Career Planning: The Interview

You received a call and now have an appointment to talk about the opening. If you were looking for positions not publicly advertised, it is likely that potential employers will not have drawers filled with resumes. The fact that the person doing the hiring has contacted you is another reason for optimism.

In fact, it is possible that you will be the only person under consideration. Your primary competition is yourself. You will know what you want to do with your degree, where, and why. Review your "talking notes" and you will walk in confident that you are the most competent, most qualified person for the position.

Prepare as if you were going into court or a negotiation session. From your perspective, the interview is an opportunity to first show that you have the qualifications and experience required for the position. In addition, it offers a chance to ask questions to determine whether or not the position is consistent with your own personal and professional goals.

From the employer's perspective, the interview is a time to evaluate your work history, to get a sense of your commitment, your experience, your potential, your ability to communicate, and your personality. It is likely that your work, school, and volunteer experiences listed in your resume or cover letter will form the basis for the discussion. Therefore, by choosing which past experiences to emphasize in order to demonstrate your suitability, you have influenced the direction of the conversation.

At the close of the interview, restate your interest and ask if there is any additional information the employer would like. Later that day, jot down some notes and evaluate the interview. Were your questions answered satisfactorily? Did you forget important questions? Send a thank you note to the interviewer which includes any important relevant information omitted during the interview.

The Interview is part of our ongoing Career Planning Series with Ronald W. Fox, Esq.

Previous installments include:

Understanding Career Planning

Evaluating Experience and Skills

Narrowing Your Options

Finding Your Area of Practice Preference

Is Solo Practice Right for You?

How to Search for a Satisfying Position

Packaging Yourself

The "Six Bullet" Resume

Researching Potential Employers

Building Your Professional Network

Getting Involved and Selling Yourself

Ronald W. Fox is the principal of Career Planning for Lawyers.  Since 1990, he has provided individual guidance to law students and lawyers in transition helping them search for and locate positions consistent with their personal values and their professional goals.