Interview

Success
a comprehensive guide
Try not to become a
person of success
but rather to become
a person of
value.
~ Albert Einstein
Take the time to plan
PREPARATION

Know the address and time of the interview as well • Why is the position available?
as the names and titles of all attendees. Always allow • Culture of the firm
yourself sufficient time to get to the interview. There
• What level of supervision/mentoring exists
is nothing worse than arriving at an interview hot and
flustered. • Ask the employer to describe their client base

• What opportunities exist for career progression?

Ensure that you are adequately briefed on the job and
• What is the induction and training process?
conduct some background research on the firm and
• What is the firm’s potential for growth?
individuals with whom you are meeting. Any
prospective employer will want to discern that you are • What would be the typical budget applied to
knowledgeable on any recent news that the firm has someone at your level?
published, as well as what its core practice groups or • What exposure to clients will you have?
areas of business are. While our consultants will
endeavor to assist you as much as possible in the Grooming and first impressions are always
acquisition of such information, it is also important considerations. Plan what you will
recommended that you visit the firm’s website. wear in advance. Dress conservatively, but
maintain a look that is contemporary and
Thoroughly acquaint yourself with your own polished. No one has ever missed out on a job
resume, including the work that you have opportunity because they have been
undertaken, specific examples of your work, and overdressed. Shoes must be polished and
clients you have dealt with. Pay particular appropriate to the outfit, and it is recommended
attention to things that you may have listed as that females wear pantyhose.
accomplishments or achievements and be
prepared to discuss these upon request. Ask a friend or partner to assist you by
conducting a mock interview with you where
Prepare the questions that you might possibly ask they ask you questions and you provide answers
during the interview and rehearse them. For as though you were in an interview. Ask them to
example: observe your body language. This will be
• A detailed description of the position particularly useful if you have not experienced an

• Size of the division/department/practice group interview for a while, and are likely to ensure
that you are less nervous when the time comes.

I believe in challenges
so great you know they are going to stretch you.
~ Sir Edmund Hillary
It all comes down to this…
THE BIG DAY

This is your chance to put all your preparation and experience into practice. During the interview, the employer will consider
your total performance including body language, communication skills and of course your answers. Many employers will also
look for culture fit and rapport with the people with whom you are likely to be working.

On the way to the interview walk tall and smile. By It is important to greet the interviewer by his or her
the time you arrive for the interview you will feel first name, and be sure of the pronunciation. If you
good. Remember, some butterflies in the stomach are not positive as to the name of the partner or
are okay. other interviewer, ask your consultant how to
pronounce the name before attending the interview.
Punctuality is crucial, and arriving late or too early is
very unprofessional. If you do arrive early, wait in the Do not sit down before you are offered a seat. Then,
lobby and do not proceed to the offices of the take a seat carefully, making sure that you are sitting
interviewer until it is close to the time allocated for upright (but not so that you appear uptight). Look
your appointment. If you are running late, and you alert and appear interested at all times.
are going to be delayed for more than ten minutes,
call the prospective employer in advance. Otherwise, The interviewer will look for the following factors in
apologise, provide an acceptable explanation and assessing your interview positively:
move on to concentrating on the interview. • A balanced and thoughtful approach

• Clear expression of thought

Upon arriving at reception, remember that you are
already making an impression on your prospective • Confidence and enthusiasm

employers. Just prior to asking for the interviewer by • Tact, maturity, courtesy and politeness
name, tell yourself that you are meeting with non-
• A relaxed yet professional approach – try to
adversarial colleagues for a friendly chat. By adopting
smile as much as possible
this attitude your body language is more likely to be
• Positive body language – do not slouch, cross your
relaxed yet confident, and regardless of how senior,
arms in front of you, or fidget
serious, or seemingly unapproachable the
• Evidence of career planning, or alternatively a sufficient
interviewer might be, you will be less likely to feel
explanation for lack thereof
flustered.
• Maintenance of eye contact with all the
attendees. Do not focus on one to the
Greet the interviewer and shake hands firmly. A
exclusion of others
pleasantry such as ‘lovely to meet you’, or ‘thank
• A firm, positive handshake, given with a
you for taking the time to meet with me today’, is
confident smile
considered appropriate.
• Intelligent questions

• A flexible and commercial approach

• Knowledge of the job and of the firm

 • What do you think determines a person’s
Every interview is different, but be prepared with
progress at a firm?
answers as well as supporting examples to questions
such as: • What have you done that displays initiative?

