This quarter, the Professional Development Tip of the Week will focus on interviewing skills. The interview skills you develop will benefit you in your career far beyond helping you get a great job.
If you have been called for an interview – congratulations! This means that firm or organization thinks you meet their basic qualifications, based on your resume and cover letter. Now, they are looking for something more. Are you a good fit for the culture of the firm or organization? Can they see themselves working with you? Do you have the intangible skills required for meeting with clients or other attorneys? Will you bring something new to the work environment, or will you be a drain on the environment?
At a fundamental level, all interviewers are asking the same question: How can you be valuable to me?
To show value, follow these steps for success. We’ll be reviewing each one over the coming weeks.
• Research the firm or organization
• Understand the position
• Dress for success
• Know your strengths and value
• Talk about your strengths
• Learn to answer different types of questions
• Be prepared to ask good questions
• Actions speak louder than words – think about body language
• Look for ways to connect with the interviewer
• Practice your interviewing skills
• Send a thank-you letter
Research the Firm or Organization:
• Research will help you show how you match what the organization or firm needs.
• Look for the firm or organization’s mission, core values, management style, culture, growth areas, projects and practice areas.
• You can find this information on firm/organization websites, directories (like Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory or NALP Directory of Legal Employers ), or in queries for newspaper articles or law journals through Lexis or Westlaw.
• Don’t forget to look for network connections that can help get the conversation started
Understand the Position:
• Know what the employer is looking for
• Print the job description and highlight “skill” words
• During the interview, discuss your strengths and experiences that match the job description
• Develop questions to ask at the end of the interview based on your research -- it demonstrates your desire to understand the position and the organization or firm
Dress for Success:
• For men, wear a dark suit and a collared shirt with a conservative tie. Be sure to button your shirt all the way up. For women, a dark skirt or pantsuit is appropriate, with a modest blouse or shell. Keep jewelry simple.
• Remember: you want the interviewer to remember you and talk about you with their colleagues, not your unusual tie or giant earrings.
• Focus on your grooming. It may seem obvious, but be sure to shower and use deodorant on the day of the interview. Avoid excessive perfume or cologne. Comb your hair. Women with long hair should consider putting it up or pulling it back into a low ponytail. When in doubt, err on the conservative side.
