It already takes a lot of time and hard work to get through a law school. Long and grueling study sessions make it even more difficult. I bet there would be days where only one thought crossed your mind, i.e., “What am I doing with my life?” But your “can’t stop, won’t stop” attitude helped you keep going. 

But, alas, the wait is still not over. Graduation is just a start. And you need to get into the right firm to set the right foundation for your career. To better your chances of getting hired by your dream company, being “interview ready” is what you need. 

But how to get started? Well! The following insights will help you ace your interview. 

Research is The Key

Lawyers are good researchers. After all, you spend hours researching and scrutinizing information. Ideally, experts advise researching the background of the company or the person who’ll be speaking to. You can find them on LinkedIn or carry out a Google search to find some commonalities. Note down the important facts, awards, accolades. 

Bringing that during the interview will show them your research capabilities. And that you are interested in working with them. Remember, having a good understanding of the firm will give a good head start to quickly gel in with the culture and work environment. 

First Impression Matters 

It goes without saying that an attorney’s core job is to represent the clients. Doing the same in your interview will give you a powerful first impression. A polished and presentable look will heighten your chances of being well received by the interviewers. 

Thankfully, over the years, formal wear has progressed a lot. According to a journal, lawyers are the most conservative dressers. Although there hasn’t been a sea change in traditional wear, a lot has changed with respect to comfort and style. 

Ask Questions

If you are not curious or thorough, you might be missing out on an important part of being a lawyer. Let your curiosity help you naturally shine during your interview. But avoid asking any questions that reflect your personal agenda. For instance, if there is legal hiring in Dallas, queries like money, vacation time, billable hours would seem unprofessional initially. 

Think about the big picture and ask questions about the firm’s objectives and goals. And how you can contribute to making it possible. Promoting a positive impact on the interviewer will help you avoid any negative sentiment. 

Superficiality Won’t Take You Anywhere

If you aren’t genuine, it would be like the “nail in the coffin.” So, never ever lie in your interviews. Also, if you don’t know something, instead of hovering over it, it’s better to say, “you don’t know.” Stay professional and yet genuine and represent yourself the way your client would expect to represent them. Don’t let your guard down if you are about to appear for a virtual interview. 

In The End, 

Lawyers have an in-built quality to build relationships. Show the same interest and passion when meeting your interviewers. Characteristics like fully engaging in the conversation, showing up on time, and being courteous will help you ace the interview. 

Remember, whether you are starting or you’re an experienced lawyer, having strong interview skills will help you make the right moves in your career.