Mistakes Applicants Make During Their Interview
If you’re in the middle of a transition in your legal career, you are almost certainly aware of just how important your interview is to the success of your next job application. Different firms prioritize different aspects of their interview process, but generally speaking, interviewers are looking to hire applicants who seem like a good cultural fit at the firm, who perform well under pressure, and who are adaptable, dynamic, and able to “read the room.”
Don’t worry if you are naturally shy. It’s not necessary to make your interviewers roar with laughter, or sit enraptured by one of your stories – focus on being amicable, professional, and confident. Outgoing personalities traditionally do well in the law firm interview process, but it is by no means a requirement.
So, what are some common mistakes that applicants make during their law firm interviews? Below, you’ll find some useful tips for avoiding common mistakes that attorney applicants make during their interviews.
Maintain an Air of Professionalism
It’s important to maintain a professional demeanor at all times during the interview, but try not to let this advice become a matter of excessive, overbroad dogma. Be professional in the ways that matter: dress and groom appropriately for the interview, be polite and treat team members and interviewers at the law firm with the proper respect, and be prepared for your interview as if it were a work project assigned to you.
Law firms value professionalism in the interview process for a number of reasons. First, a well-expressed professional demeanor indicates – to some degree – that you take the position seriously. Second, it proves that you are capable of representing the firm to third parties.
At the same time, it’s important to recognize that exuding professionalism does not require that you be boring. Feel free to let your personality shine through. Tell a joke, when appropriate. Tell an interesting story, when appropriate. Use your professional judgment to determine when is the right time to demonstrate your unique personality.
A casual demeanor is not necessarily a deal-breaker, however. Lifestyle firms and firms with a nontraditional internal culture may prioritize those applicants who are able and willing to “let their hair down” in a professional setting. You should therefore make sure to confirm with your legal recruiter what type of culture predominates at the firm (so that you know how casual or professional you need to be as a baseline).
Written Communications Should Be Thoughtful and Mistake-Free
All written communications (i.e. inquiries, requests, thank you notes, etc.) with your interviewer, with human resources, or even with the firm secretary should be checked to ensure that they effectively communicate your relevant talking points and that they are free of all grammatical and spelling errors. Avoid sending emails to the interviewer using your mobile phone. Instead, wait until you have access to a full keyboard and a computer.
Though it may seem rather obvious to double-check your written communications while job hunting, it’s always worth keeping in mind – especially for those busy periods where you are in a rush to reply to all of your daily emails. Prioritize your job hunting emails so that you have a bit of extra time to scan for mistakes.
Be Ready With Questions For Your Interviewer
Most interviews involve a moment where the interviewer expects you to ask some questions about the firm. Though the implication is that you only ask if you genuinely have a question in mind, the reality is that you will benefit from asking a few carefully-considered questions, even if you already know the answer (for example, from your independent research on the firm). Try to ask specific questions that demonstrate your knowledge of firm culture, the work that the firm does, and the role that you’d be taking on.
Asking questions shows the interviewer that your application to the firm is not just a random shot in the dark for a new attorney job. Thoughtful questions indicate that you made an intentional decision to apply to their specific organization.
Show Interest in the Firm
Though it may seem disingenuous to you, firm interviewers and hiring managers appreciate when you demonstrate a specific interest in their firm. All too often, legal job applicants will mass-send applications to firms they feel they are qualified for (or that they only have a passing interest in). To better impress during your interview, try not to be yet another applicant with a generic interest in working at the interviewer’s firm.
Before you go in for an interview, do some research on the firm first. Ask your legal recruiter for insight into the firm (their internal programs and their noteworthy projects), and try to understand how your own interests align with the natural strengths of the firm. If you can craft a convincing narrative for why you feel that you’re a great fit for a firm, you’ll almost certainly enjoy an advantage vis-à-vis the competition.
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The interview is not to be taken lightly. A well-executed interview can win you the job of your dreams. Avoid the common interview mistakes made by attorney applicants – the rest is up to you.
For guidance on legal hiring – including the interview process – speak with a Los Angeles legal recruiter at Garb Jaffe & Associates. We have extensive experience placing attorneys with law firms located across California, and will advise throughout the recruitment process to ensure that you secure an ideal placement.
Call us today at (310) 207-0727 for a free consultation.