Interview Tips for Law Firms

🤝 Have you ever had a bad interview experience?

Many of us have cringeworthy moments or awkward encounters thanks to our attempts to get a new job. But while a candidate may accidentally say the wrong thing, sometimes the employers fail at the basics of interviewing too.

So, if you’re new to interviewing candidates or your job offers are getting turned down, check you’re doing these things right. Here are some tips:

1. Remember, it’s a conversation, not an interrogation. The goal isn’t to catch people out but to check competency, skills and discover if the candidate would be a good fit. So, ask challenging questions to test skills, not to judge or undermine.
2. Make the interview space welcoming. A noisy pub, a tiny broom cupboard or the corner of the canteen isn’t the right space. Find a quiet, inviting room for the interview.
3. Do your prep. Have a copy of the CV ready, know who the candidate is and why you’ve chosen them for the interview. Also, make sure you’re there on time and ready to interview them. Anything less than this will be considered rude.
4. Keep to time. Don’t waste their time and yours with long monologues about the company or making small talk. Make sure you get to the key questions and keep the interview length reasonable.
5. Listen. Make sure you pay attention to the answers they give and get an idea of the “why” behind their skills and choices and what matters to them. A good fit at a company is about the person, not how many ticks they scored on your interview form.

You want to offer the job to a candidate who will add value to your firm and stay for a significant amount of time. The candidate wants an exciting and rewarding place to work that fits their career bath and goals. So, make sure you’re offering a position that gives an opportunity to grow and make use of their best skills.

We’re also here to help you find the perfect legal candidates. So, get in touch!

What do you think? Have you had a bad interview experience? Do law firms mostly get these basics right these days? Tell us in the comments below. 👇