National Jurist - October 2008 - (Page 11) CAREERHOTLINE How to give a stellar on-campus interview Q: I am participating in my school’s OCI process. What kinds of questions can I expect during initial interviews? A: Intellect, interpersonal skills, and drive or motivation are three things interviewers might look for from candidates during the initial interview, said Susan Galli, hiring partner and chair of the hiring committee at Ropes & Gray, LLP. The interviewer is trying to ascertain the candidate’s level of interest and enthusiasm for the law, legal practice and the firm, said John Siamas, a partner in charge of recruiting at Reed Smith, LLP and dean of litigation at the firm’s Reed Smith University. Siamas said candidates can expect general questions that require some level of self-examination: questions about strengths, passions and self-analysis. Also, Siamas said he looks for personal traits like good judgment, common sense, hard work and a sense of ethics and responsibility. Because this is typically the first time you’ll meet an interviewer, your resume is pretty much the only information on which the interviewer can base his or her questions. Therefore, you should always be prepared to discuss anything on your resume, said Galli. Many interviewers will ask candidates to explain specific parts of their resumes in more detail: for example, what challenges they encountered during an externship or what they accomplished at a summer position, Galli said. She added that she does not use a template list of questions, but rather formulates questions based on the individual. Not everyone bases questions on the resume, though Siamas said he doesn’t look at a candidate’s resume until after the interview in order to have a fresh opinion about the candidate as a person without being influenced by accomplishments on paper. Q: Is there anything I should say to — or ask — interviewers during my on-campus interview? A: A successful initial interview should not be an interrogation, but rather a conversation that flows naturally between the interviewer and the candidate, Siamas said. Galli adds that she is always happy to discuss anything the candidate wants to talk about. October 2008 By Ursula Furi-Perry, Esq. ADVICE Definitely do your research before the interview, recommends Coke Cherney, partner at Ropes & Gray and a member of the firm’s hiring committee. At minimum, you should be familiar with the firm and its work through information on the firm’s website. Most recruiters have encountered candidates who came to the interview unprepared, and it shows. You don’t want to be the candidate who appears unenthusiastic — or worse, asks, “Remind me what firm this is again?” Still, recruiters agree that it is best not to sound rehearsed when asking questions about the firm. Canned questions won’t get you a lot of points with interviewers, Cherney said. Instead of asking the questions that you think you are supposed to ask, like questions about the firm’s training or pro bono programs, which is something that nearly every candidate asks about, Cherney said it’s essential to inquire about the things that are important to you personally. Siamas agrees that personal tastes and interests should come across at the initial interview. He adds that he always asks candidates what their passions are—and if they answer by giving a practice area, Siamas said he follows up with a “Really?” to encourage conversation about the person’s interests. Again, interviewers look for individual answers rather than rehearsed statements, and they are more likely to remember and call back a candidate who stands out for a unique passion or interest. Galli said she tries to draw the person out during an interview. Among other things, she said the interviewer is looking at whether the candidate will be a good fit for the firm (and vice versa.) And what if nerves get the best of you and you give a lessthan-stellar interview? Don’t fret that your chances of being called back are gone: most interviewers understand the pressures of the OCI process. Cherney said he gives students the benefit of the doubt, particularly during the first interview. But try to be relaxed and show engagement, enthusiasm and confidence. Cherney said those traits can help you give a more pleasant interview and stand out among other candidates. Got a career question? Submit to Ursula at furiperry@verizon.net THE NATIONAL JURIST 11
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