How to Land a Legal Job: Five Interviewing Tips & Tricks

Picture this. You’ve just landed your first interview for your dream position. Your first interaction with a potential employer can often be nerve-wracking, but with proper preparations like researching the company, arriving early and crafting thoughtful questions, you can ease your nerves and go in feeling confident. Besides, confidence is key to a successful interview.?

Step 1: Do Your Research

You learned valuable research skills in law school, and now it is time to see them in action. Visit the organization’s website to gather a thorough understanding of their goals and values. You can also visit their team page to find some background on who you will be meeting. Look for mutual overlap with regard to prior schools, community involvement or past places of work.?

Step 2: Arrive Early and Dress Your Best

First impressions are powerful. The way in which you present yourself is typically a good indicator of your professionalism. For in person interviews, arrive fifteen minutes early. This will allow you sufficient time to find reception, observe the office dynamic and organize your thoughts. For video interviews, ensure that you have a stable connection and no distractions. Join the meeting link about five minutes early.?

Step 3: Be Prepared and Ask Questions?

While it’s important to do your research on the organization prior to the interview, it’s likely that you will have questions that you may not be able to find the answer to online. Remember, the interview is as much for you as it is for the interviewer. Examples of questions may include:

• What does a typical day look like in this role?
• Are there opportunities for growth in this role?
• What is the company culture like?
• What is your favorite part about working at [organization]?
• What are the next steps in the interview process?

Step 4: Be Personable and Show Enthusiasm

Successful lawyers build relationships and create a sense of trust between themselves and their clients. It is important to fully engage in the conversation and demonstrate that you are excited to be considered for the role. Indicate how you could contribute to the organization’s growth right away, and what may present a learning curve for you. Always be truthful about your experiences and skills. If there’s something you are unsure of or don’t have prior experience with, discuss the steps you will take to learn that skill.?

Step 5: Send A Thank You Note?

Hiring managers are taking time out of their robust schedules to meet with you, which is why it is important to thank them for their time. Within 24 hours, thank the interviewer and express your gratitude and continued interest in the role. Convey why you are a good fit and that you look forward to the next steps. We’ve provided some thank you note templates to help get you started:

Template 1

Dear [Contact Name],

Thank you so much for the opportunity to learn more about the [Job Title] at [Company Name]. It was a pleasure to learn more about the team, the culture and the role itself.

Upon learning more, I am now even more excited about the potential of joining [Company Name]. Specifically, I really enjoyed [something specific you discussed during the interview] and feel my [relevant experience /skills] could be a strong match.

Thank you again for your time; I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Template 2

Dear [Contact Name],

Thank you for taking the time to share more about the [Job Title] role with [Company Name]. It was truly inspiring to have such a meaningful conversation with you and to learn about your industry insights.

The information you shared about your projects convinced me that this job is a perfect fit for my professional and personal interests and one where I could make a valuable contribution. I particularly enjoyed learning about [specific information about the job the interviewer shared with you].

Should you need any additional information from me that could assist with the decision-making process, feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.?

Thank you once again,

[Your Name]

Template 3

Hi [Contact Name],????

Thank you so much for meeting with me today. It was such a pleasure to learn more about the? [Job Title] role, and I’m very excited for the opportunity to join [Company Name]. My [relevant experience] would be a great fit as you look to build your team.

I look forward to hearing from you about the next steps in the hiring process, and please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can provide additional information.??

Thanks again,?

[Your Name]

Wishing you all the best,

OpusLex Partners