A guide to successful interviews

Preparation

Do not be tempted to be blasé about any interview: you risk letting yourself down. Make sure that you have planned your route and arrive in good time, but not too early. Spend any spare time you may have gathering your thoughts so that you are composed and relaxed. Moreover, there may be information in the waiting room which could be relevant. Don’t forget to be pleasant to the receptionist, secretary, etc, as their views are often sought.

Your consultant should have provided you with information before you attend the interview, but do not neglect your own avenues of enquiry.

If the position would involve relocation, make an effort to research and explore the area. This shows commitment and interest from you and, in any event, will be an essential step in your decision process.

Read your CV carefully and be prepared to talk knowledgeably, and in detail, about your experience and interests. You should be able to talk about each transaction/matter listed, its purpose, structure, the parties, etc. – this is often the only method by which your technical ability will be assessed. Candidates will often be asked questions such as “What was the greatest challenge in this case/transaction? Why and how did you overcome it?”

However, the most important preparation is to know yourself. Many candidates dissolve into stunned silence or incoherent babble when asked to explain their strengths as a person and as a prospective employee. Yet surely this is absolutely essential! Take the time before an interview to WRITE DOWN your strengths, both professional and personal and against each one provide an example, which proves your point. This will enable you to give far more focused answers and will remove the risk of your tongue running away with you. Do not be tempted to take a short cut: writing these down will fix them in your mind. Give some thought to cogent reasons as to why you wish to leave your current position and any other particularly difficult matters, but do not try to learn the answers “off-pat”.

Finally be clear in your mind what you would like to achieve from the interview: you will be much more likely to achieve it.