eiw orientation: interview skills workshop · men’s interview attire/grooming tips • suit o...

Office of Career Services 245 Sullivan Street, Suite 430 New York, NY 10012-1301

212 998 6090 | [email protected]

2017

EIW Orientation: Interview Skills Workshop STUDENT HANDOUTS



Interview Evaluation Form

Outstanding applicant - callback recommended

Very good applicant - callback recommended

Good applicant - callback not recommended

Average or below average applicant - callback not recommended

Scoring Under each heading, please select a numerical rating and write specific job-related comments in the space provided. The numerical rating system is based on the following: 5 - Exceptional 4 - Above Average 3 - Average 2 - Below Average 1 - Unsatisfactory

Educational Background Does the candidate have the appropriate undergraduate and law school academic record?

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

Prior Work Experience Has the candidate acquired relevant skills or qualifications through past work experiences?

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

Extracurricular Activities Has the candidate demonstrated initiative and diverse interests?

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

Verbal Communication How were the candidate's communication skills during the interview?

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

Candidate Name: Completed By: Law School & Graduation Year: Interviewer(s): Date of Interview:

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Knowledge of Firm and Practice Area Interests Did the candidate research the firm prior to the interview? If the candidate has a practice area interest, is it an appropriate match for the firm?

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

Candidate Enthusiasm How much interest did the candidate show in the firm?

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

Communication Skills Did the candidate demonstrate team-building/interpersonal skills? Rating: 1 2 3 4 5 Comments:

Initiative Did the candidate demonstrate a high degree of initiative?

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

Time Management Did the candidate demonstrate time management skills?

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

Overall Impression and Recommendation Final comments and recommendations for proceeding with the candidate.

Comments:



Employer Research Resources

• Alumni, current students and other contacts who work for the firmo You can mention these connections during the interview

• AmLaw Surveyso Corporate Scorecard, Summer Associate surveys, Global 100, etc.o www.law.com

• Chambers and Partners Guideso Provides rankings of global law firms and lawyers by practice areaso www.chambersandpartners.com

• Chambers Associate: The Student’s Guide to Law Firmso Free copies today and available at OCS

• EIW Practice Area and Employer Research Guide 2017o Evaluates firms and practice areaso Available in the CSM Career Resources Library

• Employer’s website• Lexis/Nexis, Bloomberg Law & Westlaw

o Includes news articles you may reference during callback interviews• NALP Directory

o Firm profileo www.nalpdirectory.com

• New York Law Journal articleso Sign up for the Daily Buzz email blastso www.law.com/jsp/nylj/index.jsp

• RivalEdgeo Research law firms and attorneyso www.rivaledge.com

• Summer Employer Evaluations o Instructions for access on the CSM homepage

• Vault Guideso Top 100/200, Pro Bono, Diversity, etc.o Available on the CSM homepage

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http://www.nalpdirectory.com/

http://www.law.com/jsp/nylj/index.jsp



Building an Interview Agenda

I. Develop Your Selling PointsList your four selling points/strengths that would interest a private sector legal employer. Consider positive feedback from prior employers and recommenders.

Examples: • ability to overcome obstacles &

challenges• ability to work under pressure• academic achievement

• analytical skills• background in a particular practice area• being a team player• geographic connection

• leadership ability• maturity & judgment

• research & writing skills• strong work ethic

Selling Points

1: ___________________________ 2: ___________________________ 3: ___________________________ 4: ___________________________

II. Provide ExamplesFor each selling point, list concrete examples, illustrations, and anecdotes to support your claim. Use this opportunity to editorialize your resume.

Example: Selling Point 1: Strong research & writing skills

Example A: Summer RA position with Professor X working on X Example B: Senior thesis on X

Selling Point 1: ___________________________ Example A: ___________________________ Example B: ___________________________

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Step III. Address Weaknesses List possible issues for concern and a proactive strategy for handling each issue.

Examples: • poor grade(s) focus on steps taken to improve grades going forward• strong public interest background focus on transferable skills• gaps on resume prepare an explanation & narrative• presentation issues (e.g. nervous habits, voice inflection, etc.) schedule & coordinate practice to

overcome the issue

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Now that you have your Interview Agenda, practice answering common interview questions with the goal of referencing one agenda point per answer. Sample questions are available in the Career Development Resources Handbook, available in the CSM Career Resources Library.

