Interview technique
Offers You’ll hear back from most recruiters quickly. If you receive an offer, most firms will give you four weeks to respond. If you’re certain that you want to accept, respond in writing as soon as possible. If you’re unable to give a decision at the time of receiving an offer, let them know and give a date by which you should have a final answer. Once you’ve accepted an offer, inform all other firms/chambers that have invited you for interview or that have made you an alternative offer. If no deadline is given, don’t feel pressured to give an answer if you think that other offers may still be forthcoming. Further advice can be found throughout The Handbook . In particular, be sure to read the profiles of individual solicitors and barristers in the Practice Area Profiles, many of whom offer their take on the application and interview process. Further reading There’s a wealth of useful application advice on LawCareers.Net – type ‘application’ and ‘interview’ in the search bar for comprehensive guidance on every stage of the process, from initial research to performing in an interview or assessment centre.
current affairs and our business, for example by looking at the recent news on our website or across our social media platforms. We look at your commercial awareness from the application stage.” Ask questions to which you genuinely want to know the answers – but not those for which you could’ve found out the answer beforehand. One North West graduate recruitment adviser comments: “Don’t ask a question that, had you done any research on the firm, you would’ve found out the answer. There are no brownie points for asking the obvious.” Don’t ask a question that, had you done any research on the firm, you would have found out the answer We asked recruiters what sorts of questions would impress them. Most said anything that reflects an interest in and understanding of the commercial world, clients and their business needs, or something that demonstrates specific knowledge of the firm without merely parroting the graduate recruitment literature or the firm’s/chambers’ website. After As soon as you come out of the interview, it’s a good idea to find somewhere quiet to sit and write down all the questions you can remember being asked. Then write down what you gave as an answer. Later, work through the questions again, this time writing out what you would’ve said, given time to think and no interview nerves. By taking time to reflect on the interview, you’ll be making the most of the experience (whether good or bad) and preparing yourself for the next one.
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