interview tips
In order to succeed at interview the key is to be prepared. As well as gathering information on the firm and persons interviewing you, you should understand what to do and not to do in the interview.
Here are ten helpful tips for your interview:
1. Research
Research the law firm along with the partners and associates that you’ll be meeting. Start by reading over the website about the firm as a whole and the individual practice group you’re hoping to join. See who the key players are and read over their bios, look at their experience and seek out any common ground. Read over the bios of the interviewers too and do the same. Type their names into Google, look over their Linkedin profiles to get as much intel as you can. You can read around generally on the firm too online, to find any successes they’ve had recently. See the resources section on this site for some sources of information to assist you.
2. display knowledge
Display knowledge of the firm in the interview. It’s not advisable to regurgitate endless facts on the firm, a better way to approach this is to have some questions prepared that show you know about their practice. You should also be highlighting where your own experience fits in with the firm. We can provide you with further examples of these types of questions.
3. Prepare questions
As discussed above, this is a good opportunity to display knowledge of the firm, but it is also a good opportunity to find out if the firm is right for you. An interview should be approached as a two-way exchange of information. You’re there to do your due diligence on the firm, as much as they’re doing their own assessment of you. However, such questions would best be tailored to areas relating to the firm’s practice and client base. Questions relating to growth potential and partnership track can also show that you have desire to achieve at the firm. We can provide you with further examples of these questions.
4. ANTICIPATE QUESTIONS
Anticipate questions, and prepare the answers beforehand. Looking over your resume, try to think what questions you would ask if you were interviewing. For example, you may be asked why you switched firms in the past (if you have movement on your resume). Maybe the position involves relocation, why do you want to move to a new city? We can help you anticipate these questions.
5. compensation
Don’t discuss compensation (including bonuses) or billable hour requirements in the interview. It can be uncomfortable for interviewers to field questions on compensation. Also, asking questions about the lowest amount of hours you can bill can give the wrong impression of your work ethic. These are questions that your search firm can ask without you having to. It is one of the benefits of using a search firm, we can negotiate your package for you.
6. Dress professionally
Regardless of whether the firm has a dress down culture you should always wear business professional clothing to an interview. Avoid strong smelling cologne or perfume. If you smoke, don’t turn up to the interview smelling of cigarettes. Also, avoid wearing any loud and distracting jewelry. The firm is evaluating whether you could be sent to see a client and represent the firm.
7. body language
Be conscious of your body language. You should avoid folding your arms, this is a closed and defensive position. Have your hands open and on the table and make eye contact with the interviewers. Sit up straight, and be sure to shake hands firmly. Smile, be relaxed and show you are very interested in what they’re saying to you. Display energy, and enthusiasm. It can help if you’re prepared for questions they might have, so you have a good flow and energy in the interview.
8. Bring copies of your resume
You should have a resume with you for each person who you’re meeting and a spare for you to have in front of you. It is very likely that the interviewers will have copies, but it shows that you’re prepared if you bring spares. Also have a pen and paper, so you can make notes if necessary. Again, even if you don’t make any notes it shows you’re prepared.
9. never speak badly of a current or past employer
It is common for an interview panel to ask why you want to leave your firm. You should always try to be as positive about your employer as possible. It comes across as unprofessional to speak badly of your employer. The interviewer will think that if they hire you, you might be speaking badly of them in the future. Also, any criticism of the firm can lead to the conclusion that you yourself have been inadequately trained. Search firms often work with candidates who weren’t actively looking, but we have presented them with a good opportunity. If that’s the case, a great response to the question is that you were not actively looking, but the opportunity sounded interesting and you wanted to find out more. It can be a good way to flatter the panel, by saying the firm is so highly regarded you had to listen. We can help you prepare an answer to this question.
10. Do not be late
No matter what happens, you must make sure you are there promptly on time. Arrive an hour early if possible, find a coffee shop and do some preparation. This will help you to be relaxed on the day. You don’t want to turn up flustered and stressed because you were stuck in traffic worrying about being late. Make sure you have the correct date and time, and also location. If you’re not sure about anything, make sure you confirm everything with your recruiter or with the firm itself. If you have an emergency that comes up at work, most firms understand, just make sure you give notice as soon as possible, and show you’re still interested by proposing new interview times right away. If you need to push it back a few hours that can be ok if you’ve got good reason (such as a client meeting came up). Make sure you give plenty of notice.
Coast to Coast Legal Search has extensive experience with interviews and we would be very happy to provide you with further advice. Email us today to set up a time to talk.