Secrets to Help with Your On-Campus Interview

Discussed below are strategies for a student interviewee to better understand the mindset of the interviewer, and what an interviewer expects beyond those that are already known and thousands of times discussed, like good dress, good behavior, firm handshakes, looking-in-the-eye, and others.

Interviewer's expect to find and screen out humbugs

 

In an on-campus interview, keep in mind that interviewers are expecting to hire those who would cause the least foreseeable problems. Remember, in this economy there are hundreds of well-qualified lawyers out there, people with experience who do not have a job. So, an interviewer engaged in an on-campus interview is not looking for a doyen of the law, but someone who is bright, sharp, eager to learn, and not focused on getting the most for himself or herself.

Therefore, during an on-campus interview, do not start discussing horrible things like work-life balance, money, and other professional headaches: you are not yet a professional; first become one, and then you can always negotiate about those things.

Get the opportunity to work first. The interviewer is looking for a proposition where, standing right now, it is all win for the firm, not win-win, though he/she may make it look like you are the only winner. Your job is to start working, gather experience, and then move on in life by negotiations or lateral movement, once you are an attorney.

In on-campus interviews, interviewers actively seek learners and people with confidence who are not egotists but team-workers – people who can support the firm and not try to overwhelm its workings. So, act in such manner and do not act like a humbug.

Interviewers expect to be asked questions

Every professional interviewer comes ready to answer questions posed by interviewees and also scores interviewees according to the questions they ask. Typical questions that you can ask an interviewer, and which will put you in his/her good book include:
 

• If I am hired what would be my first task?
• What are the areas of practice I would be able to gather experience in as a new entrant? Exploring other possible opportunities within the same law firm
• Questions about location, timing, and other particulars that are necessary for working
• Asking about the money – not bargaining, but asking about current and future prospects as necessary information
• Directly asking what he/she thinks should be the attributes of the ideal candidate for the job
• Asking about the economy's impact on the firm and the recruitment policies of the firm (this question is expected, but superfluous, really)
• Asking about the general culture of the firm, its mission, vision and outlook ( again this question is superfluous, but the interviewer expects it, has answers prepared, and it can serve as a good weapon to work out of a tight spot by providing the interviewer some relief)

I have already given you a guide, and the cues are sufficient for you to understand the way conversation should flow.

What on-campus interviewers do not like
 

• Interviewers do not like interviewees who do not ‘listen' when the interviewer is speaking
• Interviewers do not like interviewees who ask personal but relevant questions in an effort to be chummy, like asking the interviewer how long he/she has been at the firm, or how he/she likes the firm – these are questions expected of an experienced candidate for lateral recruitment and not tolerated from an on-campus interviewee
• Interviewers do not like interviewees rubbing the work-life balance angle – if the interviewer can handle working for the firm as a human, then so can the interviewee – questions about work-life balance are premature in an on-campus interview
• Interviewers do not like interviewees asking about the money first, but then again, they do not consider seriously those who forget to ask about the money. Usually, the questions about money components should be made casually at the middle of the interview, and neither disinterest nor surprise should be expressed – maintain a poker face
• Interviewers do not like interviewees asking too many general questions about the law firm they are representing, because it only shows lack of research on part of the interviewee – on the other hand specific work-related questions are welcome
• The interviewer is trying desperately to comply with equal opportunity laws and anti-discriminatory laws during an interview, and asking questions that puts him/her on the spot can hurt the prospects of a candidate

Some of these tips might seem unusual to you, as they do not follow the common advice available on the internet, but that is because the common advice available on the internet regarding interviews is for the active workforce and not for on-campus interviewees.

See the following articles for more information:
 

• 21 Major Interview Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
• The Best Way to Prepare for a Job Search and Interviews
• How to Talk About Other Interviews in Your Interviews
• How to Answer the Tell Me About Yourself Interview Question
• How to Answer the Do You Have Any Questions for Me Interview Question