Interviewing

Screening interviews may take place on campus (OCI), via telephone, at a job fair, and in various other formal and informal settings. The typical screening interview is a 20 to 30 minute meeting with 1 or 2 interviewers. Public sector employers sometimes conduct only one round of interviews, therefore be aware that your initial interview may be your only meeting before the employer makes a decision.

Almost all legal employers will require one or more interviews, either in person or over the phone, before offering you a position for the summer. As a result, the interviewing stage is critical in the hiring process. While some students may feel more self-conscious than others about the prospect of talking with prospective employers, all students can master the art of the interview with proper preparation. Generally law school interviews do not have any questions directed toward determining your knowledge of "the law."

Interview Preparation

There are two distinct levels to the process of preparing for an interview: (1) conducting research on the prospective employer and (2) conducting research on you. It is only when you have researched the employer and its practice, and identified your own goals, interests, and abilities, that you are fully prepared for the interview.

Part of your preparation should include learning to be an "active" interviewee. While a passive interviewee may provide sound responses to interviewers' questions, he or she is foregoing a valuable opportunity to make important points. Taking charge of an interview means being responsive to the interviewer while also making your most important two or three points in every interview, irrespective of the interviewer and the questions asked of you.

Researching the Employer
You should conduct extensive research into the employer, its attorneys, and its clients. In particular, if you have the names of the lawyers you will be interviewing with, you should determine what their practice areas are and whether they have been involved in anything significant recently. Reading the employer's website is an obvious first step, though it should be only one of several sources of information. News about the employer's growth, major transactions or legal victories, and other noteworthy events provide substantive issues to discuss during your interview. Lexis and Westlaw research is critical to obtain this type of information. In addition to printed resources, fellow students, alumni, administration and faculty at the law school who have worked at the employer or elsewhere in the same city are excellent resources for learning about employers. Some students read material on employers on Vault.com while others review publicly available financial information.

This research will allow you to prepare thoughtful questions that will make you stand out. Unique questions not only demonstrate your ability to interview, but also your positive commitment to and interest in the firm. Make sure you prepare questions before you have the interview. (A list of suggested questions to ask employers, as well as those that you should expect to be asked of you, can be found in Appendix H of the Career Planning Manual.)
Personal Preparation
Interviewers will assess your questions and responses, not only in terms of their informational content, but also in the manner in which they are asked and answered. Your energy, sincerity, enthusiasm, candor, humor, precision, and style are among the many aspects that will affect the impression you make. Employers look for people with both sound academic and interpersonal skills. As such, you should be courteous, make good eye contact, and remain calm. Likewise, watch your interviewers' body language, as it could reveal important things about their beliefs about their employer.

Whatever your academic qualifications, before your interview even begins you need to assess your positive qualities. It may be your experience, writing ability, or personality. If you cannot convince yourself that you have something to offer, it will be impossible to convince an interviewer. Please arrange a meeting with one of us in CPDC to help review and highlight your personal strengths.

Use tact to answer questions directly and honestly; your self-confidence says more about you than almost everything else. Never apologize for shortcomings; instead, anticipate confident responses to potentially uncomfortable questions. This point is critical. In addition, you may consider raising your weaknesses and addressing them with confident responses. This technique allows you to resolve concerns that the interviewer may well have but may not be asking. Otherwise, the interviewer will draw his or her own conclusions after the interview. (You will find a comprehensive list of questions you can expect to be asked, as well as those you might want to ask in Appendix H of the Career Planning Manual.)

Read these questions carefully and verbally answer them (do it with a friend if it will make you more comfortable) in preparation for your interviews. You may want to start by writing out answers. The best way to assess your interviewing skills and determine what aspect you need to improve is to participate in a mock interview. CPDC counselors are happy to conduct mock interviews for you at any time during the year. CPDC will host a formal mock interview program for first-year students early in the spring semester.
Prepare to Look Your Best: Dressing for Success
Before you go into an interview, remember that how you dress is important. Your attire should reflect your professionalism and contribute to your confidence level. You want to be remembered for the content of the interview, not for what you were wearing.

