Interview and Post-Interview Etiquette in Attorney Job Search

At the Interview

When getting dressed for the interview, err on the side of formality and professionalism, and wear a suit. For a clue to the tone of the office, do your "due diligence." Look at profile pictures of partners and associates on the website, on LinkedIn, or in professional directories and publications to see what they are wearing. Then, follow suit (pun intended).

When arriving at the interview, be polite to everyone - in the coffee shop beforehand, in the parking lot, in the elevator, and in the reception area. You never know who is who or who will be asked what they thought about you. You may have already had a chance to make a good impression with your interviewer or others who may impact the hiring decision before you officially meet anyone "important."

When being interviewed by a group, notice how others are acting and respond accordingly.

When presenting your documents at the interview, be sure they are all cohesive and match, otherwise it is confusing for those meeting you. The paper, font, and contact information should be standard and consistent.

Try to collect a business card from everyone you interview with to make follow-up easier after the interview.

Follow-Up after Interview

You should continue your correspondence in the manner in which it began. So if you emailed your application and set up your interview via email, then an emailed thank you note is perfectly acceptable. Regardless of mailing method used, thank you notes should be sent no later than 24 hours after the interview.

In your thank you note, be sure to remind them how you will make their life easier, and definitely include a personal note to them about something specific you discussed during the interview.
Don’t forget to thank them for their time and consideration.

Feel free to follow-up after the email with something in the regular mail.

References

References are doing you a great favor, and they can make or break an opportunity. So, make giving you a good reference as easy as possible for them. Stay in touch so they remember who you are. And, stay up-to-date with their careers, job titles, and employers.

Find out if they’ve moved on from the position they were in when you worked together, making sure you have their most current contact information and also understand when and how it will be best for your potential employers to easily reach them.

Prepare your references:

Provide them with copies of your resume, cover letter, and reminders of your accomplishments, skills, projects you worked on together.
Make sure your references KNOW they may be called. Warn them if you are applying to many jobs and, particularly, when you have interviews scheduled.
If possible, warn them when specific employers may be contacting them, after you've had a promising interview.

Bottom Line:

During your search for a legal job you must be professional at all times and remember that every communication, both in person and online, is a business communication. Remember these three points and you will succeed: Professional, Appropriate, and Relevant.

For More Information:

Listen to Jessica's 30-minute interview about job search etiquette with Tara Kachaturoff on BlogTalkRadio.

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About This Author:

Jessica Silverstein is a lawyer and former legal recruiter. As Principal of Attorney’s Counsel she writes and revises resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. Currently, she counsels attorneys regarding their job prospects, and how their interview skills and resumes can be used as an effective tool to reach their career goals. Contact her through her website, Attorney’s Counsel or her blog AttorneysCounselNY.com . Find Jessica on LinkedIn Linkedin.com/in/AttorneysCounselNY and tell her why you should connect. Follow her on Twitter @AttysCounsel, and feel free to contact her via email at JesEsq [at] AttorneysCounselNY.com.

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