Preparation and Follow-Up
1. What To Know
Research
Before your interview, you should spend time researching the job, the organization and, if known, the people you will meet. You should also research the market and the industry – especially its trends, your target organization’s competitors and the industry’s challenges. Use any and all resources available to you, including job descriptions, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google and other Internet and news sites, as well as earnings reports and other financial information.
Try to leverage your network to see if there is anyone you know (or can get to know) at the organization who can give you “inside” information about any of the following: the organization and its culture, the specific job or the individuals with whom you’ll be interviewing. For more information about how to use your network to help you research a company, see the Networking and LinkedIn pages on this site.
If you know the names of your interviewers, try to find background information that may serve as common ground (e.g., law school, hobbies, associations). See if you can ascertain what kind of person the organization is really looking for and what skills and talents it needs to solve its problems. What key words keep coming up in your research? Use this information when formulating your answers to the anticipated interview questions below.
By the end of your research, make sure you can articulate why you want to work for that organization, as well as why you would be a great fit for, and an asset to, the organization.
Finally, it is a good idea to double-check your research the night before your interview to capture any last-minute news or developments.
2. What To Bring
The Essentials
Directions to the organization and the name and telephone number of your contact person.
Extra copies of your resume and, if appropriate, your deal sheet.
Pens (that work) and a pad of paper. A leather portfolio is a nice touch and has the added benefit of containing pockets where you can stash the interviewers’ business cards.
A list of your “must know” selling points so you can make sure to mention them during the interview.
Your list of questions to ask the interviewers.
Notes that contain your answers to some of the anticipated interview questions (particularly behavioral questions), in case you need to jog your memory during the interview. For more insight, see the Interview Question Types page of this site.
Bring your cell phone, but turn it off before you enter the interview.
3. How To Act
Your Appearance
Regardless of what you think the organization’s day-to-day dress code is, you should wear a suit (unless you are interviewing at a technology company, start-up or other significantly more relaxed work environment). Dressing up shows that you respect your interviewers and care about impressing them, a humility they will appreciate. (Nothing turns off an interviewer more than a candidate who is presumptuous or appears entitled.)
Obviously, make an effort to look professional and neat. While self-expression is fine once you have the job, err on the side of caution and be as conservative as possible in your appearance during the interview process. If you wear makeup or have long hair or painted nails, keep it simple; you want the interviewer to focus on your skills and personality, not your appearance. If you have a nose ring or tongue ring, take it out. Avoid overly conspicuous or flashy jewelry. If you are a male with long hair or a beard, make sure it is neat. If you are wearing new shoes (especially heels), make sure you practice walking in them beforehand. If you are not sure whether your chosen attire is appropriate, get a second opinion.
Your Energy Level
Try to eat and drink (and maybe even pack) protein- and fiber-rich foods that will fuel and energize you in case the interview runs longer than you expect. It is not at all unusual for an interviewer to walk you down the hall after a scheduled half-hour interview “just to meet my colleagues Joe and Jane,” and you don’t want to be at sub-par performance because you are hungry.
Avoid coffee and sugary food and drinks right before an interview, as they may cause your energy to spike and then crash. Consider sticking with water or a lower caffeine drink such as green tea.
Your Timing
When planning your arrival for an in-person interview, give yourself time to park (if you’re driving) and get through the building’s security. It’s best to check in at the employer’s office about 10 minutes prior to your scheduled start time, so you can sit down, turn your phone off and relax before the interview process begins.
4. What to Remember
Important Things to Remember During Your Interview
Be nice. Remember that your interview starts the moment you arrive. Do not make the mistake of assuming that you have to impress only the lawyers with whom you would be working. You never know what role the receptionists, security guards, etc. might play in your being hired, so be respectful, discreet, friendly and appreciative to everyone you meet. Moreover, be aware that many organizations have cameras and can see everything you do from the moment you walk onto the property.
SMILE! This is probably the single most important piece of interview-related advice. So many times, candidates are nervous about the interview and forget to breathe and smile. Just remember: Of the “Three Big Questions," the one that is the most within your control is Likeability. Smiling goes a long way toward ensuring that you will be liked.
Make appropriate eye contact. If you feel like this is difficult or awkward, try focusing on the person’s eyebrows or nose.
Have a good handshake. Make sure it is firm, but do not squeeze the person’s hand in a death grip.
Be enthusiastic. Show enthusiasm for the job, the organization, the people you meet and the industry. Choose things to discuss that highlight your enthusiasm or passion. Let the interviewer see that you are excited about this opportunity. If you are comfortable with a forthright approach, it is good to be direct (e.g., “I very much enjoyed meeting you, and I would be grateful for the chance to work with you.” or “I could learn a lot from you, and I hope we have the chance to work together.”).
