Everything You Must Know about Law School Interviews

Preparation and practice will help you do well. Since formal interviews are very commonly used by big companies when they hire entry-level professionals, your college placement center probably employs experts in the interview process. They train job applicants in interview technique by handing out literature, conducting workshops, and conducting practice interviews. If you expect to face formal interviews and you are uncertain about your ability to handle them, it's to your advantage to seek the help of these professionals. Attend a workshop or schedule a practice interview and critique.

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Always attend any practice session dressed as you intend to dress for the real interview; the expert will critique your appearance, manner, and handouts as well as the answers you give to his or her questions. If the practice session is videotaped, scrutinize the tape carefully. You may detect unconscious yet annoying mannerisms. Once you are aware that you are doing it, you can consciously avoid drumming on the desktop with your fingers, twiddling with the clasp of your purse or nervously licking your lips before you answer each question.

Decide in advance how you will answer easily anticipated questions. Expect to be asked about your interest in law and your career plans. As with your application essay (which the interviewer may have read), you should be candid and provide details. It's not necessary to pretend that your interest in law is wholly altruistic. But try to demonstrate an interest in legal processes, or in particular issues:

I've always enjoyed reasoning through a problem.

or

I've enjoyed the time I've spent in debate in high school and college, and the best debates always seemed to involve court cases from the past. I'd find it fascinating to be involved in the debate on some ongoing court case.

or

I used to live in the Pacific Northwest, and I think the key problem there is to find some way for the environment to coexist with highly regulated industries like fishing and logging.

Expect to be asked why you've applied to this particular law school, or this particular scholarship program. Try to show that you've done some homework. Mention good old Hypothetical Law School's nationally known concentration in environmental law or its noteworthy scholarly tone. Name the friends of contacts who have attended and who encouraged you to apply. Best of all, describe your own information-gathering activities:

I visited Hypothetical last summer, and your Mr xxxx arranged for me to talk to some students who are also interested in environmental law. They were so positive and enthusiastic about the place that it seemed much more impressive than the other schools that are strong in environmental law.

One technique you can use to prepare for the interview is to choose one aspect of your personality or background to emphasize: your consistently good grades, or your ability to succeed in a wide variety of tasks, or your work experience in a field related to law. Try to focus the answers you prepare on anticipated questions on this single point. If, for example, you decide to stress your strong knowledge about the realities of legal practice, you can answer a question about your career plans by summarizing the advantages and disadvantages of two or three legal specialties you are interested in. If you are asked why you want to be a lawyer, you can describe your work experience in a lawyer's office.

At the real interview, try to answer questions concisely and directly. The interviewer will deduct points if you seem to be waffling or dissembling, or if your answers are vague. And you'll lose more points if you manifest the kind of inconsistency that indicates that you are merely saying what you think the interviewer expects to hear. It's okay to politely disagree with the interviewer, but don't press the point. Try to avoid anything that could be described as a prolonged debate or an argument.

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Don't be surprised if the interviewer is familiar with your law school application and your college transcript. Interviewers do their homework, too. Don't limit yourself to repeating what is already on the record. Amplify and expand. If the interviewer says, "I see you had a job in the office of my old friend so-and-so," don't just say,

"Yes, I worked there in 1991." Instead, add, "Yes, she does mostly real estate law, and she taught me how to do a title search."

Interviewers sometimes use a set of stock questions that are supposed to reveal character, habits, and intellect. Among them are

What recent books have you read for pleasure? What impressed you about each?

Describe a mistake you made that taught you a valuable lesson.

Name two or three of your heroes.

Which of your college courses did you find the most memorable? Which of your professors was the most impressive?

Name a book or movie that played an important role in your education, and describe what you learned from it.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

What's your worst flaw?

Expect to be asked to discuss your hobbies, your travels, or any note-worthy accomplishments you've listed on your application form.

Unlike job interviews, law school interviews are rarely stressful. Interviewers are unlikely to try to anger you or catch you off guard. But if they do so, try to remain calm. Stress techniques are designed to see how much abuse you can take before you lose your temper; they're often used in the business world to identify good candidates for unusually stressful management jobs. You win such a game by demonstrating grace under pressure. You lose when you become visibly rattled.

As the interview draws to a close, the interviewer may ask you if you want to ask him or her any questions. Ask any questions raised during the conversation. If there are none, fall back on a prearranged question or two. If you've said that you were attracted to Hypothetical Law School because the author of a certain book teaches there, ask the interviewer if he or she has ever met the author, and, if so, what the author is like. Or ask the interviewer about his or her own specialty. This is your last opportunity to demonstrate that you've done some homework and have a sincere interest in the school.

Finally, it's a good idea to leave the interviewer with some non-bulky memento:

Since I applied to Hypothetical, my boss promoted me from part-time clerk to part-time administrator. My duties are different. I've got an updated resume. Would you put it in my file?

or

When I applied to Hypothetical I didn't have a writing sample to send you. But I've just received a term paper back, and the teacher said it was the best he'd seen this year. I've made a Xerox. Would you put it in my file?

Be sure that whatever you hand the interviewer has your name and address on it.

As soon as you leave the interview room, write down the name of the interviewer. In a day or two, write a brief thank-you note. A handwritten note on informal writing paper is best, although a type-written note is acceptable. Express your appreciation for having had the chance to chat about Hypothetical, and that you hope you'll have the chance to talk with the interviewer in the future. Mail it in care of the law school.

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