Swan Legal Search’s Interview Tips for Associates
Our recruiting team here at Swan Legal Search has counseled thousands of associates through law firm interviews - from boutiques to the AmLaw 50 firms. We would like to offer some insights and tips from our collective experience coaching candidates.
The basics
Some quickfire tips you likely know, but never hurts to refresh:
A. Research the firm top to bottom:
Big cases
Recent press
Leadership / Partners
Locations, nationwide and global offices (and know this offhand)
B. Have personal use cases that apply to the role ready and prepared. Bonus if you can tell them as an engaging story.
C. Have physical copies of your resume and transcripts ready, and a writing sample if interviewing for a litigation position.
D. First impressions count, and it starts with appearance and demeanor.
Wear the suit.
Offer a firm handshake.
A sleek portfolio to house your documents - no loose papers.
Be neat and tidy in appearance. Leave them thinking, ‘I want this person representing our firm.’
Have fun! No seriously, have fun
So much of an interview is about chemistry.
Partners want to know you’re capable of inspiring client trust and will represent the firm positively outside the office. Associates want to know you’re a fit for the department, you’re someone they can depend on, and that you’re someone they can work late nights and grab a drink with.
While your credentials got you in the door, your personality and preparation will get you the job. Relax as much as you can so your brilliant personality can shine. Ample preparation fosters a relaxed demeanor as you’ll be ready for any question they toss your way. So be professional and have fun! Deviate from a drilled question and answer session and lean into a conversation that flows. More on that next.
Questions and answers
Often the bulk of an interview is devoted to questions and answers. Prepare for the typical questions:
Tell me about yourself?
Why are you interested in [firm]?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
And in addition to preparing for questions specific to your practice area and experience, have your achievements ready to slide into your answers. The more you can quantify your achievements, the better (a quick and great LinkedIn resource here on where to get started). By taking the time to draft your career highlights in figures, you satisfy the interviewer’s question and leave them with quantifiable highlights (ie easy to remember, making you memorable).
Again preparation is key - the ease in which you can answer these questions will better allow your personality to shine.
Interview prep is a critical facet of the service our recruiters at Swan Legal Search provides. Our recruiters will discuss potential questions that may be asked, often questions that are known to be asked by particular firms, will assist in articulating an associate’s career goals and interests, and offer feedback in areas such as tone and angle.
Candidates leverage our expertise to give them an edge in the interview stage of hiring.
Remember - you’re also interviewing the firm
Please don’t forget: you’re qualified for the position you’re interviewing for. Rest assured, the firm you’re interviewing with is interested in hiring you, and they’re just as keen on filling their open role as you are in filling it.
If you’re speaking with an associate don’t hesitate to ask them what they like best about the firm:
How long have they been with this firm?
Are they enjoying their position?
Remember to keep it engaging and positive.
When speaking with partners, we recommend you pursue a particular line of questioning: work distribution.
How is the work distributed?
How are associates matched up with partners?
How much work is generated in that particular office, and how much of it comes from sister offices?
Also:
Why are they hiring right now? New client, new case?
Are they looking to grow or did an associate recently depart?
How long have they been looking to fill the role?
Listen closely to their responses, and you’ll get a clear idea if this firm can give you what you want.
Switching firms? Take note
Firms want to know why you are leaving your current position. You must be consistent with your answer and you must keep it positive. Bonus for giving an air of enjoying your current position, and that you’re only exploring roles that directly elevate your professional growth.
Firms may also ask where else you’re interviewing, a fair question. Our advice: keep it vague. Something like, ‘Firms similar to yours that have a biotech component to their corporate group,’ as an example. You want to enforce the perception that you’re being selective and only want to move if it’s the right fit.
Be prepared for different types of interviewers
Some attorneys you meet with will be prepared for you and will be great at interviewing. Let them lead the way.
Others will have glanced at your resume 2 minutes before meeting you, and will be professional but grossly unprepared. In this case we suggest leaving a great impression by making it easy on them. Do the heavy lifting - lead the interview by surfacing use cases which pertain to the role, and allow them to interrupt if something intrigues them (and expand on it).
Some attorneys, often in the latter group, may ask roundabout questions while finding their footing. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarity. It’s tempting to craft an answer around what you might assume is motivating their question, but we encourage you to pause and inquire. This gives them an opportunity to clarify their thoughts as well - win win.
Final thoughts
You’re going to nail the interview! If you are interested in Swan Legal Search and our recruiting & preparation services we would love to hear from you. Contact us here.