Interview Tips and Technique

Introduction

Notwithstanding the vast array of oft-used selection techniques such as psychometric testing and handwriting analysis, the personal interview remains the most common method of assessing candidates.

Interviews are often hit or miss affairs and it is rare for the interviewer or interviewee to be expert in the art. Most interviews are unstructured and conducted in the absence of set guidelines. In the majority of cases, once the employer has been satisfied as to the interviewee’s professional skills, the final decision will rest on instincts and impressions.

Given that interviewing is a relatively unsophisticated process, it can be used to your benefit provided you know how to take advantage of the unwritten rules.

Before The Interview

Preparation

- Start preparing for the interview at the earliest possible opportunity. The time to start thinking about the potential employer, your aspirations, questions you may wish to ask etc., is NOT when you are sitting in reception before the interview!

Research

- Find out as much as you can about the prospective employer. The website is of course the best place to start but also look at annual reports, brochures or press releases. Find out as much as you can about the department in which the vacancy exists and make sure you are familiar with the full job specification. Naturally, we will assist you with obtaining as much of this vital information as possible.

- Check that you know the exact location of the interview, the best way of getting there and the estimated travel time, allowing for any hiccups. Make sure that you know who will be interviewing you, what position they hold and the likely form that the interview will take. Again, we will assist as far as we can.

- Read through a copy of your CV as this will form the basis for discussion.

Dress

- Resist the temptation to dress flamboyantly. Men should wear a smart dark suit and women, a dark suit or dress. You are far less likely to offend by dressing too conservatively than by going the other way.

Time - Keeping

- Nothing creates a worse impression than an interviewee who is late. If, for some reason, you are going to be delayed, call us or the employer as soon as you know you will be delayed and tell them when you are likely to arrive.
- If you arrive early, you can spend the time collecting your thoughts, reading any brochures and gleaning information about the firm. Don’t be too early. Aim to have your arrival announced to the interviewer five minutes before the appointed time. Earlier than this may embarrass the interviewer, if he/she is not immediately available. If you arrive too early, ask the receptionist to delay calling the interviewer for a few minutes.

- Make sure that you have a rough idea of how long the interview will last so that you are not worrying about other later commitments.

During The Interview

Research has consistently shown that impressions of people are formed within the first few minutes of meeting and that they rarely change either for the better or worse. It is important, therefore, to be on your mettle from the moment you arrive. Interviews vary from employer to employer as to form and content. If the employer intends to use some form of psychological testing in addition to a formal interview, then you will probably know in advance. Always remember, an interview should be a two way discussion, not a third degree grilling. Never go in feeling powerless or submissive. Typically though, the structure of the interview will conform fairly closely to the following:

1. Introduction

The interviewer will greet you and then introduce any other members of the interviewing panel. Make a point of remembering each interviewer’s name. They will provide some detail about the firm / company and how the interview is to be structured. The good interviewer will, at this stage, try to put you at your ease by doing most of the initial talking.

2. Information Gathering

The interviewer will probably ask questions, using the CV as a basis, to build up a profile, concentrating on your career to date, aspirations, personality and interests (see later).

3. Information Exchange

The interviewer will provide details of the vacancy, the structure of the department, reporting lines etc. At this stage, you will often be asked if you wish to ask any questions.

4. Conclusion

In most cases, there will be an opportunity to ask final questions. If asked about your interest in the job, you should appear enthusiastic, but not obsequious or over eager. You may be asked (there and then or subsequently) to return for a further interview, to stay for lunch or to meet one of the junior members of the department for a more informal exchange. Remember, these less formal meetings can sometimes play a crucial role in the selection process.

How to Conduct Yourself During the Interview

- Be yourself. If a firm wants a dynamic, go-getting client grabber and you are a backroom player, even in the unlikely event that you could pass yourself off as the type of person sought, the medium and long-term consequences for both parties of any camouflage are likely to be devastating.

- Relax. Don’t hide or clench your hands under a table or desk. Rest them palms down on your lap or on the arms of the chair. This will help to convey your openness.

- Look the interviewer in the eye. Otherwise, you may seem, at best nervous and, at worst, shifty and sinister! Smile at the right time and appear warm and sympathetic. Remember, great emphasis is placed on visual clues rather than verbal ones.

- You should be courteous, inquisitive, attentive and enthusiastic, showing a genuine interest in the employer, the vacancy, law and your career. Nothing is more off-putting than a candidate who lacks those qualities and any spark of life. Employers are looking for employees who can not only efficiently carry out the work, but who will be able to add something on a social level. Most occupations within law are client based and, therefore, one of the aims of the interviewer will be to assess how you will appear as a representative of the firm / company to its clients.

