Interviewing Basics

The Basics:

• Always arrive early and of course dress professionally.

• Bring a few extra copies of your resume.

• When greeting the interviewer shake hands firmly and smile.

• During the interview be enthusiastic and sell yourself.

• Show your interest in the firm by doing research on the firm and the people who will be interviewing you.

Ask questions!!

• What type of work you will be expected to do

• Who you will be working with

• Types of clients

• Ask if they worked somewhere else and if so, why they moved to the firm and how the transition has worked out

• Ask about their practice groups

Taboo Questions/Subjects on First Interview:

• Money (salary, bonus, and even benefits) this is generally not an issue in a lock-step firm. If salary is brought up try to avoid it by saying something like, "I haven't given salary requirements much thought yet. I am more interested in exploring the firm, meeting everyone and learning about the firm's practice right now." Let your recruiter negotiate salary. This way you do not look greedy and are just interested in money.

• Do not ask billable hour requirement straight out. You can ask associates questions that are indirect such as,"tell me about your typical day."

• Partnership track is another taboo subject on the first interview

Closing the Interview:

• You should let the firm know you are interested and ask what the next step will be in the process.

• Sincerely thank them for their time and tell them you look forward to hearing from them.
  

• Call your recruiter to give feedback from the interview and let your recruiter know how you feel about the opportunity.
  

Watch this video to learn a few more questions you might want to avoid during an interview.