All interviewers are looking for the right person for the job – but not all interviewers have great interviewing skills. Sometimes, an interviewer may not seem interested or may fail to adequately explain the position, the organization, or the reasons any candidate should love working for this law firm or legal department.
You can’t control how prepared your interviewer is on the day you visit. But you can learn to decode interviewer’s behavior and reactions to help you better gauge whether this job will be the right fit for you. Here’s how:
How is the interviewer behaving?
Behavior is communication, and it goes both ways. Just as you’ve heard advice to avoid crossing your arms and to make eye contact, your interviewer’s body language can help you determine what they are thinking as well.
If your interview is nodding, making notes, or asking follow-up questions, they’re probably listening to what you have to say – even if they’re not saying much in return. Interviewers who seem distracted, check their watches, or fiddle with their pens or smartphones, in turn, are probably thinking about something else.
Was the interview a dialogue?
All good interviews involve dialogue. You’re not just there to answer questions; you’re also there to learn more about the law firm or legal department and to decide whether this is a place you’d love to work. If you feel the interview is going badly, don’t hesitate to ask a few questions of your own or to treat the interview as a conversation, not an interrogation.
Did you talk, or recite?
It’s good to be prepared for the most common interview questions, like “Tell me about yourself” or “What is your greatest weakness?” But if you over prepare, you might find yourself reciting your answers, instead of talking naturally. Contribute to the dialogue by preparing your answers only as “bullet points,” and using these as a springboard to conversation in the interview.
Did the interviewer interrupt you?
An interviewer who stares into space may be either distracted or thinking about your answers – but an interviewer who interrupts you is saying that it’s time to change the subject. Let the interviewer’s response direct the conversation, or ask a question like “Would you like another example, or shall we move on?”
Did the interviewer talk about next steps?
A discussion of timing or an offer to meet other staff members is often a good sign. It indicates that the interviewer is still interested, that they want to see how you “mesh” with others in the organization, and that they anticipate wanting to talk to you again in the future.
At Kent Legal, our experienced recruiters help legal support professionals find work throughout the Toronto area. Contact us today to learn more!
