How to Prepare for Interview
1. Really Research the Law Firm
Do research beforehand on the firm you’re interviewing with;
it’s a must that they not only believe you’ve actually heard of them (or took
initiative to learn about them), but that they were your first choice for a
job.
There are a ton of resources online for doing reconnaissance (Glassdoor.com,
LinkedIn, Matindale-Hubble, and articles written for legal industry
periodicals, as well as obviously bio pages for the partners or staff you’re
meeting.)
2. Understand the Role in the
Law Firm
If you’re interviewing for an associate position (or even an
internship), make an effort to really understand what the firm’s expectations
are of you. This means either dissecting the job description, or if there isn’t
one, doing enough research to find out what the role really requires. This
might seem like a given, but the competition is tough, and you can edge out
other candidates by being more diligent on this front.
3. Know Your Career Narrative
Inside Out
Your resume (or a contact) may have gotten you the interview,
but the real challenge begins now. About 10%-20% of the interview will be
focused on confirming your resume and that you know what you’re talking about
from a “technical” standpoint. The remaining 80%-90% will be about finding out
if you’re the right fit for the position or culture (translation: finding out
if you’re a pain in the butt to work with every day).
In addition to the typical law firm interview questions you’d
expect to get (see below), you’re going to have to craft some “interview
stories”. These stories are in fact those longer answers that you give to
behavioral questions – for example: “Tell me about a time you had multiple,
time-sensitive projects due — how did you prioritize and what was the result?”
The interviewer is likely to be looking for your prowess in
several specific competencies or skills — they could be “time management”,
“negotiation”, “calm under pressure,” etc.
Most people end up whiffing on this question because they start
to ramble, go off on tangents, or just simply can’t articulate a cohesive and
compelling story – and therefore waste a golden opportunity.
After doing your research on the job description, be prepared to
have 3 or 4 of these relevant interview stories ready to use.
4. Preparing for the Law Firm’s
Interview Questions
It reflects poorly on you if you’re unable or unwilling to
answer a question an interviewer asks you.
Before your interview, research commonly asked questions and
really understand and practice how you’ll answer them. Obviously, every
interview will be different, but if you can articulately and thoughtfully
answer the questions below (and also have several “interview stories” in your
back pocket), you’ll likely land the position:
2.
Why did you decide to go to law school?
3.
Why did you choose your law school?
4.
Is your GPA an accurate reflection of your abilities? Why or why
not?
5.
What makes you think you are a good lawyer?
6.
What do you know about our firm?
7.
What area of law most interests you?
8.
Tell me about a major accomplishment.
9.
What are your long-term career goals?
10.
What interests you most about the legal system?
12.
How has your education and experience prepared you for the
practice of law?
13.
Describe a professional failure and how you handled it.
14.
Why should we hire you over other candidates?
5. Always Ask Questions
At the end of the interview, it’s important that you ask
questions. It shows not only that you were prepared and listened thoroughly to
your interviewer, but also that you are seriously interested in the firm. For
more info on this, read our Top 12 Best Questions to Ask at the
End of the Job Interview article.
6. Don’t Forget Your Thank-you
Note
The thank-you note is an important little piece of the interview
process, and an art form unto itself. For info on how to structure a great
thank you check out: Job Interview Thank You Notes 101
Getting a good position at a law firm is not easy even if you
have stellar credentials — but remember, your resume are credentials are only a
small part of the whole process. You can make up for any perceived weakness on paper by making the strongest possible
impression when you’re face-to-face with the partners.
Sara Witt is a guest blogger and writer bringing us interview tips
for lawyers. Sara also writes about how to find a good personal injury attorney
