7 Interviewing Tips
While there is endless homework involved in beginning a legal career, it’s the job interview where most of the actual hiring decisions get made. For most job seekers, the job interview is an endless source of stress and anxiety. It doesn’t have to be. It all comes down to attitude and strategy. Remember that at its essence a job interview is only a conversation. Consider these 7 interviewing tips to improve the flow of your conversation.
Research the organization you are applying for. Find out all that you can through your personal and professional contacts, read through any available written materials, search the web, and engage any other possible resources.
Practice a self assessment to better prepare yourself to articulate your interest, your contributions, and the highlights of your skills and abilities. Imagine the interview in your head. Prepare yourself by imaging the questions you’ll be asked and the answers you’ll give.
Strategize your interview attire. Dress neat and conservatively, and keep the interviewer in mind with every selection of style. First impressions count now more than ever. Don’t be bold or avant-garde. Save that for when you’ve got the job.
Reassure yourself and relax. Have confidence in your abilities. You made it through law school. You can handle a job interview. Be calm and be yourself. It’s your abilities you are trying to sell, not someone else’s.
Be honest. Tell it straight when it comes to your skills and abilities. This is important for both you and the potential employer. You don’t want to end up promising something you can’t deliver.
Ask targeted questions. Prove you’ve done your homework. Remember all that research you did? Go back on it to discover some intelligent questions. Make them aware that you know as much about them as they likely know about you.
Send a thank-you and make an effort to re-connect. The thank-you note reaffirms your interest and provides any additional information that wasn’t shared during the interview. If you don’t hear from them after a time, phone or write to see where they are in the hiring process. If you are accepted, evaluate your terms before signing the dotted line. If you are rejected, don’t be discouraged. Another interview is around the corner.