Preparing for a Job Interview In a Non-Legal Field

Procrastination is the arch-enemy of every job search program. As early as you possibly can in your final year in law school, you should begin the development of your research program, your resume and your cover letter. As has already been indicated, your letters and resumes can start going out even though your research program is only partially completed.

Don't worry if this seems far too far in advance of your availability for full-time employment. The larger business organizations plan their recruiting for management trainee spots well in advance of the development of specific openings. They know it will take a great deal of time to get together the cadre of persons they wish to employ. Of course, it will also take you a considerable period of time to complete your total job search program. Once your well thought out program is underway, requests for interviews are certain to develop.


Of course, before those interviews you will refresh your memory regarding the particular company by reviewing the files which you have researched and developed. In addition, you should take time to sit down with your resume and review it in the light of the types of questions you may be asked.

You are quite likely to find the skilled employment interviewer goes about the interview in a manner quite different than that used by the law office employer for whom the practice of law is the major activity, not the recruiting interview. In part the difference in approach will also reflect the basic goal of the interviewer. The law office interviewer is seeking to determine what kind of a lawyer you will make, whereas the business interviewer is seeking to determine not only the skills you bring to the job but also the type of person you are in terms of your potential for future advancement within the organization.

Because the approach is likely to be different, it is well to take a look at the types of questions you are probably going to be asked. The first thing that will probably amaze you is the range the interview will cover.

Of course, you can expect questions concerning your educational background, but they will not be concentrated solely on your legal training. Don't be surprised if the interviewer asks you which subjects you liked best in elementary school, or, conversely, what you liked least. When any work experience which you may have had is discussed, anticipate being asked what you feel you did best and where you felt you were less effective. Questions as to how you felt about teachers and supervisors are almost routine. Don't be surprised if you are asked to describe your parents' personalities, or the differences you see between yourself and any brothers and sisters you have. Obviously, such questions are somewhat difficult to respond to off the cuff so that by thinking them through, you are better prepared to respond.

Keep in mind that this will not be an inquisition. Rather, the aim of the interviewer is to discover your reaction to the people and activities you have encountered in your life. The facts about you are in your resume and the company application you probably completed before the interview. The interviewer is seeking information about the kind of person you are, how you relate to others and what special strengths you feel you have. Even the best resume and application cannot supply that.

In fact, the more skilled the interviewer, the more you will find that you enjoy the interview. It will be a conversation, a conversation about you, and who doesn't enjoy that? However, with a skilled interviewer there will be no doubt as to who is in charge of the interview.

The second aim of the interviewer will be to develop information concerning the skills you have developed that would enhance your performance in the type of position which you are seeking. Obviously, this gives you opportunity to discuss how your legal education would be applicable. In addition, the analysis you did in preparing to write your resume will be most useful. Think of this not only in terms of skills applicable to the position for which you are applying, but also in terms of future flexibility to meet the requirements of advanced positions with greater responsibilities.

Keep your mind open not only to those tangible skills you have, but also to those intangible ones. For example, what were your major accomplishments in college? How did you achieve those results? What did you do in your summer and part-time jobs? What were the results? Answers to questions such as these will probably highlight skills you had only dimly perceived before.

A single interview within a business organization is unlikely to result in an employment offer. If the initial interview is with someone in the personnel department, no decision will be reached until you have talked with one or more individuals under whose supervision you would be launching your business career. The questions may vary, but you will probably find that the essential approach remains the same.

You have undoubtedly heard that you will have your most effective interview if you relax. This is sound advice since none of us appears at our best when we are nervous or tense. Yet most people find it difficult to relax under what they perceive to be the tensions of an interview. Thankfully there is something that you can do. The more you know about the organization with which you are interviewing and the more you have analyzed your own abilities, interests and future plans, the easier the interview process becomes for you.

None of us has escaped the experience of having a hostess introduce us with a flat "Jane meet Joe." Remember how you have struggled to establish rapport with no information to start the conversation rolling. On the other hand, remember the host or hostess who introduced you in such a fashion as, "Jane, I would like you to meet Joe, who is really into skiing. Jane has just returned from a week's skiing vacation at Aspen." Remember how smoothly and easily the conversation went.

Translating that experience into business terms, your most successful employment interviews will be those in which you know both your market and your product.

At this point in time, you may be somewhat discouraged when you contemplate the amount of research to be done, the heavy dose of self-analysis necessary to produce a good resume, and the multitude of contacts and interviews you will have. Keep in mind, however, that an effective job search has as its aim the locating of a challenging and interesting position in which you can contribute to the organization all the skills and abilities you possess. Only rarely is it a one-shot deal.

Because there is no end-of-the-term grade or regular pay check coming in to test how well your job search program is going, plan to reward yourself for maximum performance each step of the way. This need not be expensive. For example, it could be an hour of reading just for pleasure. Whatever you choose, all that is necessary is that it remind you that you are giving this important endeavor your best efforts at each step of the way. It will also provide a tremendous boost to your own morale, a big plus in any job search.

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