How to Nail Your Job Interview

Congrats! You’ve cleared those first few hurdles and landed an interview in the legal sector. But how do you continue your winning streak so that you can actually land the job as well?

While a job interview can feel daunting, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, with the right research and preparation, you can soar through with flying colours.

And the preliminary work you put in is often the difference between getting the offer or not.

You’ve already passed the test on paper. But the interview is your chance to let your personality, professionalism and presence shine.

By learning what to research, which questions to ask and how to follow up afterwards, you’ll be well on your way to nailing the interview and securing your dream job.

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

There’s lots of interview advice out there. Some of it holds universal chestnuts of wisdom. But as a legal graduate, you want industry-specific tips – from experts who know exactly what recruiters are looking for when people like you step through their doors. That’s why we encourage you to read this guide. Inside, you’ll find trusted, law-specific advice to help you towards a successful interview.

IT ALL STARTS WITH RESEARCH

1 2 3 4 5

Research is your secret weapon to acing the interview – here’s what to look for in your search.

FOCUS ON YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION

Three things to consider before stepping into the interview space.

BREAKING DOWN THE INTERVIEW

Find out what questions you’re likely to encounter during the interview – and the best ways to answer them.

ASK CLEVER QUESTIONS

Learn how to ask insightful questions that will wow the recruiter.

FOLLOW UP LIKE A PRO

Our tips for going over and above the interview – to make a positive, lasting impression.

1. IT ALL STARTS WITH RESEARCH

Self-assured and prepared. That’s how you want to step into the interview room. But how do you cultivate a confident mindset? It all starts with online research. From investigating the company’s values to understanding the job description – research sets the foundations for a successful interview.

STUDY THE JOB DESCRIPTION

The job ad should describe the general tasks and responsibilities of the role, as well as the qualifications and skills required.

When you know the specific skills they are looking for, it’s important to identify how you can position your experience and strengths to match the role.

Also, don’t shy away if it seems slightly out of your depth. You wouldn’t have been invited in for an interview if they didn’t see your potential.

If you don’t have the exact experience they’re looking for, consider what transferable skills you have that would help you succeed in the role.

GET ACQUAINTED WITH THEIR WEBSITE

When it comes to learning more about an organisation, its website is your first port of call. There, you should find relevant information on their mission, news, culture, clients and services.

And be sure to pay attention to what’s been happening in the organisation over the last 12 months. Perhaps there’s been a joint venture, an announcement of their top legal ranking or some impressive pro bono work.

Referring to and asking about these facts (when relevant) will show your interest in the organisation –while highlighting that you take initiative.

SPY ON THE COMPANY AND RECRUITER’S LINKEDIN

Worried you’ll look like a total stalker?

Don’t be. Alerting the employer that you’ve studied their LinkedIn profile is nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, it shows how interested you are in the business and position.

LinkedIn is a helpful platform to find out recent company announcements. It’ll also help you get a more rounded view of the people who will be interviewing you – including what they look like. This makes it miles easier to recognise them on the day (plus it’ll help you remember names during the interview).

So get snooping. There’s no shame – only gain.

ASK MEANINGFUL QUESTIONS

Now that you’re a whiz on what the company and role is all about, it’s time to put your knowledge into action. Reflect on what you’ve learnt and start formulating relevant questions based on this information. It might go something like this: ‘I saw on your website that your company places a strong emphasis on creating gender equality in leadership positions. This is also very important to me too. What could I get involved in at your firm to help with this initiative?’

A question like this demonstrates research, critical thought and genuine interest. So start jotting down ideas – and you’ll be way ahead before even stepping into the interview room.

2. FOCUS ON YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION

We all know first impressions matter. But did you know that it takes just seven seconds for someone to start forming an idea of you? Research suggests we can even start identifying traits like trustworthiness in one tenth of a second. So how do you ensure you put your best foot forward in these crucial early moments?

PLAN AHEAD

Nothing says ‘thank you, next’ like tardiness. So do the legwork before the day of your interview to make sure you arrive on time.

Look up transport options to the interview location. If you’re driving, remember to factor in traffic – and if you’re taking a tram or train, account for possible delays.

Aim to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes before your interview time. This will give you the opportunity to quieten your mind and get into the right headspace beforehand.

DRESS TO IMPRESS

Now to the tough stuff. What on earth do you wear?

Opt for a well-fitting suit and a classic shirt. It’s best to stick to blacks, whites and other neutral tones. But if you’re craving some colour, green, blue or pastel shades are suitable options. Make sure your shoes are polished to make sure you’re striking a professional tone.

While every workplace has different dress standards, it’s better to overdress than underdress. As a golden rule, if you’re unsure on a clothing item, choose another option.

