Know your strengths. Remember, you’re not the only one that wants this job. But you’ve got the strengths to make you a top candidate. What achievements or skills are you most proud of that helped you in your career? Has it been negotiating terms of an agreement? Taking or defending depositions? Keep these in your back pocket and insert them throughout your interview when appropriate.
Know your weaknesses. Now that we have your strengths highlighted – we also need to find any concerning “red flags” in your resume. Maybe it’s your GPA in law school, gaps in your resume, a short duration at a previous position. Whatever it may be, your hiring manager will be sure to question you about it. Don’t beat around the bush and be prepared to confront your weaknesses. Practicing your explanations out loud is critical – and will make responding to those uncomfortable questions much easier.
Know the role you’re applying for – inside and out. Do your due diligence and research as much as possible about this firm and the role, so you not only feel prepared but can converse with the hiring manager as smoothly as possible. You need to feel confident in the area of expertise the job description is seeking. Also, do some research on the interviewer. You can ask about their practice, specific cases, and opportunities for development. You want to give them an opportunity to talk about their work and their time at the firm. Keep in mind that not only will your skills be screened, but your personality as well. Regardless of how many rounds of interviewing you may go through for this role – it is very likely they will be checking to see if you will be a good fit for the company overall. So be well-read about the firm and have plenty of engaging questions to ask.
Avoid talking about compensation. As tempting as it may be, please do not ask about compensation during your interview. This is your time to show genuine interest and enthusiasm about the role. It is your recruiter or head-hunter’s responsibility to provide you with insight on salary and benefits.
Prep in advance. Don’t prepare for your interview the night before! Often we procrastinate and use our day-to-day responsibilities to put off practicing for an interview. Remember – practice makes perfect. And you owe it to yourself to put your best foot forward when you make that first impression. Print out several copies of your resume and prepare an outfit that makes you feel both professional and confident. Practice driving to the firm so you can get familiarized with the route. And on the day of the interview, give yourself extra time to get there in case of any unexpected occurrences (rain, roadwork, traffic delays, etc).
Planning is the key to success. With these tips – you should nail that interview and leave feeling confident. Best of luck!