In-person & Virtual Interview Tips
Guidelines and tips on how to prepare for your interview
Congratulations on Reaching the Interview Stage!
We’ve all received an email or phone call with something similar. It sparks a mixture of emotions, joy, excitement and then nervousness kicks in. Questions like “Did I prepare enough?” and “Am I ready for this interview?” begin to flood your mind.
Well, my colleague Aphiwe and I are here to share some tips to help calm your nerves and embrace the process.
There are two types of interviews: in-person and online. Some people may find one more intimidating than the other, so let’s break them down with a few tips
IN-PERSON INTERVIEWS
Confidence is Key
Confidence plays a vital role in the interview process. It’s all about striking the right balance, too much can come across as arrogance. There are many ways to build confidence: wearing an outfit that makes you feel good, giving yourself a pep talk, or even putting on your favourite perfume or something with sentimental value.
When you’re confident, it shows. You radiate a different energy, calm, engaging, and unrehearsed, letting your personality shine through.
In my profession, I’ve learnt how important it is to be yourself throughout the process. That’s exactly what the client wants to see. After all, they’ll be spending eight hours a day with you.
Pause with Purpose
Don’t rush to answer. A 2–3 second pause shows thoughtfulness and confidence. It also gives you time to structure a sharp response.
Preparation:
Often you are required to do a test during the interview. The interview is then split into two sessions: a written session then the actual interview, or vice versa. This is something you can ask the person who is arranging the interview. By asking this question it will allow you to be thoroughly prepared and not caught off guard when a written task is given to you. They can also provide you with a scope on the type of questions you might be asked or perhaps provide you with a brief overview of the potential topics that they might address. For example, they could test your drafting skills, and comprehension skills or even provide you with a case study and ask you questions relating to the case study.
Do Your Research
Understanding the company and the role you’re applying for boosts your confidence and equips you to ask insightful questions. This shows genuine interest in the role and signals that you see a future with the company. It also helps you assess whether the company’s values and culture align with your own. Curiosity leads to conversation.
When you are researching the company, look at the directors/ partners that you are going to work with. This is an excellent question to ask the person arranging the interview, as it will assist you in finding out what characteristics and qualities they could potentially be looking for in their candidates. Research their previous or current matters. This will provide a brief idea of the potential types of matter that you could be assisting with and the type of experience that you can have again. By researching the partners, you will learn about their professional achievements and career, this will provide you with an idea of their standard of work and expectations.
This will assist in helping your confidence, after you have the necessary information, confidence tends to flow naturally. It will allow you to ask questions about the company, and by doing this, it shows that you are not only interested in the role but also foresee a future in the company. This will also allow you to see if the company culture and beliefs align with your beliefs, and will assist in helping you to see if you and the company or firm have a cultural fit. Asking questions displays curiosity and allows for engagement.
You’re not just there to impress, you’re also assessing whether the company aligns with your values and goals. Ask questions like:
“How does the team handle conflict or differing opinions?”
“What does success look like in this role after 6 months?”
Punctuality
Being on time is essential. I always recommend that candidates arrive at least 10- 15 minutes early. Running late can set a negative tone, remember, first impressions count.
Plan for potential hiccups like traffic, getting lost (Murphy’s law loves to strike!), or struggling to find parking. Arriving late doesn’t only affect you; it disrupts the interviewer and other candidates. If delays are unavoidable, be courteous, call ahead so arrangements can be made.
Look Presentable
Dress smartly and neatly. Gents, make sure you’re clean-shaven or that your beard is well-groomed, and that your hair is tidy. Ladies, check for lipstick stains and make sure your attire is appropriate. Revealing clothing can leave a poor impression and may come off as unprofessional. Make sure your clothes are clean, your shoes are polished, and you look (and smell) your best, it helps boost your confidence too.
To our smokers: avoid smoking just before your interview. You don’t want to smell of nicotine. Have a minty-fresh breath. Chew gum beforehand, but discard it before stepping into the room. Chewing gum during the interview isn’t a good look. And it goes without saying, arriving with the smell of alcohol is a big no-no. It suggests irresponsibility and lack of interest, and it will immediately set the wrong tone.
Also, bring a printed copy of your CV and qualifications. It shows that you’re prepared and organised.
Remember, your appearance is what people notice first, and often what they remember most.
Be Friendly
You’ve heard it before: “A smile is the best accessory you can wear, and it never goes out of style.” It’s true. Smiling makes you more approachable and adds warmth to your presence. Being too serious or straight-faced can dampen the mood of an interview.
The more open and engaging you are, the better your chances of leaving a positive impression. After all, you’re one of many candidates- make sure you’re memorable for the right reasons.
VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS
The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of conducting virtual interviews across organisations in the market, which has changed how organisations engage with candidates.. Many companies, including law firms, have integrated virtual interviews into their recruitment interview process. This is more convenient for both the hiring company and the interviewee. According to Oliffe et al (2021) this shift has provided convenience, reduced costs and allows for more inclusivity and reach to candidates who are in different regions. For legal professionals, especially those at senior associate level or transitioning into leadership roles, virtual interviews require more than surface-level preparation
At GRM we understand that candidates need to be fully prepared for a virtual interview as they would be for in-person interviews. We work with candidates at all levels, from Associate Attorneys to Director/Partner level, to ensure that our candidates are fully prepared for their interviews. We provide a detailed interview preparation guide and provide continuous support throughout the process.
