You have all of the right qualifications. Your resume lists the skill set that the firm most desires. You are the perfect “on paper” candidate. Now you have an interview. Shoe in, right? Not exactly. An interview is much more than proving that you can do the job. It can all come down to personality.
Here are the qualities that make for the best and most successful interviews:
Be Personable
The firm wants to see that you have the ability to connect with people. Being personable will help to create a connection with the interviewers (i.e., help them see you as a person rather than just an attorney). If the interviewers like you, they are likely to fight for you during the hiring process. Your initial interviewers should become your cheerleaders in front of the hiring committee and the decision-makers at the firm.
Secondly, as you become more senior in your career, your ability to connect with people becomes more important. If you are able to connect to attorneys on an initial meeting, this is a signal that you will also be able to connect with clients - existing clients as well as potential new clients. In the end, your ability to be "personable" speaks to how well you might originate business for the firm.
Being personable is somewhat of an "X" factor and can be difficult to describe. In essence, don't check your personality at the door and become still, uneasy, or aloof. Feel free to laugh, smile, gesture, make an appropriate joke (if the mood is right in the room), and show that you have the ability to think on your feet with a quick wit. Make the interviewers feel at ease around you. Firms are employing a human, not a robot. They want to hire someone they enjoy being around.
Be Confident
You have the skill set for the job, but are you confident in that skill set? The interview is not the time to play coy. You need to be your biggest advocate. You finished law school, you passed the Bar, you obtained marketable skills (this is why you are in the room) - know your worth! You have many achievements of which to be proud! If you are not confident in yourself, then the interviewers cannot be confident in you. No matter how much they like you, they will not be able to sell your candidacy to the hiring committee. Again, this factor is ultimately about your potential relationship with the firm's clients. Before going forward, the firm needs to be convinced that you have the ability to entrust the confidence of their clients.
Of course, you cannot simply tell the firm that you are confident person. This needs to be expressed through your body language, speech pattern, and the way you answer every question. The best confidence emits from a positive, relaxed energy. Strand straight, sit leaning just a little bit forward, make eye contact. Don't close yourself off be crossing your arms or constantly looking down. Don't fidget. Wear something that makes you feel good about yourself, powerful, and completely comfortable.
You also relay confidence with a consistent speech pattern. A great way to accomplish this is by anticipating questions prior to the interview and writing out your answers. By writing your answers, you are wiring your brain to instinctively know the beginning, middle, and end of the thought you want to express. After writing, practice your answers out loud (in the car, the shower, subway). Of course, your answers should be not memorized verbatim, but merely a guideline. This allows you to express your entire thought in an intelligent way without stop-starting or an erratic speech pattern. Being detailed in your answers is also a great way to convey confidence.
Note on confidence: There IS such a thing as over confidence. Even though you want to relay that you are the best person for the position, make sure to stay humble when appropriate. Never interrupt, dismiss, or talk down to the interviewer or anyone else. Firms often look to see how you treat the assistants and other people you may encounter during the process. Be respectful and know your place in the room.
Be Deliberate
Interviewers want to know that everything in your career and your life has been well thought-out. You need to have a good explanation for every career move and why you are currently seeking to lateral. Firms want to be assured that you are not impulsive or scattered. Essentially, being deliberate speaks to the idea that you know what you want. If you demonstrate a history of being deliberate in your decisions, you help firms feel that they can trust your judgment.
- See Interviewing Tips for more information
No Negative-Nancys
Another quick factor that plays into the "personality" category is positivity. Make sure to stay upbeat. Turn everything to the positive. Of course, you have a valid reason for looking into other possibilities, but do not hang out your present firms "dirty laundry" or complain about the firm. Be grateful for the opportunities your firm has given you, but realize that it's time to move on for the betterment of your career. Some people come across as "downers," complainers, or entitled. Firms do not hire those people.
Learn why attorneys usually fail law firm phone-screening interviews in this article:
It's still a tough market in the law firm world. Most likely, the firm has several great "on paper" candidates. To get an offer, you need to "jump off the page."
- See Top Ten Interview Questions for more information
See the following articles for more information:
- Top 23 Law Firm Interview Tips: How to Excel in Law Firm Interviews
- 21 Major Interview Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
- The Best Way to Prepare for a Job Search and Interviews
- How to Talk About Other Interviews in Your Interviews
- How to Answer the Tell Me About Yourself Interview Question
- How to Answer the Do You Have Any Questions for Me Interview Question
- Had a Great Interview But Have Got No Response to My Thank-You Emails
- What Does It Mean if I Haven't Heard Anything Back from an Application/Interview in a Couple Weeks?
- What to Wear to a Lunch Interview?
- How to Effectively Interview Lateral Candidates: Pointers for Law Firms
- The Interview Post-Mortem: Don't Forget Your Thank You Notes!
- The Secret to Effectively Sharing Concerns about Your Current Employer without Committing the Most Common Interview Blunder
- How to Conduct Yourself During a Lunch Interview
About Harrison Barnes
No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.
A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter
Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:
- Immigration Law
- Workers Compensation
- Insurance
- Family Law
- Trust and Estate
- Municipal law
- And many more...
This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.
Proven Success at All Levels
With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:
- Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
- Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
- Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
- Growing firms in small and rural markets
He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.
Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search
Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.
The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys
Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.
- His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
- He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
- His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
- He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.
Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes
If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.
Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here
With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.
A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success
Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.
Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:
- Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
- Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
- Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.
This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.
A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives
Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.
He has worked with:
- Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
- Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
- Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
- Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.
For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.
Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation
If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.
Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.
Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.
About BCG Attorney Search
BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.
Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
