Interview Guide

1. The Interview at the Firm
2. Cocktail Receptions
3. Interview over Lunch and/or Dinner

* Note: This is advice based on our experience at Blakes, a large business law firm. Interviewing at boutique firms and for governmental positions may be very different than the experience described here.

The Interview at the Firm

• Do arrive on time for interviews as they are often tightly scheduled. If you are late, just explain the reason why and move on.



• Wear business attire for the interviews. Most of the lawyers you meet will be wearing business attire. Also, make sure you are comfortable. It's not a good idea to try out new shoes!



• Let the interviewer know where you can be reached in case the firm wants to contact you.



• How to deal with problems that may arise:
  
  
  • The "too-talkative" interviewer just wants an audience. Be an active listener.
  
  
  
  • If you are too nervous, do everything you can to relax. In the case of our firm, talking to your host may help you calm down. The host is usually a junior associate and remembers exactly how it felt. Remember, many of the interviewers are very nervous about making a good impression.
  
  
  
  • If you don't "hit it off" with an interviewer, try to meet other people at the firm. Keep in mind that lawyers can have bad days too and that one lawyer is not indicative of the entire firm.
  
  
  
  • If you are asked an inappropriate question, examine who is saying it. Sometimes a lawyer doesn't appreciate how their question is perceived. Consider whether you think the question is being used for a discriminatory purpose. For instance, sometimes a lawyer who has children will be interested in whether you have children simply because they like talking about them. While this doesn't make the question appropriate, there is no negative intention. Other times, a lawyer may be out of line. There are several things you can do. First, consider whether the behaviour is a reflection of the culture of the firm. We would suggest speaking to the person in charge of recruitment and gauging their reaction. Second, you can contact the Law Society about the behaviour.
  
  
  
  • At Blakes, we are committed to a fair recruitment process. Before students are interviewed, we make sure that all our interviewers understand the importance of treating everyone with respect and being sensitive to cultural differences.

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Cocktail Receptions

• Firms know that not everyone enjoys cocktail receptions. However, they do provide an opportunity to see how lawyers in a firm interact with one another. At Blakes, we sometimes have a small reception at a restaurant before dinner so that you can meet more lawyers from the firm.



• If you are not comfortable in these settings, you can make a short appearance.



• Firms generally do not judge candidates at the reception.



• If you are interested in a firm but cannot go to a reception, just let the firm know this.



• Do not drink heavily at a reception.



• Treat other candidates well at a reception as lawyers do note if you are unfriendly to your colleagues.

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Dinners

• Don't panic - it's just dinner!



• This is an opportunity for more relaxed conversation. Use this time to learn more about the culture of the firm. Listen to the lawyers' stories about their experiences and observe how the lawyers communicate with one another.



• Don't worry if you spill something. It's not a big deal. If you are really concerned, order something you are comfortable eating.



• Dinner gives you with an opportunity to provide more detail about yourself. Consider again what you want to convey (i.e., interest in the firm, experience you have, etc…)



• Some dinners are booked in advance of interview week. Some are scheduled during interview week. If you know you are not interested in a firm, you can cancel the dinner. However, try not to do this at the last minute.



• Don't double-book dinners. If two firms ask you out, try to determine which firm you would prefer. Perhaps you could suggest lunch with one of the firms instead of dinner.

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