• Why did you become a lawyer? • What have you done to develop professionally?

• Why are you interested in the role and why • In what way have you developed your ability to
would you like to work for us? encourage and motivate those around you?
• What are your career goals? • How do you spend your spare time, what are your
hobbies?
• Where do you see yourself in five years time?
• Why are you seeking to move and why did you
• What is the largest matter that you are working on
leave your current/previous role?
at the moment?
• Describe a complex matter you have handled

• How much marketing do you undertake? Ensure that you listen to the questions being asked,
and answer as fully as possible without getting
• What is the most significant obstacle you have had
carried away. Remember that they are looking for
to overcome?
clarity of thought and succinct disciplined thinking.
• How do you manage your time?
It is perfectly acceptable to pause for a moment in
• How do you deal with pressure at work? order to compose a response. Answering
• What makes you a good lawyer? immediately as the question is finished may

• What book are you reading at the moment? indicate that you have not listened to the
question. Provide as much explanation as possible,
• Do you prefer to work autonomously or in a
and avoid simple yes and no answers. Instead,
team environment?
provide responses that are clear, relevant and
• What do you consider to be your main
provide adequate information.
strengths and weaknesses?
• What was your last salary and bonus?
If the interviewer starts asking behavior based
• What sort of hours do you work?
questions eg. ‘give me an example of a stressful
• What will you hope to achieve by working here? situation you have dealt with’ use the ‘SAO’ method.

• What is your current charge out rate What was the SITUATION-ACTION-OUTCOME? This

and budget? will focus your answer.

• What would a previous employer say about

you?
At the finish line
LUCRATIVE CLOSURE

If there was anything about the position or the If the position is offered to you, it is appropriate to
firm that impressed you, mention it briefly. accept it at that point. However, if you would like
to have some time to think about it, or would
rather discuss the matter with your recruitment
Ask what the next step will be and what timing
consultant, be tactful and courteous and ask for
they are looking at for filling the role.
some time to consider. Be prepared to set a date by
which you will be able to provide an answer.
It is acceptable and encouraged that during the
closing section of the interview, you mention
Thank the interviewer(s) for his/her/their time and
something along the lines of, ‘I am very interested
consideration of you.
in the role and look forward to hearing from you’.

You see things; and you say

‘Why?’
But I dream things
that never were;
and I say

‘Why not?’
~ George BernardShaw
The way to get started is to quit

talking and begin doing.

~Walt Disney
Make an impression
WHAT YOUR BODY LANGUAGE SAYS ABOUT YOU

From the moment an interviewer sees you, he or she forms an impression about what sort of person you are
and what kind of employee you would make. This is because even when we are not speaking, we are
communicating. The way we move, our gestures and what we wear, all say something about who we are.

An interviewer will generally form a strong impression during the first sixty seconds of the interview. First
impressions are predominantly based on body language and appearance. Only seven per cent of
interviewers focus on the words we use as a basis for forming the first impression.

Here are some suggestions to help you appear more confident:

Make an Entrance

Traditionally a daunting place, the interview room represents hostile territory, and we tend to slow our
walking pace when entering an unknown area. Slowing down however, can suggest reluctance or a lack of
confidence. Rather than entering the room at full speed, or dawdling make a point of just pausing at the door
before entering at a confident pace.

The Handshake

Firm but friendly is the best way. Nobody likes a limp handshake which can suggest a weak character, but
neither is it recommended that you remove the interviewer’s hand at the wrist. This can denote over-
confidence, or even arrogance.

