Preparing for Callbacks
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Preparing for Callbacks Making the most of every opportunity
What will my Callback be like? • Multiple 20 or 30 minute interviews • May include lunch • May be “hosted” through the day by a member of the recruiting staff or the on-campus interviewer • Request for additional documents likely • Often receive a schedule in advance • Interviewers may change at the last minute
How do Callbacks differ from OCI? • Selling v. Assessing • More natural business and social settings • More of a marathon than a sprint • Multiple interviewers/exponentially larger number of questions to prepare • Firms will expect more in depth knowledge • Firm has chosen you to interview – and at least one person is invested
What Are They Looking For? • Intelligence – and common sense • Ambition and work ethic • People skills • Maturity and professionalism • Serious about private practice • Planning to stay in their city • Interest in the firm • Potential as a partner/business generator
How to Prepare – the Basics • Research firm’s location, make transportation plan • Allow plenty of time – but don’t arrive too early • Get plenty of sleep • Eat breakfast • No smoking – get nicotine gum if necessary • Prepare extra copies of resume/transcript/writing sample/reference list • Turn off your phone/blackberry when you arrive! • Pump yourself up/calm yourself down • Plan to dress impeccably*
* • Dark suit – lint roller before leaving home • Business shirt/blouse • Shine shoes • Wear hose • Conservative heels, jewelry, bag, hair and makeup • Interviews are not the time to make a statement • Note that you will see violations of all of these rules as you walk around the firm – fine for them – they’ve already gotten an offer from the firm
How to Prepare - Research • Research the firm, the interviewers, and current issues in any practice area you are interested in • Start with the website • NALP reports • Martindale.com & Leopard Solutions • Chambers (www.chambersandpartners.com) • Google searches • Recent cases • Law Review Articles • Students who have worked there • Business and legal publications
Types of Interviewers • Interviewers will range from those who haven’t read your resume, to those with a strategy based on your perceived weaknesses • The Prepared Interviewer • The Resume Reviewer • The “What Can I Tell You About The Firm” Interviewer • The Aggressive Interviewer • The Chatty Interviewer • ALL interviewers will provide feedback
Questions to Ask Associates • Ask about the summer program – but don’t ask about simple things already covered on the website • Ask about life as an associate – ditto – covering: • How assignments are given out • What their current case/deal load is like • How early associates get responsibility • How much supervision/feedback they get on their work • Compensation/Review structure • Growth of their practice area • Their favorite and least favorite thing about the firm • Do not assume that associates are assessing you less than partners – often they are more interested in your skills
Questions to Ask Partners • How they staff their matters • How they use associates • Direction of the firm and growth in their specific practice area • Associate evaluation – what they are looking for in associates as they progress in years • Firm governance and associate involvement in firm management • Why they chose the firm and what they like best
Questions You May Have To Answer • Grades • Journal Involvement • Ties to the city • Long term plans/interests • Who else are you interviewing with? • Tell me about yourself • Why should we hire you? • Why are you interested in FIRM NAME
Your Answers • Welcome all questions – no push back! • Clear, concise and concrete • Always positive – never go negative • Don’t worry if you repeat yourself in each interview • Eye contact at all times • Never offer excuses – but explain when necessary • Firm specific at all times
Details to Pay Attention To • How the interviewers relate to each other • How the partners relate to associates • How the attorneys relate to staff • How the attorneys furnish their offices • Open and closed doors • Is the firm (and interviewers) prepared for you?
The Lunch • Usually Associates rather than Partners • Relax – but remember you are still interviewing! • You will probably have to order first – be prepared and order only an entrée • Do not order alcohol – even if the attorneys do • Think up some lighter questions to ask at lunch • Be sure to say thank you after the lunch
After the Callback • Send perfect, typo free, thank you notes immediately • Handwritten notes are fine, email notes are fine too – just so long as they are perfect – don’t ruin a good impression • If the firm is your top choice, let them know • If no one mentioned the hiring timeline, ask the recruiter when they anticipate making decisions • Follow up on anything that merits follow up • Thanks so much for the book/movie/restaurant rec • You are right, Prof X did tell that story the second day of class • Move on with your job search