Director of Employer Relations
Last week I moderated an Interview Skills panel here at GGU. The three attorneys on the panel--from a land use law firm, a government agency, and a public interest organization--all play an active role in hiring law students, and offered their insights to help students prepare for their upcoming interviews. Here were some of the highlights:
- Research the employer ahead of time. It doesn't need to be arcane details, but show that you're invested in the opportunity by learning about the employer's work. Possible sources include the employer's web site, student evaluations on LCSonline, news articles, and Westlaw/Lexis case searches by attorney name.
- Some employers will be Googling you before your interview. Be prepared to chat about that archeology trip you took to Costa Rica five years ago, or whatever the case may be. If you’re worried the interviewer will be finding anything questionable, read our handout entitled "Managing Your Digital Dirt," which can be found in our office or the LCSonline resource library. Relax and be yourself. If you got the interview, it means you're qualified for the job. The interview is more about how you click with the employer.
- Include an Interests section at the bottom of your resume to give you and the interviewer something else to talk about besides the law. Whether it be your enjoyment of watching Wes Anderson movies, taking spinning classes, playing with your labradoodle, reading The Wall Street Journal, cooking Turkish food, hiking in The Presidio, or traveling to the Pacific Northwest, this sort of information makes you more memorable and helps the employer connect with you on a more personal level. But remember, anything on your resume is fair game for an interview question, so don’t put something down if it’s not a genuine interest.
- Be prepared to ask questions. Many employers ask students if they have questions at the end of an interview. It won't be a dealbreaker if you say no, but it can be an awkward note to end on. Try asking about the employer or the internship (the firm culture, how work is assigned, the kinds of projects you'd get to work on, etc.). The more these questions demonstrate your knowledge of the employer, the better. Remember, LCS is here to help.
If you have an upcoming interview, review our Interview handout on LCSonline and book an appointment with us to help you prepare. In addition to strategizing about the interview, we can do a mock interview and then give you feedback.
