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Now I've started to give interviews for good firms and till now I have given 3 and all 3 rejected me after interview.
I am not able to clear interview of any firm, how do I improve and what should I focus on
A rejection is not usually on you, it could be not having vacancies or last minute changes. Law firm HR arent exactly very skilled at their jobs, and partners dont have time for this.
1. Appearance - You must make a good first impression. Groom yourself, hairstyle, lighting, dressing before the interview. Look at yourself in the camera and blur the backgrounds.
2. CV- You must be completely adept in interpreting each phrase in your CV, as if those assignments were done yesterday.
3. - Prepare standard HR questions
4. Speak clearly in the mic, and make sure the internet connection is good. Speak at a faster tone than usual and dont just read off of somewhere, make good expressions.
5. Be proficient in civil + criminal litigation contextual + ADR + recent news. Most general concepts should in at the tip of your fingers.
6. Learn to faff - You should lie about some skills but properly and without coming off as a liar
7. Always stress why you are an asset and how you improved on your weaknesses, this question is always asked, prepare beforehand with instances etc.
8. Provide references
9. Ask for assessment internships at the end of interviews if you feel they are not too interested in hiring
10. Always ask questions in the end of the interview so you seem interested. But not icky ones like work life balance.
11. Why corporate law - I hope you have an interesting answer for this.
12. Follow up with the HR and Partner after 24 hours of the interview or Monday (if Friday). Then after a week. Then after 2. Then take the hint.
13. Learn the art of following up politely after an interview. Dont irritate people and get blacklisted. Always ask for feedback and how you can improvise in the future. I know people getting second interviews on this basis.
14. Do NOT appear introverted or shy and stumble on words, that is a huge red flag in this profession. Just say you arent sure and move on.
15. Try to prolong the interview as much as you can and politely. I dont mean you ask the HR to do it, you should answer in details with reasons, precedents, examples, experiences, references
16. Always stress on drafting experience + speaking in courts.
17. Your English should be on point.
18. I hope you already know - You should research the partner + firm + deals recently in detail, and a LOT MUCH. You should reference that in your answers so they know you're exclusively interested with them.
19. These answers should be quick - Do you have other interviews? Ans- No. Do you have other internships lines up? Ans- No. Do you intend to pursue future education? Ans. No. Does working long hours bother you? Ans- No. Were you offered assessments elsewhere/ have you applied elsewhere?. Ans - No. Location issues?. Ans- No. Trainee Role/assessment before hiring? Ans. Sure
20. Dont negotiate salary etc, at the fresher level. Not that they would ask, but dont bring that topic to the table.
(Once you have a confirmation, you can speak to the HR and get things sorted later, not in front of the partner)
super super helful.
Adding a minor point of the list, candidate should also try to do trial interviews with friends (and if possible, college senior). You should also record whatever you are saying as responses while preparing. For example, lot of times, people are asked why law! Answers can be anything, sometimes you have make up an interesting one so that you can get ≥interviewer's attention.
Recording your answers/trial interviews can help you to make your responses succinct.