While students often complain that their interview attire makes them look like conformists, many legal employers expect this during an interview. Keeping these distinctions in mind, you can't go wrong for any type of employer if you follow these suggested guidelines:

WOMEN

A suit with a skirt is more conservative, and many legal employers are "traditional" places. You may choose to wear a pants suit, though there is a risk it may not be well received by particular employers.
Skirts should be NO shorter than 2 inches above your knee.
Suits should be a dark, neutral color (black, navy, brown, or tan); blouses are a good way to bring color into your outfit. Keep makeup understated; keep nails trimmed and, if polished, the polish should be in a clear or pale shade.
Like makeup, jewelry should also be simple.
Hair should be neat; if it is long, keep it controlled.
Shoes should be appropriately professional; for example, stilettos, boots, mules, and sandals are not suggested.
If you wear a skirt, wear sheer hose in the same color as your suit or a neutral tone.
You may carry a small purse, briefcase, or portfolio.
Forgo perfume for the day.

MEN

Your suit should be a dark, neutral color, with or without a faint pinstripe.
Your tie should be conservative; for example, silk in a simple stripe.
Men should wear black, cordovan, or brown leather shoes, polished and un-worn heels; wing tip and plain lace up shoes are best.
Socks should be over-the-calf and should match your pants -- no white gym socks.
White shirts are your best bet, although you may choose other appropriately conservative colors.
Your complete ensemble should be clean and pressed -- especially your shirt.
We recommend that your hair, beard, or mustache be appropriately short and neatly trimmed; if you have an earring, consider not wearing it for the interview; make sure your nails are clean and trimmed.
You may carry a briefcase or portfolio.
Forgo cologne for the day.

IF YOU SMOKE, AVOID SMOKING IN OR NEAR YOUR INTERVIEW SUIT.

On-Campus Interviews

The following are frequently asked questions about on-campus interview schedules:

When is my interview? Your interview date or time may change based on adjustments to the employer's schedule. Remember to confirm the date and time for each interview by checking Symplicity on a regular basis throughout the interview season. Each year a few students inadvertently write down a wrong date or time and miss an important interview.
How long are on-campus interviews? On-campus interviews are typically twenty minutes. Some employers choose to conduct thirty-minute interviews.
What should I do at the time of my interview? Plan to arrive at the interview room at least five minutes early. Knock once on the door at the scheduled time to announce your arrival, and every two minutes thereafter - this is very important as it helps the interviewers stay on schedule. Wait until your interviewer comes out to greet you before entering the room, unless you are invited to enter.
Can I miss class for an on-campus interview? Students should not miss class for on-campus interviews. As a condition of participating in the on-campus interview program, each student must enter his or her entire class schedule as "unavailable times" when "bidding" for interviews and must keep the "unavailable times" schedule current as the student's class schedule changes during the drop/add period at the beginning of the semester.

The Career Center is authorized to suspend bidding and interviewing privileges for students who do not properly enter their class schedule as "unavailable times" until such schedule is properly entered. Missing a class for an on-campus interview will be treated under Rule 3.8 in the same manner as missing class for any other reason.

What happens if my class schedule changes and I suddenly have an interview conflict? If a last-minute change in your class schedule results in a conflict, update your unavailable times in Symplicity and contact Camesha McAllister as soon as possible. Given enough notice, we will try to change the time of your interview.
Can I drop an interview once schedules are final? Once schedules are final, there are only three qualifying "Excused Absences." These are:
(1) Extreme illness or death in the family and notification to the Career Center as soon as practical.
(2) Acceptance of an offer of employment and notification to the Career Center prior to the time of the interview. Accepting an offer of employment will result in cancellation of all remaining interviews.
(3) Notification to the Career Center in accordance with its "Advance Cancellation Policy" provided in the Appendix of the Career Planning Manual.
What is the wait list? If you do not receive an interview with an employer that you bid on in the initial lottery, you can choose to join that employer's wait list. By joining a wait list, you are affirmatively expressing your interest to interview with that employer in the event that an open slot becomes available on the employer's schedule. You will be expected to attend any interview assigned to you from the wait list. Students will be notified via e-mail at least one day before the scheduled interview, and are expected to attend the interview. This use of the wait list helps to optimize the number of opportunities available to each student.

Meeting the Employer

The first few minutes of the interview are very important. Some interviewers talk about the "halo effect" of the first four minutes, which sets the tone of the interview and has a major impact on how the recruiter views the applicant. When you go into the interview room, shake your interviewer's hand firmly, make good eye contact, and smile. It creates a strong impression to remember the interviewer's name and to say, as you shake hands, "It is nice to meet you, Ms. So-and-so." Do not use the interviewer's first name unless he or she instructs you to do so.