Additionally, develop a list of questions to ask your interviewer that reinforce your Interview Agenda. For example, if your selling points include you do not shy away from responsibility, you can ask the interviewer if they were given a good amount of responsibility when they began working at the firm. Examples of questions are available in the Career Development Resources Handbook.



Qualities of a Successful Attorney

The National Law Journal compiled this list from surveying partners at major national law firms:

• Ability to assemble deals• Ability to build networks• Ability to deal with & manage

people• Ability to get along with &

impress clients• Ability to get along with

colleagues• Ability to inspire confidence• Ability to manage complex tasks• Ability to solve problems

creatively• Ability to use the firm’s time &

resources efficiently• Ability to work well under

pressure• Achievement in a related field• Agreement with the firm's

lifestyle & philosophy• Analytical abilities• Business planning• Commitment & drive• Communication skills• Community involvement• Customer service focus

• Determination• Fact gathering & analysis• Financial analysis &

management• Good judgment & common

sense• Interviewing skills• Leadership skills• Legal drafting & writing• Legal research• Mediation• Negotiation• Oral advocacy• Outgoing personality• Political judgment• Productivity• Professional appearance• Public service• Rainmaking (ability to bring in

new clients & new business from existing clients)

• Teamwork• Willingness to put in long

hours

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You will easily be able to handle these different interviewer types once you have an agenda in place!



Types of Interviewers

Chatty party host “So, you worked at the National Hockey League last summer – that must have been awesome. I remember when I interned with the American Baseball League…damn, those were the days. We’d get free tickets, so I’d invite a bunch of friends and we’d party all night.” Chit-chats for 15 minutes; may be colloquial and use profanity. This is not, however, an invitation to be too informal or unprofessional. Remember, they already have the job. You will have to direct the conversation to the points you want to make.

CIA Agent “Your resume indicates you graduated from Cornell in December 2010 and worked as a finance analyst with the Hilton Corporation in March 2011. What were you doing from January to March 2011?” This interviewer is a fact checker, seeking an inconsistency or gap. Be confident, and prepare your response.

Confrontational “Why did you work at a massage kiosk at the local mall when you could have been doing something else to further your legal career?” This interviewer is testing you under pressure to assess your reaction. The interviewer may do ask a pointed question about your grades or a particular job choice. Prepare your response, and be professional and courteous.

Lazy, bored, distracted “So, tell me about yourself.” This type of interviewer is difficult to engage in conversation. You must be engaging and interesting to catch their attention and direct the conversation to the points you want to make.

NYU Law Alumni Alumni may spend too much time discussing their former professors, or “how things used to be,” which may unintentionally leave little time to focus on you. Remember that you have a limited amount of time to communicate your agenda points. You can direct the conversation back to you by asking questions based on your resume.

Partners vs. Associates vs. Recruiters Refrain from making assumptions about an interviewer’s importance. All interviewers have input and complete the same response form. Do not assume partners are more stringent in their evaluations, while associates are more lax. Respect all interviewers and assume their evaluation holds equal weight. This applies to the recruiting team, receptionists, and any others you interact with during a callback interview.

Thorough resume reader “I see that your senior honors thesis dealt with the US governments treatment of conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War – how did you become interested in this topic, and what did you conclude?” This type of interviewer may ask you about details on your resume, and thus you should be prepared to discuss anything listed on your resume (e.g. work experience, academic papers, activities, committees, language skills, etc.).

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Beyond the Questions: Nonverbal Communication & Etiquette

Dressing the Part: Professional Interview Attire The evaluation of your nonverbal communication begins as soon as you walk into the interview, and it is important to appear professional. As you prepare for EIW, make sure you will be dressed professionally and neatly groomed.

