CHARTING A COURSE FOR SUCCESS : INTERVIEWING

An interview is your opportunity to communicate to a prospective employer why you are uniquely qualified for the position. It is important to remember that both the interviewer and the interviewee are trying to determine a "good fit."

In order for an interview to be successful, you must convince the interviewer that your qualifications and personality are well suited to the demands of the position and the organization. To bolster your confidence we recommend that you perform research and self-assessment.

It is critical to consider the following:

• Your skills, interests, values, and personality
• The firm or agency's culture and areas of specialization
• Your career goals

Once you have a solid foundation in these areas and can effectively communicate how they are consistent, you will be better prepared to answer the questions that may be posed to you in an interview.

Keep in mind that interviews can be energizing. Remember to be enthusiastic and persuasive; show the interviewer that you are confident and motivated, and you possess strong interpersonal skills.

Preparation

Perform Research to Determine Why You are a Good Fit

Two common complaints made by interviewers are:

1. Interviewees have not researched the company/firm.
2. Interviewees cannot effectively communicate how they fit into the position.

In order to market yourself effectively, you need to do a thorough assessment of the organization and then determine how your experience and skills can complement and enhance that organization.  Consider the following:

Firm/Agency information: Who are the clients? How many employees? What is the service? What is the general career path? What is the culture? What is unique about the firm/agency? What are the salary ranges? What is the agency's history?

Where to find firm/agency information:

• Organization's website
• Westlaw
• Lexis
• Career Development-directories and files
• Professional journals (e.g, Lawyers Weekly)
• Suffolk Law School Alumni Career Network
• Martindale Hubbell Law Directories
• Vault.com (available from the CDO website)
• NALP Directory (nalp.org or in the CDO Library)
• Speak with contacts in the field
• Kirstein Library-Business Branch of Boston Public Library
• Students who have worked for the employer

Once you have a good understanding of the organization and the role you will play in this organization, you must identify how your experiences, education, skills and interests fit into this role.

• What direct experience do you bring to the position?
• What skills or interests have you developed that uniquely qualify you for the position?
• How does this position fit into your career development path?
• What personal qualities do you posses that will enable you to be successful in the position?

Understanding how your experiences and interests match the qualifications for the position and the environment of the organization should prepare you for most interview questions.

How to Dress for an Interview

Always dress conservatively. You do not want to give the interviewer a reason to discount you as a prime candidate based on your appearance before you begin a dialogue. Men should wear a conservative suit and tie. Women should also wear a conservative suit (skirt is preferred). Wear a minimum amount of makeup, jewelry and perfume or cologne.  Refer to the Dressing for Success chapter of the Handbook.

What to Bring to an Interview

• Directions/Employer's phone number
• Copies of your resume
• Copies of your list of references
• Copies of your writing sample
• Copies of your law school transcript
• Paper/Pen/Business card (if you have one)
• Questions (not in written form - rely on your memory)
• Positive attitude and lots of energy!

If you have a cellular phone with you, please be sure to turn it off before entering the interviewer's office building.

Types of Interview Questions

In an interview, questions should be used as a springboard to highlight your achievements and skills. Interviewers will often ask broad-based questions. It is your job to answer these questions with clear and concise statements of your accomplishments and specific examples of your achievements to support your statements. It is a good idea to prepare some of these questions in advance. Remember to tie your answers to the qualifications for the position.

Open-Ended Questions

Example: "Tell me about yourself?" or "Why should we hire you?"

When answering an open-ended question start with a broad statement like, "I am a solid candidate for a law clerk because I have strong writing and communication skills. After completing my first year, I was selected as a member of Transnational Law Review."

Technical Questions

Example: "I see from your resume that you have trial experience..."

With these questions, interviewers would like you to expand on specific skills which you possess that are indicated on your resume.

Career Goal Questions

Example: "How does the position fit with your future aspirations?"

Situational/Hypothetical Questions

Example: "What would you do if your client was pushing you to bend the rules of the game and the client is well-liked by one of the senior partners in the firm?" 

In these situations do not jump at the interviewer with a response. Give yourself time to process the question and come up with a logical answer. If you need to hear the hypothetical situation again, ask the interviewer to repeat the question.

Questions You May Be Asked

• Why did you want to go to law school?
• Are you interviewing at the firm where you did summer work?
• Why do you want to work for our firm/agency?
• What area of law are you most interested in? Why?
• Why should we hire you for this position?
• Tell me about yourself. What are your strengths?
• What do you need to work on?
• What is your class rank?
• Why did you choose Suffolk?
• Is your rank/GPA an accurate reflection of your ability?
• What have you done that shows initiative and willingness to work?
• Tell me something about yourself that is not on your resume.
• What are your greatest accomplishments to date?
• Who has exercised the greatest influence on you and why?
• Do you prefer to work with others or alone?
• What kind of work environment are you most comfortable in?
• What skills have you acquired during law school?
• Tell me about a situation when you worked on a team project.
• What was your role on the team? Was the team effective?
• What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
• How do you work under pressure with deadlines?
• Why do you wish to be a lawyer?
• Could you go to court to represent a client in whose case you did not fully believe?
• Describe your ideal job following graduation.
• If you were starting law school again, what would you do differently?
• Which courses did you enjoy least and why?
• Who else are you interviewing with from the city?
• What percentage of your law school expenses did you earn?
• Is there anything I should be aware of about you that we haven't already covered?
• Is it an effort for you to be tolerant of persons with a background and interests different from yours?

Suggested Questions for You to Ask

• What are the firm's goals for the future?
• How is work distributed to the summer/first year associate?
• How would you describe the culture of the firm?
• How are new attorneys/summer associates supervised?
• What do you see as the growth areas of the firm/organization?
• Could you tell me what drew you to this firm and what type of projects you have worked on?

Illegal Questions

Interviewers should not ask you questions related to age, race, marital and family status, religious beliefs, or sexual preference.

If you are asked a question that is discriminatory in nature, we do not recommend that you confront the interviewer on the spot. Rather, ask the interviewer to clarify what type of information they are looking for that is relevant to the position.

Example:

Q: Are you planning to start a family in the near future?
A: I am not clear on how this question relates to my ability to succeed in this position. Could you say a little bit more about what type of information you are looking for?

How to Close an Interview and Follow-up

Reiterate your interest in the position and articulate why you believe you are a "good fit" (remember to cite specific reasons/experience). Inquire about the organization's hiring timetable. Ask for the interviewer's business card and follow up with a thank you note.

Final Thoughts on Interviewing

When you are asked a question which focuses on one of your "weak areas" (e.g., low GPA, lack of experience, etc.), do not get defensive. Acknowledge the situation if it is true and show the employer what positive steps you have taken to improve this area. Turn the negative into a positive.

Bring questions with you to the interview.

Arrive at the interview 10 minutes early.

When you meet the interviewer give a firm handshake and a smile when you introduce yourself.

If a question posed during the interview is unclear, ask the interviewer to say a little more.

Go to the interview with a positive attitude and energy - these go a long way.