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You’re Hired! Job Hunting Advice For Law Students and Young Lawyers
Your Interview
Your interview is your opportunity to shine. If a firm grants you an interview, it is interested in you. Don’t forget or overlook that. Attorney time is precious and a firm wouldn’t invite you in for an interview unless they were serious about you as a candidate. So when preparing for an interview, and when getting your nerves and fears in check, keep in mind that the reason you are stepping off the elevator into the lobby and informing the receptionist you’re there for an interview is because the firm is interested in you. They’re not taking pity on you. They’re not doing you a favor. They’re not killing time. They are interested in you. Don’t forget that and use that to fuel your confidence, which is crucial to have a positive and effective interview.
Common Mistakes
I’ve interviewed a lot of candidates. Here are some common mistakes I’ve observed:
SECTION 09 YOUR INTERVIEW
◗ Arriving late.
◗ Not having studied the firm’s website and
the attorney bios.
◗ Not knowing the firm’s mission, vision and values and not knowing how the candidate can help achieve the firm’s mission and vision and how she lives according to the firm’s values.
◗ Being overly nervous or overly confident. Be confident, but not egotistical.
◗ Having weak body language – not offering a firm handshake, not making and maintain eye contact, not walking with your head up and shoulders back, slouching, keeping your arms crossed, mumbling, not projecting your voice, etc.
◗ Not following up with a thank you e-mail or handwritten note. The latter is preferable. It’s more memorable and more effective.
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