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How to Land a Law Job

Like most professional fields, law has taken a big hit in the recession. Law firms, once considered safe havens, have laid of employees in droves. And, of course, new jobs are hard to come by — especially for law students.

That means once a student (or recent grad) lands an interview, she has to be ready to nail it.  Looking for interviewing advice last year, I found many websites and blogs had the same old rules — show up early, dress impeccably, ask good questions. We go beyond the standard protocol, with tips will push your interviewing skills to the next level and will help you land the job.

Talk about Your Non-Legal Experience

Just because you are interviewing for a legal job does not mean that you can or should only talk about your legal experience. Discuss your non-legal experience that relates to the work you will do at the firm.  Since I worked as an executive recruiter before law school, I would talk about the parallels between recruiting and practicing law. I’d explain how I had to strategize, negotiate, and overcome objections in order to put deals together.  Then I’d explain how those skills will help me to negotiate settlements or deals for clients.

Prepare Canned Answers

A common piece of advice is to avoid canned answers.  But law firms tend to ask the same questions: Why did you go to law school? Why do you want to work for our firm?  What are your greatest strengths?  Tell me about yourself.  Rehearsing responses in advance allows you to take control of the interview.  Plus, you look silly and unprepared if you have to think up answers to basic questions on the spot.  Just don’t sound robotic or cheesy — shoot for prepared, articulate and confident.

Avoid Small Talk

Many people think they nail an interview when they hit it off with the interviewer and chat about things like sports, restaurants, and shared alma maters.  You want the interviewer to like you, but don’t forget that you’re trying to land a job.  Ride the small talk into substantive discussion.  For example, if you find that you both like running 10Ks, explain how you love to participate in local events and how your community involvement will translate into building clients for the firm down the road.

Look at it as a Career Interview

Law firms hiring summer associates or recent graduates are looking to make a long-term investment.  So, to land the job you should explain that you are interested in having a long-term career with the firm.  You want to become a partner and you realize that means you will have to develop a client base and make the firm money.  If you say that you plan to work at a big firm for a couple of years to pay off your student loans before going into private practice, consider the interview over.

Be VERY Enthusiastic and Energetic

This is not the time to showcase your laid-back, go-with-the-flow personality.  Everyone knows that associates work long, hard hours.  You must be prepared to give examples of times when you worked hard and put in long hours.  Further, you must convey that you achieved success from working hard and that you enjoy challenging work. And you have to show that you’re energetic and ready for any challenge. Everyone says that they will work harder than anyone else, so let your enthusiasm prove it.

Fit in During the Meal

One of the most nerve-racking parts of an interview can be the meal.  In addition to the etiquette tips your parents and career services department impress upon you (which are absolutely required), the key is to fit in. This is the time for small talk. If you are interviewing with a group of associates, ask them what it is like to work for the firm, where they live, what they do with their time off. Be thoughtful, ask good questions, and relax a bit (while still being professional).  If you are having lunch with a group of partners or there is some other indication that you are still on a serious job interview (for example, the entire interview is to take place over lunch), get into business mode. Small talk until you order lunch, then conduct yourself as you would in any other interview.

Email Thank You Notes ASAP

There’s something to be said for traditional handwritten notes, but hiring decisions are often made very quickly and you may miss your window with snail mail.  Thank you emails should be professional and personalized.  Send an email to each person you interviewed with (not just to the hiring partner to pass along to the rest of the gang).  This email will give you a chance to follow up on any personal connections you made and to emphasize how interested you are in the firm and the position.

Jocelyn Cubbon DeMars is a third year law student at the University of Toledo College of Law.  Prior to law school, she worked as an executive recruiter in Atlanta.  Following law school, she will work as an associate in a Cincinnati-based law firm. Questions, comments? Email  jocelyndemars@gmail.com.

Tags: education, employers, job-hunting, jobs, law, tips