Nail Your Next Job Interview By Preparing
by Donna Gerson

A young man walks down a street in New York with a violin case under his arm. He asks an older gentleman, “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” After eyeing the violin, the gentleman replies, “Practice.”

Navigating the interview process and landing a job offer can be likened to getting to Carnegie Hall. Here are some strategies to help you succeed in your next interview:

Respond quickly and schedule promptly. Create a positive impression by responding promptly to interview requests. Consult your schedule and arrange an interview time as soon as possible. Be polite on the telephone and don’t badger or belittle the recruiting manager or secretary. Opinions from office staff can bolster or sink a candidate, so use common sense and good manners. Write down the date, time, and location of your interview, and be sure you have accurate directions to the office. Small firms, in particular, tend to conclude the hiring process after finding the first candidate with the right credentials and fit, so it’s to your advantage to respond quickly.

Research. Before every interview, research the firm and, if possible, your interviewer. Many law firms now have web sites, which can be a useful place to begin. Also consult Martindale-Hubbell and LexisNexis by using the “counsel” segment to search for individual lawyers to see if they have been the counsel of record in published opinions. For large law firms, check www.infirmation.com or the NALP Directory of Legal Employers (www.nalp.org) to learn more. Also consult your career services office, particularly for small law firms and solo practitioners, to get the scoop on a firm’s reputation and hiring history.

Basic information you ought to know includes the number of partners, associates, and other attorneys, significant practice areas, major cases (if litigation driven) or deals (if transaction oriented), recent hiring history, and newsworthy events involving the firm.

Anticipate objections. During an interview you may be asked about subjects you prefer to avoid. Anticipate these questions and be prepared with answers that showcase your strengths, allay employer concerns, and redirect the conversation. For example, if you didn’t get a full-time offer from your summer job, prepare to discuss what happened. Similarly, if your grades are less than stellar, be ready to talk about courses where you have excelled or clinical courses where you gained valuable experience. Serious issues relating to your ability to practice law (such as academic probation or a prior, undisclosed criminal record) also ought to be confronted prior to an interview.

Schedule a mock interview with a career services counselor, and have it videotaped if possible. This will enable you to discuss possible objections and develop answers that will help you promote yourself effectively. Better to stumble through several “takes” in a mock interview than to sputter during the actual interview and lose a valuable opportunity.

By rehearsing beforehand with an objective observer, you will also learn that some issues that you may perceive as objectionable (a gap in a résumé or a poor grade) are non-issues and that raising them in an interview can create red flags where none existed. Don’t think of interviews as confessions, so practice beforehand to set an honest yet positive tone.

Prepare your paperwork. On your next interview, pack extra copies of your résumé, transcript, writing sample, and list of references. Paperwork can get lost on a partner’s desk; you’ll impress employers as being prepared and poised if you think ahead and bring extra copies of your materials. In addition, review the content of your résumé and writing sample. If you have several versions of your résumé, remember which version you submitted and the credentials you are highlighting. Similarly, know the content of your writing sample and be prepared to discuss the issues, case law, and conclusions you reached. There’s hardly a more inviting source of interview questions than a writing sample, and hardly a larger target for elimination from consideration than a candidate unprepared to talk about his or her own work.

Dress appropriately. Even in the world of business casual attire, a law student should dress in traditional business attire for an interview. This means a conservative suit, shirt, tie, and dress shoes for men, and a conservative suit and minimal, tasteful accessories for women. Give your appearance a critical review and determine if you ought to get a new hairstyle or update your look. If you have questions about your appearance or presentation style, ask your career services office for advice.

Arrive early. Perfect punctuality is great, but if given a choice between five minutes early and five minutes late, early wins every time and late may take you right out of the running. Employers sense that latecomers are inadequately prepared and may create a similar impression for clients, judges, and others. So take no chances. Arrive on the slightly early side (five minutes will be more than sufficient), and be bright and cheerful when you do.

Ask good questions. Toward the end of the interview (and sometimes earlier), students should anticipate being asked “Do you have any questions?” This is a signal that it’s time for you to engage the interviewer with your questions about the firm. If you’ve done your research beforehand, you won’t ask questions with obvious answers such as “How many lawyers do you have here?” Instead, come prepared with two or three questions that demonstrate insight, such as “What distinguishes your litigation practice from other firms in the city?” or “What kind of training do associates receive in client development?” You might take a cue from the decor in a lawyer’s office and ask a question regarding a professional honor or photo display. (“Is that a photo of you and Mayor Bloomberg? Was that part of a bar association event?”)

Good questions should elicit answers that will give you a better understanding of the lawyer with whom you’re interviewing as well as the firm’s philosophy. Avoid questions that are too personal (“How many children do you have?” “Are you happy here?”) or that may imply a desire to not work hard (“What is your vacation policy?” or “Does the firm require lawyers to show up at any particular time during the day?”). Never, ever reply “I have no questions.” This response implies “I don’t want this job.”

Follow up. A thank-you letter or e-mail shows your continued interest and demonstrates good manners and business sense. Send correspondence within 24 hours of your interview and address it to the person you deem to be the chief decision maker, typically the lawyer who is the designated hiring partner, the recruiting coordinator, or the office manager.

Your candidacy may be aided with a short note that expresses your thanks, reminds the employer of your potential value to the firm, and reiterates your interest. For example: “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I enjoyed meeting with you, Barbara Smith, and Michael Jones. As a result of our conversation, I believe that Roberts, Smith & Jones offers the practice areas and environment that would enable me to flourish as a first-year associate, and I would very much like to contribute my skills in trial advocacy, legal research, and legal writing to the firm’s insurance defense litigation group. I appreciate your time and consideration.”

E-mails are usually fine, as long as your e-mail address is professional (qtpie@... is not acceptable), you include a clear subject line (“Thank you” is sufficient), and you provide your full contact information (name, address, phone number, and e-mail address) in your signature line. Use proper grammar and spelling, and proofread your e-mail as you would a formal letter. Avoid inspirational/humorous quotes and other announcements in your signature line, as they may detract attention from your message.

Learn your lessons. Throughout your career, you will experience great interviews where you connect with others. And, despite the most exquisite preparation, you will suffer through some truly rotten interviews. Assuming that you have prepared well, take the lessons you learn from your experiences and apply them to your next interview.

“Nail your next job interview by preparing" by Donna Gerson, published in Student Lawyer, Volume 34, No. 5, January 2006. © by the American Bar Association. Reprinted with permission.

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