On-campus interviewing (OCI) may not be anybody’s idea of a relaxing experience, but done right, it can be interesting, fun, and rewarding. Beyond obeying the golden rule of interviews – early is on-time and on-time is late – here are five ways to make the most of your interview experience.
Dress Appropriately
It may be hard during the summer to swap out your flip-flops for dress shoes, but interviewing is a business formal occasion. Dark suits with white or blue shirts and conservative ties are most appropriate for men, and conservative pants or skirt suits are best for women. If you wear a skirt, it is appropriate to wear stockings. Make sure the suit fits well and is not too tight or too big – be honest with yourself about this.If you have tattoos, they should not be visible, and be careful about piercings as well. Finally, if you typically wear perfume or cologne, consider skipping it on the day of your interview.
Remember, the goal of any interview is to stand out because of your credentials and communication skills, not your wardrobe. If you’re not sure if something is appropriate or not, contact us in career services. It’s important to get this right, because your appearance is a big part of the first impression you make.
Remember the Little Things
Screening interviews are usually 20 minutes, so you need to quickly build rapport with your interviewer. Little things are important when making an impression, so remember to have a firm handshake and make eye contact. Speak clearly and avoid fillers such as “like” and “you know.”
Also, it’s important to have a solid grasp on the documents you have provided your interviewer. Be prepared to answer questions about all experiences represented on your resume.
Finally, practice answering the standard questions that you might be asked, such as:
- “Why did you apply to my firm?”
- “Why did you go to law school?“
- “What was your favorite class or professor?”
- “Are you interested in any particular area of the law?”
Ask Questions
Just because your interviewer has finished asking you questions doesn’t mean your interview is over. Be prepared to ask your own questions in return. You should ask about his or her firm, and their own practice. Articulate what you think is special about them and why you want the job.
This is where you can stand out – ask interesting questions that show your enthusiasm for the firm and its clients. Research the firm’s website from top to bottom, including attorney bios. The more research you do, the more prepared you will feel. Bring extra copies of your resume, transcript, and writing sample. And most important, be positive.
Polish up your social media profiles
When in doubt, assume that employers check everything. Pretend you are the hiring partner at a big conservative law firm, then read your Facebook page and Google your name to see what comes up.
If you have any questions at all about your online presence or anything in your background that might come up in an employment application or background check, please ask us about it. This is an area where there are no dumb questions, so if you have even a tiny doubt about anything, it’s worth bringing up with a career counselor before your interview.
Keep in Touch With Career Services
If the interviewing organization is a member of the National Association of Law Placement (NALP), and almost all big firms are, then they must adhere to the NALP standards. These standards are important to know, since they relate to not only offers from employers, but your responses to those offers.
Of course, firms will be very careful about the number of call back invitations they extend, and the numbers of summer associate offers extended after that. There is no blanket advice about how this will impact your own personal experience with OCI, but whether you’re trying to sort through multiple offers or preparing to obtain employment from non-OCI employers, we can help.
Perhaps more than anything else, remember to be confident in yourself. That said, a sharp outfit, firm handshake, and a clean social media profile can help you gain that confidence. If you have any questions about OCI before the time arrives, please reach out to your office of career services. Oh, and good luck!