Wait until the interviewer indicates that you should sit down, and when you do, sit up attentively; slouching and sprawling are indicative of sloppiness. Place your hand on the arms of the chair or in your lap. Do not engage in nervous habits, including playing with your hands, your watch or jewelry. If you have a transcript or a writing sample, put them in a portfolio and bring them out when necessary. If you take a portfolio with you, set it on the floor next to your chair.

As a rule, you should not take notes during the interview. With only 20 minutes to make a positive impression, this time is better spent concentrating on the interviewer and his or her questions. However, after your interview, take a few moments to make some notes about the interview, your reaction to it, what was said, and your impression of the interviewer(s) and the firm. These notes will help prepare you if you are invited for a second visit or to write a thank you note. Try to remember to ask for every interviewer's business card so that you will have the correct spelling of his or her name. For all interviews, you are wise to have some specific questions prepared. Although not typical, an interview may consist entirely of you asking questions about the employer. Your questions will also show your interest in the employer.

Following Up After Screening Interviews

The following are frequently asked questions about the next steps after your screening interview:

Do I need to write a thank you note after a screening interview? It is not necessary to write thank you notes after on-campus interviews or job fairs, but we do recommend that you write a thank you note after a call-back interview (A sample thank you letter is in Appendix E of the Career Planning Manual.)
When will I hear from the employer? Employers will typically contact you by telephone, email or letter within two weeks of your interview.
What happens if an interviewer behaves inappropriately during my interview? While most interviewers strive to maintain a professional and sensitive attitude during interviews, occasionally a student may have a complaint about offensive or discriminatory behavior on the part of an interviewer.

If you have a complaint about inappropriate behavior during an on-campus, screening or call-back interview, please view our Anti-Discrimination Policy and come to CPDC to file a complaint.

What Happens After the First Round of Interviews? Public interest and government employers vary in the next phase of the interview process. Some of them will make hiring decisions after the first interview, others will conduct a second interview over the telephone, and still others will require that the student meet with them on-site for a "call-back" interview. Please be mindful that you may be responsible for travel expenses when visiting a public interest or government employer for an interview. However, private sector employers typically invite students to visit the employer for a call-back interview. Private sector employers will usually pay for your travel expenses.

The process for a typical call-back interview is described in detail below. Much of what follows is equally applicable to public interest, government and private sector employers.

Call-Back Interviews

The call-back interview is an opportunity for both you and the employer to further explore whether there is a mutual interest in an employment relationship. The call-back interview ordinarily lasts three to five hours, and is the equivalent of about four to six on-campus interviews in a row. During a law firm call-back interview, you will typically interview with a series of lawyers in the firm, partners as well as associates. The interview may also include a meal.

Since the employer has invited you for a call-back interview, the interviewers will probably assume that you are able to do the work. Your evaluation by each interviewer will be primarily subjective --how you will fit into the employer's culture, your energy level, and your enthusiasm for the employer. The most important thing is that the people with whom you meet like you as an individual.

The call-back interview is a big expense for employers and should not be taken lightly. You should only accept a call-back interview with employers in which you have a genuine interest. Do not accept a call-back in a city so that you can visit friends or have a "free" trip home. Do not accept a call-back interview with an employer just to see if you will get an offer if you are no longer interested in the employer. Carefully consider how many call-back interviews you should accept and remember that:

Call-back interviews may require missing one or more days of class.
Employers offer a limited number of call-back interviews -- each time you accept a call-back interview, you might be taking an opportunity away from another Duke student who wants to work for the employer.

Please see Duke University School of Law Policies 6-2 and 6-3, for additional information on this topic.

How do I respond to an employer who has contacted me for a call-back interview? During the on-campus interview season, you should check your voicemail and email regularly. It is critical that you respond to employers within 24 hours of receiving a message. You are not expected to accept or reject a call-back interview within 24 hours, but you must respond. It is perfectly acceptable to call the employer, tell them that you are very excited about the call-back, and that you will get back to them in a few days.
How likely is it that a call-back invitation will result in an offer? According to NALP, about 63% of call-back interviews nationwide resulted in an offer last year. Please keep in mind that this is a national average and many factors impact offer decisions, such as the student's interviewing skills, personality, work experience, grades, extracurricular activities, ties to a particular geographic region, etc. For more specific statistics on call-back interviews and offers, please refer to the NALP publication Perspectives on Fall 2007 Recruiting.