Show off your research. Another great way to communicate your interest (not to mention your diligence and resourcefulness) is to subtly let the interviewer know how much you prepared for the interview (e.g., “I noticed during my research that your stock price has doubled over the past year.” or “When I got the invitation to interview here, I spoke with my neighbor Jane Doe, who works in ___, and she said such great things about your legal group.”) Similarly, it is fine for you to let the interviewer know that you have brought written notes or questions with you.
Be an active listener. Listening is more important than talking! Similar to taking a deposition or questioning a witness, beware of being so focused on your own agenda that you lose the ability to adapt to the flow of the conversation. The art of interviewing is to listen carefully for openings that will allow you to tactfully work your must-know selling points into the conversation.
Speak efficiently. Keep your answers direct and concise; do not ramble. Remember: From an interviewer’s perspective, how you speak during the interview reflects how you will speak and present on the job. Don’t waste the interviewer’s time with too many digressions or irrelevant details. It is in this respect that your exhaustive interview preparation and mock interviews will serve you well. Also, try to avoid too many “ums,” “likes,” “you knows” and other fillers. Pauses and silence are natural and more than okay! Sometimes, taking a moment to smile, breathe and regroup will help you to remember the points you want to make, and that pause will also allow the interviewer to ask you a question to which he or she really wants an answer.
Tailor your interview to the kind of interviewer that you have. If the interviewer is obviously unprepared to interview you, offer a copy of your resume and politely say, “May I take you through a summary of my career as it is relevant to this position?” If the interviewer is obviously inexperienced and is slavishly adhering to a list of prepared questions that do not really illuminate your value, ask (at the end) if you might offer a few points that you didn’t have a chance to address, and then communicate your must-know selling points. Personality also comes into play during interviews. If your interviewer seems somewhat introverted or is a bit reserved, try to avoid coming on too strong. On the other hand, if your interviewer is an extrovert and has a high energy level, try to elevate yours, as long as it does not feel forced or artificial.
Resolve any lingering issues. As your interview winds down, and if you feel it is appropriate, ask your interviewer if he or she has any remaining questions concerning your candidacy for the position. Sometimes, a very minor issue that could be easily explained or resolved in the moment, can grow into a significant obstacle later, as your interviewer evaluates the various candidates competing for the job.
5. What To Do Afterwards
Post-Interview Recap & Analysis
After the interview, take some time to think about the people you met, the questions you were asked and the responses you gave. Specifically, think about the following:
What seemed to work well?
What didn’t work?
Which questions were you asked most often?
Were you asked the same question more than once by the same person? If so, what was it? What were they trying to get at?
Which questions did you feel least comfortable with?
What items on your resume did people seem to focus on most?
What did the organization tell you about the timetable and process for filling the job opening?
What might require follow-up on your part?
Discuss this information with your counselor, and use it to improve your performance in future interviews. Think about what questions you might answer differently and how. You can use the Interview Debrief Form, which you can find below, to outline some of these thoughts in advance of the conversation you have with your counselor.
Also, think about whether you should make any changes to your resume to highlight or de-emphasize information in the future. If you come up with something critical that your interviewers wanted to hear, but that you did not address, consider including that information in your thank you note.
Thank You Notes
Following up an interview with a well-written, personalized thank you note will keep your name in front of the decision-maker and relay your continued interest and enthusiasm for the position. A thank you note also gives you the opportunity to reinforce your qualifications and share additional relevant information about your candidacy.
Remember, though, that your thank you note is a writing sample. It must be concise and free of errors. It is best to send your thank you to the interviewer(s) by email. Aim to send your thank you note within a day after the interview.
If you met with several individuals, you do not need to send personalized thank you notes to each interviewer. Instead, email a single note to your main contact at the organization and ask that person to pass along your appreciation to the others, including the recruiting manager and other administrative staff who were helpful in arranging your interview.
Sample Thank You Note
Dear Ms. Smith [first-name may be appropriate, depending on circumstances]:
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday to discuss the available attorney position with the National Audubon Society. I enjoyed meeting you and learning more about the position and your organization’s work and mission. As we discussed, I am very excited about the prospect of applying my environmental legal skills and my commitment to conservationism to further the important work of your organization. I believe my experience and background, especially my pro bono wildlife conservation advocacy, would enable me to make an immediate contribution to the National Audubon Society.
Please find enclosed the writing sample and list of references that you requested. If I may provide any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely yours,
Jane Doe
Questions About Your References
An employer’s request for references after your interview is a sign that you are a finalist for the position. For more information about your references, please see the References page of this site.