Interviewing

Some law schools do not interview - period. But more law schools are moving towards interviewing applicants that they are considering admitting. Thus, if you are asked to interview, it is likely that the admissions committee needs help in making a decision on your application. They may be uncertain about a number of things, including fit with their program. If you are not asked to interview, but can request an interview, it is probably in your best interest to take the initiative. Of course, only interview if you feel that you can thoroughly prepare for it and put your best foot forward.

Interviews are an indicator of how attractive an applicant will be to recruiters and future employers. An interview also adds dimension to your paper file by giving the admissions committee a glimpse into an applicant's social skills, confidence, professional appearance, verbal communication skills, personality and more - all of which are important traits for lawyers to possess.

How to Prepare

• Think about how you can express your strengths and why you should be accepted through clearly articulated stories and examples.
• Think about how you plan to address your key weaknesses.
• Is there anything that you were not able to convey in your application that you wish to convey in your interview?
• Learn as much as you can about the program from published materials, as well as current students and alumni and think about how you can demonstrate your knowledge about the school in the interview.
• Be able to clearly articulate specific reasons why you are a good fit for that particular program, why you want to go to law school, and what your long and short-term career goals are.
• Prepare some questions to ask at opportune times throughout the interview and at the end of the interview when the interviewer asks if you have any questions.
• Read newspapers, journals and magazines such as The New York Times and The Economist and be prepared to discuss current events.
• Practice with mock interviews.

Please contact us if you are interested in conducting a mock interview with one of our experts.

What to Wear
Your physical appearance is an important aspect of your interview. It is important to dress conservatively, neatly and professionally. Do not flaunt overly expensive designer clothing that could offend your interviewer and carry a nice, dark leather briefcase.

Men should:

• Wear a conservative blue or grey suit with a white or blue pressed, starched shirt and silk tie that extends to the middle of your belt buckle.
• Wear neatly pressed clothes.
• Make sure that your clothes do not look like they have never been worn; to avoid this, press a new shirt before wearing it.
• Not wear cologne.
• Shave
• no five o'clock shadow
• Have clean, well-groomed fingernails

Women should:

• Wear a suit and a subtle amount of make-up, jewelry and perfume.
• Avoid shirts that are too low-cut and skirts that are too short (especially when seated).
• Wear panty hose and avoid showing bare arms no matter what the weather.
• Wear hair in a way that will prevent you from playing with it or flipping it.

At the Interview
We believe that the best way to act in an interview is to be polite, confident and engaging.

Be Polite
Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile, and wait to sit down until the interviewer invites you to do so. We also urge you to be aware of your body language throughout the entire interview. It is all too easy to slouch or yawn without realizing it. Be sure to send a brief thank you note immediately after the interview that mentions something you discussed in the interview.

Be Engaging
Do not simply sit there and only answer the questions being fired at you; instead, engage the interviewer in a conversation, but know when to talk and when to pause. While you are answering questions, feel free to ask questions and help steer the flow of the discussion. There may be something that you want to say that has not been asked.

Do not assume that the interviewer knows that you are genuinely excited about the possibility of attending the school; actively communicate your interest. And if it is your number one choice, be sure to let them know!

Be Confident
Hold your head up and sit up straight. Even if you are shy or nervous, try to relax and approach the interview as though it is an important conversation, not a torture session. In reality, most interviews are relatively painless if the interviewee is well prepared.