Legal Interview Tips

Even if you've been working in the legal field for twenty years, legal interviews are always stressful. There's something about the corporate culture of a law firm that intimidates everyone, and lawyers tend to be abrupt even when they're trying to be nice. If you have a legal interview coming up, here are some tips to make the process less terrifying.

Show Up Early

This is a tip for all interviews, but it's especially applicable to legal interviews. Because law firms are extremely fast-paced, lawyers respect an employee who can show up early - not just on time - and jump right into work. If you show that you respect deadlines and schedules, you'll be that much closer to a job offer.

Dress Down

Conservative dress is appreciated in law firms - subtle tones of blue, grey and black. Even if you look great in a green suit or a red dress, keep it in the closet for another occasion. Things like excess jewelry, visible tattoos, bright makeup and flashy clothing will turn off a legal employer.

Know What to Say

Employers always practice for interviews and write down lists of questions they want to ask, but prospective employees are rarely so thorough. For your next legal interview, make sure to determine exactly what your interviewer should know in order to make an informed decision. For example, if you type 130 words per minute and the job involves an excess of typing, make sure to slip that bit of information into the interview whether or not the question is asked.

Know Your Weaknesses

Almost as important as knowing your strengths is familiarizing yourself with your weaknesses. Law firms are busy, chaotic and fast-paced, and you'll need to be able to explain your downfalls if you want to get the job. For example, if the employer is looking for a paralegal experienced with research and you don't have any, you'll need to explain how you can learn quickly.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

Even if your last employer was a beer-guzzling drunk who hit on the secretaries and "forgot" to pay bonuses, you shouldn't mention that fact in a legal interview. You'd be surprised at how often lawyers from different firms get together to play golf or have drinks, and you can bet that your prospective employer knows at least someone you've worked with in the past. If you bad-mouth him, you might be viewed as an unnecessary liability.

Be Specific

Lawyers are fond of asking prospective employees to give examples of situations in which they've been faced with a complicated question or problem. When you are asked a question like this in a legal interview, it is best to give a very detailed example rather than trying to generalize. You don't need times or dates, but a basic overview of the situation and your resolution.