It is extremely important to be prepared for your interview. This means being able to discuss with ease all positions you have held, work experience you have gained, and even college classes you have taken, as far back as your resume states. I recently had a candidate get very upset after an interview because she recognized that she came off as “flighty” when describing her decision to take time off, move to a different state, and then travel prior to law school. When we discussed this particular aspect of her past, she spoke with confidence and made perfect sense, but when she was asked about these choices she had made so long ago, during her interview, she was caught off guard. I always tell my candidates to be well versed with everything on their resume, particularly if they have gaps in between employment, if they have moved or are looking to move to another state, or have switched career paths.
- See 6 Things Attorneys and Law Students Need to Remove from Their Resumes ASAP If They Want to Get Jobs with the Most Prestigious Law Firms for more information.
Additionally, it is important to be able to discuss specific examples of your work experience and to be able to highlight positive examples of excellent work product. Stating that you have had "positive reviews" or that you can "provide excellent references" is not enough and tells prospective employers nothing about who you are. Alternatively, if you repeat a specific positive compliment like "one partner told me that I am an excellent writer and he rarely has to edit my work ", you can certainly make a strong positive impression. Likewise, if you have been repeatedly asked to work with a particular partner, or if you have been asked to supervise other associates, this suggests excellent work and interpersonal skills, and you should use the opportunity of an interview to talk about these specific examples. In other instances, candidates may have been offered positions with firms they have worked for in the past, or in one case, a candidate was offered a position in another city where she wanted to relocate, with the firm she was currently working for. This is very relevant information which you should be prepared to discuss on your interview, because it reflects positively on you, and an employer will feel much more comfortable hiring someone who he knows is highly respected and valued at their prior or current firm. An interview is really the best time to brag!
- See Top Ten Interview Questions for more information
Clearly, it is important to be able to discuss details about your own academic and professional history on an interview. It is amazing how details and specifics can escape our memory if we have not thought about them or rehearsed them for a long while. I heard one example of this from an extremely well qualified associate candidate who completely forgot the name of a law firm that had made her a lateral offer years before (and she had brought up the conversation during her interview). Even though she was able to get around forgetting this one firm name, she was flustered and couldn’t focus as well for the next several minutes of her interview. I think it is imperative to actually practice discussing your background, so that the conversation rolls off your tongue when the time comes, and you can be at ease and let your personality shine through. If you were let go, if you have made a lot of lateral moves, or if you are looking to relocate, you should be ready to discuss the circumstances, because an interviewer will likely want to know more. You can never go back and make another first impression, and if you have actually practiced discussing each topic that may come up, there is less of a chance that you will be caught off guard, forget details, or not come across well.
- See Interviewing Tips for more information
Learn why attorneys usually fail law firm phone-screening interviews in this article:
About Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.
With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.
Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.
Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.
One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.
One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.
Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.
In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.
Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.
In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.
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.
