Interviewing at a Biglaw Firm: What You Need to Know

Few things are more daunting than entering the front doorway of a giant, imposing law firm—especially if you’re there to interview for a job at said law firm! But as more and more law school graduates seek employment at Biglaw offices, it’s as good a time as any to review some of the interview basics.

Social media. Before your interview, take some time to go through your social media profiles and clear out anything that might be unprofessional or controversial—including any drunk or slovenly-looking photos. Hiring managers may not check out your social media profiles, but it is always a strong possibility.

Attire. Everyone knows that, even in an age of relatively lax workplace dress codes and telecommuting employees, your interview attire matters, and should be professional. We’d add that you should make it conservative, just to err on the side of caution. Frankly, this is especially important for ladies. Anything that could be deemed “provocative” could ultimately hurt you in the interview.

Your rights. As you approach this or any other interview, remember your own rights as an interviewee. In particular, note that the interviewer cannot ask you about your age, your intentions to have children, or anything of the sort. Sadly, these questions do still come up in a Biglaw setting. Respectfully decline to answer and then try to move along to the next question; when the interview’s over, e-mail the hiring or recruitment director right away to make note of this occurrence.

Your enthusiasm. There is no substitute for enthusiasm. What interviewers are looking for, as much as competence in the law, is passion for the law. Don’t be afraid to show that you love what you do and are passionate about being a lawyer.

Your niche. In particular, show passion for the specific area of law you’re looking to work in. If you declare that you want to be an intellectual property lawyer, be clear and specific about why you want to do that and what you think you can bring to the table.

Honest answers. Honesty is the best policy… but that doesn’t mean you should be immediately forthcoming about every concern or anxiety that crosses your mind. Know that, if you voice concerns about long commutes or unreasonable working hours, you’re much less likely to get an offer—so maybe keep those things to yourself until after the offer comes.

These basic pointers will help steer you in the right direction during your Biglaw interview—and hopefully land you an offer from an exciting and prestigious firm!