Facing the Interview
The early months of the year can be a stressful time –
application deadlines in January, followed by assessment centres and
interviews. If you’ve managed to get an interview at a law firm, here is some
advice to help you succeed.
Do your research
Graduate recruiters are looking for candidates who know the
facts, so make sure you know everything you can about the firm. Focus
especially on their main practice areas and read about their latest
achievements. If you want to get that vacation scheme or training contract, try to understand the firm’s core values,
and consider ways that you have demonstrated those values.
Know your application
Your application is the first impression the firm have of
you, so be ready to answer some questions about it. Read through it a number of times before your
interview, and make sure you can validate anything you have said. If you’ve
said you do a lot of pro bono work, make sure you can talk about this in
detail. Think about how the things you have done have strengthened your
position as applicant.
Look for improvement
Look for the weaknesses in your application – if you can
spot them, the recruiters will too. Use the time you have to work on those and
improve yourself as an applicant. If you don’t think you have shown enough
leadership, perhaps take a more active role in a society or group you are part
of. That way, when you are asked about your leadership abilities, you can show
how you have been proactive.
Practice makes
perfect
One of the best ways to prepare for an interview is by
practising. Ask a careers adviser to give you a mock interview so that you can
become accustomed to the interview situation. Think about questions you might find
difficult, and focus on those. Use an adviser’s feedback to prepare responses
for the real interview.
Use your experience
Think about other interviews you might have had. Maybe
you’ve been interviewed for an LPC course or the LLB. Or you might have applied
for various graduate
jobs – all of this is useful experience which you can draw upon. Consider
what your strengths and weaknesses were in previous interviews and build upon
these.
Know your aims
Why are you doing this? Recruiters will want to know why you
want to be a lawyer, and why you feel you have the abilities to succeed. Spend
some time thinking about what attracted you to law in the first place, and what
drives you now. Showing passion for the role will really help you stand out.
Be confident
You have the ability to answer the questions, so make sure
you do! Confidence can be infectious; if you believe you will succeed, that
will come across at interview. Don’t be afraid to take a moment to form your
answers, before delivering them in a clear and precise manner. Good luck!
