InterviewingInterviewing is one of the most important parts of securing employment. It is your chance to show the interviewer that you have the skills, personality, and ability to work for them. Interviewing is also about finding a potential "match" between employer and employee. It is an opportunity for the interviewer to learn about you and to assess your communication skills - an essential tool for any lawyer. Before your interview, you should begin with three tasks:
Researching the Employer & InterviewerWhen you have an interview scheduled, you should continue to research the employer and the interviewer to better prepare yourself for potential questions. This will assist you in identifying what you should convey to the interviewer about your skills and experiences and how they relate to the employer. In addition, your research may assist you in coming up with questions for the interviewer that are not easily addressed in your research. Assessing Your Skills, Experiences, & AccomplishmentsBefore your interview, you should assess your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Begin with questions that the employer may ask during the interview such as:
The Career Services Office has several resources to prepare for interviews. Prepare answers to some of these questions ahead of time so you are well prepared for your interview. Practice - Mock InterviewsOne of the best ways to practice for a real interview is through mock interviews with professors, attorneys, or the Career Services staff. Feel free to schedule a mock interview with Career Services before the big day. During your mock interview, you should come dressed for the part (i.e. a suit). You can also practice in front of the mirror at home if cannot schedule a mock interview. Because most of the questions asked during an interview will come from the interviewer, you should practice answering questions such as:
On the Day of the InterviewYou should plan to arrive about fifteen minutes before your interview - do not be late . Be very pleasant to the receptionist who greets you. Be sure to shake hands firmly and to make eye contact with the person with whom you shaking hands. Moreover, smile! Always address everyone you meet by Mr. or Ms., unless you are given permission to use their first name. Regardless of the interviewer's manner of dress for the office, you should always wear a suit. When going to the interview, be sure to bring the following items:
During the InterviewBe sure to establish a connection with the interviewer in which you convey your enthusiasm and interest in the position. If possible, try to make the interview conversational in nature and not a pure question and answer session. Feel free to laugh and to smile when appropriate. When responding to questions, remember to keep your answers brief, between 30 to 90 seconds. Remember to pause and gather your thoughts before answering questions. This way you assure that your responses are sincere and honest. Additionally, always make sure that you answer the question being asked; try not to go off on tangents. Maintain eye contact while answering the question. You should speak clearly - not too loud or soft, not too slow or fast. In addition, avoid the use of clichés, slang, or improper English (e.g. say yes instead of yeah). Try not to fidget or shift constantly in your chair; you should sit forward and properly. And while you may be nervous during the interview, try to avoid the overuse of hand and nervous gestures as well as the usual "uumms." and "Ya know what I mean" statements. Keep in mind not to interrupt the interviewer or to take control of the interview. Also, do not chew gum or mints during the interview! It is equally important for you to ask the interviewer questions. Your questions should reflect your interest in and knowledge about the employer. Here are some sample questions for you to ask:
At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer. Feel free to ask for business cards if you are meeting with multiple people or an individual (this will make writing the thank you letter easier!). Shake hands with the interviewer and smile. Following the InterviewWithin 24 hours of your interview, remember to send a thank you letter. Everyone that you interview with should receive an individual thank you letter. In your thank you letter, you should try to reference something that you talked about in your interview to remind the interviewer of who you are. When in doubt keep the thank you letter formal; always type and print your thank you letter on resume quality paper or a note card. For more information on interviewing, check out the following websites and books in the Career Services Office:
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