Won't my school's career center tell me everything I need to know about interviewing?
Yes and No. Your career center will inform you how on-campus interviews will work and help you set up interviews. Many even provide mock interviews and offer individual counseling sessions. Each school offers a variety of resources and services, and they should be your first, but not last, stop as you educate yourself on the interviewing process.
As a practical matter, very few schools have the bandwidth to devote serious resources to each individual student's unique situation. For students interested in maximizing their opportunities, students need to develop their own marketing strategy and learn how to subtly manage the interview to leave the intended impression. Students not in the top of their class, in particular, will need to use the interview to persuade skeptical employers that they are the right candidate.
What are the hiring criteria of the large New York firms?
Like most law firms, New York firms hire smart, motivated people eager to work hard. Beyond this, each firm has varying criteria for selecting their associates. Some of this information is available on their websites. Other information requires more research and help from someone familiar with the firm's culture. The more you know about the firm interviewing you, the better you will be able to tailor your message and improve the probability of getting a callback or offer.
I'm only in the middle of my class at a top-10 school, how can I compete with students with better grades?
Fortunately, you're at a top-10 school. Unfortunately, you're competing against students from the same top-10 school with better grades. This doesn't mean you won't be able to get hired by one of the top firms, it just means you need to present a compelling case in your interview as to why they should hire you.
You will need to differentiate yourself based on something other than grades, for example your work experience or volunteer activities. You should learn as much information about the firm as you can find, then use that information to explain why you are the ideal candidate for that firm. This small investment of time will pay off handsomely.
How can I save time preparing for interviews - I already have so much classwork!
Indeed, your time is likely stretched thin - especially if you are a 2L. And grades still matter...a lot. You need to prepare efficiently. You need a concentrated program to develop your personal marketing strategy and perfect your interviewing skills.
You need to know all you can about the firms with which you will be interviewing, including up-to-date information on their clients, practices, culture, business model and even office politics. Armed with this information and some marketing techniques, you will be able to give the interviewer the key information she needs to determine that you're the right candidate.
I'm a 2L and I still can't decide what practice area I want, and all the interviewers are asking me this question!
First, realize that very few students know exactly what area to pursue. You are not alone. The important thing is to find out all the information you can about your options, then use a framework based on your personal style and goals to narrow down your choices.
Speak to people who will be able to counsel you. Consider whether you thrive on the adrenaline rush of a big deal with short deadlines or whether you prefer a more contemplative approach. This information can help you narrow your focus. The important thing in interviews is to speak intelligently about your decision process, demonstrating your analytical mind.
I'm an unhappy junior attorney at a mid-sized firm. What can you do to help me?
Unfortunately, many junior attorneys find themselves disillusioned after the first year or two of practice. Fortunately, it is not too late. The self-assessment and analysis, as well as the marketing-based interviewing techniques I recommend can work for all attorneys.
I never know how to answer the "so tell me about yourself" question. Any suggestions?
This is the best question to get in an interview - if handled correctly. The key to remember is that this question is not what it seems. It is really asking "so tell me why we should hire you".
This question can decide whether you get the callback - or not. Here you have enough rope to swing in the front door, and enough to hang yourself if you're not 100% prepared. It allows you to tell your story, highlight your strengths, and sell yourself - and your personality. In the worst-case scenario, the interviewer is bored by an irrelevant personal history, during which she decides you're not quite right for her firm.
Most people encounter a different problem in interviews, namely how to communicate his or her key points to an interviewer who is more interested in discussing music or an alma mater. While some interviewers use this type of conversation to assess a candidate's ability to "chit chat" - an important skill - other interviewers are just not that skilled at interviewing. So candidates must follow the lead of the interviewer, but also be sure to mention a few key points to differentiate themselves from their competitors. To manage an interview like this without seeming pushy requires knowledge of a few techniques and a bit of practice.
I can't seem to get past the screening interview to the callback stage. What am I doing wrong?
The good news is that you are getting at least some screening interviews, which suggests that your resume is at least adequate. There are a few possibilities that could be happening to you. Most likely, the firms think you don't "fit" with their culture, which is the most common reason given for not calling back a student. Now, it's possible that you aren't a good fit. Or maybe you are, but you weren't able to communicate that fit. This is why is it important to do as much research as possible about firms: so you don't waste your time and so you can tailor your marketing message to maximize your chances of a callback. Another possibility is that your personality may be too abrasive, too quiet, too immature, etc. If this is the case, it is highly probable that no interviewer will give you this type of feedback. To determine if your personality is a major problem, use self-assessment techniques, videotape your mock interviews and ask friends and family for their honest opinions. If you are, for example, a very quiet person, you are not doomed. Just look for practice areas and firms that have cultures that will value your skills and where you will not be lost in and overshadowed by a crowd of boisterous colleagues! It is far better for you and your career to discover this type of information about yourself now, rather than wonder why your new firm doesn't value your contributions.
I'm a 1L and desperately want to work for a big NY firm. What can I do now?
You are wise to start thinking strategically about your career. Your primary goal must be to get the very best grades you can your first year. If your first semester disappointed you, work hard to show an upward trend in your second semester.
Look for clues in your classes - which do you enjoy the most and why? This can help you determine what practice areas will interest you. Also, try to speak with practitioners about their work. If you know, for example, that you want to practice tax, then take all the tax classes you can and take business-focused classes and estate-planning classes to see how tax is used in those areas.
There are, however, numerous other opportunities for you to improve your resume and skills, in addition to your classes and grades. Join a select group of committees and student organizations, and try to take on leadership roles, like organizing a conference. This gives you access to interesting people in the legal field who might be beneficial in a few years' time, and also demonstrates leadership ability, which is highly prized among the large firms.
Also consider what you'd like to do your first summer and how it will help you position yourself for the following summer. Your second-summer job is critical because it will most likely be where you will begin your career after graduation. When interviewing the fall of your second year, firms will like to see that you are focused and proactive.
I am a French LL.M. and not enjoying much success with my interviews. What am I doing wrong and how can I get a job?
For foreign LL.M. students in particular, interviewing can be frustrating. In addition to the usual preparation, LL.M. students need to learn our American business culture and what works here.
Unlike many other countries where one's curriculum vitae may carry more weight, U.S.-based firms use resumes to screen candidates but then look for other qualities. Students need to develop their personal marketing pitch (which is much more than just their resume), demonstrate awareness of American business culture and generally be very proactive about their job search. Realize that the jobs won't come looking for you. This is a very difficult hurdle for some foreign lawyers.
In addition, LL.M. students often don't have the necessary resources available at their schools. Cover letters and resumes (in perfect American English with absolutely no typos) are de rigueur to get you in the door. After that, it's up to you to show off your preparation and sell your skills and personality - a l'americaine.
How do you charge for your services?
Generally, I charge my clients an hourly fee for one-on-one meetings. For serious clients interested in a short-term, intensive program, there are discounts available. For lectures and workshops, I charge a fixed fee based on the number of people and the length of the program. Our goal is to help our clients acheive their goals as efficiently as possible.