Preparing For The Interview
Preparation is key to any successful interview. You may be charming, funny, bright and ideally suited to the job but if you haven't done your research you won't impress anyone.
Most interviews last around one hour. There may be a panel of interviewers but more often if it is the first interview there will be one or two interviewers present.
Location & Personnel
Ensure that you are aware of exactly where the interview is. Print off a map from the internet and check travelling time. Allow a 10 minute margin for error. If you are early you can always ask the receptionist to announce your arrival later. Many receptions of law firms nowadays have a file available with cuttings from the local and national press about them. Ideally you should allow time to read this. Make friends with the Receptionist. Ask her how long she has been at the firm and how she finds it. It is not unusual for the Partners to ask her before or after the interview what she thought of you.
Check the job title and the full names of the interviewers before the meeting. If neither are likely to be your main point of contact find out who is and familiarise yourself with their profile also.
Research
Web Sites
Read the firm's own web site details analysing the type of work they do and the type of clients they deal with. Many have archived documents and articles you can read through which will give you lots of background information.
Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners web sites will tell you about specialist areas of law, recommended individuals at the firm and the percentage split of work across the practice. You can also read about their competitors and recent updates.
Trade Press
The Lawyer, Legal Week, the Law Society Gazette and their respective web sites publish current information about firms so they are all worth checking the week before the interview. Also read any business related journals.
Employees
Speak to anyone you know who currently works there if possible.
Appearance
This may be the only chance you get to make the best impression. Take extra care to look your best, wear your smartest suit and polish your shoes. Carry any bags or files in your left hand so that your right hand is free to give a firm handshake.
CV
Be sure to read your CV before the meeting and even take a copy with you. Be prepared to answer any questions on anything that may be an obvious target. Ensure you are fully conversant with any particular areas of law you have shown a knowledge of on the CV. Use your interests and hobbies section to develop the rapport when asked questions about them.
Typical Questions asked at Interview
The questions will often be deliberately open. This ensures that you do not answer just yes or no.
- What are your reasons for wanting to leave? (Do not overly criticise).
- Why are you looking to join us?
- How much do you know about us?
- Where does your initial interest in law stem from?
- What do you enjoy about your current role? What do you not enjoy?
- What sort of culture do you fit into best?
- What successes have you enjoyed in your current role? How did you achieve these?
- What sort of supervisory/mentoring/management experience do you have?
- How would your boss/team describe you?
- What do you want to achieve over the next 2/3/5 years?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- How good are you at:
- Time recording
- Dealing with targets
- Prioritising
- Delegating
- Marketing/Business Development
- How regularly do you use Counsel? How do you instruct them? Who do you regularly instruct?
- What difficulties have you encountered in your jobs in the law and how have you overcome them?
- Give examples of trials/deals you have been involved in.
- What do you currently bill in fees/what is your billing track record? What is your charge out rate?
- What contacts have you introduced to the firm? Do you have a following?
- What do you like to do outside of work?
- What is your ideal job?
- Where did you go for your last holiday?
- What was the last book you read?
- How IT literate are you?
Always support answers with relevant examples
Typical Questions To Ask At Interview
- How has this opportunity become available?
- What is the structure of the organisation/department?
- What is the culture of the organisation? Team spirited? Is there an open door policy?
- How much training, support and development opportunity will there be?
- What are the future plans of the business/department?
- Who do you regard as your main competitors?
- What types of individuals are in the department currently?
- How do you appraise the performance of your staff?
- What are the long term prospects for the person who gets the job?
- Ask the interviewer about them, who they worked for before and how long they have worked in their current role. This can develop the rapport and allow you to gather your thoughts.
- What IT systems do you have in place currently?
- How many files on average will you be expected to handle?
- How much business development will you be expected to be involved in?
- Does the organisation encourage marketing, development of client relations?
- Will you have responsibility for any junior members of the team?
- How many chargeable hours are staff expected to bill per month?
- What is the ratio of support staff to fee earner?
- Is the office open plan or cellular?
- Who would you report directly to?
Do Not
- Fidget, yawn or look bored.
- Give rambling answers avoiding the question.
- Reply with just a yes or no.
- Mention any concerns or reservations at this stage - what may seem an issue right now rarely will be at a later stage.
Show off your knowledge of the firm and your enthusiasm. Appear relaxed but always professional. Maintain eye contact with all interviewers not just one.
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