Assess New Fields and Positions with an Informational Interview The informational interview is one of the best ways to learn firsthand about positions that you think you are considering. Remember again, that this is not where the process begins. There are many ways to narrow a broad career field before you begin to utilize the time of busy professionals. (24 views)
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. (47 views)
Nail the Job, Part 1: How to Answer Interview Questions Scared to open your mouth at a recruiting interview? Don't be. We'll show you how to talk smart no matter what comes your way. (6591 views)
Nail the Job, Part 2: The Art of the Recruiting Meal It's just lunch (or dinner), but how you handle your knife and fork can speak volumes about your ability to entertain potential clients. So skip the spaghetti and learn to eat right. (85 views)
A Simple Follow-Up Letter Can Change Your Life A follow-up letter or follow-up correspondence is something rarely given importance by those who need it the most. Reading books of Steven Covey will at least convince you that our lives are controlled by habits. (3073 views)
The interview quandary Should You Talk About Other Interviews in Your Interview? One of the questions I receive quite often from the attorneys I work with is whether or not they should talk about other interviews while they are interviewing with law firms. Let me emphasize one thing: This is one of the more important questions you will have to answer in an interview. Regardless of your... (86 views)
A Guide to the interview How to Excel in Law Firm Interviews We have seen the same scenario repeat itself over and over again. We send a highly qualified candidate out on an interview, only to later learn that a job offer was never extended. What went wrong? The reasons for unproductive interviews vary from one attorney to another. Furthermore, interviews are often handled differently, depending... (69 views)
Tips on Preparing Yourself for the Interview for an In-House Counsel Job Recently, one of the leading in-house counsel publishers gave some advice to general counsels on how to conduct effective job interviews. This advice was given to those who are hiring new in-house counsel — i.e., interviewers. (12017 views)
General Counsel Interview Tips So, it's time. You've gotten your resume looked at, and now it's time for you to go into that interview in your search for an in-house counsel job. Now what? (11085 views)
Five Considerations for Even the Most Confident Attorney Throughout my years as a practicing attorney and now as a legal recruiter, I have come to realize that while some people are inherently confident about their interviewing skills, most people get very nervous about interviews. Thus, for the vast majority of us, it goes without saying that interview preparation is essential, helpful, and absolutely necessary. (39 views)
Tips on how to make a good impression at the job interview They're kind of like first dates. You try to look your best. You try to make the perfect first impression. And you try so hard to say all the right things. (127 views)
Job-Interview Warning Signs: Is This Job a Bust? Getting an interview for a seemingly excellent job is a big step in anyone's job search. No matter how good or bad the job may actually be, job seekers sometimes fail to notice obviously suspicious interview signs that can be bad news when it comes to a potential job. (506 views)
Top Five Tips for Traveling to a Job Interview It's always a pleasure to be called in for a job interview; after all, that is the point of any job search. So when a candidate gets called in for an interview that requires him or her to travel, it can be that much more exciting. (47 views)
How to Secure a Job Interview Faster Than Everyone Else These days, blindly sending out a superb resume and cover letter to 100 law firms simply isn't enough to get noticed. Most ''with it'' attorneys can compose a ''presentable'' resume and cover letter. And while, yes, some are better than others for various reasons, there is only one other thing that can get you in the door quicker than a brilliant cover letter and resume.... (41 views)
Mending Job Interview Muck-Ups It can happen to the best of us. MapQuest did you wrong. You forgot your portfolio. You gave the wrong impression. The list of mishaps that can take place on the day of a job interview goes on and on. But don't sweat it—the most important thing to do in these situations is to handle the flop with grace. (21 views)
The Night Before It's 10:00 p.m. on a Sunday night. You're just sitting down to watch TV with your significant other when it hits you. Dang it! You forgot that you have a job interview tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. What a way to kill the night. (12 views)
