Step 1: Before the interview

Preparation

This will make a difference to how you perform. Reading through shareholder reports and the latest news about the company is an absolute minimum. I will also help you kick start this process by sending you links to the company and interviewers profile, have a look over and see if you have a shared interest (sports, university).

Practice with your Recruiter

The goal is to help you articulate your CV in a high impact / to the point statement, giving you the chance to put your personality across without going into waffle mode. Your recruiter is (hopefully) the expert; use him/her for practice sessions. The over-riding advice here is to do what makes you feel relaxed and comfortable, adding rigid structure can cover up one of the most important parts to the interview, you, and specifically your personality. However, after conducting 1000’s of interviews here is my fail-safe option.

Basics

Everyone knows the importance of building rapport. Before you attend a meeting, be sure to look at news about the company, industry and where possible to review the persons background via a company website or LinkedIn.

From here you can formulate a plan to cover areas of commonality such as nationality, education, interests and possible clubs you are both members.

If someone asked me the best way to explain a CV, I would always advise chronological order. Then run through your CV as a timeline and along the way you can insert elements that show you as a person and not just a CV (explained more below).

The focus: How well can you articulate clearly what you did in 2012 compared with 2022 and more to the point, which is of more relevance?

The CV

Begin with education and qualifications, this is your chance to show parts that make up you and your personality, be sure to include overseas travel as well as living in new cities and experiencing different cultures. 

As you move onto the work experience section, try to focus on your first role and briefly explain the details. Your latest position(s) / last 5-7 years should be the main focus to achieve a high impact moment, be sure to include geographical coverage, team management, daily duties and any major achievements.

Things to avoiD

• Try to avoid talking about movement on your CV. Remember this is an opening high impact statement and if they want to know more, trust me they will ask.

• Do not waffle at the end. Find a way to bring the interviewer back into the conversation so that the meeting becomes 2 way and thus, relationship building.

• Try the following “that’s a brief explanation about my background, I welcome any questions you may have”.

Thing you must know about your CV (They may ask)

• Your CV is your life, do not fabricate and make sure you can explain all areas

• Why you moved from each company through your entire career

• Why you are looking to leave the current role

• What type of role / company / team you are interested in finding

• Long term career progression – expectations

• Current salary and salary expectations 

Step 2: Questions

Whether this is a question about a legal transaction or a question on how you handle difficult situations, getting a clear high impact answer can prove tricky.

Questions - Structured Answers...

• Always give a real life example. Do not fall into the trap of giving hypothetical answers.

• Try and show what you did through the example, words such as ‘I’ are good, ‘we’ not so good. Start with the Beginning. Here you can explain what the problem was, who was involvedand why.

• The Middle part will demonstrate what YOU did to turn the situation around /completethe transaction. Think about how you navigated issues and used your relationshipmanaging skills to defuse escalating problems.

• Finally, the END. Always explain the outcome and if successful and revenue generating, tell the interviewer (please!).

Questions specific to an In-House legal interview process...

• What are your strengths / weaknesses (remember examples)?

• As a lawyer, give me an example of innovation that you have brought to the legal team?

• What is your view on technology and how this will impact In-House lawyers and the wider function?

• Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills?

• Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it?

• How do you manage your day to reduce wastage?

• Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy or contract with which you did not agree?

• Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get ajob done?

• Give me an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision?

• What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.

• Tell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa)?

• Tell me about a difficult decision you’ve made in the last year?

• Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed?

• Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset client or co-worker?

Your Questions

• What is your background (you may want to find a softer way to ask this question)?

• What was the reason you joined XXX organisation? 

• What is it about XXX that keeps you motivated?

• How is the legal team viewed by the business / senior management?

• How does the business interact with the legal team?

• How do you see the company developing over the next 1 to 2 years?

• What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing your industry / company / team / departmentin the next 6 / 12 months? 

Step 3: Final Tips

What can go wrong?

• Salary questions are tough to answer, use your recruiter to work out how to make sure this isa win/win for both you and the client.

• When you are asking questions at the end, make sure you have a ‘knock out’ question. Forexample, reading something about the interviewer or company and asking an intelligentquestion shows you have done your research. Remember, most interviewers are proud oftheir career and will happily / enjoy sharing this with you.

• Don’t go into aggressive mode at the end of the interview by demanding to know the nextsteps. TRUST me, if you are progressing to the next stage they will reach out through theappropriate channel.

• Finally – as you walk out of the interview, be sure to have reserved some of that relationship/spark setting conversation to see you through to the lift. If not, it becomes along silent walkand could take the shine of what was a great interview.

Closure

• What are your plans for the weekend?

• Any vacations coming up?

Good Luck!

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