Labor / Employment, On The Job

How To Ace That Biglaw Interview: 10 Easy-To-Learn Tips!

How is a candidate for that big interview supposed to act? Or know what to say? Or what to wear?

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Google is great for doing due diligence on an open job position.  Learn all you can abut the job and the firm or company.  And then tailor your submissions to them accordingly.  But ultimately a recruiter wants to see a face — in person.  And a candidate wants to “kick the tires” — in person.

Despite the explosive growth of technology, in-person interviews are still the gold standard for proper recruiting.  But given the current state of technology, things are different from the time that I sat for my first interview — everyone at the table knows more about the other side than I would have ever dreamed.

But how is a candidate for that big interview supposed to act?  Or know what to say?  Or what to wear?

That’s easy — Google it!  No need to speak to anyone about this, since you can simply Google and learn all you need to know about proper interviewing techniques.  And how to dress.  And what to say.

Well, we’re here to provide you with some things that Google may not tell you — timely tips on what not to do — or say.  And what not to wear.  Its easy to blow an interview — and we’re here to tell you how not to do it!

None of this is scientifically based or tested — rather, it is strictly from years of personal hits-and-misses, observations, and embarrassing anecdotes.  But that’s not to say it isn’t valuable.  It is. (I can’t swear that you can’t find similar advice on Google, but why waste the time when you can just finish reading this post in two minutes?)

Here are the tips, in no particular order of importance, just how they came to mind in some of my cringeworthy ruminations.

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  1. When introduced to the hiring partner, don’t call him (if it’s a him) “Pal,” “Dude,” or “Chief” (unless that’s his name). And if the hiring partner is a woman, don’t call her “Babe” or “Hon” (unless that’s her name). It demonstrates a certain lack of respect and an overabundance of familiarity. In fact, you may want to think twice about addressing the hot dog vendor on the way to the interview or the woman at the concierge desk in this manner.
  2. Don’t wear shorts, a t-shirt, or a baseball cap. Shorts and a t-shirt are too casual, and a baseball cap, of course, is inappropriate unless you know which team the partner is a fan of.  The same with skinny jeans and a shirt with an upturned collar — don’t try to be to cool.  Stick with a skirt or suit, especially if you know that the partner is over 35.   A good rule of thumb: anticipate how the interviewer will be dressing and try to dress nicer.
  3. Don’t talk money or hours — at least not in the first interview. For example, “I hope this job pays more than X” is likely a bad line, as is “I need to be outta here by 5 every day — I hope that’s OK?”  This tends to give the interviewer the false impression that you will not give your life for the sake of firm profits, something that should wait until after you are hired.  Instead, say something like, “It happens rarely, but sometimes I need to sleep (doctor’s orders!), so every once in awhile I need to go home for an hour or two before dawn.”  Much better impression, no?
  4. If there is a lull in the conversation, instead of whistling, talk law! Law, law, law!  Besides being the profession of the recruiting partner — and you — it is also likely to be the most interesting thing that you have to talk about.  You know — “So, what do you think about that law against perpetuities, huh?  Pretty, pretty complicated!”  That shows initiative and that you care about the other person’s interests.  For God’s sake, do not say, “How do you like those Giants?”  S/he may be a Jets fan!  What a faux pas.
  5. Do not — I repeat — do NOT respond “gin and tonic” when asked if you would like something to drink. Unless it is after 4 p.m.  Or the recruiter is shnockered (not unlikely — we/re talking Biglaw, right?).  And NEVER order a wine spritzer.  Ever!  (No, reason — I just hate wine spritzers).
  6. Wipe your hands with a tissue or handkerchief before shaking hands — nothing is worse than a cold or clammy handshake.
  7. Don’t wear sunglasses — unless your eyes are bloodshot from a long night of debauchery. Then by all means, you better wear them.  On balance, looking downtown and hip is likely better than looking like a drunk.
  8. Don’t tell any dirty jokes or stories, even if the host(ess) does. And racial/religious/gender slurs are a total no-no, even if you are merely repeating something told to you.  David Duke is likely not the person who will be interviewing you.
  9. Don’t put your feet up on the desk — even if you ask first. You may knock over the recruiter’s photo of him/herself with Justin Bieber.   Or his/her kid’s popsicle stick model of the old Supreme Court building.
  10. Finally, be polite. Always say please and thank you, as you were taught long ago.  And raise your hand if you have to go to the bathroom.  No grunting, fist bumps, or chest bumps.

And don’t bring your mother into the interview.   Tell her to wait for you at the Starbucks downstairs.

richard-b-cohenRichard B. Cohen has litigated and arbitrated complex business and employment disputes for almost 40 years, and is a partner in the NYC office of the national “cloud” law firm FisherBroyles. He is the creator and author of his firm’s Employment Discrimination blog, and received an award from the American Bar Association for his blog posts. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @richard09535496.

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