While there’s extensive access to advice available online, we’ve curated some of the most practical and effective tips, including insights from candidates we’ve previously placed. These tips are tailored to help you stand out and succeed in your next virtual interview. Some of the tips align with the in-person interview tips stated above.
Know your Firm beyond the basics
Most candidates do a general research of the firm, but you would need to do deeper research and analysis to understand the firm/company that is interviewing. Doing research will help you tailor your responses and questions to align with the organisation’s values, mission and vision.
Understand their practice areas and also read up on any recent transactions/matters the firm has been involved in, recent strategic hires or leadership moves that have taken place
Use the company’s official website of the law firm to get most of the information you may need to know about the firm
Understand the firm’s structure: If there is more than one office, establish how the different branches collaborate with each other.
Having all this essential information will demonstrate to the firm that you are keen to know more about the firm’s positioning in the legal market.
Know your your Interviewers and prospective team
Do you know who will be interviewing you? Research the Directors and see if they have been on the news lately. Asking about their recent work shows genuine interest and engagement.
Find out what type of cases they have worked on. The research will help one to better understand the team/firm’s culture and help you answer questions on why you would be a good fit into the team or firm.
Ask the interviewer relevant questions about a major deal they have worked on or led, which sector their clients operate in, their leadership style etc.
You can also connect to them on platforms such as LinkedIn and firm official websites to see more about their career journey and what kind of work/matters they have led or worked in.
Study the Job Specification Thoroughly
Read through the job spec and ensure that you understand all the requirements and criteria in the job specification/job advert. Familiarising yourself with the job spec helps you align your profile with the firm’s expectations.
Benefits of studying the job specification
You’re able to understand exactly what the expectations of the client are and if your profile meets those requirements
You will also be able to tailor questions and answers based on what the job spec entails.
A job spec can also allow you to prepare answers and relevant examples which will show how your skills align with the job expectations. This can be done by analysing each criteria and thinking of scenarios you have experienced which align with the criteria.
Understand the Legal Sector
As an applicant you need to stay informed about the legal sector and any recent developments.
This includes taking note of current events that are relevant and how these impact your practice.
If there are any new regulations, amendments, court rulings? One should be well informed on this information and how it impacts their practice.
There are multiple platforms that can be used to read on legal current affairs and deals, such as DealMakers SA which tracks and records the M&A activity of both listed and unlisted SA companies.
Ask proactive Questions
An interview is not just an opportunity to just platform to recite your CV and your skills, more especially at senior level. You need to ask questions that demonstrate genuine interest and engagement.
Questions you can ask include:
How does the firm support senior associates who are looking to have steady progression into Partner/Director level?
What is the strategy for the practice area you are interviewing for?
What is the average time it takes to progress from associate to Director/Partner level?
If it’s a junior role, ask about how your role will provide support to the senior professionals in the team
Additional Preparation Guidelines:
Prepare your virtual interview space and technology. According to an online source, you need to find a quiet, well lit space that has no interruptions. This will enable you to focus entirely throughout the interview. Lastly, you need to ensure that your device is charged. Your background must be neutral and professional.
Make sure you have connection (wifi/data): Test your connection to the internet and the digital interview platforms (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft teams) ahead of time to ensure that it is stable, preventing any possibilities of losing connection.
Watch online videos: online videos from experts can guide you on how to answer certain interview questions. Avoid memorising answers, instead it should be a guide on how to structure your responses and make it align with your own profile.
Reflect on your career journey : This includes any challenges you have faced. This will help you to tackle questions in a more authentic manner. One candidate we placed recently mentioned that knowing your story not only boosts confidence but also shows self-awareness, a quality that resonates well with interviewers.
Conclusion:
Candidates who succeed in their interview process treat them as a strategic conversation, understand the value they can bring and have commercial insight. Whether you are a Candidate Attorney building your first impression,or a senior associate exploring your next move, preparation should reflect who you are now and who you want to become.
Now, I think you are ready to go and ace that next interview. Good luck!
References:
Oliffe, John & Kelly, Mary & Gonzalez Montaner, Gabriela & Ko, Wellam. (2021). Zoom Interviews: Benefits and Concessions. International Journal of Qualitative Methods.
Career Advising & Professional Development. [Online] https://capd.mit.edu/resources/virtual-interviewing-tips/
“Candidate A” a candidate who we have previously placed at GRM. (The candidates have chosen to remain anonymous)
Dineo Modibedi : IP attorney who secured an in-house IP counsel role
GRM interview guide document
https://www.ltckent.co.uk/preparing-for-an-interview-with-a-law-firm/
Written by Nasreen Arabi and Aphiwe Siyengo (Associate Consultants at The GRM Group)