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CV & interview advice

It is essential that you present yourself in the best light possible and we can help you with drafting the perfect CV and preparing for the interview. Most of the time you will be in a competitive process so you need to ensure you have done all your preparation so you can sell yourself and your skills and knowledge.

Preparing your CV

The CV will form the basis of any interview. Please see the CV precedent at www.bcllegal.com for guidance. You will need to set out your CV in a concise structure and ensure it is relevant to the position for which you are applying. Detail the experience you have had during all your seats in bullet point format and spend more time describing the work you did whilst in the discipline into which you wish to qualify. Ensure that you are very familiar with the cases and transactions that you list in your CV as any interviewer is likely to focus on these points. Do not over exaggerate as you may, to your embarrassment, be caught out.

If you have assisted on a £multi million completion whilst in the corporate seat for a blue chip company tell them. Do not worry if the CV runs over more than two pages, although it is important not to waffle - be punchy and factual. Highlight any involvement in business development and marketing you have had and always add a paragraph about your interests outside of work.

The interview

Consultants at BCL Legal are trained to advise you on how to best present yourself at interview so please ask if you would like to practice. Most interviews last around one hour. There may be a panel of interviewers but more often, especially in first interviews, there will be one or two members of staff present.

Most of all, be yourself and enjoy the meeting. An interview is an exercise in establishing common ground. Treat the interview as a two way process and have relevant questions prepared. Not only will this reassure the firm that you have thought about the process but it will also allow you to gain in-depth information to assist your decision about whether the firm is for you.

Where and when?

Print a map and take it with you. Take the telephone number of your consultancy and the firm in case you get lost. Allow a fifteen minute margin for error and to befriend the reception staff.

You

It sounds obvious but always ensure you make a good impression. Take extra care to look your best, wear your smartest suit and polish your shoes (even if you are attending an interview on a dress down Friday). Carry any bags or files in your left hand so that your right hand is free to give a firm handshake. Ensure you maintain eye contact with all the interviewers and show your enthusiasm for the role and what you know about the business.

CV

Remember that your CV will form the basis of any interview and discussion with your potential employer. Do include and even emphasise areas you feel comfortable talking about. This way you can often predict the questions you will be asked at interview. Read your CV before the meeting and even take a copy with you. If you can, use the interests and hobbies section, to develop a rapport with your interviewer.

Do your homework

Web sites:

Read the firm's own web site, be aware of the type of work they do and the type of clients they deal with. Many firms have archived documents and articles which you can read and which will give you lots of background information. Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners will tell you about specialist areas of law, recommended individuals at the firm and the percentage split of work across the practice.

Trade press:

The Lawyer, Legal Week, the Law Society Gazette and their web sites publish current information about firms, so they are all worth checking at least the week before and especially the week of the interview.

Ask your consultant:

Your consultant should be able to tell you more about the firm's culture, their interview style, if there are likely to be any written or verbal tests as part of the interview process etc. At BCL Legal we also store press releases that are relevant to each firm which will also be worth reading before the interview.

Due diligence:

Ask your friends and colleagues if they know anyone who works at the firm you are interviewing at so you can ask them some questions beforehand.

What makes us different is WHO we know…