Interviewing

- Know your resume. Every single word on your resume is fair game for the interviewer. Go over your resume line by line and make sure you are ready to answer questions about each item.
- Research the employer’s practice and the work of attorneys you will meet by reviewing websites and talking to alumni or students who have previously worked for the employer. You may want to call the employer the day before your interview to request the name(s) of your interviewer(s).
- Make copies of the following documents to bring with you: (1) resume, (2) writing sample, (3) reference list, and (4) transcript. Unofficial grade reports from our registrar’s office are fine unless an employer specifically requests an official transcript, available from the university registrar.
- Consider scheduling a mock interview. During this one-hour practice interview, a career counselor will play the role of interviewer for the first half of the hour; in the second half, the counselor will provide you feedback on your performance.
- Review our and speak to a counselor if you have questions or concerns about how to answer them.
- Make a good impression by dressing appropriately and professionally. Carry your documents in a neat-looking portfolio.
- Know where the interview is and sure to leave plenty of time to deal with transportation delays, parking issues, building security, etc.
- Be prepared to “carry” the interview. Most people who interview you are in the law business, not human resources. There will be a wide variety in the abilities of your interviewers. Have questions prepared to keep the conversation going.
- Some interviewers like to do all the talking; try not to interrupt too often. Ironically, many interviewers will have a positive feeling about an interview in which they did a lot of the talking.
- Focus on the positive. Don’t gloss over the possible negatives, but don’t spend valuable interview time making excuses. Practice answering the hardest questions beforehand through a mock interview or role playing with a friend.
- Be Honest. Your word is one of your greatest assets. When in doubt, tell the truth.

Sample Questions

Questions interviewers may ask you:

Why are you interviewing with us?
What have you read about us?
Why did you go to Law School?
What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?
Tell me about yourself.
Where else are you interviewing?
How do you work under pressure?
What changes would you make in your law school curriculum?
What accomplishments in your life have given you most satisfaction?
Do you have a geographical preference?
What do you see yourself doing in five years?
How would you describe yourself?
Tell us what you did last summer.
Why didn’t you get an offer from your employer last summer?
What are your outside interests?
What courses did you like best?
Why should we hire you?
How do you feel about research? Writing? Client contact?
Are your grades a good indication of your academic achievement?
Favorite books/movies/ hobbies?
Do you have any questions?

Questions you may ask the interviewer:

When you are asked if you have any questions you have the perfect opportunity to get the information you need to evaluate whether you want to work for a particular employer.

Remember to do enough research before the interview to guarantee that you won’t ask a question whose answer can easily be found on the employer’s website or in other research resources.

What kind of training program do you have?
How is performance evaluated?
Is there a formal mentoring program or do mentoring relationships occur informally?
What might my first week or two of employment be like here?
What are typical assignments for summer or new attorneys?
Tell me about your practice. What do you do on a typical day? What did you do yesterday?
What is the most interesting matter you are working on now?
What is it that attracted you to this employer and/or what keeps you here?
Where do you see the agency/firm/department in 5 years?
In your mind, what makes this employer stand out from its competitors?
Can you recommend anything I could do/read before the start of the summer to help prepare for the work that awaits me here?
What do you know now that you wish you’d know when you were interviewing during law school?

You got the interview, what next?

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