INTERVIEW PREPARATION at a glance

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

There is no way to list all the possible questions you might be asked in an interview. A well-articulated response and the ability to convey confidence and poise are more important than responding with so-called "correct answers."

Below is a list of questions that are commonly asked in legal interviews. The most common questions are noted with an asterisk (*). Obviously, you would never be asked all or even most of these questions. View them with an eye towards becoming familiar with the three key areas interviewers generally target . One important caveat, however: BEWARE OF TRYING TO MEMORIZE ANSWERS TO POTENTIAL QUESTIONS! The more you rely on memorization, the less natural and more uptight you will be. You also want to avoid sounding over-rehearsed or automated.

• Tell me about yourself.*
• What do you think it takes to be a successful lawyer?
• What qualities do you have that will make you a successful lawyer?
• What achievements do you look back on with pride? Why?
• What is your greatest strength/weakness?*
• If I were to call [previous or current employer] and ask about you, what do you think they would tell me?
• Why should I hire you over all the other candidates?*
• What can you do for us, and what in your background demonstrates it?
• How do you respond to criticism?
• Describe a situation where you felt you were unfairly criticized. What did you do?
• What do you expect from a supervisor?
• Are you a team player, or do you prefer to work on your own?
• How do you deal with stress?*
• Tell me about a research project/law class you have enjoyed.
• Is there a parallel between your performance academically and your future as an attorney?
• Please explain this gap on your resume (your GPA).
• Why did you choose to attend Cooley Law School?*
• How has law school been better, worse, or different from what you expected?*
• What are your legal career objectives? Have you decided on a speciality?
• What law school course do you enjoy most/least? Why?*
• What do you want to be doing in 5/10 years?*
• What do you hope to accomplish with your law degree?*
• How did you manage to juggle a full-time job and school?
• What are you looking for in an employer?
• Why do you want to work for [name of employer]?*
• What contributions could you make to my firm?
• I noticed that you have worked at/with _______. Would you tell me about that position? What was the most significant thing you learned there?
• Why should I hire you?
• Do you have any questions for me?*

WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I BE PREPARED TO ASK?

• Tell me a little about how you came to work here?
• On what kinds of cases/issues are you currently working?
• What's the most interesting case you've worked on?
• What's your typical day like?
• How long were you at the firm before you had significant client contact?
• What are your expectations for the person hired into this position?
• How much direction/autonomy is there in this position?
• How is a summer associate/law clerk/new associate's work assigned and supervised?
• How are the evaluations communicated to a new member of the firm? How often?
• What kind of training would I receive?
• What kind of work will I do?
• Does the employer require its attorneys to specialize? When and how does the decision to specialize occur?
• What are the criteria for advancement? How significant is bringing in new clients to advancement?
• In what departments has the firm experienced the greatest growth in the last few years? What are the employer's expectations for future growth?
• What are the employer's greatest challenges for the upcoming year?
• Would I have an attorney mentor to help guide me while I work here?
• When do you plan on contacting students for call back interviews/offers? Can I contact you (or someone else at your office) if I haven't heard either way by that time?

INTERVIEWING "DON'TS"

• Don't show up unprepared.
• Don't fail to show enthusiasm.
• Don't be late.
• Don't fail to smile or greet the interviewer with a firm handshake.
• Don't fail to look the interviewer in the eye.
• Don't show bad posture.
• Don't fail to bring out your strengths.
• Don't mistake arrogance for self-confidence.
• Don't volunteer your weaknesses.
• Don't be defensive or apologetic.
• Don't blame poor performances on others.
• Don't fail to answer the questions you are asked.
• Don't fail to have questions to ask the interviewer.
• Don't forget to sell yourself.
• Don't assume you can't get the job. If you have gotten the interview, they must be interested.
• Don't let an interviewer intimidate you. They want to speak to you.
• Don't be overwhelmed by what you perceive to be your Achilles' heel.
• Don't let down your guard in front of young associates.
• Don't forget to send a thank-you.
• Don't forget to be likeable. People want to work with people they like.