Mind Your Manners! An interview is the final destination in any job pursuit; we all know that. So when you walk in the door, there are several things that must be aligned, so to speak. Not to sound like your mother, but minding your manners is one of them. ''Well, duh,'' you're probably thinking. But you'd be surprised at some of the mindless blunders people make in these first-impression... (5 views)
Look the Look: Dressing for Interviews You've managed to land the interview for a first-year associate position at O'Melveny & Myers; now you need to look the part. Easy, right? I always thought so, but there are many people out there who need some job interview fashion advice! Now, I'm not asking you to roll up looking like a Gucci fashionista, but let me explain some of the guidelines. (7 views)
How to Sell Yourself on Interviews, Part Two It is very important to remember that you cannot sell yourself until you know what the interviewer needs. Therefore, the interviewer speaks first. The smart strategy is to listen well and then match his or her needs. (17 views)
How to Sell Yourself on Interviews, Part One Your resume was posted among thousands of competing resumes, and to your surprise, you were chosen for an in-person interview. Congratulations! But wait...what are those voices in your head saying? Are you really going to be able to compete against the top candidates? (11 views)
En Vogue Etiquette, Part I: The Handshake Etiquette is much more about the small things than the big ones. For instance, not only should you stand up when shaking a person's hand, but your handshake should also come across as strong and confident. ''Strong,'' however, is not to be confused with ''bone-crushing,'' and ''confident'' is not to be confused with ''extremity groping.'' Neither of these approaches makes... (8 views)
The Best Way to Prepare for a Job Search and Interviews Several years ago, when I was looking for a position in Los Angeles, I interviewed with numerous law firms. During virtually every one of these interviews, I ran into an attorney who knew not one, not two, not three, but numerous, numerous attorneys in my current firm. (159 views)
Dating the Interviewer Forgive me now for the comparison I am about to make, but interviews are, in a lot of ways, no different from blind dates. Think about it. Each person involved asks empty, detail-oriented questions in an attempt to gain as much information as possible about the other before their time together comes to an end. (12 views)
Interviewing — Part II: Conduct For the past couple of weeks, we have covered the ins and outs of physically preparing for an interview. However, we have not begun to cover the territory of mental preparation. Every interview, just like every cover letter, should be approached with a specific intention that is tailored to the employer and the position. Your interview is the first face-to-face interaction... (14 views)
Interviewing—Part I: Preparation Redux Last week, we discussed how to prepare for a legal interview so that you can project the best first impression under any circumstances. Once you walk through the door, though, the journey is far from over. There is always the potential for something to be thrown by the wayside or forgotten by complete accident that could make or break your interview experience with an... (148 views)
Interviewing — Part I: Preparation Interviews, in and of themselves, are almost as complicated and detail-oriented as the documents that get you them in the first place. Between questions of dress, conduct, question responses, and materials, there are so many ways a person can take a wrong turn on the path to employability. However, there are also more ways to drive that incredible first impression home... (21 views)
How to effectively manage the tricky subject of Salary Negotiation Nobody wants to earn less than they're worth. There certainly are many reasons why employees leave their employers, including work environment, job responsibilities, and career development. Still, most surveys report that compensation is the most common motivation for people to seek a new position. Thus, it is only natural for an attorney seeking a new position to be... (442 views)
Is Your Body Language Sabotaging Your Job Interview? You seemed to be the perfect candidate for the position: an honors graduate with a solid work history and excellent references. But somehow you didn't advance past the first round of interviews. Could inappropriate body language have actually killed your chances? (869 views)
Nailing the Interview With several generic publications, websites, and services dedicated to providing resume-writing tips, there is a lack of information on interviewing techniques specific to attorneys. (2333 views)
The Attire during job interview makes a difference What to Wear to Work There is a story that has been passed down from attorney to attorney over the years concerning a young woman who went in for a job interview at a major New York law firm. According to legend, she showed up in the hiring partner's office dressed for a night on the town. She wore a short skirt, stiletto heels, and a low-cut top that exposed a tattoo. Her... (906 views)