Job Interviews can trigger nerves for many and that is completely natural, it shows you care! Whilst our experienced consultants here at Amicus Legal Recruitment will assist in preparing you during the lead up to your job interview, once you walk through those glass doors, its up to you to make an A grade first impression on your potential employer. Hence, the necessity to ensure that you have all the tips for success that you can get your hands on!

Tip Number 1 – Dress to Impress

Its always better to be overdressed for an interview rather than underdressed. No, your employment prospects are not based on the way you look, however it is extremely important to ensure that you are dressed in a smart and sophisticated, corporate manner. After all, first impressions count. You also want to ensure that you are comfortable in the clothing you are wearing to avoid any distractions during the interview. It’s the simple things such as making sure your shirt or blouse is pressed and crease free and that your shoes are polished – these are small things that can help make a strong first impression right from the get-go!

Tip Number 2 – Body Language

When we are feeling nervous, we have a tendency to hunch our shoulders, cross our arms or put our hands between our legs. During a job interview, a great tip is to be mindful of these behaviours and to try your best to have open body language. Try and sit up straight in your chair, maintain good eye contact (extremely important as it shows you are interested in what the interviewer is saying) and use hand gestures whilst speaking yourself so as to avoid hunching your shoulders and putting your hands in your lap, and most importantly, SMILE.

Tip Number 3 – Know the Firm

It is important to find out as much as you can about the firm you are interviewing with prior to the interview. For example, find out the history of the firm, the office locations and what areas of law they practice in. Whilst we will endeavour to provide you with as much information as possible prior to the interview, it is also crucial that you conduct your own research.

Tip Number 4 – Be Prepared for Questions

Prior to your job interview, you need to anticipate the questions that will be asked of you. Whilst you may pre-prepare some answers to potential questions, you want to ensure that your answers don’t come across as scripted. Avoid using ‘slang’ words such as ‘like’, ‘really cool’ and ‘awesome’, as well as nervous bridging statements such as ‘well’ and ‘um’. This will ensure that you come across as eloquent, polite and well-spoken. Of course, you don’t want to sound robotic, allow your potential employer to see your personality, energy and enthusiasm, whilst remaining professional. Mimic the interviewer’s demeanour, just don’t let your professional guard down.

Tip Number 5 – Ask Questions Yourself

Nervous candidates often fall into the trap of stating ‘no not really’ when asked if they themselves have any questions. Not only is it important to ask questions to demonstrate that you are interested and prepared, but it is also a quick way to find out if the job is right for you. Some good questions to ask during an interview are: ‘could you tell me a little bit more about the firms practice areas/the types of cases that you work on?’ or ‘what are the biggest challenges of this role?’. These show a genuine interest in the position and that you are committed to finding out how you could succeed in the role should you be successful in securing the position. Another great question to ask is ‘what is the culture like here at X?’, this will help lay out the finer details of the role, such as the company structure, the dress code and will assist you in making a judgment as to whether you will be a good fit yourself.

So, whether it’s your first corporate job interview or one of many, these are some great tips to keep in the back of your mind to assist you in securing your dream role!