TRAINING CONTRACT INTERVIEWS MADE EASY
in your teeth or newsprint all over your forehead (true story!) can be distracting for an interviewer, and take away from all the interesting things you might have to say. Don’t forget – you should remember that you are being assessed constantly, from the time you arrive at reception to the time you leave, so it is important not to let your guard down. If you are being shown around by a current trainee, it is not wise to confide in them things you would not say to the interviewer. If you are offered lunch with other candidates and trainees, be careful what you say and avoid any alcohol that might be offered. Having said that, don’t feel that you have to be someone you’re not. We know this may be easier said than done, but do try to relax and be yourself as much as possible. The interview is for both you and the firm to get to know each other better. What not to do There are numerous things that you should try to avoid in an interview situation. For starters, you probably Howdy, partner A partner interview is often the final stage of assessment in the recruitment process. You have done brilliantly if you have gotten this far and the firm is obviously interested in you, so give yourself a pat on the back! The exact nature of the partner interview will depend on the personality and preferences of your interviewer, but here are some golden rules that, if followed, will certainly help you to impress your potential employers at this final hurdle: • Some partner interviews involve a fictional case study that is designed to test how you apply your legal knowledge and commercial sense in a real-life
It is important to have a conversation with your interviewer; the interviewer will set the course of that conversation, but don’t make it hard work for them
situation, so make sure that you give yourself time to prepare in the days leading up to the interview. • If you don’t know the answer to a question about the case study or any other aspect of the interview, be honest about it. It is fine to admit that you are a ‘work in progress’, while any attempt to blag your way through will be spotted by your interviewers. • Don’t over-rehearse, as this can stifle your ability to show genuine enthusiasm for the firm – something that your interviewers will be looking for. • Your interviewers will base some of their questions on your CV and application form answers, so be prepared to talk about all aspects
of these in some detail. This should not be too difficult if what you wrote on your application form was honest! • Don’t belittle any non-legal work experience that you may have. Bar and retail work, for example, teach valuable social skills and demonstrate your work ethic. It is also worth remembering that your interviewers are likely to have performed similar roles in the past. • At all times, interviewers will be asking themselves whether they would introduce you to a client,
so have your best social skills at the ready: smile, make eye contact and listen carefully to what you are being asked.
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