Entering and Exiting a Law Firm Interview
In interviews, a decision on your candidacy can be made within minutes. That first impression is crucial. Likewise, how you exit the room is the last impression you provide and the most recent interaction on the interviewer's mind when they write up their recommendation. Add in the uniqueness of the law firm environment and all of this can lead to anxiety for a candidate. But there's no need to be worried. Just keep in mind these simple tips when you enter and exit each interview during your visit:
The Entrance
Say a full proper introduction/greeting. Whether you are introduced by someone else are not, take a sentence to give a full "Hello." Say that you're happy to be there, or that you are looking forward to asking the person some questions about their work, etc. Just make sure you say something. This forces you to make eye contact and shows you are ready to engage. If you stand there silently waiting to receive direction and your first question, you will not make a confident first impression.
Don't get thrown off by delays, changes, interruptions, etc. When you meet with a lawyer for your interview, they may have been preparing to meet with you for days or they may have just learned they are interviewing you moments ago. As you know, lawyers are busy people - schedules change, calls run over, deadlines come up last minute, etc. So don't be upset or surprised if an interviewer changes or if an interview doesn't start on time. Instead, think about it from the other side: If you were scheduled to interview someone for a position that day and an urgent client deadline came up, which would you prioritize?
Have materials at the ready, but wait to be asked for them. You should have a professional portfolio with you that contains all the materials you were asked for by the firm - resume, cover letter, transcript, writing sample, etc. Have a packet ready for each interviewer. But keep your portfolio closed on the desk and only provide materials when asked. Don't worry if the interviewer doesn't already have a copy of your resume at the ready (see point #2 above :-).
The Exit
Run out the clock. It's not your responsibility to know when the interview should end. You should be doing everything you can to use all of the time that you have with your interviewer. There's always another question that can be asked about their work, how they use attorneys at your level, what they are looking for in a team member, etc. While you think you're being respectful of time when you end the interview on your own, your interviewer may perceive this as disinterest.
Take the time for a closing sentence or two. No matter what. When your interview ends or a recruiter comes in to take you to the next attorney, you may feel you need to rush out of the room ASAP. Don't. It takes less than a minute to reach out for a handshake, say thank you for their time and, ideally, to say something about why you are a good fit or want the job. This is crucial for ensuring the interviewer sees you as a confident, engaged candidate that really wants the job.
Your entrance and exit to a law firm interview matters as much as what you say in-between. Push through your nerves to remember these tips for each interview.