NOTES for INTERVIEWEES

1   General Advice

You are going to meet your prospective employer. Remember that it's the first 12 feet, the first 12 inches and the first 12 words that make a lasting impression.

• Be honest
• Match the expectation of the firm
• Know your CV or application by heart
• Image is crucial! Not just your clothes and hair, but also your shoes, nails, watch jewellery, glasses
  and cosmetics.
• Do your research and target those firms that you would wish to work for. Decide what type of work you want to do i.e. criminal, legal aid or commercial litigation. Is size of firm or geography important? Read the firms’ brochures.

2   Your Aims

• To sell yourself
• To evaluate the job, to see if you want it

3   Preparation

• Get to know the job description and person specification
• Anticipate questions on "if you were faced with this situation, how would you tackle it?"
• Be prepared to quote examples of your achievements to back up claims you make about your attributes.
• Prepare "one-liners" to demonstrate what you've done.
• If it is a “Panel Interview”; find out the names of the panel members so that you can refer to them by name when answering their questions.
• Prepare questions on matters you need to know about the job title, overall purpose, tasks, responsibilities, your immediate line manager, your subordinates, the methods used for judging your prospects of promotion.

4   The Interview

Relax and act naturally – maintain good eye contact with the interviewer(s). Answer calmly – do
not rise to the question.

Be confident – not arrogant

Standard Questions – What are your strengths/weaknesses? Why are you looking at this firm?

Have standard answers ready to cover your weak areas.

If asked a technical question and you don't know the answer, a good tactic is to answer stating what you would do to find the answer for example, looking up Lawtel, Butterworths, Lexis Nexis, the White Book, CA website etc.

Don't just answer questions, ask them as well - make it a discussion if you can.

Address your answers to the chairman or decision-maker.

Be positive, reassure, sell your attributes and quote your achievements.

Don’t be negative and cause doubts – don’t criticise your organisation, your boss or yourself.

Compensate for any weaknesses that are mentioned by saying, ‘that may be so, BUT…’

For sensitive or inappropriate questions, keep your answer very short (and keep your cool). Answer such a question with a question e.g.: Don't you seem rather young for this job?" by asking "In what ways do you see my age as presenting problems?” Alternatively, make a short answer and ask a question about a different subject. Interviewers rarely pursue the matter further. 

At the end, ask if the interviewer has any reservations about handling the job. You should sum up how you see the position. Confirm your real interest and enthusiasm. Express your thanks. 

Send the employer a letter straightaway.

5   Questions you may be asked

What are your strong points?

What are your weak points?

If you were interviewing me for this job, what do you look for?

If you were offered this position, would you take it?  

What special training would you need?

What did you learn from your last job?

What do you look for when seeking a new job?

What appeals to you most about this job?

What makes you think you can do this job?

What did you do well in previous jobs?

To be frank you are too old/inexperienced/overqualified  

What do you know about the USA?  

What were the major problems in your last job?

What weaknesses do you think you may have for this position?

 What would you do if (situation) occurred?

What would you do if (ability claimed, skill required)?

What is your form of relaxation?

Tell me about yourself...

If asked to carry out instructions you disagreed with, what would you do?

What is more important to you - salary or job satisfaction?  

What was your last pay? What are you looking for in terms of pay?

What do people criticise in your boss/organisation/you?

If we were to talk to your boss what would he or she say about you?

If you joined us, how long could we rely on you to stay?

Tell me about ... (your hobbies/the achievements you are most proud of..?)

6 Questions you ought to ask

If looking for a Training Contract