When applying for a new legal position, the interview is like a game of baseball. A base hit leads you one-step closer to claiming your dream job. A swing and a miss sends you to the back of the line. The situation is the proverbial baseball batter at the plate, you, taking the swing to win the game. We want to do well. We want to win. We want to succeed and hit a homerun – not strikeout.
Selling yourself in front of an audience is not without its pressure and nerves. Public speaking and talking to strangers, even in the most benign situations, can leave even the most eloquent orators tongue-tied. Further, the different format styles of the meeting can leave you stymied and unable to express the individual inside.
Whether you are Zooming, in person, on the phone, these tips will hopefully brush off any anxieties and allow you to crush a dinger into the bleachers during the interview.
Prepare to Take a Giant Leap Forward
- Breathe. Calm yourself. Get in tune to do well. Listen to some music, do some yoga, or wear your favorite socks. You want to get rid of any butterflies.
- Rehearse. Two inquiries that always come up: Why are you leaving your prior employment? Why do you want to work at this firm? Construct thorough and thoughtful responses prior to the meeting and do your research on your prospective employer before the interview.
- Dress Professionally. You are not going to the Paralegal Zoom Bingo Mixer. First impressions include our overall appearance.
- Arrive Early. A good rule of thumb for all appointments in your life – get there
- Arrive Early. A good rule of thumb for all appointments in your life – get there ten minutes early. Yes, this includes webinar conferences.
Engaging in a Level beyond Flash
- Smile. Break out the pearly whites. Smiling calms any last moment fretting and puts one in a positive mood.
- Articulate Clearly. Enunciate your words slowly, it is not a race. Also, if you need a moment to think about the question posed before you, take it. Ponder, organize your thoughts, and then respond. If you make a mistake, brush it off. Do not dwell if you rushed an answer. Go back and clarify the response if needed.
- Put Your Best Foot Forward. Highlight your accomplishments on your résumé. You want to leave everything on the table; you want to impress the representatives. It is not bragging; you are just setting yourself up to take the best swing possible. Be enthusiastic, and most importantly, be yourself.
Change the Conversation
- Ask Questions. Do not be afraid to throw a pitch or two back at the firm you are interviewing for. You may want to enquire about the work dynamics. Alternatively, what the next steps in the hiring process are.
- Be Grateful. Thank the people for their time and the opportunity. Be gracious. Wish them well in their hunt for the next employee.
With these quivers in your pack, your interviewing arsenal is set. And, when you get the job, throw your bat to the side, and run the bases—you have hit your home run. ¡Adios Pelota!
Michael Schiraldi is a paralegal at Fox Rothschild LLP. An adjunct instructor at San Francisco State University, he resides in San Francisco.