Before the interview

Make sure you dress accordingly, if it is not clear from the invitation to interview correspondence, ring and ask.

Make sure you know the address and how long the journey will take – check whether there are any expected travel or transport delays. It is never good to be late.

Review your application/CV before the interview. Be comfortable with what you have written and be prepared to answer questions about it

Think about the types of questions you may be asked – if you were the interviewer what would you want to know? Make sure that, whatever you to talk about in the interview, you know it well and can talk clearly and intelligently about it.

Research the firm and think about why you are particularly interested in joining it. Find out what major deals/matters the firm has been involved in and what have been some of the most important recent developments.

Be prepared to talk about why you are interested in a career in the law – how have you come to make the decision and what have been the important steps along the way?

Gain as much exposure as you can to the people who work in the firm / organisation – attend any receptions, presentations or workshops that may be held at your university. Your university careers service may be able to put you in contact with relevant alumni.

Attend mock interview sessions run either by potential employers or your careers service. This may also help to settle your nerves before the interview/assessment day.

Interviews are a two-way process – you are also there to find out about the employer. Think about what you would like to know about the firm / organisation and prepare your own questions.

During the interview

When you meet the interviewer, shake hands firmly and maintain eye contact. Remember their name and always speak clearly and concisely – being a lawyer is all about being able to communicate.

Think about your posture. Try not to cross your arms as this looks defensive and not very confident. At the same time, try not to look too laid back and try not to fidget – you will come across as nervous.

Take your time to answer questions – listen to what is being said and try not to go off on a tangent. If you are unsure about what the interviewer is asking of you, ask for clarification. If you do not know the answer to a question, be honest and say so – if appropriate, tell the interviewer how you would go about finding the answer.

When asked to provide examples to demonstrate your skill and capabilities, be honest but do not use the same example for every question. Thinking ahead about what types of questions you may be asked can help you use a balance of academic, work experience and extra-curricular activities.  

Always ask the interviewer questions.

After the interview 

Review how you got on. Think about what you did well and what could be improved – reflect on the questions the interviewer asked and the examples you used. If necessary be willing to ask for feedback from the interviewer.

Think about what you liked and disliked about the organisation you visited and make learning notes for your next interview. What could you have done better?