August 21

Job Callback Interview

First of all, congrats for clearing the first round! The hard work you put in for the screening interview paid off with a callback.

Usually, a firm will inform you via telephone if you’ve made the callback. Otherwise, they’ll let you know by mail in case of a no.

The callback is usually held at the firm’s office with one single purpose: to confirm the screening interviewer’s impression and conclude if you’re a good enough match for the law firm. Basically, the law firm wants to answer this question: “Would I be willing to work with this guy?”

Usually, your “fit” is determined by having you interviewed by a team of attorneys – between four to six – half of whom would mostly be partners. Later, you’ll most likely be sent off to lunch with two junior associates. This can easily span the entire length of a day, and the toughest part of the callback becomes sustaining your energy and enthusiasm for 6-8 hours.

JD Tip: Choose your attire carefully. Most law firms dress exclusively in business-casual attire these days, so showing up in a stuffy suit might work against you. It’s better to call ahead and ask about the dress code at the law firm’s office and conform accordingly.

Ask Questions

Sure, the callback interview is an opportunity for your future employer to gauge your personality and competence, but its also an opportunity for you to understand the law firm and satiate any curiosities. The interviews in the callback are long enough – about 30 minutes per interview – to give you ample time to ask questions about the firm, its work atmosphere, practice, etc. The firm itself would like to see such curiosity in a candidate – they are, after all, investing in you. Try and avoid asking canned, cliche questions. Don’t ask about the work load given to young associates (they’ve heard that question probably a thousand times from each candidate). Instead, try and show interest in the working of the firm. Ask about their pro bono activities during summer, or any special litigation training camps. Demonstrate genuine interest in the firm, and you’ll move one step closer to bagging the job.

Do You Research

The particular law firm offering you the callback might be the place you may end up working at for the next several (if not all) years of your life. You want to make sure that you gather all information about training, mentoring, partner contact, etc. You can also go a step further and inquire about the partnership – the process, the timeline for making a partner at the firm, the different partner tracks, the number of partners made per year.

Also make inquiries about the lawyers’ lifestyle: the working hours, compensation, responsibilities, etc.

During your lunch with the junior associates, ask questions about life at the firm. They’ll more likely be more open with you in an informal lunch setting than the senior attorneys interviewing you, and give you the real lowdown of working at the firm.

Most importantly, reflect. Look at the senior partners. Would you want to be that kind of a lawyer in 15 years? Answer yourself honestly, and make a decision to join the firm (provided you’re given a position) only if you can answer in the affirmative.

Be Diplomatic The callback interview is a process designed to ascertain your suitability to the firm. But its also designed to help you understand the inner workings of the firm. Keeping that in mind, if there’s anything overtly controversial about the firm – say, a very limited number of minority partners, or a past history of defending tobacco companies – you want to find out before you land the job. If its particularly bothersome, ask during the interviews itself. If otherwise, wait until you get the offer.

Be Honest

Don’t exaggerate your experiences. If you’re not aware of any particular publication, or a particular case that the interviewing attorney mentions, don’t nod in agreement. It’ll not only be embarassing if you get found out, but it’ll also cost you the offer.

Also, if you’re interviewing in your 3L because you didn’t get any offers in your 2L, face up and explain why. Try and put yourself in a positive light. Talk about what you learned over the summer, and how it’s helped you become a better lawyer. The interviewing attorney will be more impressed by an honest admission than an exaggerated lie.

Be Polite

Its very easy to let your guard down during the long course of the callback interview, particularly during the lunch with the junior associates. Just because they’re from your own peer group, it might seem appropriate to deviate completely from discussing the firm and the job, but resist the urge. These junior associates will relate everything back to the senior partners (who’ll eventually make the decision), and not talking about the firm will send out the signals that you’re not really interested after all. Moreover, maintain a professional attitude throughout the lunch.

Mind your table manners and be polite. You can afford to let your guard down during the lunch, but only a little. Remember that you’re still interviewing for a job, no matter how casual it might appear to be otherwise.

Conclude – Again, With a Smile

After everything is said and done, write down thank you notes to the firms that interviewed you. Not only is it a polite and genuine gesture of interest in this age of mass mail, it can also help make important contacts and land you an offer.

Send a handwritten thank-you note to the recruiting partner at least, if not all the interviewers. It’ll be much appreciated and can boost your chances of landing an offer.

Stay in touch with the firm. Call once in a while and keep them informed where you stand if you’ve been given an offer.

If you don’t plan to take it up, let them know immediately. Remember that a lot of other people might be vying for the offer you hold.

Conclusion

Always keep in mind that the callback interview is a two way street: the firm learns about you, and you learn about the firm. Clear any doubts you have about the firm, ask questions, demonstrate interest and be polite.

More importantly, remember to stay relaxed. The callback interview is much more casual than the screening interview, and a relaxed mood can go a long way in showing off your personality to your prospective employers.