After working in a law firm and recruiting for more than a decade, we have witnessed the various ways that candidates can differentiate themselves from the rest–in both positive and negative ways. While it is imperative to present the most authentic version of yourself during an interview, the following four tips may help to ensure that you leave a lasting positive impression.
Preparation
Allow yourself plenty of time to prepare for your interviews. If you are participating in on-campus interviews or an early interview week, it is likely that you will have several meetings in one day. Study the firms you are meeting and make notes to reference so will you come across as prepared and knowledgeable. If your interviews are taking place in an unfamiliar location, you may want to stop by early to confirm you have the right room, or to allow yourself time to take a few deep breaths and enter your place of Zen.
Nerves
Interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience no matter how many you have done in your career. Given this, it may be helpful to take time to ensure your nerves do not get the best of you before and during your meeting. One way to help these nerves subside is to practice and run through potential questions in advance of your meeting, as well as notes you have taken about the firm. Review your resume and be ready to answer questions regarding your past experiences. Prepare a head of time a list of questions that are specific to the firm. If you are someone who presents physical signs of nerves, find ways to help yourself stay calm, cool and collected during the process.
Presentation
Presentation matters and can impact a first impression. Check with your career services office if you are unsure of the appropriate dress for an interview, or how informal or formal you may need to be for the meeting. If you are still unsure, a helpful tip to keep in mind is that it is always best to err on the side of being overdressed rather than under. Many firms have a business casual dress code, but they expect the candidates to wear suits; so double-checking this information when in doubt will help you avoid any uncomfortable moments.
Specificity
Many standout candidates share something memorable during their interview. They are often prepared with declarative statements about themselves and well-thought-out questions that tie back to the firm. This can be helpful to an interviewer who is meeting multiple candidates in one day. Whether the memorable nugget comes from a set of prepared questions, or an insight regarding the firm or office-specific functions, do your best to create a positive standout moment during your interview.
The law firm interview process can be daunting, but keeping these tips in mind can help put your mind at ease and result in a positive outcome. We wish you the best of luck this interview season!