Schneider Legal Group Offers Advice for Effective Interviewing in Today’s Legal Job Market

Schneider Legal Group Offers Advice for Effective Interviewing in Today’s Legal Job Market.SLG focuses on the candidate, their goals and expectations. Take control of your career search with a recognized leader who can convey your value to the marketplace. Call: (954) 306 – 6313. Visit: http://www.schneiderlegalgroup.com

Monday, August 4, 2014. The overall employment rate for recent law school grads has shown little improvement for the sixth consecutive year, currently at 84.5%, according to a report by the National Association for Law Placement. With the forecast for law school graduates to remain less than desirable for now, nailing that interview is more important than ever. Maintaining a competitive edge in today’s job market is crucial, especially when one has amassed some hefty student loan debt. The good news is, the national median starting salary has increased, as did the number of large law firm jobs. Additionally, a slight majority of graduates are working in private practice, (small, medium and large firms).

The journey for law school graduates seems to be never ending. From undergrad, to law school, and then the bar, the quest for success – or at least a paycheck, is still not over.  According to UC Berkeley School of Law, the employment interview is the single most important event in the entire job search process. Sound like a lot of pressure? No worries, here are some tips for effective interviewing that will help you to outshine the competition:

• Research the employer.  Taking initiative to learn about the law firm before the interview is a must. It will help you to prepare intelligent, thoughtful questions to ask during the interview, and your knowledge will also signify that you will be prepared when it comes to meetings and court appearances. It will also demonstrate that you are serious about your career goals, and that you understand what working for that particular organization entails. Utilize resources such as Glassdoor.com, LinkedIn, and Martindale-Hubble. Also review the firm or organization’s web site prior to the interview, as well as bio pages for the partners or staff you will be meeting with.

• Self-Assessment.  Be aware of both your strengths and weaknesses, so that you are ready for any questions that require your elaboration. Make a list of three to five of your strongest selling points that reflect your most notable achievements or qualifications that will help distinguish you from other candidates. Do you have teamwork skills? Client service skills? Do you have a technical background? Do the skills you offer demonstrate the ability to take initiative and ownership on projects? Let the interviewer know the valuable assets you possess.

• Make a solid first impression. The first few minutes of the interview are critical.  Some employers make their minds up about candidates early on in the process. Dress like a lawyer – a professional, yet conservative business suit, and an appearance that shows preparation and respect. You want the employer to believe that you can be a good intermediary for the firm in court or with clients. This means shined shoes, clean cut and neat hair and nails. Bring extra copies of your resume, and exude a friendly, confident, and dignified demeanor. Make eye contact, don’t fidget, and be on time.

• Be Prepared. Anticipate questions about your resume and your character. Take time to consider your answers to each question, and for questions that require multi-level answers, begin with a summary response, and then go on to provide more detail and elaboration, but remember to keep your answers short and to the point. You want to demonstrate clarity and confidence. Don’t ramble on. Typical interview questions may include:

1. Why do you want to work for us?
2. Why should we hire you?
3. What do you know about our organization?
4. What criteria are you using to evaluate the employer for which you hope to work?
5. Why did you choose to be a lawyer?
6. How would you reconcile being assigned to a case you were morally opposed to?

For more assistance with the law firm interview process, it pays to work with a knowledgeable and experienced recruiter, one that works with top law firms that focuses on candidates, and can provide valuable information about the legal job market. Schneider Legal Group is an executive search and recruiting firm that is dedicated to attorney recruiting and placement. We place exceptional attorneys with leading law firms and organizations throughout the country. For more information, call (954) 306 – 6313, or visit: http://schneiderlegalgroup.com to learn more about how SLG aggressively matches talent with opportunity.