OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES INTERVIEWING TIPS

1. OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICESINTERVIEWING TIPS Thursday, August 13, 2009 6:00-7:00 PM Ceremonial Courtroom

2. Introductions • Panelists • Leigh Abrams (DLA Piper) • Jeremy Moorehouse (Wilmer Hale) • Margaret Sanne (McDermott Will)

3. On-Campus Interviews • On the 12th floor • 20 or 30 minutes each • Hiring committee members (1-2) • Names in Symplicity • Chair outside each interview office • Be patient – interviews can run over • Check emails for changes • Also can check CSO for changes

4. Employer’s Goal • To determine: • Interest in/knowledge of the employer/firm • Professional, intelligent, enthusiastic, hard working, easy to get along with, curious • Fit with the employer – Good team player • Poise • Call-back interview.

5. Your Goal • To get a call-back interview.

6. Expect the Unexpected • Some employers not good interview • Be ready to manage the interview • Be ready to talk - calmly • Be ready to ask good questions • Be ready for a behavioral question • 1L Handbook for suggestions

7. Be Prepared • Know your resume well • Ask and answer 10 questions about your resume – in writing and out loud • Re-read any publications/memos/briefs • Be ready for “Tell me something about yourself” • Know what the firm’s main practice areas are – refer to nalpdirectory.com • Know the interviewer

8. Info To Convey • Your interest in working for the employer • Your knowledge of the employer • Practice areas you are interested in • Yet - your willingness to work in areas of need • You are thinking long-term - partner • Skills you bring to the table • Hard worker, good judgment • Good researcher and writer • Team player • Responsive to clients

9. Illustrate What You Offer • Provide useful, concrete examples of: • Your skills: • Writing, researching, work experience, client interaction, team work, work ethic, etc. • Stay on message. • Avoid vagueness – you want them to remember you.

10. What Not to Convey • Unsure what you want • Short-timer • That your long term goal is to do something else • Poor judgment, disorganized, • Unappreciative • Difficult to get along with • That you have to be right

11. Presentation • Dress appropriately – no distractions • Hands in lap and no pen clicking • Keep jewelry and cologne to a minimum. • Do not carry a backpack or large purse. • Handshake – should be firm and dry. • Smile when you meet the interviewer.

12. Presentation • Sit up straight, be confident. • Direct eye contact, energetic, excited to be there, calm and confident. • Do not smoke before interviews. • No cell phone, IPOD, gum, candy • Do not twist or fiddle with hair • Don’t refer to as Sir or Madam • No slang • Don’t appear irritated or impatient

13. General Advice • Don’t criticize former employers or make negative comments • Don’t apologize • Don’t ask questions about salary, benefits, work/life balance, economy • Anything negative: • learned from it • steps you took to cure it • Be appreciative, say “thank you.”

14. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare • Know your resume very well • 10 questions/answers/practice answers • Re-read any publications • Re-read any memos/briefs/other work • Know about the firm – website, NALP, CSO. • Know the interviewer – associate/partner, practice area, schools attended.

15. Call-Back Interviews • At employer’s office. • Respond quickly and do call-back as soon as possible - be flexible. • Professional voicemail message. • Confirm place and time – record them. • Arrive 10 minutes early - security. • Be courteous to everyone. • 5-7 attorneys individually.

16. Call-Back Interviews • Resumes, writing samples, references. • Associates/partners. • Meals: Associates. • Act like you want to be there. • Be confident. • Speak clearly, calmly, don’t fidget. • Demonstrate a sense of humor but don’t tell jokes.

17. Say “Thank You” • Send a thank you letter/card same day. • Person(s) who interviewed you. • If more than one – try not to say the same thing each time.