Assistant Director for Professional Development
Research indicates that a person's cognitive intelligence or IQ accounts for 20-40% percent of a person's success in life, including in the workplace. Emotional intelligence (also known as people skills) accounts for the other 60-80%.
I have consistently had hiring attorneys tell me that someone's people skills are as important as where someone went to law school or how clever they are for two major reasons: 1) People want to hire those that will get along well with the others in the office; and 2) People with good people skills do better with clients since they address their legal concerns with self-assurance and understanding.
But how do you convey good people skills when interviewing for a position beyond just being friendly and upbeat? I was also told the following:
- Understand the kind of work that the employer engages in and the kind of clients the employer represents. Here is where you'll have to spend some time doing homework on the employer's specific practice in addition to the practice area at large.
- Convey an enthusiasm for wanting to do the specific kind of work the job entails and representing the client base. This is where developing a good list of questions about the employer's practice will help in conveying this enthusiasm.
- Be engaged in listening to what others have to say, and as positive as possible in describing prior experience and interactions with others.
- Be friendly to and appreciative of everyone, including support staff, who often weigh in on who will be hired.
- Importantly, be yourself. Genuineness shows through. And ultimately, you want to work in a place where you are comfortable with what you are doing and who you are working with.
