Are you new to legal interviews? Do you want to be updated on the latest practices? Legal interviews can be a very different animal than other interviews you may have had. Whether you are new to law school, or simply want a “refresher” on what goes on, plan to attend Anneliese Booher’s workshop next Wednesday, August 17, at 12:15, at the College of Law in Room 111. Click here to RSVP!
5 Quick Tips Legal Interviews
1. Attend PDO’s workshop-Wednesday, August 17, at 12:15 (pizza will be served). This will give you an overview of the legal interviewing process, the questions you are most likely to be asked, and the latest trends in legal interviews.
2. Review the handouts in Symplicity’s Document Library on Interviewing. Anneliese prepared many of these based on her experience as a hiring attorney, and what PDO staff has learned from professional publications and others who conduct legal hiring.
3. If you get an interview, do your best to talk to others who may know something about that employer and their interviews. Talk to your mentors, professors, PDO, TA’s, and upper class students who may have interviewed with the same employer. PDO may be able to put you in touch with someone if you are willing!
4. Know your application materials inside and out—most questions will come straight from your resume and other application materials. Still, at the very least, be sure you have thought about the following questions in advance—but don’t “can” an answer.
- Can you tell me a little about yourself? (Short, hopefully interesting, and ending on something professional).
- Why do you want to be here?
- Why should we hire you over anyone else? What about your background and experience is good evidence that you would be a good hire for us?
- What do you do for fun?
- Tell me about a professional success, a time when you learned a hard lesson, and a time when you had to persuade someone of something.
- What questions do you have for me? (Remember, you can ask questions in an interview as they logically arise.)
If you are thrown a curveball question, realize that half the game is getting through with some composure.
5. For every interview-be on time, be friendly to everyone you are in contact with from staff on up, have some level of confidence without being arrogant.