My Top In-Person Interview Tips for Attorneys

Before your interview, prepare. A little effort beforehand can make a big difference in how you come across.

These tips focus on in-person interviews. Here are my top video interview tips.

Bring your resume

Bring a copy of your resume for each person you’ll be meeting with, plus a few extras. Use clean, good-quality paper.

Review it beforehand. Be ready to discuss your experience, recent matters, and the reasons behind each of your moves.

Dress professionally

My advice is to wear a suit unless the firm or your recruiter tells you otherwise.

Keep it simple: a well-fitting suit, a pressed shirt or blouse, and polished shoes.

Skip the cologne or perfume

I get it. You have a special fragrance that smells amazing. But not everyone has your incredible taste in fragrances.

Some people may appreciate it. Others may find it distracting or overwhelming.

It’s an unnecessary gamble.

Get to the parking lot early

Traffic, missed exits, accidents, construction, and parking trouble can all make you late. Give yourself some breathing room.

Aim to arrive in the area early. If everything goes smoothly, use the extra time to review your notes and collect your thoughts.

Check in about five minutes before your scheduled interview.

If you’re running behind, let your recruiter or interviewer know as soon as possible.

Introduce yourself

Stand to greet your interviewer, smile, make comfortable eye contact, and introduce yourself. Offer a handshake when appropriate.

You don’t need a perfect opening line. A friendly, confident introduction is enough.

Make some hallway conversation

The walk to the conference room is a chance to break the ice.

Ask how their day is going or mention something you noticed about the office. Keep it natural. You don’t need to force a conversation or reach for a controversial current event.

Stay engaged

Sit comfortably upright and give the interviewer your attention. Avoid sprawling in your chair, fidgeting, or checking your watch.

Focus on listening and responding thoughtfully. You want to have a conversation, not spend the entire interview thinking about what to do with your hands.

Answer with examples

Back up your answers with clear, relevant examples.

If someone asks whether you’ve handled a particular type of matter, explain what you worked on, your role, and how you handled it. Respect client confidentiality.

Concrete examples give the interviewer something useful to evaluate.

Don’t ramble

Answer the question, give an example where helpful, and pause.

You don’t need to fill every silence.

If they want more detail, they’ll ask.

Handle compensation thoughtfully

Compensation matters. Ideally, you and your recruiter will have discussed the range before the interview.

Use the interview to understand the work, expectations, people, and potential fit. If compensation comes up, be ready to discuss it professionally. If it hasn’t been addressed, coordinate with your recruiter on when to raise it.

Prepare your own questions

You’re interviewing them, too.

Bring three to five questions that will help you decide whether this is the right move. Ask about the work, expectations, mentorship, business development support, and advancement.

Ask for examples. If they describe a clear path to partnership, ask about the last attorney who made that transition and what helped them get there.

Discuss past experiences professionally

Be honest about why you’re considering a move without turning the conversation into a complaint session.

Explain what you’re looking for and what you hope to accomplish on your next platform.

Put your phone away

Turn it off or silence it, including vibration. Keep it out of sight.

Skip the gum and finish any breath mint before the interview begins.

Call your recruiter afterward

Call your recruiter once you’ve left the building.

We want to hear your impressions while they’re fresh: what you liked, what concerned you, and whether you want to continue. That helps us have a more useful follow-up conversation with the firm.

Before the interview: how attorneys should prepare for interviews. Have an interview coming up? Let’s talk, and I’ll help you prepare.