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Original poster

telephone interview for work placement in law firm: any ideas on what to expect?

25 replies

hatwoman · 12/01/2011 17:44

I am contemplating a career change of direction - ie qualifying as a lawyer. I applied for a work placement with a firm I particularly like and have got a telephone interview tomorrow. any clues as to what to expect? one of my main questions is do you think they will ask every candidate the same questions (as is completely the norm in my current sector) or will they tailor the questions to the application form and the candidates? given that I'm not a 21 year old law student this could make quite a big difference. any other tips most welcome.

(and if anyone comes on here with whom I've chatted about other career options this possibility is nowhere near as far away from the other possibility as it might seem)

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Original poster

hatwoman · 12/01/2011 21:36

evening bump in case any lawyers are home from work

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MakemineaGandT · 12/01/2011 21:40

A tip: think of a question to ask the interviewer/s about their firm eg if they specialise in a particular area ask something about that. When interviewing potential lawyers I always found it encouranging when people had done their homework on the firm and appeared genuinely interested - you'd be amazed how many people just give a little shrug/laugh when asked if THEY have any questions....

Good luck!

MakemineaGandT · 12/01/2011 21:42

oh, and they will probably tailor the questions to you. Expect questions about your change of career drection etc - WHY are you interested in the law etc

MakemineaGandT · 12/01/2011 21:43

think of examples of how your current/previous employment has given you skills you hope to use as a lawyer

Original poster

hatwoman · 12/01/2011 21:46

I've done quite a lot of research on them and have very definite reasons for applying to them (they are, in fact, the only firm I've applied to). The one piece of information I can't track down (that I would like to know) is what proportion of their total work a particular area accounts for. ie I know they do it but don;t know how much. would that be a legitimate question?

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MakemineaGandT · 12/01/2011 21:51

yes that is a legitimate question, though it will be hard for them to give a definite answer as these things are always changing. You could ask how many partners/asistants work in that area as that will give you a good idea. Or if it is an area that interests you, ask if it is something they hope to expand etc

MakemineaGandT · 12/01/2011 21:52

another tip: we often looked for the ability to argue a point well, and didn't necessarily worry too much if the answer was a bit "wrong" (though I only interviewed university students so we didn't expect them to have a massive amount of experience - it was personality etc that we were looking at)

Original poster

hatwoman · 12/01/2011 21:53

nice one - thanks.

I'm not entirely sure what to expect as it's only 15-20 mins long and it's with the recruitment manager - who isn't a lawyer

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MakemineaGandT · 12/01/2011 21:56

well don't worry too much then - there's not an awful lot they can ask in that time! Just be friendly, confident (but def. not cocky - though I'm sure you won't be!) and interested and you'll be fine! Let us know how you get on! GOOD LUCK!

Quattrocento · 12/01/2011 21:58

Good luck with your interview

The question is perfectly legitimate and shows a genuine interest imo - you've clearly checked public sources and can't establish the facts from those.

Original poster

hatwoman · 12/01/2011 22:05

thanks both. if you're still there...if asked what I'll bring there's some specific legal-related stuff I can say but could I also say something about what you might call soft work-place skills - knowing how to collaborate - including across teams, how to chair meetings, how to manage projects, set (and meet) schedules and plans (short-term, medium and strategic)etc.

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Quattrocento · 12/01/2011 22:08

Oh definitely. If you can slip something in about your personal effectiveness that would be great. The focus is on billable hours and everyone wants to hire someone who can focus on the issue and deal with it effectively.

MakemineaGandT · 12/01/2011 22:09

yes, all relevant. DOn't worry about specific legal experience - they won't be expecting (or looking for) any - they will expect to teach you that. It's personality/skills etc that are important

Original poster

hatwoman · 12/01/2011 22:17

it's not a huge step for me in many ways - I have an LLM, and used to advise on publications on a certain area of law. and have a few academic articles too. I did - I hope - tread the right balance in my application between emphasising the above and acknowledging that I would have shed-loads to learn.

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TomlinTowers · 12/01/2011 22:20

Good luck with the interview - IME they will tailor questions to you, and will want to know what you can bring to the firm, what you hope to gain from the placement, what you know about the firm, and why you want to work for their firm in particular. Having a really good answer prepared to those sort of questions should be helpful. Don't underestimate the importance of "soft" skills - the ability to work under pressure, as part of a team, to communicate clearly, and to be precise and meticulous are very important. Actual legal knowledge is probably only 50% of the job.

You might also want to ask them or try and establish from their website what training contracts they are offering this year and next, to try and establish if there are any opportunities for you in the future, although how you ask that question would depend on when you expect to qualify.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Marabou · 13/01/2011 14:20

Hi,

IME the first interviews (telephone as well as face 2 face) tend to be competency based, i.e. general questions to try to establish what makes you tick, how you work with others, organise your time, handle stress etc. As they will not be able to see you and thus "read your body language" it will also be important to show personability through your voice, i.e. smile when you speak (in appropriate places of course ) and make sure you articulate clearly.

If they like you the first time around and call you for a second interview (which typically takes place during an assessment centre), in addition to more probing competency questions you would face more detailed and commercial questions to establish your abilities and knowledge of the firm and its work..

Best of luck !!

Original poster

hatwoman · 13/01/2011 17:34

it was awful. don't want to say too much...but I came away feeling dreadful about it. it's SO hard to establish any sort of rapport or real comunication over the phone. pah.

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MakemineaGandT · 13/01/2011 18:35

oh no hatwoman - I just came on here to see if you'd posted about how it went. I bet it wasn't as bad as you think you know. And if it is a "no" don't be shy about getting in touch with them to ask for feedback as to why.

imustbemadasaboxoffrogs · 13/01/2011 18:40

I bet it wasn't half as bad as you think it was.

And you can get feedback and use it for the future.

Original poster

hatwoman · 13/01/2011 19:12

the worst thing was they kept asking questions that were on the application form - so I didn't know whether to repeat my (reasonably thought out imho) answers or think of something new. it really threw me. the last thing I was expecting was that.

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racmac · 13/01/2011 19:12

in what way was it awful? I had a pretty shocking interview with a law firm - the guy was really argumentative - i later had feedback that i was great and he was arguing with me because i wanted to be a lawyer - not a yes man

so dont lose hope - ring and ask for some feedback

Quattrocento · 13/01/2011 22:16

Sorry late back to the thread

All I would take from this, hatwoman, is that the interviewer hadn't prepared fully. That does happen. You've probably done an awful lot better than you think.

Keep us posted

Original poster

hatwoman · 13/01/2011 23:32

she even asked me for telephone numbers that were on the application form . she just churned out her 6 questions. but it was awful.

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imustbemadasaboxoffrogs · 14/01/2011 03:08

Hatwoman - I agree with Quattro - the interviewer wasn't prepared.

Let us know how you get on

Original poster

hatwoman · 14/01/2011 16:27

I have twigged today what was going on. I had to phone back because they had asked me if I was free on certain weeks and I had said yes - knowing I had no holidays booked. stupidly I didnt write down which weeks. and with some horror I then realised last night that a wedding I HAVE to go to (dds are bridesmaids) is on a Friday, not, as I had assumed, a Saturday. So I had to call back to check the dates again (thanksfully no clash and I have written them down this time.) anyway the woman I spoke to today was the recruitment manager - lovely and very warm and easy to talk to - she said it was one of her colleagues that interviewed me. from this, from the manner and (young) voice of the interviewee, and from the fact she was typing constantly - I have come to the conclusion that she was quite junior and has the job of literally firing out the questions and typing up the answers. don't know why but that makes me feel better.

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