SAY HELLO WITH A SMILE

When you meet your interviewer, you want to appear warm and friendly. And what conveys that better than a smile?

Researchers have also found that smiling – even when it’s forced –can ease stress and lower heart rates. So it’s a win-win.

And be sure to accompany your friendly smile with a confident handshake and direct eye contact.

3. BREAKING DOWN THE INTERVIEW

Interviews can be high pressure. But to make them a little more bearable, it’s reassuring to know they generally share some common themes. First up, you’ll be asked about yourself – this is your elevator pitch. Then you’re likely to encounter some motivational questions. Afterwards, you’ll get the chance to demonstrate your skills using real-world examples.

KNOW YOUR WAY AROUND THESE COMMON QUESTIONS

When you first enter the interview, you’re likely to be asked some stockstandard ice-breaker type questions. These are your opportunity to build rapport and make a good impression in those first few crucial moments. While every interview is different, practising your answers to these questions will give you a head start:

1. Can you tell me about yourself?

2. Why did you want to become a lawyer?

3. What accomplishments are you most proud of?

4. What are your long-term career goals?

5. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

6. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

DEMONSTRATE YOUR INTEREST IN THE JOB – AND THE ORGANISATION

Motivational questions typically follow from the introduction. These allow your interviewer to assess your interest in law, the role and the organisation. When answering these questions, aim to align your key motivators to those of the organisation. For instance, if you’re asked, ‘what will you bring to this position?’, you could use your answer to weave in some of the key values the company holds. Other common questions include:

1. Why do you want to work at our firm?

2. What areas of law appeal most to you?

3. What interests you about the legal system?

SHOW THAT YOU’RE COMPETENT AND CAPABLE

Behavioural questions are designed to help the interviewer understand who you are, the way you think –and how you approach real-life challenges.

While these questions are designed for the recruiter to get to know you, they are also a chance for you to present yourself in the best possible way.

Here are some sample questions to practise your responses to:

• Teamwork : Tell me about a time when you worked in a team that performed well. What was your role and contribution?

• Communication: Describe a time when you’ve used your communication skills to resolve a dispute.

• Initiative and innovation: Describe a time where a problem arose and your supervisor was not available? How did you manage the situation? How did things turn out?

• Adaptability/flexibility: Can you describe a time when you had to adjust quickly to changes that you had little control over? How did the changes impact you?

• Problem solving: Describe a time when you identified a potential problem and resolved the situation before it became serious.

• Relationship building: Give me an example of a time when you had to deal with conflict. What was the outcome?

• Tolerance for stress: Describe a recent situation when you were under a great deal of pressure. How did you handle it?

• Time management: Give an example of a time when you had to manage multiple tasks and/or competing deadlines. How did you perform?

• Adaptability/flexibility: Working with people from diverse backgrounds or cultures can be challenging. Tell me about a time when you were presented with a challenge adapting to a person from a different cultural background.

A WORD OF ADVICE: It’s incredibly important to prepare and practise your answers to potential questions. However, you also need to tailor your answer to the specific question you’ve received on the day – not the one you thought you’d be answering or would like to be answering.

USE THE ‘CAR TECHNIQUE’

When responding to behavioural questions, the CAR technique – Context, Action and Result – is the best tool in your arsenal. It will give the interviewer the detail they are looking for and make sure you cover all bases. Here’s how it works:

Context

• Describe the context of the situation or task.

• Use a specific example – don’t be vague or general.

• Refer to an example from work, volunteering, study or your personal interests. But the strongest examples are the ones most relevant to the position you’re applying for.

• Give enough detail so that the employer fully understands.

Action

• Guide the interviewer through the steps you took to handle or resolve the matter.

• Keep your answer clear and concise. Focus on what you did, not what you could have done.

Result

• Explain the results of your actions:

– What did you achieve?

– How did the situation end?

– What did you learn from the experience?

• You can even discuss negative aspects when framed as a positive learning experience.

CAR IN ACTION

To demonstrate, the following is a response to the question, ‘give an example of a time when you had to manage multiple tasks and/or competing deadlines’ using the CAR response.

Context During my time interning at Black and Grey Law Firm, I was required to manage multiple projects due to the fast-paced environment. At times, the conflicting priorities made it challenging to prioritise the most important or urgent tasks.

Action I spoke with my supervisor and suggested devising a scale for rating projects on their importance and urgency, which she would sign off on. That way, it was easy for me to identify which projects were our highest priority, and I had pre-approval on which tasks to work on, so it was easy to just get on with the job.

Result Using this intuitive system, I was able to ensure that each task met its respective deadline.

Additionally, my overall productivity increased, and I was able to progress through more projects at a faster rate than before I devised the ranking system.

