Before the interview
Read up about your target firm. Trawl its website. Call the firm's marketing or press department for the latest news and media pack.
Read your own CV. You adjusted it for this interview, so be thoroughly apprised of it.
Prepare some questions and answers. Consider questions you might be asked. Practice your responses. Don't expect to use them all, or any of them, but having some prepared will automatically give you a confidence boost. Prepare a career synopsis in case you asked the old chestnut 'tell us something about yourself'.
Find out how many interviews there might be, if you will have to take a psychometric test, and most importantly who will be conducting the interviews. If a partner is interviewing you, research their work.
Dressing up
For legal jobs you should probably reach straight for your best suit. It's definitely best not to reveal flesh. Facial hair is not taboo anymore, but if you can be clean-shaven, be so. This might sound like very hard advice to follow, but try not to smoke immediately before going into an interview - non-smoking interviewees will smell you from across the room. If you have any doubt about your outfit, choose the conservative option.
We asked Tom Mahon, Saville Row tailor and blogger at EnglishCut.com, to give some advice on what you should wear to your legal interview:
"Remember the obvious: a good suit, no matter what it cost you, will say all the wrong things if it's unpressed and not clean. The same goes for shirts, blouses and ties etc. Whatever you do, Have Clean Shoes. Most men notice and all women do.
"Try to choose clothing that has something personal about you, perhaps something with a slightly different stripe or weave than the usual pin or chalk stripe, or a blouse in lilac or something else that matches you. White is fine, but try to make a subtle statement. In essence, don't look like you've tried too hard. Make your style look effortless."
Getting there
Look up where the interview will be and check it. Allow yourself plenty of time to get there. If you're going to be late, call the firm and let them know. Make sure you speak to someone as close as possible to the people giving your interview. Don't email about being late.
Try to arrive 10-15 minutes early. This will give you relaxation time as well a few minutes to check out what the firm is like.
The Interview Itself
You've got the interview, which means the firm thinks you are potentially worth employing. Be confident, but be careful - now you have to confirm their thoughts. Try to walk in and sit down at a pace you would any other room - no faster, no slower. When it comes to shaking hands, ‘firm but friendly’ is the best way. Don't overdo it.
Make sure you address everyone in the room at some point if you are in a panel interview. Don’t forget to smile, and if you feel you are panicking, concentrate on taking deeper breaths. Sit up straight, as this makes you look attentive and keen. Avoid crossing your arms or legs (this is defensive), and watch for signs that the interviewer is feeling defensive or put out too.
Try to be clear and concise, friendly but professional. If you get doubts about the role or the company, don't let them interfere in the interview – you can think about them later, unless they appear very important. Always be positive about how interested you are in the job.
You are certain to be asked at least one potentially difficult question. Standard ones are:
“What are your weaknesses?”
Think of some 'positive' weaknesses – maybe you sometimes work too hard, for example.
“What's the biggest work mistake you've made?”
Everyone makes mistakes - just make sure you say how you dealt with it in a positive way and what you learned.
“How do you deal with difficult colleagues/staff?”
This is about finding out that you can see things from someone else’s perspective.
Questions normally asked by candidates include: "What are my chargeable hours targets?" and "Are there flexible working arrangements?", especially if you have children.
Top interview tips:
Be nice to everyone you meet at the firm on the day. Anyone could ruin it for you.
You've done research, so make sure you use it!
Try to let interviewers finish their sentences, even if you're dying to speak.
Following up
Take stock of your overall interview performance, and learn from the experience. If you think it is appropriate, email the main interviewer to say thank you for seeing you. But don't push for a response too soon.
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