The Eyes

Eye contact is vital, but it should not be performed to excess. A trick to maintaining eye contact is to use the
business gaze. Imagine there is a triangle on the other person’s forehead. By keeping your gaze directed at this
area, you create a serious atmosphere and the other person senses that you mean business.

The Mouth

Smile. It helps you relax and allows you to appear personable and reasonable, and portrays a lack of fear.

Posturing

Slouching and tipping back your chair is an act best left to schoolchildren. Remember to sit upright as it
makes you look attentive. Also, leaning forward slightly portrays the image that you are taking an active
interest. Avoid crossing your arms as this creates a defensive image.
PHONE INTERVIEWS THE VIDEO CONFERENCE INTERVIEW

Phone interviews are increasingly being used for screening 1. Prepare for the interview in the same way you would a face to
interstate or international candidates, and we find that it is being face interview.
used more and more often as a ‘first interview’ for candidates 2. Make sure the video conference facility is quiet and there is no
heading to the international market. Here are some tips to make noise coming from other rooms. Make sure the door is closed.
the phone interview create some impact with the client. Make sure you get the interviewer’s name right and then use it as
appropriate during the interview.
3. Have a list of things you feel you really need to get across in the
1. Prepare for the interview in the same way you would for a face to
interview. If it helps put key words on some cards and place
face interview. Rehearse with a friend or family member then
them where you can see them to remind yourself.
rehearse again but this time via the phone. Talking on the phone
4. Dress as if you were attending a face to face interview. Make
isn’t as easy as it seems. Use a tape recorder to hear your ‘ums’
sure not to wear bright colours, patterns or stripes because they
and ‘uhs’ and ‘okays’ and you can practice reducing them.
can ‘strobe’ on the other side creating a distraction.
2. Make sure you have a quiet place to do the interview and if at
5. Make sure you are seated comfortably but alert as though the
home, warn family members and keep animals/children out of the
interviewers were in the room with you.
room. Turn off the stereo and the TV. Close the door. Make sure
6. Remember – first impressions count. As soon as you can see
you get the interviewer’s name right and then use it as
someone on screen and there is a sound connection say eg
appropriate during the interview.
‘good morning – I’m Bob Smith.’ The people on the screen will
3. Have a list of things you feel you really need to get across in the
then introduce themselves to you.
interview. If it helps put key words on some cards and place
8. Keep a pen and paper handy for you to take notes in case you have
them where you can see them to remind yourself.
questions.
4. Dress for the part so you feel professional – this will come
9. Keep a copy of your resume handy to refer to.
across in the interview.
10. Keep your mobile phone off.
5. Stand and pace if it will help you breath and project your voice as
11. Don’t chew gum. Do keep a glass of water handy, in case you
best you can. If there is no room to do so make sure you are
need to refresh your mouth, but if you do – say: ‘Please excuse
seated comfortably but not too laid back.
me while a take a sip of water’.
6. Keep a pen and paper handy for you to take notes in case you
12. Smile a lot. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. There is almost
have questions.
always a 1-2 second time delay between you saying something
7. Keep a copy of your resume handy to refer to.
and the interviewer hearing it, and vice versa. Always take a
8. Keep your mobile phone off.
good pause between sentences to allow for a smoother flow of
9. Don’t smoke, chew gum, eat or drink. Do keep a glass of water
conversation.
handy, in case you need to refresh your mouth, but if you do
13. Whilst it is very difficult to do during a VC – try to not interrupt
say: ‘Please excuse me while a take a sip of water’.
the interviewer.
10. Smiling while talking will project a positive image and change
14. Don’t answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ but keep answer succinct. Take your
the tone of your voice. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.
time – it’s perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to
11. Very important - don’t interrupt the interviewer.
collect your thoughts.
12. Don’t answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ but keep answers succinct. Take your
15. Don’t be afraid to ask what the next step is from here. What is the
time – it’s perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to
timeline for the recruitment campaign?
collect your thoughts.
16. Thank the interviewer for his or her time and say that you hope to
13. Remember your goal is to get a face-to-face interview.
meet them in person. Do not get up until the conversation has
14. Thank the interviewer for his or her time and say that you hope to
concluded and all the concluding pleasantries have been
meet them in person.
dispensed with.
15. Don’t be afraid to ask what the next step is from here. What is the
timeline for the recruitment campaign?
The DOs and DON’Ts of interviewing

DO always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job.