UTILISE YOUR TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS

Everyone’s been there before. You’re asked a question that you’re not entirely sure how to answer. Maybe you haven’t had the chance to use the exact skill you’re being asked about. Or maybe you have used it, but just not in a work environment.

Here, it’s important to remain calm and remember that your interviewers don’t expect you to know everything yet. After all, there’s a high chance you’re applying for an entry level role.

In these situations, it’s best to draw on your transferrable skills. For instance, you may have never been in a management role at work. This can make answering a leadership question seem problematic at first. But maybe you lead a group project while studying or were captain of your local sports team. These roles are just as relevant to mention – and show how adaptable you are too.

The key here is to think of situations outside of work where you’ve had the chance to demonstrate the skill, or a comparable one, and then use this to showcase your abilities.

4. ASK CLEVER QUESTIONS

Interested, attentive and curious. That’s how you want to portray yourself during your interview. A pivotal moment to demonstrate this attitude is at the end of the interview –when the recruiter asks: so, any questions?

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK

Scared you’ll ask a silly question? Don’t be.

While it’s natural to feel nervous about saying the ‘wrong’ thing and embarrassing yourself, it’s unlikely you’ll say anything bad enough to cost you the job. In fact, employers prefer that you ask – rather than staying silent. It shows a genuine interest in the role and can give you some useful insight into the company.

Questions communicate interest, engagement and critical thought. So listen, speak up and ask thoughtfully.

Remember, interviews are a two way process and you need information to make an informed decision.

WHEN YOU SHOULD ASK

If an appropriate moment arises to ask a question, act on it. But the key is to follow their cues.

Generally speaking, it’s best to save your questions for the end of the interview – and let the recruiter guide the discussion.

Typically, they will ask if you have any questions once they’ve finished with theirs. That is your time to ask, ask, ask.

HERE ARE SOME WE PREPARED EARLIER

The best interview questions are ones that are meaningful to the company (and you will probably come up with them during your research).

However, there are some universal questions that will help you get a better understanding of the role and working environment – while also impressing the interviewer.

• What would a typical week look like?

• What are the opportunities for career progression in this role or at your firm?

• What is the office culture and social side of the company like?

• What training is involved in the position?

• How will my performance be measured?

• What is your favourite thing about working for the company?

• What are the most challenging aspects of this job?

• What skills and attributes are typical of those employees that are high performers?

• Where do you see the company or department in three years’ time?

• What are the next steps in the recruitment process?

• When are you looking to make a decision on this role?

5. FOLLOW UP LIKE A PRO

While we make first impressions quickly and instinctively, our exit impression can be just as powerful – and defining.

HOW TO FOLLOW UP (AND WHAT TO SAY)

The best way to follow up is with a ‘thank you’. According to a survey, 91% of employers like to receive thankyou messages. Yet another report found that only 43% of candidates send them.

So by sending a follow-up email, you’re giving yourself an easy way to stand out. It’s also just good manners.

Luckily, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Your email should be simple and straightforward.

Make sure you:

• Greet the employer by their first name

• Thank them for taking the time to meet with you (and mention how much you enjoyed the meeting)

• Say you’re following up about the job you interviewed for (be specific when mentioning the job – including your interview date and the position title)

• Reinforce your interest in the position

WHEN TO FOLLOW UP

It’s best to send a follow up email as soon as possible.

Ideally, you should do it the same day as the interview – or the very next. Just try not to leave more than 24 hours.

And don’t worry, it won’t be perceived as sucking up. A follow up email conveys good manners and a keen interest in the job, which is exactly what you want to communicate in this competitive market.

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

It’s important to be patient. The employer is likely considering several applications and may be holding other interviews throughout the week.

At the end of the interview, the recruiter may tell you when they expect to make a decision. But if they don’t, don’t be afraid to ask.

If you still haven’t heard back after this date, leave another 24-48 hours before following up again.

HOW IT LOOKS IN ACTION

Re: Interview on Wednesday at 9AM

Hi <Name>

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me on Wednesday to discuss the <job title> position.

It was lovely to meet you and learn more about <Company name> and the role.

I am writing to follow up to see if you have any feedback or further questions for me at this stage?

I’m very interested in the position and am excited to hear about the next steps. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards

<Your name>

NOW IT’S UP TO YOU

So, you’ve done your research – scouring the company’s site, learning the job description inside-out and preparing some meaningful questions.

You’ve sorted your professional outfit, a reliable way to get to the venue and how you plan on greeting your interviewers.

You’ve practised ice-breaker answers, know clearly why you want to work for the firm and how to handle behavioural questions – applying the CAR technique.

Now it’s time to go out there and kill it!

From the team at The College of Law, we wish you all the best – and can’t wait to see where your legal career takes you. Good luck!