The All Important Interview

The interview is, of course, an integral part of concluding a successful job search. Whether considering a permanent or temporary position, you should hone your interview skills by reviewing and even participating in mock interviews.

With years of experience placing candidates in positions of all levels, Ad Hoc The Legal Placement Company suggests the following tips to help you put your best foot forward:

Preparing for the Interview

Before the interview - prepare, prepare, prepare. Ensure you know all of the following:

• the time and place of the interview.
• pertinent facts about the firm/corporation with which you are interviewing.
• the name of the interviewer and its pronunciation.
• what skills or attributes of yours the interviewer is interested in.
• what questions to ask during the interview. The more you understand about the opportunity, the better you will be able to communicate your interest.

Also, take the following steps to ensure you put your best foot forward from the moment you step through the door:

• Dress professionally and conservatively. Men should wear a dark suit with a long-sleeved dress shirt and tie. Women should wear an easy-fitting dress or a suit. Never wear excessive cologne or perfume.
• Consider taking with you a simple portfolio that contains original copies of your resume and a notepad on which you can make notes, if the need arises. Always carry an ink pen.
• Plan to arrive at the interview on time or a few minutes early.

During the Interview

Here are a few helpful strategies for the actual interview.

• Take a seat only after you are offered a chair. Sit upright. Look the interviewer in the eye as frequently as possible.
• When you meet the interviewer, greet him or her with a smile and a firm handshake. Show energy and your genuine enthusiasm to meet the interviewer.
• Do not chew gum and do not smoke, even if offered gum or a cigarette.
• If asked to complete an application, do so thoroughly. Follow instructions carefully; the interviewer will note your ability to follow directions. When completing the application, do not answer questions by stating "refer to my resume."
• Answer questions truthfully and succinctly. Elaborate with more than a simple "yes" or "no" answer, but do not ramble.
• Do not make derogatory comments about current or former employers. Try to steer away from questions involving politics or controversial issues.
• Do not inquire about salary and/or benefits on the first interview. If asked about your salary needs, indicate your earnings but follow up by restating your interest in the opportunity, not merely the salary.

Be prepared to answer the following questions:

• why you wish to leave your current employer?
• how you would describe your most recent performance appraisal?
• what are your strengths and your weaknesses?
• what are your career aspirations?
• what about this career opportunity interests you?
• can you obtain recommendations from previous employers?

Be on guard about the following negative factors in your presentation which may cost you the job:

• overbearing or egotistical behavior.
• lack of interest or enthusiasm.
• lack of confidence or poise.
• nervousness.
• evasiveness, particularly in making excuses for unfavorable work history.
• incapacity to maintain a conversation and failure to ask questions about the position.

Closing the Interview

The only thing more important than how you start an interview is how you close one. Here are some tips to help you leave a positive impression.

• If you are interested in the position, tell the interviewer so. Be enthusiastic.
• If you believe the interview is not going as you had hoped or planned, do not allow your discouragement to show.
• Do not be discouraged if the interviewer makes no immediate commitment. The process of landing a job frequently requires more than one meeting between you and a representative of the company.
• Thank the interviewer for his or her time. Ask if you can provide additional information which may be helpful to the interviewer in making a decision.
• Within 24 hours of the interview, write a letter thanking the interviewer for the opportunity to interview, expressing interest in the company and briefly restating why you think you can make a strong contribution to the company.

“Ad Hoc’s management team brings an unparalleled level of understanding and professionalism to every engagement. Their intimate knowledge of the national and international legal communities coupled with their insightful strategies has enabled Ad Hoc to secure and sustain a leading position within the legal placement industry.”
B. Daryl Bristow
Managing Litigation Partner
Baker Botts, L.L.P.
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Our Temps Average
Three Months per Assignment

The average length of an Ad Hoc temporary assignment is three months, although some temporary employees have worked in a single position for more than six years.