The evolution of Job Interviews: how can you keep up?

Legal job interviews are a key step in the process of gaining a law placement. The job interview is the real ‘make or break’ when it comes to securing a role, but how can you master some interview techniques that will make you stand out?

A job interview is a chance for you to sell to yourself to a prospective employer, convincing them that you’ve got what it takes to handle the role. Job interviews in law are constantly evolving, and with technologies entering into the process, candidates have their work cut out for them.


Take a look at our top job interview techniques to help you land your dream role...

Preparation for the Job Interview

Interview questions can really throw you off if you’re not well prepared. However, if approached efficiently, preparing for a legal interview needn’t be a massive job. Knowing where to look is an essential part of preparation. There is little point in overloading on information that will be of use during the job interview. Take a look at a few interview techniques to master before you get into the hot seat to help you put your best foot forward.
 

1. Rehearse the process with a friend

This can help to emulate the rigours of a legal job interview. Recording the exchange will facilitate some self-analysis and practise your interview questions and answers.
 

2. Practice for a job interview over the phone

Job Interviews have evolved in recent years and now sometimes the initial interview can be over Skype or Phone. When this is the case you need to figure out some interview techniques that cater to this.
 

3. Predict the interview questions and answers

Of course, this isn’t always easy. But there are a few job interview questions that nearly always come up. Having set answers to these interview questions is a great interview technique and will help you get across the information that you think will get you hired.

Job Interview Question and Answers

With some practiced interview questions and answers to hand, you’ll be able to sell your most precious product: your own ability. Take a look at the top interview questions and answers that you can prepare for to master your interview technique.
 

1. Why do you want to leave your current role?

The worst thing you can do in a job interview is speak badly of your previous employer, so instead of saying ‘I don’t like my manager’ or ‘the company is run by idiots’ answer the interview question with something positive. Mentioning that you want to continue learning, or are pursuing more money and better opportunities to progress are always winning answers.
 

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This can be a tricky job interview question to answer as describing your weaknesses can be hard. Strengths should be relatively easy, whereas weaknesses need to be thought out carefully. Avoiding this question is not a good interview technique. Instead, be honest, but don’t say anything that refers to your character directly. Weaknesses need to be solvable and related to performance in situations, not overall character. If you can handle this interview question well, you’ll demonstrate honesty, openness to criticism and self-awareness.
 

3. Can you describe a situation where you demonstrated ‘x’

This is a classic interview question that asks you to show how you’ve used your skills in practice. A good interview technique for this is to follow the conflict to resolution storyline. Start by describing the challenge, then demonstrate how you handled it and finally make it clear how this proves your key skills.

Interview Questions To Ask

Asking questions is a great interview technique as it creates a conversational dynamic and proves your interest. Showing interest in the company in general, not just the position you’re applying for, will allow both candidate and the employer to learn more about the respective parties.

There are some simple questions a candidate can ask that will engender an exchange of ideas:

• Why did you choose to work for this company?
• What impresses you most about this company?
• How will the company grow in the next five years?
• What is most challenging in your business?
• And what is most rewarding?

Getting a legal interview

Before you even think about mastering the interview techniques above, getting a job interview in the first place can be a difficult process. There are actually hundreds of thousands of great jobs that can never be found on public job sites.

At Employment Crossing, over 100 researchers will help you find jobs that others did not know about. This means that members get more interviews and, in turn, more jobs. Try entering your email here to get started.