First Impressions

The old adage, “You only get one chance to make a first impression” certainly holds true when it comes to interviews.  If you are dressed inappropriately, appear unprofessional, or have a limp handshake, you are unlikely to overcome the initial negative impression you have created in the mind of the interviewer.  On the other hand, if you dress like a conservative professional, exude an air of confidence, and deliver a firm handshake with appropriate eye contact, you have passed your first test.

Attire

The goal is to fit in and let your personality shine through.  Be remembered for your personality, not your clothes.  It is important to be both comfortable and fashionable.

Women should wear a conservative dark-colored suit, preferably one with a skirt below the knee in length.  Shirt and shoes must very conservative and jewelry and makeup should be at a minimum.  It is suggested that you do not wear any perfume or scented lotions as many people are allergic to scents.

Men need to wear a suit, preferably navy, black or dark gray.  A professionally cleaned and pressed white cotton shirt is best with a conservative tie, polished shoes, and a matching belt.  Jewelry must be at a minimum.  One simple ring and a watch is plenty.  Definitely do not wear earrings, necklaces, or powerful cologne. 

Handshake and Eye Contact

A firm, confident handshake is the goal.  A “limp fish” turns off most people.  On the other hand, a knuckle-breaking shake is no good either.  Throughout the interview, be sure to maintain adequate eye contact with the interviewer without staring.

Confidence

It is important to show the interviewer you are confident in your abilities, but not arrogant.  Don’t be afraid to sell the skills and attributes you bring to the table.  An interview may be your only chance to make your case as the best person for the job.

Preparation

Know the Firm

In order to properly prepare for an interview, gather information about the employer such as number of partners and associates, office locations, practice areas, recent cases, attorney biographies, and representative clients.  Most of this information can be found on the firm’s website.  This will enable you to speak intelligently about the employer’s practice during the interview and formulate appropriate questions.  This public information can be gathered through a number of sources such as www.lexisnexis.com/lawschools, www.westlaw.com, NALP forms, www.martindale.com, and other literature about the employer.

More information about an employer can be collected from internal sources such as UDSL alumni or classmates who currently work there or have in the past.  These sources can shed light on things such as work environment, values, what the employer looks for in associates, prospects for the future, and billable hours.  Professors, local attorneys, and the CSO director may be able to provide additional information.  Legal  publications which survey new associates can also provide valuable inside information such as: American Lawyer, National Law Journal, and Insider’s Guide to Law Firms. 

Know Yourself

Proper preparation for an interview includes a lengthy self-assessment.  You must be prepared to speak intelligently about what qualifies you for the position you are seeking.  We recommend you follow this 7-step program:

1. Make a list of your accomplishments (personal and professional).

2. Note job-related strengths (transferable skills) that each accomplishment proves. For example:

Your Accomplishments

• Received CALI Award in Evidence
• Won Walter Rice Moot Court Competition
• Financed 100% of college expenses through part-time work (up to 30 hrs/wk)
• Started lawn service business that grew from $20,000 to $50,000 in annual sales over just two years

Transferable Skills

• Well-versed in evidentiary issues
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Organized time well; strong work ethic
• Proven self-starter

3. Prioritize your strengths (similar to how you organized your cover letter). Prioritize those transferable skills that would be most desirable to the interviewer.  For instance, let’s say you are interviewing with a litigation firm.  Your list of prioritized strengths might begin like this:

• Effective communicator - proven through Moot Court success
• Know evidentiary issues - proven through highest grade in the class
• Excellent time management skills - proven through ability to work up to 30 hours per week while attending college full-time and graduate cum laude

4. Be ready to subtly sell these points during the interview.

5. Know your resume, cover letter and writing sample. Bring copies in a leather portfolio.

6. Remember to be familiar with current events. An important part of many interviews is “small talk” to create rapport. To adequately prepare, be sure to read about local and national events in the newspaper and watch the news on the day of the interview. Avoid discussing controversial subjects such as politics and religion.

7. Be aware of body language. While a candidate is interviewing for a job, the interviewer is evaluating both the words uttered and the body language exhibited. Entire books have been written on the messages we communicate through body language, but a few tips should help you to avoid sending the wrong message:

• Sit up straight
• Don’t cross arms
• Don’t fidget
• Never look at your watch
• Maintain eye contact without staring

Often we are not even aware of the mixed signals we send with our non-verbal communication.  Be sure to ask a friend or relative whether you display any nervous or annoying habits.  Do you unwittingly wink at the person you are talking to?  Do you look around the room while speaking?  Do you tap your fingers when you are nervous?  Do you slouch down in your chair?  Do you have a nervous laugh?  It is best to be aware of your habits so you can control them during an interview.

