Touro CollegeJacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center

Career Services Office

March 3, 2009

The #1 Secret of a Successful Interview

ResearchYour InfomercialThe LookIt’s TimeBasic QuestionsTough QuestionsThe 10 Biggest Mistakes

PREPARATION

Where?

Google/LexisNexis/Westlaw Martindale.com/PSLawNet.orgEmployer’s WebsiteNewspaper SitesFormer EmployersProfessors/Career Services

What?

Size Areas of PracticeBiographies of LawyersTypical Cases Typical ClientsRecent News

The interviewer is not your advocate.

He or she will not pick out the good points in your background.

You have to do it.

MenAvoid black suits.White, light blue, light striped shirts.Clean cut fingernails. No cologne.A nice tie (spend a little bit here).Piercings?

WomenNo evening wear. Keep the cleavage to a

minimum.Pant suits are fine; wear what is comfortable.No big jewelry; no strong perfume.

Night before: Sleep!Get there 5-10 minutes early.Bring extra copies of resume, cover letter,

writing sample, etc., in a portfolio.No book bags or backpacks.Be nice to the receptionist/secretary. Everything you say will be reported back.

Some employers will make decisions about you within the first five minutes of an interview.

People want to work with people they like.Convincing an employer that you are likeable

is ½ the battle; the other half is convincing that you can do the work.

You need to show confidence and what you bring to the table.Eye contactFirm handshakeGreet by name

Stay positive no matter what.Show enthusiasm. Your manner should

suggest, “I know who you are and I want to be a part of you.”

No time for modesty, but don’t be cocky.Assertive, not aggressive.Puffing is fine, lying is not.Stay in your skin; make it real; take possession

of the questions; don’t just go through the motions.

No note taking; no index cards.

Answers should be about what you bring to the table, not how the experience will be good for you.

Be as specific and concrete as you can be.Why do you want to work here?Why did you go to law school?Why did you go to Touro?What do you do with the Touro Real Estate Law

Society or with the SBA?What do you see yourself doing five years from

now?Anything on your resume is fair game.

Tests how you handle yourself under pressure.

The way you answer the question is often more important than the answer itself.The employer is asking him or herself: Do you

have the good judgment to answer the question in a way a lawyer would answer it?

If the employer raises a bad fact, admit the bad fact and move on to something positive that is related.Don’t be defensive.

Tell me about yourself.In other words, tell me something about

yourself that will make me want to hire youUse your infomercialAvoid family histories; don’t go on and on

What are your weaknesses?Pick a weakness with a positive associated with

it: you focus on one aspect of a project; you tend to over research. Don’t say “perfectionist”

What are your strengths?Something(s) the employer will value: “I’m

patient” doesn't cut it.Use specific examples in your experience to

back up your answer: “For example…”Why should we hire you?

Can do and will do answers: use your infomercial; your experience; willingness to work hard; commitment to practice area; interest in building and developing clients

Not, “I’m the best there is”

Why aren’t your grades better?Fess up: “I am disappointed in a few of my

grades, but I always turned the disappointment into a learning experience by talking with my professor about what he or she wanted to see written on the exam. What I am most proud of is how I’ve been able to translate what I have learned in school to the office. For example…

Mention classes you did well in that are related to the employer; great feedback on your writing at work; seminars vs. exam courses; clinical courses.

Stay positive. No dissing a professor.

Describe how you have handled a mistake you have made in the past.

Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.

Discuss an important written document you were required to complete.

Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.

Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.

Behavioral Questions: questions which gauge future performance based upon past behavior

Are you married?Do you have children?Do you observe the Sabbath?

Illegal Questions: questions used to obtain information which could be used to unlawfully discriminate against the applicant

Your Response:

Anger or Constructive Dialogue?

You must have a questionStay away from purely factual questions, “what’s

in it for me” questions, and things you should knowSalary, benefits, hours, training, size of employer

Stick with experiential questionsWhat do you like about working here? (Not what do

you like least)What might a typical assignment be?What drew you to this practice area?How has the practice changed in the last five years?What is the biggest challenge for an intern or new

attorney?

Show up late and/or unpreparedFail to show enthusiasmBe negativeHiding your strengthsVolunteering flawsShowing arrogance rather than self-

confidenceBeing defensive or apologeticBeing intimidatedDissing the helpThinking that associates are on your side