Sandra J. Bishop, president of Executive Solutions, is an executive coach and career strategist. She will periodically answer questions that can help lawyers get that next position.
How should I approach an interview?
You should approach and interview as a sales call, because that’s what an interview is. You are both the salesman and the product.
Questions to consider:
Who are you interviewing with? This is important because there will be a wide range of people screening you. Usually the process begins with the HR person, followed by the hiring manager and a select group of colleagues. The HR screening is typically a stand-alone meeting done frequently as a phone-conference.
What kind of interview are you having? Is it a one on one phone with the hiring manager? Will you meeting with the entire team.
Perhaps it is a panel interview. A panel interview is a more progressive form during which all the candidates are sitting on one side of the table, and all the hiring managers on the other – it is essentially a face off. Not pleasant for any of the candidates, but an efficient forum for the employer. My advice is if you find yourself in this situation, simply play your own game. Do not listen to what anyone around you is saying; be true to yourself.
How long is the interview is going to last? This is important because you need to schedule your time appropriately. It also helps to level-set your expectations, and pace yourself throughout the interview.
When you go into the interview, your resume tells your story. Your credentials and education are also important. But, your over-arching goal is deliver enough integrated information to the firm that you can do the job and do it well.
How will the interviewer assess me?
You are assessed on two levels:
Personally: your behavior/ conduct, personality, likeability, values, appearance and, yes — your energy will be scrutinized. Optimistic people tend to project a certain aura; it’s upbeat, energetic and inviting. On the other hand, negative people tend to project a guarded, sometimes angry, bitter and resentful vibe; one that is definitely exclusive.
Professional: your credentials/ experience/ expertise/ distinctive qualities, education, aptitude for the profession and the position will be scrutinized. Make sure everything in your resume and everything you convey/ portray is direct and accurate.
How should I prepare myself for the interview?
There is no such thing as being over-prepared.
Before the Interview: request an “Organizational Chart” and “Position Description” and study it. Do the web-research: know the history of the firm/ company. If it is a publicly-traded company, know the price of the stock and its performance over the recent year. When working with a recruiter, ask: “What is it I need to know about this company/ firm before I interview?”
Ask if the position you are interviewing for is a newly-created position. If so, why? Otherwise, ask why the position was vacated. These two questions will help give you a sense of the current climate in the area in which you are interviewing.
Attorneys in Transition Event on May 8, 2009
