline, I refocus my
energy into my work which in fact, has helped me to produce some of my best works.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT TO A CERTAIN MAYOR IN THE PROVINCE. I guess you can say I thrive under
pressure.”

Communicate with the stakeholders and partners with regards to the execution and compliance of Memorandum of
Understanding

2. What field experience do you have for a LEGAL OFFICER POSITION? (RAP)
Responsibilities
Achievements
Programs

Answer sample
I have been working with the government since I passed the Bar exam in 2018.
1. During my first stint as a Consultant Lawyer in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO), I
have concentrate on:

Tell me about yourself (experience, enthusiasm, and proof of performance.)

EXPERIENCE:
1. Clerical
a. SECRETARY/ CLERK
b. Research
2. Social and Administrative Work-
a. SOCIAL WELFARE ASSISTANT
b. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
3. Legal
a. Consultant Lawyer
b. Practicing Lawyer
c. Notary Public
d. Volunteer
e. Speaker
4. Academe
a. Professor
b. Lecturer
c. Reviewer

ENTHUSIASM and PROOF OF PERFORMANCE

Being linked with the government service for the past year, I came transversely with various problems concerning legal
matters and issues which would necessarily need immediate solutions and explanations as such;

I became primarily responsible for accurate and precise quality standard work, drafting and reviewing the legal filings and
technically correct opinions, reviewing the reports and afford assistance in providing legal solutions to the problems that
have cropped up and ensure that it is in compliance with the existing laws, rules and regulations.

Thus, I have developed equally good working and communication skills at my present position as a consultant lawyer,
which ultimately guard the office against the possible legal complications.

Why do you believe we should hire you?

1. Good fit for the position
2. Good employee
3. You can provide the company

Why are you leaving last job?

1. Focus on developing
2. Expanding your career a
3. Improving myself

What do you consider to be your best strength?

Problem solver, a motivator, and being able to perform under pressure, positive attitude and loyal.
EXAMPLE:
MEDIATION or the amicable agreement/ arriving at a settlement

WHAT TYPE OF LAW CAREER ARE YOU HOPING TO HAVE AND HOW WILL THIS POSITION HELP YOU?

My heart has always been in public law.

I see it as a great step toward my professional career I have always wanted, so I am excited to get a chance to work in the
company even if it is in a different sector.

What do you consider to be your biggest weakness?

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Honestly, I would say that public speaking is an area that I could work very well.
As a lecturer, speaker and a teacher for some years now, I tend to get very jolly, very detailed, very time consuming when
asked to present to a large group of people.

In small team meetings, I’m the first one to stand up and present.

What do you see yourself doing in five years?

1. My goal right now is to find a position where I can GROW and take on new challenges over time.
2. I am driven to be the best at what I do and I want to work somewhere where I’ll have opportunities
a. to develop my skills
b. take on interesting projects, and
c. work with people I can really learn from.
3. I see and I look forward to a person with lots of progress in career as a lawyer, experienced legal officer and as a
public servant and as a more determined and more successful person in general. I also see myself and with my
co-workers moving up and developed managerial and supervisory careers.
4. Ultimately, I’d like to assume more management responsibilities and get involved in court practice strategy.

What are your salary expectations?