re: OT Lawyers: how to prepare for an interview?

I can offer some really good advice on this. Run Westlaw or Lexis searches on the firm and see what kind of cases they handle. Try to learn as much as you can about the firm. If the first five reported cases involve the senior guy's divorce, well, at least you know going in.

Perhaps the most important attitude that a young lawyer can have during an interview is, everything's in the books. You can research anything. If you don't know anything about [fill in blank], you can research it as well or better than anybody. Don't shy away from something just because you haven't seen it before. "Sounds interesting, sounds fun. I'm sure I can figure it out." is the best thing to keep in your pocket during an interview.

There are a ton of sample law firm interview questions you can find online. Read over them and prepare answers. I did it years ago preparing for interviews and really teed off on some of the questions. They can ask some questions that, if you're not prepared for, can really trip you up and make you sound foolish. In just about every interview I went on, they asked what I perceived as my biggest weakness and my biggest strength. Know your answer and jump on it. Don't just review the sample questions; put some thought into your answers so you will be prepared if it comes up. Bring unprepared for an interview pretty much guarantees you won't get an offer.

You have no business being a lawyer if you can’t bullshite your way through an interview.

They care about whether you can produce and whether you fit in with the firm culture. If you are an attorney, the job description is pretty obvious.

Here is what I would do:

1) Learn absolutely everything you can about the firm. Westlaw is your friend here.

2) Answer questions before they have to ask them. That is very impressive.

3) Show marketing potential. Talk about your connections to the community and your network there. The larger your network, the better you will be able to generate your own business, or to help them generate business.

4) IF YOU ARE LEAVING ANOTHER FIRM: You had better give them a good reason why. For example, "Big Law is a great firm, and I have learned a lot there, but I think a smaller firm gives me more direct experience and opportunity."

5) It sounds like you are a non-lawyer. If that is the case, you had better have some questions for them. I wouldn't be afraid of the "I have a great skill set, and I want to make sure it is what you need." It it ain't,or if they are looking for a stoop-and-fetch worker, then you want to find out now.

That's all I got.

If they say they'll let you know, find out when the boss is going on vacation. Then just show up to work that week.