What I Learned as a First Year Litigator That Applies to Interviewing

I started my career as a litigation associate, didn’t stay on that track, but learned some key lessons that port over to interviewing:

1. Prepare for interviews like you’d prep for a case. Research the company and the audience so you can anticipate likely questions, e.g., why should they hire you, what do you have to offer, and why does it make sense for you to join. Think about how to answer that specific audience and show how you can help them.
2. Find the high-level theme that ties everything together. Litigators need to persuade the judge to rule their way, e.g., “Your honor, it’s clear that X is the case!” You need to figure out X for your own story and explain it in a way that goes down easily. Highlight the relevant and minimize the irrelevant so it’s clear all roads lead to this job, and you can help solve their specific problem. (How do I know they have a problem? Because otherwise they wouldn’t be hiring a lawyer.)
3. You have to believe the case you are making. If you don’t, your listener won’t either. Speak from the heart, with poise and confidence. How? See #4.
4. Practice your story so it comes out smoothly and interests people! You know that really boring MCLE you’ve sat through? Make your story the OPPOSITE of that. Don’t speak in a monotone. Keep it short and sweet, with vivid examples so listeners can remember you after the interview when comparing candidates in their mind. It is YOUR job to connect with the interviewer, not the other way around.