Interview Tips: How to Prepare for an Interview

There are so many different aspects to an interview from what you should wear, how you should act, what you can and can't talk about, etc. I think often the preparation before the interview can get overlooked, but can make such a difference when you are in the interview. It will make you more confident, and it will give the interviewer the impression that you want to be there and want to have that job. Here are a few things you can do to prepare, that are so so easy it's crazy not to do them! 

1. Research the Firm/Company

This is one of the most important things you can do because it will show that you actually do have interest in the company. Depending on how long you anticipate the interview lasting, it is likely that you'll be asked why you want to work there and why you applied for the job. You need to be able to tell your interviewer the answer to these questions, and if they can see that you have researched their company it will be a major bonus. i.e. "I noticed that you all just litigated a case on adoption law, and that is something I've always been interested in." or for something outside of the legal field, "I notice that your company has a lot of career opportunity and that is something that is important to me." 

All of that being said, you don't want it to look like you've memorized their website and are just spitting it back out. But, if you are asked what area of a law you are hoping to practice, the last thing you want to do is either (a) ask them what their firm does (because you should know!) or (b) reply with an area of law that the firm doesn't actually practice. 

This is something that you can spend as little as fifteen minutes on know way more than you would have going in, and it is something that is essential to feeling confident and honestly (and appropriate) answering the questions.

2. Research your Interviewer 

If you're lucky you will be told who is conducting your interview. Usually a company has a staff/employee/attorney directory that you can use to research your interviewer. And, fortunately for us, there is this thing called google. However, make sure if their linked in page comes up in your search that you either don't click on it, or are aware that they will know that you've viewed it. In researching your interviewer I think the important things to look for are (1) his or her position with the company, (2) how long he or she has been with the company, (3) undergraduate and graduate schools, (4) general appearance. This information can give you some preliminary information about questions they are likely to ask you and what they might expect from you. It can also be beneficial to know where he or she attended college or graduate school because if you have that in common it is something they will likely bring up and you can be prepared to discuss that. Finally, I do prefer to know what my interviewer is going to look like. I know it might sound ridiculous, and its obviously not the most important thing, but it's just one more thing that you will know before you get there and one less thing to distract you once the interview starts. 

3. Print Extra Copies of Your Resume and Transcript

It is rare that you would not have already submitted your resume, but you should still bring extra copies with you. Once I had two interviewers and one of them preferred not to look at the resume until the actual interview so that he wasn't pre-judging the applicants too much. Another time, I had an interview at a big law firm and the associate I was interviewing with had left his copy of my resume in his office, rather than the conference room we were in. He didn't ask for one, but when he mentioned he'd left it, I was able to provide another copy to him. Again, this is an easy thing to do, but can definitely make an impression. 

4. Decide what to Wear the Night Before

As I mentioned in this post, what you wear to an interview can be, and usually is very important. It is also important to make sure that everything you plan to wear is clean and that you can find it. I would recommend trying it on to make sure if fits how you think it should, although not ideal to have to go buy a new suit, it is important to make sure you look professional and maybe it is time to purchase a new suit. Whatever the case, make sure everything you have planned to wear is clean and ironed and get it ready the nice before to ensure a less stressful morning.  

5. Prepare a List of Questions

More often than not you will be given the chance to ask questions to your interviewer(s) at the end. As I addressed above, you definitely do not want to ask any questions that you could have found the answer to on their website. However, you can use that information to form other, deeper questions. There are a lot of factors that can play into what questions you should ask, and tomorrow I will provide a lengthly list of questions that will give you options whatever the situation. 

How do you like to prepare for an interview? 

Have a Great Day, y'all!

xoxo

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Meg

Interview Tips: What to Wear

As I was choosing my outfit for our composite pictures tomorrow, I was thinking about how much I was dreading putting on that suit (or at least the jacket). I seriously wish something else was acceptable for us to wear to an interview, but alas - at least for now - a suit is the expected attire. Before I went through recruitment, there was a fashion show for what to wear and what not to wear for reach round - I really think this should be implemented into law school as well. There are so many people who have never had to go to an interview before, or at least not an interview for a professional job. That being said, in addition to a suit there are a few more rules that should generally be followed when you're dressing for an interview - especially in the legal field.

1. Dark Neutral Suit

For an interview, a dark suit is really your best option. Dark neutrals are more formal and more appropriate in this setting. I have a navy suit, as well as a gray suit that I can wear. Black is acceptable as well, but can come off as a little too harsh sometimes, so sticking to something more like charcoal or navy is usually a better option.  I'll be honest, and I think most girls would agree, I hate wearing suits and feel like I don't look my best because it's not what I'm comfortable in. However, for an interview, especially in the legal field, suits are expected and it's a risky game to play not to wear a suit.

2. A Relatively Plain Blouse

There is some debate about this, but I have always been told, and personally believe that sticking to solid shirts are the best way to go. That being said, I have worn a striped oxford with my suit - and ended up getting that job - so rules are meant to be broken. The point here is really that you do not want to walk in to an interview in a bright neon shirt or a floral shirt. I get that for some of you it might seem like  you're having to hold back your personal style, and you might be, but again, this is the expectation and there are other ways to can shine without letting your appearance be the only thing they remember.

3. Natural Make Up

Soft, natural, and neutral. That really should be the outlook on your entire look - and the same still applies to makeup. Ideally, a little mascara and some lip color is enough. If you truly feel like you want to wear foundation to cover up some blemishes, make sure that it matches your skin and still looks natural, and the same goes for any eyeshadow and blush. You don't want to look like you're going to the bars, you want to look like someone is going to sit for the bar. (Excuse the poor attempt at a joke, I couldn't help it!)

4. Minimal Jewelry

In case you haven't heard, there is a "5 piece rule" when it comes to jewelry. It's really pretty self explanatory, you should wear no more than 5 pieces of jewelry when you go for an interview - there is some debate as to wether earrings count as one or two! This is also not the time to pull out your statement necklaces or giant dangle earrings. Keep it simple, pearls or other studs, a watch - only if you can keep yourself from looking at it, and perhaps an understated necklace. Similar to the other things listed above, you don't want them to remember you for what you looked like or what you wore, you want them to remember you for what you said and what you did. 

5. Heels. Shoes You Can Walk In

I feel 100x better when I am in heels, it's like I am on top of the world and can do anything I want. Not everyone feels this way, and not everyone has decided its worth the pain. However, pain aside, you need to make sure that you can walk in the shoes you decide to wear. Sometimes it might not matter because you think you just have to walk in and walk out and the rest of the time you're sitting down. But keep in mind that occasionally you'll be meeting with more than one person in the office and you might be the one moving around, or they might want to give you a tour of the office. When this happens you don't want to look like Bambi learning to walk. So, I would highly recommend heels, but if you are going to make a fool of yourself, wear flats, or hey - try out some nice wedges - I don't mean the kind with a hemp or cork heel, but the kind that look just like heels, except they have a wedge instead, something like this. The last thing you want to do is fall on your face.

Do you have an interview coming up? If so, good luck!! What else would you add to this list?

Have a Great Day, Y'all!
xoxo

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What I Wore to Work