Interview Skills 101: Focusing on the Positive

If you are currently on the job market, it is likely that you are looking to improve a mediocre or unpromising situation, or are even trying to escape a bad situation.  Whether you are a partner or an associate, there are some important reasons that maintaining a positive tone in your conversations with future employers makes you more attractive.

It has been said many times that looking for your ideal next job is a lot like dating.  Like a potential mate, your future employer wants to feel wanted, and not like they are simply the best you could do under the circumstances.  No one wants to date a person who is simply looking for a way out of a bad situation, and seeks a soft place to land.  As an interviewee, you will do well to demonstrate to your potential employer that you are successful and wanted in your current firm, and that you are choosing them out of many excellent options, because they are truly the best fit for you.  Wouldn’t you date that person over someone who makes it clear that they are settling for you?


To this end, I often advise job-seekers to avoid negative statements or even negative insinuations about a current employer.  It is best to offer neutral (and true) reasons for wanting to move on.  Neutral reasons have nothing to do with you or your skills, nor do they reflect negatively on your current firm.  Instead, they fall into the “these things happen” category.  Here are some examples of neutral reasons for wanting to leave a firm:

• Geographic reasons: I want to move to another city to join my family/significant other/move back home etc.;
• Practice area reasons: I want to practice law in a city where my practice area is more robust;
• Firm size reasons: I would like to join a larger firm where I can attract larger clients;
• Loss of work: My firm just lost a major client/practice group, and the loss had nothing to do with me;
• Merger: I liked the size and atmosphere of my firm and we just merged;
• Personal advancement: Your firm has the best group in my practice field.
• Ambition: My firm does not encourage associates to develop business, instead focusing on institutional clients, and I want to develop business because I am entrepreneurial.

 

If you characterize your firm as being inadequate, it almost always reflects negatively on you.  Similarly, if you present yourself as being undervalued, potential employers will ask what is wrong with you that you are being underutilized.  Here are examples of reasons that either reflect negatively on you or show that you have a negative view of your current employer, and should be avoided:

• I work for an awful /mean/unreasonable partner;
• My firm doesn’t pay well enough;
• I am underappreciated/underutilized/not a go-to person;
• My work provider is having an affair with an associate, so I don’t get the work I should get (this is a real reason someone told me!);
• The clients at my firm are nickel-and-dime, low-level clients, and I want more important work (you can get this point across by simply phrasing this more positively).

 

Difficult partners, poor bonus years, and office drama are all part of the reality of working in a law firm.  Don’t be the person who has to have everything a certain way in order to be successful.  You won’t make a good impression, and you won’t get the job offer.

When discussing your current firm, even if you are unhappy, remember always to lead with positive statements.  It is obvious to potential employers that if you are looking around, something is missing from your current firm experience. You don’t have to dwell on that.  Instead, lead with positive statements like:

• “I love the people I work with,”;
• “I’ve gotten some great experience at my firm,”;
• “I’ve been very lucky to have a high level of responsibility.”;
• “I worked on one very exciting project where I got to do X,Y,Z.”

 

All of these statements show a potential employer that you are enthusiastic about practicing law, and will bring that enthusiasm to their firm.  No one wants to hire someone who is just collecting a paycheck, who is in a downward spiral, or dislikes practicing law.

In sum, always remember to focus on the positive if you want to make a good impression. Praising all the great things about your current firm makes you sound both very professional and polished, as well as sought-after.   It is natural to assume that if you are saying positive things about your firm, they have similar feelings about you.  By contrast, if you point fingers because someone has treated you unfairly, or you feel that someone is unreasonable, or you are not valued as you feel you should be, it is almost certain that you will be viewed as the problem.

Come up with the most neutral reasons that are true for you for wanting to leave your firm.  Try to be the positive, enthusiastic person that an employer can see becoming a part of their firm.

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.