INTERVIEW SKILLS TIPS FOR SUCCESS DURING CHALLENGING TIMES Presented By Shannon Williams Director of Attorney Recruitment Carlton Fields
Discussion Points Good News to Share Current Legal Market Trends What Legal Employers are Seeking in Candidates The 4 P s for a Successful Interview First-year job search suggestions
Good News! Career Services Staff Attending University of Florida Opportunities that most US Citizens will not have Entering a profession with may different opportunities and career paths
Current Legal Hiring Trends Many large law firms are not hiring as many summer associates smaller entry level associate classes - increase in lateral hiring Legal market is more competitive Law firms are taking a more strategic approach to hiring moving towards business driven interviewing techniques including behavioral-based interviews Many firms will not be hiring in the transactional practice areas especially Real Estate and Corporate stronger emphasis on litigation Medium-sized and small firms in regional markets seem to be weathering the storm better than most Some firms have changed the timing of when they will be hiring, some have moved to spring interviews instead of fall Many firms have adjusted the start dates for their entry level hires
What Employers Seek in Candidates Well-rounded candidates many firms have identified core competencies they are seeking, those may include: Strong Work Intensity Smart/Intellectual Curiosity Determination/Ambition Relationship Skills Ability to Engender Confidence Leadership Emotional Intelligence Most will want a geographic commitment but many are growing more open to candidates with little or no geographic ties but you need a story as to why the interest in their firm and particular office location
What are Interviewers Evaluating During an Interview? Does this person posses the work intensity to work here? Is this person a good fit with our firm? Does he/she appear to be motivated to work here? Will I be comfortable around this person while he/she works here? Will I be able to place this person in front of my clients? Did the candidate ask thoughtful questions demonstrating a true interest in our firm? Sample questions that are typically well received: Why did you choose this firm and what keeps you here Questions that go to how we evaluate candidates during the summer program and how the evaluations are taken into account at the end of the summer The difference between a successful summer associate and a summer associate who does not receive an offer What mistakes summer associates make during the summer program Always ask questions directly related to the person interviewing you, ask something unique to their bio or from other research you conduct. For example, I understand you serve on the Board of Directors of a local domestic violence shelter, how did you get involved with that organization? What do you find most rewarding from your work with the organization? How do associates get plugged into community service organizations or pro bono opportunities? Would this person add value to our talent pool? Does this person have good communication skills? Can I envision this person practicing with our firm long term?
Cover Letter and Resume Tips Make sure Career Services reviews your resume error free easy to read Don t sell prior experiences short include waitress/waiter, etc Include unique special interests, but be prepared to talk about them Include all leadership activities from undergraduate and law school Include community service/pro bono experiences Provide permanent address if it is in a location you are applying Cover letter or email should express why you are applying to the firm, any ties to area or pointing out specific reasons the firm is of interest to you and what sets you apart from other candidates you want your letter or email to make the person reading it want to meet you in person Most would prefer to receive information electronically make sure it is as professional as a hard copy cover letter would be If you have contacts at the firm, use them to help get your resume noticed, it doesn t guarantee you an interview or job, will most likely insure it gets a serious consideration
HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW THE 4 P s Preparation Practice Participation Professionalism
Preparation Know your resume be prepared to be asked about any item if you state fluent in a foreign language be prepared to demonstrate Learn how to market yourself what makes you unique to other candidates? Be prepared for tell me about yourself really means tell me why we should want to get to know you better and what sets you apart from others Assess your strengths and weaknesses Think seriously about your personal goals and values Know everything you can about the law firm, agency, or corporation you are considering Visit their website Review VAULT Rankings, American Lawyer Summer Survey Results, American Lawyer Mid Level Associate Attorney Results Read their NALP form
Preparation Talk to other students, professors, lawyers, and judges. You should know and have talked to fellow students who work or have worked with the employer. Learn something about your interviewer(s) before the interview. Be aware of things you may have in common (UF football, same undergrad, law school, hobbies, etc...) Prepare for the unexpected (traffic delays, getting lost) Arrive early and relax. Don t go into the office more than 10 minutes prior. Sit in your car or somewhere comfortable if you arrive early Double check the interview schedule for last minute changes. Don t let changes rattle you they will occur Bring extra copies of your resume, writing sample, transcript and reference list Prepare questions you wish to ask. It is okay to ask the same questions of different attorneys. They most likely will answer differently. NEVER say you don t have any questions. Natural questions should come throughout your conversation view it as a conversation not an interview Relax and enjoy the opportunity.
