Lawyers! You are hiring a junior lawyer tomorrow...

[ConfessionalProfessional]

...what’s your main concern?

And how could a candidate allay that concern.

(I have a job interview and I really, really want the role )

Come on, I know you’re on here

Thanks in advance

Just the usual - be prepared, keen, friendly & normal, not panicky. You’ll be great 😀

Try posting this in the legal section

not a lawyer but work in large company with lots of lawyers and have been involved in interviews and I would say time and availability is a huge factor for us. We deal a lot with international assets and so early morning/late night.availability is a huge factor. Funnily enough when we most need the lawyers is outside uk business hours.
I suppose it depends on what type of law firm you have applied to.

Make it clear you’re prepared to sell your soul.

Totally depends what type of lawyer, really, and what type of firm, doesn’t it. Can you give us more detail?

Plan ahead some responses to questions about your experience, the casework you have done and specific examples of your role on a case team. Also plan ahead some decent questions about the job to show that you’re interested in the role. Always send a follow up email to say thank you.

Very much varies from role to role but I think they are often looking for someone who fits in. Either your face fits or your personality. That will vary depending on where you are looking!

Have some working knowledge of some big legal cases the firm has been involved in or legislation that might affect the work, some challenges facing the industry, some goals you would like to work towards.

Good luck!

Also plan ahead a good reason for wanting to change jobs without criticising your current employer.

Obvious passion for and understanding of the field, intelligent and eloquent and most of all normal and the type of person who will be able to get on with clients and form strong relationships.

Anyone can look up the law online nowadays. The key is being able to steer clients through the obstacles and achieve the results they are trying to achieve.

Swot up on any current media stories that are related to the relevant practice area.

Also make sure you nail your outfit and make up. Some lawyers are still conservative so you should err on the side of caution. Court-appropriate dress, good shoes, tidy nails, professional make up, etc. Clothes that are too tight, too bright lipstick, open shoes, etc could be distracting and give the wrong impression.

Thanks so much for the above replies.

I will definitely not be criticising my employer - it’s an internal post .

I’ve had the opportunity to go for a role in a different team because of interest I showed. It’s a big leap of faith for me to move (and for the firm) as I am qualified and experienced in a different area. Hence, I need to reassure any worries because as far as the firm is concerned, I’m fine where I am.

I just want to tick the concern boxes and make sure I hit the priorities of the interviewers (who I don’t know and haven’t worked with).

Sell your soul- why is that?

Sorry that was to FoxMuffin.

It all depends on the type/size/ethos of the firm ? We need more info to help x

I don’t think anyone is asking for my soul. They will be a bit half/half about moving me from where I am.

I need to seem really reassuring. In a junior way.

Big UK law firm, not soul-purchasing US type, but pretty chunky.

I will say how high my utilisation is (over 100%). Now trying to think of other concerns I can knock out.

Yup, don't come across as needy, anxious or too earnest. A junior lawyer is there to make MY life easier. I don't have the time or patience to babysit or handhold. I need you to reassure me that you are relaxed, non-flappy, have a decent sense of humour, know your place and understand what will be required of you.

I'm actually not as mean as I sound, but I need the 'click' factor these days. If I don't click with a junior, the working relationship is nigh on impossible. Find out ASAP as much as you can about the people or person you'll be working to.

Best of luck, I wish half my juniors/trainees cared so much!

Thanks, Libby, that’s helpful - I will try not to sound too earnest or needy. I can do that.

If it's a move of area I'd think carefully about what the similarities and differences are between roles and why you want to move. You want to allay any concerns they have about this type of move and try and identify some positive selling points of why such a move could be good for the new team and firm. So some things I'd be prepared to address:

• is it a different subject matter, e.g. property to corporate, so how are you going to get up to speed?
• is the type of work different, e.g. transactional to contentious? So do you understand the implications in terms if priorities, working styles etc.
• what skills are needed or valued in the new role? Can you provide examples from your existing roles that show you have those skills or are well placed to develop them quickly.
• do you understand the new teams client base? Is there overlap with your current work and have you built good relationships though can bring with you?

Ex-lawyer, now doing legal recruitment for trainees. Given what you’ve said I’d be focusing on your adaptability/experience of hitting the ground running, and demonstrable examples of how this practice area is different and why it appeals (in the form of pull factors, not rubbishing your current department).

I will say how high my utilisation is (over 100%). Now trying to think of other concerns I can knock out.

Now youve given us more context I would say that your biggest issue is that your doing well where you are. A law firm is a business. If you are working hard and making them money where you are then they are likely to be reluctant to move you to a different field where you need to start again and probably not earn them as much for a good while.

I think you probably need to take a risk and hint at the fact that this is now your area of interest (this would actually really bother me - will you want to change again in a few years' time?) and that you will be pursuing it even if that ultimately means a move to a different firm.

*you're

@PunishmentSnart

I’m a lawyer and tend to get the impression that’s what required.
It was a bit tounge and cheek. Depends on the type of firm you’re applying for of course.
Good luck for today OP.

Oh you lovely people - I GOT THE JOB!!

Thanks! My current supervising partner told the department that wants to poach me that she’s very disappointed I want to go but that it is consistent with my interests. Phew.

Now I just need to deal with HR - who know how much I (don’t) earn and work out how to get a pay bump...