Interview Techniques
Preparation is the key to a successful interview! Although you may have a fantastic CV, qualifications and experience, preparing prior to the interview will give you an advantage over the competition. In order to impress a potential employer make sure you:
- Research the exact location and confirm the time of the interview. You should ideally arrive 10 minutes early to compose yourself. You should know the name of the interviewer and their role within the company.
- Research the company via the website and make sure you know the role you are going for. Thoroughly read the Job Description and ask questions on duties you are not sure of.
- Dress smartly. Even if the office has a dress down policy, most companies will expect you to wear a suit to an interview. Also, check your appearance in the mirror beforehand and make sure everything looks the way it is supposed to!
- Remember to be polite and thank the interviewer for their time and give a firm handshake on departure.
You need to be able to tell the interviewer why you want the job and why you think your experience is relevant to the job and the company. It is essential to remember to emphasise the positive rather than the negative - so don’t complain about your current role or company, don’t say you are fed up. Instead emphasise the positive reasons why the job appeals (e.g. interesting work, chance of promotion, location etc). Remember you are selling yourself so be prepared to talk about yourself without losing the focus of what you are trying to achieve - a new job!
If you are a senior lawyer looking at a partner role many firms will expect you to have a business plan and to be able to demonstrate a client following.
Finally, don’t be afraid of asking questions; the interview is also a chance for you to find out more about the role and company. Find out why the role has become vacant, what training and support there is available and when do you expect to hear back from them!