Finally, some employers conduct “structured interviews,” often with the goal of minimizing the impact of biases implicit in hiring. In a structured interview, each candidate is asked the same questions, and the answers are written and compared later. Interviews are highly scripted and questions are generic; Some interviewers in these situations may not even have seen the candidate`s resume or been ordered not to respond to the candidate`s answers. Such interviews can sometimes seem disturbing, but you shouldn`t take the missing answer personally. In this article, we`ll share examples of questions and answers that hiring partners can ask during interviews with law firms, and explore some interview tips. At the end of the interview, it is important that you ask questions. This shows not only that you have been prepared and listened to your interviewer carefully, but also that you are seriously interested in the company. For more information on this, check out our top 12 best interview questions at the end of the article. Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive – your interviewers can theoretically ask you anything, but these are very common questions. Your resume (or contact) may have brought you the interview, but the real challenge now begins.
About 10% to 20% of the interview focuses on confirming your CV and making sure you know what you`re talking about from a “technical” perspective. The remaining 80% to 90% is determining whether you are suitable for the position or culture (translation: Knowing if you have butt pain that you can work with every day). Caution: Don`t spend too much time talking about your classmates. You can mention it briefly. The interview is about YOU, not your smart classmates. Keep in mind that your interviews will be very talkative and your interviewers will be able to intervene with questions during your answers. Don`t plan to give away your entire game. Do with the flow of the conversation. Asking questions is also a big part of interviews with law firms.
We wrote another article here about formulating the right questions. Your interviewer will ask you a series of frequently asked questions to assess whether you are a competent candidate and whether you are a good candidate for their company. Research in advance about the company you are interviewing with. It`s a must that they believe not only that you actually heard of them (or that you took the initiative to learn more about them), but that they were your first choice for a job. There are many online resources for education (Glassdoor.com, LinkedIn, Matindale-Hubble, and articles written for legal journals, as well as, of course, organic pages for partners or staff you meet.) The law firm`s hiring partners can ask you questions about ongoing court decisions to make sure you have up-to-date knowledge in your field. Be prepared to discuss this and your thoughts, as it will show your potential new employer that you take your career seriously. You need to know this like the back of your hand and sell your story convincingly to your interviewer. Your answer will set the tone for the rest of your interview.
Download the new Vault Law app to prepare for your next law firm interview! Follow @VaultLaw on Instagram and Twitter! These examples may not require the same type of study as advice on case interviews or funding for “guessing problems,” but don`t underestimate the need to carefully prepare for interviews with law firms. For interview questions about companies, visit the “Vault Verdict” tab of this company`s profile. The interviewer will likely look for your skills in several specific skills or abilities – these can be “time management”,” “negotiation”, “calm under pressure”, etc. One of my classmates who received this question responded by expressing the outcome of a recent case in her constitutional law class. Your interviewer was already aware of the case, but my classmate still left with an offer from the company. These questions will help a hiring partner get to know you better by understanding your passions, interests, and how to fit into the company culture: this is where you should have your personal story ready. This should be a short 1-2 minute summary (but no more than 2 minutes!) of what you did before law school, how that path led you to law school, and why you want to become a lawyer in your interviewer`s law firm. Most public defense firms have a multi-step hiring process, usually an initial selection interview, followed by an interview with a panel of lawyers. Some offices will also conduct a third interview with the final decision-maker or public defender. Public defenders use hypothetical questions to test a claimant`s loyalty to a client.