ACING THE INTERVIEW

The interview is your chance to shine and show the employer why they absolutely need to hire you. Your mission is to uncover their pain points and demonstrate how your skills and experience are the perfect remedy. Remember, making it to the interview means you're a top candidate. Preparation gives you a 41% higher chance of landing the job. You've got this.

Before the Interview: Be Prepared to Impress

1 DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

Review the company's website for clues about its culture and needs. Research your interviewers to find common ground—shared interests or backgrounds can help you connect. While skills and experience are key, being likable and relatable gives you an edge. Preparation is your secret weapon.

2 KNOW YOUR RESUME COLD.

Be ready to discuss anything on it, from that law review article to your 1L internship. Drawing a blank will raise red flags. Refresh your memory the night before.

3 ALIGN YOUR STRENGTHS WITH THEIR NEEDS.

Identify specific examples demonstrating relevant skills. Brush up on any weak areas in your knowledge. Show enthusiasm for learning. Anticipate objections and prepare to overcome them.

4 PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.

Whether it's a mock interview with friends or talking to yourself in the mirror, find a way to rehearse that works for you. Focus on overall themes vs. memorizing specifics - you want to come across as genuine, not robotic.

During the Interview: Make a Connection

Arrive 5-10 min early with copies of your resume in hand. Be courteous to everyone — your interview starts the minute you walk in. Look for ways to build rapport before getting down to business.

Maintain confident, engaged body language. Avoid nervous tics that distract from your words. Treat each interviewer as if they're the first to ask a given question.

Ask thoughtful, open-ended questions to make it a two-way dialogue. Uncover their needs and reiterate how you can help. At the end, summarize key points and express strong interest in the role.

Wrap-Up:

At the end of the interview, summarize your understanding of their need and reiterate your interest by highlighting three ways your experience and goals align with theirs.

After: Seal the Deal

Send a flawless thank you note. Confirm spelling, grammar, and the appropriate format (email vs. handwritten). You've come this far - don't let a sloppy detail cost you the offer.

Prepare for Common Questions:

1. "Tell me about yourself."

Give highlights, not your life story. Touch on your background, law school experience, and career path. Express enthusiasm for the role and learning more.

2. "Describe a recent project you enjoyed."

Choose an example demonstrating skills relevant to the job. Explain the challenge, your role, actions taken, and results achieved. Protect confidentiality.

3. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"

Show you plan to grow with the firm, taking on more responsibility over time. Convey commitment to the team's success.

4. "Why are you leaving your current job?"

Focus on the positives - what you've learned and why this opportunity is a better fit. If pressed, explain how the firm dynamic has changed.

5. "Why are you interested in us?"

Do your research to give a specific, tailored answer. Focus on what you can contribute, not just what appeals to you.

6. "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"

For strengths, emphasize skills that fit the role - ability to handle urgent matters, multitasking, initiative, teamwork, etc. For weaknesses, choose something irrelevant or already improved upon.

7. "Tell me about a mistake you made and what you learned."

Give an example, then emphasize the lesson learned and how you've applied it since. What you learned is more important than the specific mistake.

Ask Great Questions