It is to your advantage to be in the position where you are able to choose from
more than one job offer.

DO be honest. Answer questions in a manner that is sincere, truthful and to

the point.

DON’T ever make derogatory remarks about your current or former

employers.

DON’T over answer questions. If the questions deviate into

controversial territory, such as politics, be honest but brief.

DON’T let your discouragement show if the interview is not going as

planned.

DON’T get defensive and always remain positive.

DON’T be the first to inquire about salary, holidays or bonuses during the initial
interview. The employer may raise the issue first, in which case you should be
aware of your market value and be prepared to specify a salary range. DON’T over
sell yourself in this area.

DON’T appear over-ambitious and try to control over-enthusiasm that can be

interpreted the wrong way. Your professional aspirations should accord with the
role on offer.

DON’T appear over concerned with title. Such an issue can be resolved
once the employer decides that they want to employ you.
Be positive and stay focused
THE NEXT STEP

Call your consultant at Dolman as soon as is practical after the interview and detail what happened.

Relax, you have done all you can for now. If there is anything more to be done, we will let you know and if

possible take care of it for you.

THE SECOND INTERVIEW

It is common for an employer to organize a second interview prior to proceeding to the offer stage. The purpose of the second
interview is often to provide the opportunity for you to meet other people in the team and for them to become involved in the
recruitment process.

Every single rule which applies to the first Try to remain as relaxed as possible. You were considered in high
interview should be observed. enough regard for the interviewer to want to meet with you
again. Be friendly and open. This meeting is likely to be
The second interview is not an appropriate occasion substantially more informal and chatty, but again try to avoid any
to launch into questions about the role or the firm. If controversial topics.
there are any points that you wish to clarify, do raise
them, but keep questioning to a minimum. Do not assume that you have the job. While you
have passed the first stage, this meeting is as
Do not conduct a fact gathering mission now as much of a test as the first. Be gracious and
this should have been accomplished at the first gregarious but maintain the utmost
interview. professionalism.

IF YOU’RE SUCCESSFUL – CONGRATULATIONS!

Your consultant will now assist you by negotiating the best offer on your behalf and having your offer formalised.

Be prepared to be counter offered.

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.

~ Aristotle
Avoiding the pitfalls
FINAL ANALYSIS: THE MOST COMMON REASONS FOR REJECTION

As unusual as some of these may appear, candidates • Lack of career planning.

often fail to progress for the following reasons – try
• Lack of enthusiasm or motivation.
to avoid these pitfalls where possible:
• Lack of confidence and nervous habits such as
• Weak handshake – especially applicable for
nail biting or fidgeting, and equally so, displaying
males.
overconfidence or cockiness.
• Poor presentation – scruffy shoes, top shirt
• Evasiveness.
button undone (for males), unkempt hair etc.
• Poor communication. • Over answering questions and failing to know
when to stop talking.
• Failure to maintain eye contact.
• Deficiency of technical knowledge.
• Being too introverted or too extroverted – try to
• Wanting more money – more money than the
perform consistently.
market would expect for someone at your
• Inability to express thoughts clearly.
level/experience.

IF YOU ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL

Remain positive – any interview practice is good may decide that they do not want to pay as much as

practice, and practice does make perfect. you are seeking for someone at your level of
experience/skills, despite an excellent interview,
you may miss out. These things are out of your
There are occasions when the result of the
control and it is best to move on.
interview has more to do with the employer’s
own perceptions of who/what they want in a
Analyse, but not excessively so, what areas if any can
successful candidate, than the reality of how you
be improved upon at the next interview.
performed at interview. Sometimes the client

Obstacles are those frightful

things you see when you take

your eyes off the Goal.

