Interview Guide

Preparation

Interview preparation is essential no matter what your level of experience and greatly enhances your chances of performing well. This guide aims to assist in all aspects of an initial and subsequent interviews with the firm or organisation.

Ensure you have a detailed understanding of the role, the team and the employer. Research annual reports, media releases and blogs to understand the organisation’s reputation, financial situation, products/services, size, locations and expansion opportunities. When in the interview, follow the interviewer’s lead initially, then try to get them to describe the role and duties.

Review your resume and matter list, paying particular attention to items of relevance to the role and position description. Refresh your memory on details of past employers and matters worked on. Walk a fine line between discussing an employer’s positive traits and being drawn into negative gossip — this can be a standard technique to evaluate your discretion.

Confidence is key. Prepare questions to ask during the interview. Never ask about pay, holidays or bonuses at a first interview. Know the exact time and place. Never be late — plan to arrive ten minutes early.

 

First Impressions

Dress sharp — an interview starts the moment you enter the building. Take the conservative approach e.g wear a business suit/tie to the first interview. Give a firm handshake, solid eye contact and a smile. Stand to greet the interviewer if they come in after you. Never greet whilst seated.

If the interview is conducted online via VC take the time to introduce yourself, ask how the interviewer’s day was etc. Dress for the interview as if it was in person and still maintain the same standard of professionalism. Simulate eye contact and periodically look down the barrel of your camera, often we suggest attaching a sticker to your camera to remind you where to look. Other important things to remember: be mindful of your background, the noise levels, will you have reminders pop up etc, if there is a delay – pause for a second to ensure the interviewer has finished with their question and ensure you sit up straight and have good posture!

In the Interview — The MTR Technique

Use the MTR technique to structure answers to behavioural questions:

• Matter: Briefly describe the background to the matter or situation.
• Task: Describe your specific responsibility and the actions you took.
• Result: Describe the outcome. Always aim for a positive result.

Prepare answers to standard questions including:

These questions are very straightforward, and there is a lot of repetition.

• What do you know about our team?
• Why are you interested in joining us?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years/10 years?
• Why do you want to leave your current role?
• What do you enjoy most/dislike most about your current position?
  Be careful with this one – don’t be too insightful or brutal!
• Tell us about your current role
• Talk us through your experience
  This is a hard question to answer succinctly without rambling!
• What are you looking for in a new position?
• Tell us about a time you have presented an innovative solution to a problem?
• Tell us about yourself?
  Again, this is one of the hardest questions to answer succinctly and effectively.
• What questions do you have for us?
  Questions are good and are a way of finding out anything further you might want to know about the role and the firm and whether it will give you the opportunity for growth/development that you are looking for. We recommend asking questions throughout the interview, rather than waiting until the end and trying to remember them all. 

In addition, be ready to provide details if the interviewers point to any particular matter on your resume and wants you to expand. At interview you might be asked who you worked with or who was on the other side etc and you might not have the answer on the tip of your tongue (especially if the matter was a few years ago), so it can help to refresh your memory prior to interview.

Your Questions

Ask questions during the interview to assess the role and demonstrate your interest. Save harder questions for the second interview. Good questions include:

• What would a normal day in this role look like?
• How would you describe your organisational culture?
• What sorts of people have done well in this team/organisation?
• Why is the role vacant?
• What is the profile of the team in the broader business?
• Who do you see as your competitors?
• How well do you think I match the requirements of the role?
• Are there plans for growth and expansion?

General Tips

• Smile and maintain eye contact.
• Be positive and confident. Don’t fidget. Sit upright. Don’t cross your arms.
• Don’t over-answer or overcomplicate your responses.
• If asked whether you are interviewing elsewhere, be honest — then reconfirm your interest in this role.

 

After the Interview

Call your consultant as soon as possible after the interview. They will want to speak with you before the interviewer calls them, so they can address any issues, emphasise relevant experience and maintain momentum.

We hope that this interview guide has been of use. If you have any further questions about preparing for an interview, contact us.