Men’s Interview Attire/Grooming Tips • Suit

o Solid color: navy, black, or dark grey• Long-sleeved shirt

o Color: white or blue• Conservative dress shoes

o Dark socks• Belt• Tie• Limited jewelry (wedding/engagement

rings are fine)• Neat, professional hairstyle

o Tie back long hair if you are temptedto fidget with it

• Freshly shaved or neatly trimmed beard• Limited aftershave• Neatly trimmed nails

Women's Interview Attire/Grooming Tips • Suit

o Solid color: navy, black, or dark greyo Skirt or dress length should be long

enough so you can sit comfortably• Blouse

o Avoid anything lacy, sheer or low-cut• Conservative heels or flats

o Avoid very high heels, open toe orbackless shoes

o Neutral or no tights• Limited jewelry (wedding/engagement

rings are fine)• Neat, professional hairstyle

o Tie back long hair if you are temptedto fidget with it

• Light or no make-up and perfume• Neatly trimmed nails

Nonverbal Communication during the Interview* When you speak with your interviewer, present yourself as a competent, confident person – someone who researched the firm and practice areas, and is open to new information and growth. Make sure your gestures and body language support your verbal claims. Avoid sending any nonverbal cues that could potentially harm your first impression (e.g. smelling of cigarette smoke or too much perfume, chewing gum, dressed inappropriately, limp handshake). These simple tips will improve your nonverbal communication:

• Introduce yourself with a smile and a firm handshake• Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer• Smile and nod (at appropriate times) when the interviewer is talking

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• Turn phone off and keep it out of sight• Use a confident, positive tone; be enthusiastic, but not too loud; avoid monotone delivery• Maintain open arms, as folded arms may convey defensiveness• Slightly lean forward towards the interviewer to appear interested and engaged• Sit up straight and keep your feet on the floor and your back against the lower back of the chair; if

you lean back, you may look too casual• Gesture for emphasis, but avoid having your arms fly around the room when you make a

point. When in doubt, leave your hands on your lap• Pay close attention to the interviewer• Be polite• Listen• Wait until your interviewer is finished speaking to respond to avoid interrupting• Stay calm, even if you had a negative experience at a prior interview and/or fumbled with your last

response• Before leaving the interview, give the interviewer another firm handshake and smile while you

thank the interviewer

*"How to Use Nonverbal Communication at an Interview,” Alison Doyle, The Balance, February 29, 2016

Dining Etiquette: Formal Callback/Offer Lunch & Dinner The lunch following your callback interviews with a firm is an occasion for the members of the firm to get to know you "beyond the resume" — will they enjoy working over 12 hours a day with you? Callback lunches and offer dinners are great opportunities to gain a better sense of a firm’s practices and culture in a less formal setting.

• Express your personality, sense of humor or other aspects of yourself — use it wisely and to youradvantage!

• As relaxed as the recruiting lunch may seem, always remember that it is part of the interview;associates typically complete evaluation forms following the lunch.

• Watch this short video that discusses place settings (i.e. silverware, glassware, the bread plate, etc.)and general good manners during formal lunches and offer dinners (i.e. turning off your phone,waiting for everyone before sitting down, taking small bites,etc.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDGGv7z5r2c

• Refer to the attached “Table Manners Tips” which is also available in the CSM Career ResourcesLibrary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDGGv7z5r2c

THE SIX COMMANDMENTS FOR USING NAPKINS

I. Thou shalt place thy napkin on thy lap· as soon as everyone is seated.(See Faux Pas #1)

II. Thou shalt place thy napkin folded in half with its crease toward you.III. Thou shalt know that it is appropriate to.use thy napkin either before

taldng a drink, after taking a drink - or both - whichever is necessary for thee.

IV. *Thou shalt place thy napkin on thy chair or to the left side of thy platewhen excusing thyself from the table for a "fleeting moment."

V. · Thou shaltleave thy napkin on thy lap until everyone at thy table hasfinished dining·.

VI. Thou shalt place thy napldn to the right of thy plate when leaving thetable at the end of the meal.*Thou shalt excuse thyself from the table only when it is necessary,since thine exit can break the momentum of the meal. If thou need toleave thy table, thou shalt do so between courses.

SUPER SOUP EATING TIPS

• When you order soup, a soup spoon will be provided. If it is a pre-arrangedmeal, your soup spoon will be found to the right of your teaspoon.