~ Henry Ford
The best outcome for you
MANAGING COUNTER-OFFERS

So you’ve been through the unsettling and tiresome process of job hunting, you’ve nailed an incredible role and you’ve
successfully submitted your letter of resignation. Your boss was absolutely not happy about it, but appeared to accept it. Then
what?

Confusion on the issue does reveal one recurring reality. Most

people who accept a counter-offer have
A counter-offer is an offer from your current
subsequently left their job within twelve months,
employer to rival the one you have received from
and significant majorities are actually gone within
your future employer, in an attempt to convince you
three to six months.
to stay.

• Counter-offers can assume a variety of forms, Rationale to Retain You

often presented in the guise of a straight increase
Consider the logic behind the counter-offer.
in salary, usually in order to meet or exceed your
Naturally, what an individual would prefer to do
new offer.
is accept it as flattery, accept it as a sign of
importance and value to the employer, a
• Alternatively, it may be presented as additional
definitive signal that the firm will go to
company benefits, a sought-after promotion or new
considerable lengths to retain them.
job title, additional responsibility, a change in role,
more involvement in valuable projects, or any
What an individual should be considering,
combination of the above.
however, is that the counter offer may not be a
signal that you are truly valued, but that the
• Counter-offers can be confusing. Leaving a job,
employer may have other reasons for acceding to
especially if you have been there for some time, is
requests that have been long ignored.
difficult. Being confronted with pressure to stay, and
having your reasons for leaving challenged,
These may include:
undermined and even eradicated, only makes the
situation more complicated. Even though you • Replacing an employee can be an expensive

worked hard to get the new role and have been exercise

excited at the prospect of this career move, you • No budget to re-recruit at that time of year

find yourself thinking: maybe I do owe something • No time to recruit right now
to my current employer. Maybe I do lack loyalty • Wanting to have you cover the role while they
and perhaps the company will suffer unfairly if I hunt for your replacement
leave. Maybe things will improve if I just give it • Wanting you to finish the project you are
another shot. currently working on
• They lack the time and resources to train
• Counter-offers are a more common phenomenon someone new at the moment
than you might imagine. Statistics on exactly how • Losing staff may potentially reflect unfavorably
often it happens are hard to find, but research on your boss
To Stay or to Go?
yourself, your own happiness and well-being first?
There is rarely a good reason to accept a counter-
Would the firm think twice about relieving you of
offer and remain where you are. You felt motivated
your position if they so desired?
to move, you have been through the recruitment
process, you have been successful and you have
• Do not let an unexpected counter-offer stand in
attained a job that complies with your criteria.
the way of your career progression. Take it in
Consider these factors:
your stride, thank your employer for the
opportunity and reaffirm your intention to leave.
• From the day of your resignation, your loyalty will
Maintain your ground.
always be in question. This absence of loyalty is
likely to present an obstacle to future promotions.
• Should you ultimately choose to stay, remain
You will be treated differently by your colleagues,
alert and do not be naïve. Just because you have
who will be aware that you really do not want to
accepted your counter-offer, does not mean your
be there.
resignation has been forgotten. It will be
necessary to work exceedingly hard in order to
• Your boss will doubtlessly begin scouting for your
re-acquire your employer’s trust. You will
replacement immediately, regardless of whether
certainly have to strive harder than your
you stay or not. Why are they offering you what
colleagues to prove your loyalty to the firm
you deserve now, rather than before your
and worthiness as a long-term prospect. A post-
resignation? Has the true reasoning behind your
resignation life with an old firm will be incredibly
resigning actually been adequately addressed? How
problematic and accepting a counter-offer is
guilty do you really feel? Should you not be putting
undeniably a dangerous option.

Never give up
~ Winston Churchill
Notes