Tips for Interviewing for a Job in The Legal Field

The idea of being interviewed makes many people tensed. To improve your chances of getting hired, make sure to use our tips.

Most interviews center around the information that you include in your CV. Before heading into your interview, review all of your accomplishments in your mind. That way, if the interviewer asks you to provide details about certain items on your CV, you can discuss them at length without stumbling over your words. As an example, if you were involved in a large-scale acquisition at your previous company, review that transaction ahead of time so that you can provide the interviewer with any details that they request.

Take some time to brush up on industry news or updates, a great place to do this is IDEX.

Get to Know the Company

Prior to your interview, learn as much as you can about the company. Start the research process well in advance so that you have plenty of time to gather information.

Typically, the company will publish general information about their offices or about their latest financial reports on its website. Along with reading this information, you should also search for any media coverage of the company. Find out if they have been mentioned in any legal journals, as well. To learn more about the business, follow them on social media. Brainstorm some intelligent questions you can ask at the end of your interview to demonstrate your interest in the company.

Having in-depth knowledge of the business is essential if you are applying for an in-house position.

Leave All Negativity at the Door

Don’t bring any negativity into the interview room with you. Instead, maintain a positive attitude at all times. For example, if you worked for a company in the past where you didn’t get along with your boss, don’t spend time disparaging them or complaining about them. Instead, try to focus on the positive. Most employers are looking for people who have a positive attitude and who are willing to take on any challenges that come their way.

Arrive at the Right Time

Even though you may be tempted to get to your interview early, it is usually a bad idea. The longer you sit around waiting to get called in, the more time you have to stress out. At the same time, however, you should avoid arriving too late. Try to get to your interview anywhere from about 10 to 15 minutes early. This should leave you plenty of time to sign in or to get through any security checkpoints. Remember – the room where you are being interviewed may not be located right next to the reception area. That is why it is good to have a little bit of extra time.

If you are afraid of getting stuck in traffic or if you have to travel over a long distance, leaving early is usually a good idea. Try to find a coffee shop that is located close by where you can review your notes before your interview. That way, if you arrive too early, you won’t have to sit around waiting in the reception area.

Rely on Your Recruiter to Negotiate Your Salary

As a general rule of thumb, you should avoid bringing up your salary during your interview. The only exception is if your interviewer specifically asks. The job advertisement should include general information about the salary. Wait to bring up any concerns that you have about the pay or benefits until after they offer you the job. If the interviewer does ask you about your salary expectations, try to limit the amount of information that you provide. Otherwise, it may be more difficult to negotiate at a later date.

Take Cues on How to Behave from the Person Conducting the Interview

Today’s companies are usually interested in hiring employees who fit into the company culture. As a general rule of thumb, you should take cues from your interviewer in terms of how to act. Just make sure that you remain professional throughout the duration of your interview. Don’t be afraid to let your interviewer know that you are excited about the possibility of working for the company.

Where the Right Type of Clothing

Most people already know that they should dress professionally for a job interview. Unfortunately, that means different things in different industries, which can make it a little bit difficult to know what to wear.

The selection of an appropriate dress is vital. For women, a professional dress with a jacket is also usually a good option. Your recruiter may be able to provide you with more information about what type of clothing is appropriate.

Convey Your Thoughts clearly

Before your interview, spend time thinking about why the company should hire you. Write down three bullet points that clearly state why you are a good fit for the position. If possible, incorporate words that were originally found in the job description. Just make sure that they sound natural.

During your interview, try to work these messages into the answers that you give. Just make sure to do it in a way that doesn’t seem forced. If you don’t have a chance during the interview, you can always wait until the end. When you are thanking the person who interviewed you, it is a good time to remind them of why you are a good choice for the position.