The Interview

General Reminders

An interview should be a conversation, NOT an interrogation.  The interviewer is evaluating you not only on your credentials, but also on whether you will fit in with the organization.  A candidate who simply answers questions without engaging in a conversation with the interviewer will probably not be successful.  It is important to let your personality shine through a bit without being too informal.

Be conversational and LISTEN.  A common mistake is to focus more on the intelligent question you are planning to ask next rather than on what the interviewer is saying at that moment.  Remember that people love to talk about themselves.  Ask questions that will show you are interested in who the interviewer is and then give your full attention as he/she answers.  Then ask appropriate follow-up questions.  Be confident, but never arrogant.  Remember the interviewer is ultimately trying to decide if he or she would enjoy working with you.

All students are encouraged to participate in the Practice Interview Program.  Each year we ask volunteers from the local legal community to help our students strengthen their interviewing skills. Attorneys interview students for about 30 minutes and then provide a critique.  This direct feedback has been very helpful to law students in the past; a few students have actually turned their practice interview into a job offer!  Another option for improving your interviewing skills is to schedule a practice interview session with the Director of Career Services or CSO counselor.  If you would like more information on the Practice Interview Program, stop by the CSO.

Questions by the Interviewer

As stated, one of the interviewer’s goals is to determine if you will be a “good fit.” He or she is also trying to ascertain whether you can do the job and what your level of interest is in the position.

Common interview questions you will be asked:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why did you decide to go to law school?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Why should we hire you? or Why are you the best candidate for the position?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
• Why aren’t your grades better?
• Why do you want to work for us?
• Why did you leave your last employer?
  

In preparation for the interviews, think through your answers to these and any other questions you think are likely to be asked. Advice on how to answer these types of questions can be found in Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams by Kimm Alayne Walton located in the CSO library.

Questions by the Interviewee

Your goals in the interview are to (1) build rapport with the interviewer, (2) sell your ability to do the job, (3) show off your research of the employer, (4) demonstrate a true desire to work for that employer, and (5) gather new information about the employer. You can accomplish these goals through your answers to the interviewer’s questions and through the questions you ask the interviewer. Your questions should be personalized and demonstrate a genuine interest in the employer and the fact that you have taken the time to research the firm or company. Your questions should also be designed to help you determine what the job experience will be like.

Appropriate questions to ask during an interview may include:

Personalized:

• What types of cases are you currently working on? Which are the most interesting?
• What do you like most about your job?
• How long were you at the firm before you had significant client contact?
• Did you start off in your current practice area? If not, why did you switch?

Sincere interest in the position and the employer:

• Do you have a formal mentor program?
• How will my work be evaluated?
• Who will assign my work?
• Will I receive feedback?
• What kinds of cases will I be working on?
• How does someone become a star law clerk/associate in this firm?
• How has the firm’s practice changed over the years?
• Where do you see the firm’s practice heading over the next several years?
• How would you describe the ideal candidate?

Show-off research:

An example:  “I recently read about the firm’s opening of a satellite office in Louisville.  Has that helped the firm to attract corporate clients headquartered in Kentucky?”  Develop a list of questions that is right for the position and employer you are talking to and remember to be flexible. 

Questions to Avoid Asking

“What’s in it for me” questions:
(Some may be asked only after an offer is extended.)

• How many hours will I be expected to work?
• How many billable hours do you require?
• How much vacation time will I get?
• What is the salary?
• What is your disability policy?

Questions with a negative tone:

• What don’t you like about the firm?
• How does your firm compare to Firm X?

“Imponderables”:

• How would you describe the firm’s culture/atmosphere?

Other Mistakes to Avoid:

• Don't ask question that could be answered through simple research.
• Don't ask questions that show you're clueless about what's already been covered in the interview.

Worst interview mistake: NO QUESTIONS!

Closing the Interview

Remember to end the interview on a positive note. Summarize your qualifications and reiterate your interest. 

From the question/answer segment of the interview, you can compose a closing like this:

You described your ideal candidate as a team player who has strong communication skills.  That describes me perfectly.  My communication skills have been demonstrated by the fact that I excelled in my research and writing class and in the inter-school Moot Court Competition.  My teamwork capabilities are apparent through my work at the Salvation Army where I assembled and led a team of over 50 volunteers through the largest fund-raising campaign in the charity’s history.  I’m also self-motivated, detail-oriented, and have been described by former employers as a tremendous problem-solver.  I believe I am very well-suited for this position and would appreciate a chance to prove myself.  Thanks for taking the time to talk to me today.

Ask for a business card and inquire as to what the next step will be.  Send a thank-you note within 24 hours of the interview.  Thank-you notes can either be typed or handwritten.