On-Campus Interview and Callback Tips

Interview tips by JD Match

Tips for on-campus interviews that apply to a variety of interview situations

  • Get real. By that I mean, be dead serious about each and every interview. These are golden opportunities; none should be wasted because you didn’t do your homework or decided to wing it. Even if an interview is with a firm lower on your preferred list, you may be pleasantly surprised, and if you haven’t prepared properly you may lose out at that firm.
  • Make them all love you. On average firms call back about only about 25% of students they conduct screening interviews with. Do as much as you can to ensure the maximum number of callbacks. Then get ready for more interviewing…
  • Prepare and rehearse your story in nuggets rather than as a single narrative. This way you’ll be able to use the most germane points when answering specific questions. These nuggets should be no more than one to two minutes long. You should prepare nuggets that cover key areas of your resume, law school experience, writing sample, achievements and even outside interests. Each nugget should be clear and make the point you want it to. If they want to hear more, they’ll ask.
  • “Newspaper” style. State the most important points in the first one or two sentences.
  • Achievements. These should be work- or academic-related and relevant to the firm. If this isn’t readily obvious, connect the dots succinctly. Use recent achievements wherever possible and reference specific, tangible results. Numbers (dollars, percent growth, etc.) work wonders.
  • “Tell me about yourself.” Ugh. It’s going to come up. Memorize a two-minute summary from childhood to the present day. That said, deliver it with spontaneity.
  • Strengths and weaknesses. Strengths are easy; just make sure they are relevant for each firm. For weaknesses, do not mention strengths carried to a fault, i.e., “sometimes I’ve been told I’m a workaholic.” Consider instead mentioning a (non-fatal) weakness and what you’re doing to overcome it.
  • Anticipate the other predictable questions. If you don’t have answers to these it’s high time you did…
      Why do you want to be a lawyer?
      Why are you going to law school?
      What specifically about our firm is attractive to you?
      Tell me about one of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome.
      What do in your spare time? Hopefully not mosh pit concerts, or obsessively updating Facebook
  • Attitude: the “Goldilocks” approach. Confident; neither diffident nor arrogant. Affable: neither cheerless nor laughable. Focused but not scary intense. People want to be around people they like. Lawyers are no different. This applies to highly credentialed candidates as well. Don’t reek entitlement. It’s just not attractive.
  • Be attentive. Don’t be so focused on what you want to say that you ignore signals from the interviewer. Maintain eye contact so you can pick up on visual cues.
  • The really obvious stuff. This is not the time to express your inner Goth. Get two conservative suits, the best quality you can afford. White shirts. Men: dark, subtle ties. Ladies; tasteful jewelry. Get a haircut. Shine your (dark) shoes. Ladies; a little clear nail polish wouldn’t hurt.
  • Also obvious (but I’d be remiss if I didn’t include). Arrive early and review the cheat sheet as well as the pertinent questions you prepared for each firm. Give your self a once-over. Breathe. Knock on the door at the exact time your interview is scheduled to start. When you enter, offer a firm though not crushing handshake. And smile.
  • And, of course: What to bring. Several copies of your resume, law school transcript, writing sample and professional/academic references (your Mom doesn’t count). Have a friend proofread all. And spring for quality paper. Little things do make a difference. As you leave, request a business card.
  • Finally, send a thank you note. It needn’t be lengthy. Two or three paragraphs suffice. Discuss some thoughts on what came up at the interview. Also, no “hard sell.” Handwritten is nice, if you write legibly.

Guidance on Callback Interviews

If you’re among the 25%, or so, that gets callbacks from firms after the screening interview, consider yourself lucky. That said, do not assume getting an offer is a slam dunk. The reason is that firms may make offers to as few as 25% of those they call back. True, some may make offers to upwards of 80%. Unfortunately, you don’t know which firms are which. You’ll likely meet with up to six lawyers (unless a group interview is included in your schedule, discussed below), including both partners and associates. You will also likely be invited to lunch or dinner with a mix of those you met with and some you haven’t.

