Interview Tips: Biglaw to Small Law (Part II)

[Ed. Note: There are a lot of associates out there who have been recently laid off from Biglaw jobs. Many of them are trying to get jobs at small to medium sized firms. But the mechanics of getting one of those precious jobs are a lot different from what people experienced during on-campus interviewing season. Therefore, Above the Law asked somebody who knows the game for ten tips on going from Biglaw to small law. Check out part I here.]

I work for a small law firm in a major metropolitan area that is in the enviable position of hiring right now. We are getting a flood of BigLaw resumes. I get to hear all of you pedigreed, ambitious, driven, hard-working and talented attorneys crash and burn without even knowing you’re doing it. Here is my advice on how to actually get the job, especially if it’s with a smaller, scrappier law firm than you’re used to. In no particular order:

6. Know Your Audience. My law firm is small, old, and is known for specific practice areas. The smarter applicants come into the interview already knowing what these practice areas are, but an excellent way to set yourself apart is to make yourself aware of what cases the firm is involved in right now and to mention how your particular skills will assist in those cases. Fire up Google, look up the law firm, look for pending cases, look up those cases on the courthouse website, see what’s going on.

7. A Multi-Stage Interview Does Not Mean You’re Doing Well. Many people seem to assume that the longer an interview takes, the better they must be doing. Not necessarily so. The hiring attorneys may have scheduling problems and might have to come in late or leave early. They also might do this to see if you answer one way in the first hour and a different way in the third hour, depending upon whom is doing the asking. The smaller the law firm, the more likely they will have a “consensus” decision-making process, and believe me, after the interview is over, they all compare notes.

Some additional notes on respect, after the jump.


8. Show Respect for Women. Women will be interviewing you. Get over it. Do not assume she’s from HR – she might be a senior partner. Do not pretend like she’s your girlfriend. Do not assume she slept her way to the top. If you must compliment her on her attire, keep it G-rated, even if you’re a female yourself. I heard one female candidate compliment the interviewer on how well her business suit fit around her bustline. Just because you’re a woman too does not make that comment appropriate. If you’re a male candidate being interviewed by a male attorney, refrain from ogling any female attorneys who might pass by the conference room, because she might be that interviewer’s wife, girlfriend, sister or daughter. Smaller law firms tend to be way more conscious about discrimination and harassment, and if your prior BigLaw culture tolerated that sort of thing, this law firm will not.

9. Avoid Talking On Your Cell Phone Between Interviews. If after the hiring attorneys leave the room you call up your friend to moan about how humiliated you are at having to interview at my law firm, people will know. My firm will then promptly put you out of your misery and not hire you. Secretaries, paralegals, associates, partners, we all actually talk to each other. If you must bitch about the interview, text it instead. Better yet – don’t do it at all.

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10. Get Used To Living Small. As a BigLaw refugee myself, I know exactly what kind of work environment you used to have, and you will not have it at a smaller law firm. It’s a painful adjustment. Try not to let it show during the interview. As the attorneys escort you from the lobby, refrain from looking horrified at how shabby the surroundings are, because the attorneys are watching your demeanor to see if you’ll fit in.

These tips go all the way to 11. Humility Goes a Long Way.

If missed part I, check it out here.

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