- Try to keep the conversation flowing. This may not be easy, but long silences are to be avoided, if possible. Therefore, avoid ‘yes / no’ answers to questions albeit, always be succinct, never verbose.

- Appearing over confident or cocky will create a disastrous impression as will demonstrating a lack of confidence, false modesty and underselling yourself. Part of the essential make-up of any professional is giving the appearance of competence and confidence in one’s ability. Be positive about your own attributes and skills and, if asked, stress your strengths. If drawn on your weaknesses, make them sound as if they are also strengths (e.g. frustrated by people not as quick on the uptake as you or prepared to make the same commitment to the cause as you – a note of caution: avoid sounding unctuous when doing this!)

- Prepare for the sort of questions you are likely to be asked. It is impossible to foreguess all questions but many are likely to be along old and familiar lines (see list). Although you should try and anticipate the types of questions to be asked, do not over-rehearse answers so that they sound unspontaneous. Do not rush into answering questions quickly without giving them due thought. It you’re asked a complicated question, or if you do not understand the question, ask for further clarification.

Don’ts

- Never be negative about a present or past employer. Appearing bitter about your experience will convey the view that you may be awkward and a poor team player. If you are unwell, then the chances are that you will perform below par. Any reasonable employer will be prepared to wait two or three days to allow your recovery.

- Don’t waffle! Answer the questions.


Likely Questions You May Be Asked

These will depend on the form the interview takes, the personality of the interviewer / organisation you are applying to join and your own particular circumstances. However, you can anticipate some of the more likely questions and therefore prepare sensible and intelligent responses. Consider the following:

- Why you chose to be a lawyer / follow the career path and specialisation (if any) that you have to date;
- What interests you about the law / the particular area of law you have specialised in;
- What are your strengths and weaknesses;
- Where do you hope to be in a set period of time from the interview date;
- The reasoning behind all / any moves you have made since the commencement of your career;
- Any particular reason for studying for your degree where you did;
- If you have a less than impressive academic pedigree, the reasons why your results were not better;
- Any key achievements / accomplishments in your professional or non-professional life to date;
- Why you particularly want to work for this employer and what you know about them;
- If you have been made redundant, the circumstances behind your redundancy.


Questions to Ask

An interview is a two-way process allowing an exchange of information between both parties. The intelligence of the questions you ask will be one of the factors the employer will take into account when assessing your performance and ability, but it is also your way of finding out key information about the employer. The questions you will wish to ask will be based on your own research of the organisation as well as the exact role that needs filling and its position within the organisation. Do not feel obliged to ask questions just because you have prepared them! Do not restrict your questions merely to what the firm / company can offer you. Examples of questions you might ask:

- How does the employer perceive your role within the organisation. How is the department structured; how does it fit into overall organisation. What are the prospects for career progression. Where will you be in, say two, five and ten years’ time.
- How did the vacancy arise, e.g., is it a result of growth.
- What appraisal system does the employer utilise.
- If you have not been offered the opinion, ask whether it is possible to speak to other members of the department on a more informal basis.


Money

- Traditionally, the British are reluctant to raise the spectre of money and it is often not discussed until a very late stage in the recruitment process. Indeed, many employers are put off by would-be employees asking about salary at too early a stage and our advice to candidates is to try and avoid any reference to money unless drawn. Employers far prefer to hear from would-be employees that they are more interested in career progression and what the organisation has to offer by way of quality of work and prospects than the pounds, shillings and pence.

- Always be truthful about your current salary. However, if you are / were on a relatively low salary then it may be prudent to explain why to avoid the impression of being of low ability. You may also be asked how much you want to be paid. How you broach this subject will depend on the circumstances of your position and, indeed, the employer’s position and ability to pay. If you go in with too high a figure, the danger is that you will frighten the employer off. Too low and you will paint yourself into a corner. It is usually best to say that you are, of course, looking to improve upon your current salary without being specific.

After

- Analyse what happened in the interview. Do you want to pursue the vacancy? Do you need any further information? Did the interview / interviewer offer any clues as to the company’s interest?

- It is sometimes a good idea to send a letter or email once the dust has settled. This should be very short thanking the interviewer for the time and trouble that was taken and confirming your keenness to work for the firm / company. Generally, employers like to hear that they have made a favourable impression. You should resist the temptation to be obsequious.

For further detailed information on interview technique, contact one of our consultants who will be pleased to assist you.

info@ll-j.com