Interview Tips
What To Do
- Gather background information on the company.
- Be early, calm and organized.
- Bring any items that further illustrate your qualifications for the position.
- Dress professionally. A suit for women is also preferable.
- Use a firm handshake. Maintain eye contact.
- Offer enthusiasm about the opportunity.
- Act confident and you will be confident.
- Demonstrate genuine interest in both the people you meet and the position.
- Speak clearly.
- LISTEN! Never cut off the interviewer. Think before you answer.
- Interject information you have about the company into your answers.
- Be prepared with a list of questions to ask the interviewer.
- Use nonverbal communication and good body posture to express yourself.
- SELL YOURSELF! Ask, “What is the next step?”
- Send a follow-up (thank you) immediately after the interview, both email and hand written on good stationary to each person you met.
What Not To Do
- Not Doing Your Research – You might have the skills to do the job, but do you know the how the company operates? Check the ‘About Us’ link on the company website and read their mission statement. Find out who the competition and major players in the market are.
- Turning Up Late – Unless you have a very good excuse and call ahead to rearrange, turning up late for an appointment will not endear you to any employer.
- Dressing Inappropriately – While smart casual might be the current trend, professional attire is still proper business etiquette for interviews. It’s all about first impressions.
- Fidgeting With Unnecessary Props – This can include cell phones, nail files, and chewing gum. They all have one thing in common – they don’t belong at the interview table.
- Poor Body Language – Eye contact, good posture, a cheerful demeanor and a firm handshake will get you a long way in an interview.
- Unclear Answering and Rambling – Take time to think before you answer questions and avoid bumbling to an uncomfortable halt; it doesn’t inspire confidence. Also, don’t mumble; the interviewer doesn’t want to have to ask you to repeat an answer or have to strain to hear every word you’re saying.
- Speaking Negatively About Your Current Employer – Never complain about your current employer, no matter how despotic or ineffectual they are. Badmouthing won’t reflect well on you.
- Not Asking Questions – Employers want to see you’re interested enough to hear more about the post or company and will look kindly on any well-placed questions.
- Lying on Your Résumé – Anything written on your résumé could be discussed at an interview and a fabrication about your work or education record could damage your reputation in the long run.
- Getting Personal or Too Familiar – Avoid giving sob stories about how much you need the job due to the mountain of debt you’ve accrued. Also, don’t behave in a conceited or over-familiar manner; it never makes a good impression.
- Not Bringing Along Additional Resumes – If you’re unsure how many people will be interviewing you, bring along surplus copies of your résumé to hand out. It will show that you’re highly prepared.
- Sitting Down Before Invited – It’s common courtesy to wait until you’re shown a seat to sit down. Also, avoid slouching or putting your feet anywhere but firmly on the ground.
- Discussing Money or Time Off – Unless an offer is put on the table, it’s not recommended that you discuss money or future working and vacation arrangements.
- Cursing – Using foul and inappropriate language is generally not acceptable at any time in the workplace, so it is an especially bad idea in an interview.
- Not Following Up – You might not think you’ve performed well in an interview, but a simple email reiterating your interest is a courtesy that might just pay off in the long run. Want to know what you should be doing in an interview to be remembered? These tips for making a lasting impression will help ensure your interview goes well.
What You Need
- Copies of your current resume.
- List of References (3 to 4 including a boss or bosses, a professional
colleague who knows your work, and a person who has reported to you). - Copies of Certificates, Awards.
Questions To Ask
10 Interview Questions You Can Ask the Interviewer
Below are some of the most typical questions that candidates usually ask after interviews, followed by how you can spice them up to get yourself more useful responses:
- Original Thought: What do you think are the most important traits in an associate?
Ask Instead: What trait did you possess as a new associate that you think really worked well for you at this firm? Why? What qualities make a superstar at this firm?
- Original Thought: How is job performance evaluated?
Ask Instead: How often do associates have the chance to review their work with their supervisors. Is there anything you would recommend for a new hire to make sure they’re getting regular feedback from their assigning attorney?
- Original Thought: What do you like best about working with this firm? Why did you choose it?
Ask Instead: Can you think of one moment toward the start of your career with the firm that made you think, “Okay, I’ve really done a good job.” What was the project you were working on? Why did you like it? What was it that you did well?
- Original Thought: Are you in close contact with clients? How long did you work at the firm before you were?
Ask Instead: Have you ever met with clients in person, or do you mostly talk to them on the phone or via email? Are new associates encouraged to interact with clients, or if not, how long does it take before they can start getting client contact?
- Original Thought:Did you always practice in your current specialty? If not, why did you change?
Ask Instead: What do you like about your current practice area? Is there anything about working in this area that you wish was different?
- Original Thought: What has surprised you about this job?
Ask Instead: When you first started with the firm, what is something you remember that caused you to re-evaluate your ideas or work style or mentality. Was there anything you used to do or think that you don’t anymore? What changed?
- Original Thought:If you could change anything about your job, what would it be?
Ask Instead: Every job has pros and cons. Is there anything in your daily work routine that you wish didn’t happen? Anything you would change if you could?
- Original Thought: What do you wish you would have asked when you interviewed?
Ask Instead: What do you think was the best question you asked when you interviewed with the firm? Or, alternatively, was there anything you didn’t ask that you wish you had?
- Original Thought: Where do you see the firm in five years?
Ask Instead: What are your work goals for the next year? What is something you haven’t had the opportunity to do yet that you really want to try before this year is up?
- Original Thought: Will I be notified of a decision either way?
Ask Instead: When can I expect to hear about a decision?