Practice Handshake and Introduction let s practice! Self Infomercial prepare to discuss at least three traits you want to make sure the interviewer knows about you - practice answers out loud No real way to prepare for behavioral-based questions, but examples are out there, start thinking about how you would best respond to these types of questions, even if they aren t posed to you, this type of preparation helps you prepare for any interview. Examples of a few behavioral-based questions: What motivates you? How do you sustain that motivation? What has given you the greatest sense of achievement? Why? Describe a situation when you faced competing deadlines. Can you provide me with a situation in which you did not succeed and why? Tell me about a time when you handled a difficult situation with a co-worker, supervisor or classmate Tell me about a time when you have had to demonstrate leadership If I were to ask your closes friends to describe you, what 3 or 4 adjectives would they use? Would they be accurate? What do you like to do in your spare time? Tell me about a time when you were tolerant of an opinion that was different from your own.
Participation The best interviews are conversations that are easy and not forced. Questions come naturally from the candidate and demonstrate their knowledge of the firm Be engaged in the process Maintain direct eye contact throughout the interview Smile and maintain good posture Only one opportunity to make a good first impression. Be confident, prepared, enthusiastic, and polished It is okay to pause before you answer a question 80% Rule -- you should speak 80% of the time and the interviewer only 20% If you are well prepared, it is easy to be an active participant
Professionalism You need to be polished and professional Remember: The legal profession is still very conservative Many law firms now have a business casual dress policy Recommendation: Dress conservatively for interviews. Wait until you have the job to take advantage of the business casual dress policy Leave fad styles in clothing, jewelry, and make-up at home during interviews When it comes to dressing for interviews, law students should not feel that they are sacrificing their own personal style, nor making a statement about how they will dress for work everyday You do need to demonstrate that you are savvy enough to understand appropriate interview attire You want your attire to be so forgettable that interviewer remembers you for intelligence and as a potential valued member of their legal team, not for clothing, hairstyles or jewelry
DON T S Don t take notes during the interview -- it s distracting Don t ask about salary, billable hour requirements, perks, benefits -- this can come later once an offer is extended most of this info is available on a firm s NALP form at www.nalpdirectory.com Don t ask Do you really work hard here? -- chances are they do Don t talk negatively about professors, firms, etc. -- only you will come across as negative small legal community Don t fidget Don t interrupt be a good listener listen to the entire question before formulating your response Don t be afraid to take a moment to formulate your answer behavior-based interview questions often require a moment to put thoughts together Don t talk to fast or too quiet Don t wear too much (or any) perfume or cologne many have allergies
Other Areas of Discussion Be knowledgeable about what is taking place in the legal industry pay attention to legal publications/blogs Stay true to who you are and what type of practice will be the best fit for you Work closely with the Career Services Staff to assist with your self assessment and all other critical aspects of a job search Take ownership of your job search and career Learning how to conduct an effective job search now will benefit you forever Lunch and Dinner Interview Preparation Alcohol consumption at receptions, dinners, summer events Judgment throughout summer program Thank you notes Follow up phone calls Using search firms/legal recruiters Burning bridges classmates can and will be future colleagues and leaders Your professional reputation begins NOW
1L Job Search Advice Any legal-related you can get during the summer after your first year is valuable. Small law firms, solo practitioners, government agencies, non profit organizations, judicial internships Summer abroad programs probably last opportunity to do so Research assistant for law professors offer to help write an article or paper If UF has a Pro Bono Program take advantage of those opportunities Get to know your fellow 2L and 3L classmates, they often will have previous work experiences they can share with you and places they recommend you contact Often helpful to focus on your hometown OCI Overview how the process typically works Initial OCI interview Call back interview 3 X 5 Be prepared to answer the following three questions: Why law school? Why University of Florida? Why hire you? In addition, most ask: why that particular firm and why that geographic location
Happy Interviewing As with most things in life, it gets easier with experience
QUESTIONS?