Job Interview Advice for Legal Jobs
Before
you can effectively market yourself, you must have a good sense of what you have
said on your resume. This step may sound simple, but just having a well-written
resume isn't enough. You must also be able to elaborate on your experiences,
articulately and concisely.
To do this, you need to determine the most important points to get across to your potential employer. Your research should have helped you determine what qualities are most important to the firm you're interviewing with. Play up the qualities you possess that mesh best with the firm's needs. Always seek to answer the implicit question, "Why should this organization hire you?" If you have some idea about what you would most like to highlight in an interview, you will be less likely to stumble through an unintelligible, long-winded answer when asked, "So, tell me about your experiences at Firm X."
Remember, the interviewer doesn't want you to simply regurgitate what is on your resume. He or she can read that information! Instead, the interviewer is looking for further insight into your past experiences. He or she may also want to see how well you express yourself and how quickly you think on your feet.
Here are some questions that are asked with regularity during job interviews. While you don't want to memorize an answer and sound too rehearsed, you should give yourself some "talking points" that will allow you to convey your answer without rambling on and on. Some questions are tricky. By giving your answer some thought ahead of time, you can avoid being caught off guard. Some typical interview questions are:
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What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness?
The "greatest strength" question should be easy to answer. You'll probably have to give your "greatest weakness" a little more thought. It is important to portray any weaknesses in the best possible light. For instance, if you have a stubborn streak, you might say, "I am passionate about my beliefs, so I now make it a point to try and see things from others' perspectives." Or, if you aren't a risk-taker, you might frame it this way: "I usually take the safe path, which brings expected results. I want to broaden my horizons, though, and start taking some calculated risks in my work, which could lead to bigger returns." -
Why do you want to be a lawyer?
"My father is a lawyer," or "I've always enjoyed debate" are NOT good answers. The interviewer wants to see that you are self-motivated to become a lawyer and that you understand that being an attorney involves more than just arguing. Did you or a family member have an experience with the law that made you want to pursue justice? Did a strong belief in equal rights lead you to law school? Be honest, but avoid answers that are trite or preachy. Just try to remember what first interested you in the practice of law. -
Why are you interested in our firm?
Now is the time to show off the research that you've done on this firm. If you are impressed by the number of lawyers who participate in pro bono work, say so. If the strong intellectual property department intrigues you, let the interviewer know. Just avoid giving an answer that demonstrates that you didn't do your homework. -
What have you accomplished that you are most proud of?
Wrong answer? "Um, uh, I don't really know. My good grades, I guess." Earning good grades is indeed something to be proud of, but try saying something like this: "I've always been a good student, but delict was a tough class for me. I worked very hard and devoted extra hours to studying, which is why I am most proud of the 'A' I received in that class." Of course, if you've been out of school for several years, you'll need to come up with a recent accomplishment. Needless to say, it should be law-related, whether it's an important case you won or an article published in a legal journal. Remember, speak clearly and don't stutter.