Informational Interview: A Great Legal Job Search Tool by Bill Smith

The average people who are going to an interview for a law job are likely to gather all the necessary information about his or her position, job requirement and necessary skills and about the law firm which is conducting the interview beforehand. However, an interview is always a very tough situation to face; even the interviewee is highly prepared.

There is an old saying that you have only one chance to make a first impression. And an interview is just about that. An interviewer is likely to be well experienced in hiring for corporate counsel jobs. All interviewees must be qualified enough for the legal job position to even get that far. So you must have something to say which makes you distinct from the others in the eye or interviewer.

There is a way by which you can increase your chance. And the way is termed as an informational interview. But one should know first, that this is not a shortcut or an easier way to get into a legal job or attorney job. However, it is considered as the process of collecting information about a posting and the company who made the offer. And this process will make you confident enough to face the interview as a strong candidate. It is about the specific information accumulated from and person involved with the legal employment services which will make you more suited for the law job.

Imagine a situation where you have a responsibility of setting the public interest. Now you are interested in switching to the private sector. So the most certain question in your next interview will be the first question popped in one’s mind, and that is why are you going from public sector to private sector? And as you have worked in the public sector before, what do you know about working in the private sector?

Now, where can you get the answers from if you don’t already know them? Have you considered the internet? It is most helpful when finding out information about virtually anything. You must offer something from your own perspective. The informational interview process will help you to make your standpoint. It is a great way to convince a legal job board or attorney job board that you are an excellent candidate.

In the process of collecting information about a firm, you have to meet someone from the private sector. Seeing someone from the inside will make you more familiar about the structure of the company, promotions and their internal politics. There are infinite chances for you to get information and a higher probability of getting hired for that legal job. Once you have arranged an informational interview, always be concise. Do not waste the person’s time, come straight to the point. But beware, don’t be too straight to ask if they’ll hire you. Ask the person with whom you are meeting where they’d like to meet. Lunch is often a good time to meet someone. This way the person will be grateful to you because you haven’t wasted his or her time. Don’t forget to say thank you and show your gratitude for their time.

Having a person who knows you, inside a firm can increase your probability of finding legal employment. Setting up a successful informational legal interview can help you increase your chances of getting hired for that top legal job.

About The Author

Founded in 1996, Lawmatch is the oldest dedicated legal employment service on the internet. Lawmatch offers attorney job seekers and employers the latest in Web-based legal recruitment tools and methodologies. Find more information at http://www.lawmatch.com

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