  • Respond to callback invitations quickly. The simple reason is that the earlier you respond, the more available slots a firm will have. And, if you’re not interested, firms will appreciate your letting them know sooner rather than later, so they can pursue other desirable candidates before they are snapped up by other firms.
  • Demonstrate that you are a person of good character. Great credentials and well-honed interviewing skills are all necessary to secure a call back interview. They are not, however, sufficient to get you the offer. Why? The simple reasons are that people want to work with people they like and those who will reflect favorably on the firm. Certainly this isn’t something you can or should assert. This must be demonstrated in your appearance and how you conduct yourself throughout the day. Firms will be looking closely and assessing your character.
  • Be nice to everyone. This includes, but is not limited to the receptionist, administrative assistants, building security, garage attendant; anyone you come in contact with once you’ve entered the firm’s building. First, it is common courtesy. More importantly to your goals, some firms smoke out phonies by asking those people about you. One bad word from any of them and you may be sunk before you even started.
  • Interviewing is interviewing; expect many of the same questions from the screening interviews. To refresh your interviewing skills, please refer to the guidelines we provided on that topic. Since, of course, you jotted some notes after each screening interview, you may have fodder for fresh, insightful questions to ask in call back interviews.
  • Embrace group interviews. Too many people approach group interviews pretty much as they would a firing squad. Get over it. Group interviews are actually a great way to see the firm in action. Is there good chemistry among the lawyers? Do they treat each other and the associates with respect? Or, does one person dominate the discussion? You’ll get a much better sense of how you’ll fit at the firm from group interviews. Plus, it saves you from having to answer the same questions over and over and over…
  • Navigating the recruiting meal. Do not in any way confuse this with a social event. You will be under as much scrutiny as you have been all day. This is also an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your good character. Be pleasant to the wait staff. Exhibit good table manners. Follow your dining companions’ lead. For example, if they order appetizers as well as entrees, you can, too. If not, skip the appetizer. If it’s a dinner and others have wine, you can as well. That said, limit yourself to one and only one glass of wine, which you should nurse throughout the meal. Choose uncomplicated dishes, so you’ll be able to focus on the conversation not your plate. Finger foods are also best avoided. Also, don’t order the priciest item on the menu. It’s just tacky. At the conclusion, thank the group for the meal and taking the time to join.
  • And, of course, send thank you notes to those you met, including the recruiting coordinator. Similar to those you sent after the screening interview, refer to points that were discussed. Express your interest in the firm, but avoid any hard sell. Thank you notes are yet another way to demonstrate your good character.

Acing your Skype Interview

The intersection of available technology and firms’ needs to be more mindful of costs has resulted in a huge increase in Skype interviews. These can be used as screening interviews on campuses firms can’t visit, or for follow-up interviews with others at the firm. I haven’t heard of Skype interviews supplanting callbacks, but you never know…

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  • It’s the same, but it’s not. This is after all an interview and many of the fundamentals of interviewing still apply. For instance, prepare and rehearse your story in nuggets, rather that as a single narrative. Lead each response with the most important and relevant points. Prepare some insightful questions for the firm. Send a thank you note. That said, there are some key differences, which if not taken into account could seriously undercut the interview’s outcome.
  • Set the stage. Ensure that the ambiance projected to your interviewers underscores your gravitas and attractiveness as a candidate. The background should look professional. Can never argue with (neat) bookshelves, nor a subdued, warm-colored wall. Plants are always a nice touch. Clean up the mess and hide the beer bong where the camera can’t see it. Also, ensure you’re the only actor on the stage. Roommates, children and pets should be neither seen nor heard.
  • Check the lighting. Natural is best, so if you can set up your monitor in front a window, that’s ideal. If not, try positioning a lamp at about forehead level. Test different placements, while looking at yourself on screen and see what looks most flattering. Avoid back lighting; you’ll turn into a black blob to those who are interviewing you. Sit with your body at a slight angle to the screen and your face directed at the screen (actually, the webcam, but we’ll get to that later), much as portraitists pose their subjects.
  • Wardrobe, please. Of course, dress as professionally as you would for any interview (and no cargo pants below camera level). However, colors are entirely different on-screen than they are in person. Wear a dark, though not black suit. A blue shirt or blouse should replace the white one you wear to in-person interviews. Reds are unpredictable on screen, so best to stay with blues. Avoid stripes or strong patters.
  • Yup, makeup, too. Again, acknowledge the differences of being on-screen. Ladies, use subtler hues. That said, do wear some makeup, so as to not look washed out. And, both ladies and gents should consider a little face powder to avoid the “shinies.”
  • It may seem counterintuitive, but look into the camera, not at the screen. The reason being, you’ll be able to maintain the all-important eye contact looking at the webcam. Remember to smile and be enthusiastic, as Skype tends to dampen one’s personality.
  • Speak clearly and a little more slowly than usual. No connection is as clear as in-person; allow for that. Also, it’s easy to “talk” over others on Skype. Be sure the questioner has finished asking his or her question before responding.
  • Tech prep. Ensure your internet connection is working properly; don’t use wi-fi as it can be unreliable. Become comfortable using Skype if you’re new to it. Turn off your email and phone and anything else that might disrupt the interview.
  • Dress rehearsal. Beyond the usual practice sessions in the mirror, set up a dress rehearsal a couple of days before the interview. Ask a friend a) with a Skype account and b) who will give you honest feedback to play the part of the interviewers. Do everything you plan on for the real interview. Stage the background, don your interviewing suit, set the lighting, powder you nose (and maybe your forehead). Test the audio and video. Have them assess everything discussed above. You’ll have ample time to make adjustments before D-Day.

Previously: Job Hunting 101

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