INTERVIEW: TIPS AND TRICKS

Hello all,

As the Law Career Convention 2011 is drawing near, we suppose that many of you would be (or should be) preparing for a possible attachment/pupillage interview. Here are some useful links on interviews which we believe would help you nail an internship/chambering spot with your desired firm, or if not, at least assist you to make a good and lasting impression on the firms. (Tips from Paul Subramaniam and Mr Choon during the CV & Interview Workshops will be included.)

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Different firms conduct their interviews in different ways. If you can, do ask friends or seniors on how the interviews are conducted so you can be well prepared before the D-day. During the interviews, you can expect:

1. Written tests
2. Personality tests
3. Research skills tests
4. Formal interviews
5. Informal interviews 
6. Interviews with a panel 

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

• http://thepupillagepages.com/index.php?cat_id=14#2

• http://www.uwe.ac.uk/careers/resources/occupations/Sample%20pupillage%20interview%20questions.PDF

•  http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/interviews/ivlaw.htm

Paul’s Tips If you can, tell the interviewer(s) what you have that no other trainee does.You can make an impression by telling the firm what you can do for the firm.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEW

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/jan/21/law-rupert-myers-barrister-pupillage-interviews

• http://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/law-barristers/applications-and-interviews/how-to-prepare-for-your-pupillage-intervie

 

Paul’s Tips: Prepare to have something to talk about - eg: Current news, current changes to the law, controversial case, current event/conference you've attended etc...

HOW TO PRESENT YOURSELF DURING THE INTERVIEW

• http://thepupillagepages.com/index.php?cat_id=14#1

• http://www.legalassistantprogram.net/how-to-ace-your-legal-assistant-interview

 

Paul’s Tips: Be yourself. Be honest, enthusiastic, engaging and sincere. Do not be uptight. Mr Choon's Tips: Have a firm handshake. Express yourself - be ready to talk, ask questions and express interest. Do not be swayed by misleading arguments given by the interviewer. Sometimes, they are testing your ability to stand your ground.

QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK

• http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/intervw.htm#Ask

 

Paul’s Tips: If the firm makes you an offer, there is no harm asking how much time you have to get back to the firm. (If you are not sure whether you want to take the offer, make sure you do NOT accept it only to cancel your acceptance later on. That would give a very bad impression of yourself on the firm) If you did not get an offer, you are perfectly entitled to ask the firm how you did during the interview so you could improve in the next interview(s) you have. If you have forgotten to ask or tell the interviewer something during the interview itself, it is perfectly fine to let them know later on via email.

We hope you'll find these tips and tricks useful and we wish you the VERY BEST OF LUCK in acing all your interviews!!!