• It is appropriate to hold the soup spoon with your thumb across the top of thehandle, rather than holding the handle in the palm of your hand. rt.,

• When eating soup, take the soup spoon AWAY from you rather than towardyou. Why? It.will keep the soup from dripping on you. Instead, it will dripback_into the bowl.

• When sipp�g broth, do so from the side of the spoon, rather than using the frontof the spoon. When eating vegetables or meats in soup, you may insert thespoon "forward march."

• It is appropriate for oyster crackers to be placed in soup. Other crackers -Saltines or Ritz - should be eaten with the soup rather than by crumbling theminto the soup.

• A soup cup/bowl may be tipped if it contains a handle. If you choose to tip it,be sure you do so away from you rather than toward you. If a soup cup/bowldoes not contain a handle, stop eating when you begin to hear yourself clinkingand clanking. Remember, it is not your LAST SUPPER.

• When "resting," place the soup spoon in·the cup/bowl rather than on theservice plate.

• When you have finished, place the soup spoon on the right of the service plate*(plate underneath th.e soup cup/bowl). *If the s�up has not been served witha service plate, the spoon should remain in the cup/bowl with the spoon handleto the right of the plate.

• Serving etiquette dictates that waiters "serve" from the left and "remove" fromthe right. That is the reason for your soup spoon handle to be placed on the righthand side of the service plate/soup bowl. ·



NALP Timing Guidelines To promote fair and ethical practices for the interviewing and decision-making process, NALP, the professional organization for law schools and legal recruiting professionals, adopted the following standards for the timing of offers and decisions.

General Provisions 1. All offers to law student candidates (“candidates”) should remain open for at least two weeks after the date

of the offer letter unless the offers are made pursuant to Sections B and C below, in which case the laterresponse date should apply.

2. Candidates are expected to accept or release offers or request an extension by the applicable deadline.Offers that are not accepted by the offer deadline expire.

3. A candidate should not hold open more than five offers of employment at any one time. For each offerreceived that places a candidate over the offer limit, the candidate should, within one week of receipt of theexcess offer, release an offer.

4. Employers offering part-time or temporary positions for the school term are exempted from therequirements of Paragraphs B and C below.

5. Practices inconsistent with these guidelines should be reported to the candidate’s career services office.

Full-time Employment Provisions See text at www.nalp.org/principles

Summer Employment Provisions for Second- & Third-Year Students 1. Employers offering positions for the following summer to candidates not previously employed by them

should leave those offers open for at least 28 days following the date of the offer letter or until December 30,whichever comes first. Candidates should reaffirm these offers within 14 days from the date of the offerletter, if an employer requests such affirmation in its offer letter. Employers that have requested thisreaffirmation may retract any offer that is not reaffirmed within the 14-day period. Offers made afterDecember 15 for the following summer should remain open for at least two weeks after the date of the offerletter.

2. Candidates may request that an employer extend the deadline to accept the employer’s offer until as late asApril 1 if the candidate is actively pursuing positions with public interest or government organizations.Candidates may hold open only one offer in such circumstances. Employers are encouraged to grant suchrequests.

3. Employers offering positions for the following summer to candidates previously employed by them shouldleave those offers open until at least October 1, provided that such offers are made prior to or on September2. Candidates should reaffirm these offers within thirty days from the date of the offer letter, if an employerrequests such reaffirmation in its offer letter. Employers that have requested this reaffirmation may retractany offer that is not reaffirmed within the 30-day period. After September 2, employers offering positions forthe following summer to candidates previously employed by them should leave those offers open for at least28 days following the date of the offer letter.

4. If an employer makes an offer to a law student candidate not previously employed by that employer beforethe beginning the law school's on-campus interview program, that offer should not expire until at least 28days following the first day of the law school's on-campus interview program. Employers should contact theappropriate law school(s) to determine these dates. See Part IV F above.

5. Employers offering candidates positions for the following summer and having a total of 40 attorneys or fewerin all offices are exempted from Paragraphs 1-4 of this Section. Instead, offers made on or before December15 should remain open for at least three weeks following the date of the offer letter or until December 30,whichever comes first, and offers made after December 15 should remain open for at least two weeks.

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eiw orientation: interview skills workshop · men’s interview attire/grooming tips • suit o...

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