How to succeed in interviews

We know first-hand how daunting job interviews can be, so we thought we would share our top tips for suceeding in interviews. With these tips, you will be more prepared and likley to land the job you are applying for.

• Do your research– make sure you have done your due diligence and you know all about the firm you are applying for, for example what they specialise in, who their clients are, recent cases they have won, any awards they have won, who works there (management/senior team) and any recent articles on the firm too.
• Make sure you understand the job spec– This is essential. You need to know exactly what the firm is looking for. What experience and skills do they want you to have, what qualifications are essential for the role and what is it that they expect from you (daily tasks and working hours). You will be asked questions in the interview stages to see whether you fit the job spec and criteria for what they are looking for in a new hire.
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer– The best candidates are the ones who ask questions about the firm and the role they are applying for. Questions could be along the lines of; what is the progression like in this firm, do you have a mentorship scheme, are there opportunities to attend training days or obtain further qualifications, does the firm allow junior lawyers/trainees to speak to clients and have client-contact.
• Research the interviewer– If this information has been made available to you, make sure you do a LinkedIn search or a google search to findout as much as you can about the person who will be interviewing you. A good start would be to check out their profile on the law firm or campany website.
• Listen and don’t talk too much – Make sure you are not only talking but you are listening to what the interviewer is telling you about the role and the company. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard and understood what was said. An interview is a dialouge and not a monologue. Make sure you allow the interviewer to interject while you are speaking about your qualifications and experience.
• Dress appropriately– First impressions are everything. Make sure you are dressed well for the interview as this also plays a part in how you are percieved by the interviewer.
• Use appropriate language– Make sure you are using professional language throughout the interview.
• Practice good non-verbal communication-its all about demontrating confidence: sitting upright, making eye contact and if in-person, giving a firm handshake. This can be a great beginning in an interview.

We hope this helps you as you prepare for your upcoming interviews.

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