1. Arranging the Call-Back Interview

When should I schedule my call-back interview? Am I allowed to miss class? Missing class for call-back interviews is discouraged. There will be two universal opportunities for students to travel for call-back interviews without missing class:
(1) Career Development Days in September
(2) Fall Break in October
Students may also schedule call-back interviews for days when they do not have a regularly scheduled class meeting (typically Monday or Friday).

Most employers will want to schedule the call-back as soon as possible, but you should not feel that you will be penalized if you cannot schedule an interview for a few weeks. If your schedule is tight, you may want to ask the recruiting coordinator when is the latest that you can interview without being disadvantaged.

Under some circumstances, missing class for a call-back interview may be unavoidable. In this case, you should obtain prior approval from all of the professors whose classes you will miss. Please use your discretion in arranging your schedule. For example, it is not advisable to miss a seminar that only meets once a week or a foreign language class where attendance is critical. Keep in mind that some professors have more stringent attendance requirements than others. Of course, it is your obligation to obtain notes from a friend for classes that you miss and to stay up to date with your coursework.
How do I arrange for my travel and accommodations? Some employers will make all the arrangements for you and send your tickets and itinerary to you. Others will ask you to make the travel and hotel arrangements yourself and they will reimburse you following your interview. If appropriate, ask the recruiting coordinator if the employer has a preferred hotel with a student rate. Also, be certain to ask if the employer participates, or would like to participate, in the PILF CAPITAL Program where money is donated to PILF if you choose to stay with a friend or relative and forego the hotel. Information about employers participating in the CAPITAL Program is available at http://www.law.duke.edu/student/act/pilf/.

It is always wise to arrive in the city the day before a morning call-back interview to account for potential flight delays. If you arrange for multiple call-back interviews to the same city at the same time, the interviewing employers will share the expense of your trip. Typically, one employer will receive your receipts, reimburse you and bill the other.
Is it acceptable to meet other employers for a screening interview while I am in a city on a call-back interview? Yes, it is fine to have a first round interview with another employer, including public interest and government employers, in the city as long as you inform the employer that is paying for your travel of your plans.
How long does the interview last? Will it involve lunch or dinner? Many employers have two call-back interview times, and you may be able to choose your time depending on your preferences and employer availability. Some employers begin around 9:30 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m., with lunch included. Others will have you arrive in the mid-afternoon and stay until around 6:00 p.m. "Call back days" which include social activities and meals, are a growing trend in some regions. If necessary, you can do two half-day call-back interviews in one day, but it is not recommended, as call-back interviews can be very tiring. If you do interview with two employers in one day, schedule the interview with your preferred employer in the morning when you are likely to be the most alert.

2. Preparing for the Call-Back Interview

The following are some tips to enhance your call-back interviewing experience:

Contact the recruiting coordinator ahead of time to find out the names of the attorneys with whom you will interview. Take a look at the attorneys' profiles on the employer's website and find out if you have something in common with your interviewers - this may help you to develop questions to ask or talking points to raise during the interview.
Drink plenty of water before the interview to ensure that you are properly hydrated. If offered a beverage during the interview, always have more water. Tip: taking a sip of water can give you a few extra seconds to think about an answer to a question if timed appropriately. Remember, coffee may dehydrate you.
Plan to arrive at the employer's office five to ten minutes early. Make sure you are very polite to everyone you meet, from the receptionist to the senior partner (and especially the recruiting coordinator). Rudeness or discourtesy expressed to any employee will certainly be brought to the attention of the hiring committee. The interview begins the moment you step into the employer's building, if not before.
Bring extra resumes, transcripts and writing samples to the interview in a portfolio. Do not produce them except on request, unless you have made changes to your resume. Do not carry a knapsack or book bag.
Be attentive to your surroundings. You can often break the ice by commenting positively or with interest on some decoration in the interviewer's office.
Research the employer thoroughly before you arrive. This is absolutely critical if you wish to distinguish yourself from the rest of the pack. A well-prepared interviewee who expresses real interest in working for the employer can increase his or her likelihood of receiving an offer. But resist the temptation to appear obsessive about the employer. Review your answers to the questions you are likely to be asked.
Be sure to ask each interviewer for a business card before you leave his or her office.
Be confident, yet humble.

3. When the Call-Back Interview Includes a Meal

The interview lunch or dinner is part of the interview. Avoid being too chummy, too casual, or otherwise developing a false sense of security with the attorneys hosting the lunch or dinner. Remember that the entire meal is part of the interview, even if it feels more casual. Do not drink alcohol, even if encouraged by your hosts who are often first or second-year associates. Try to order a moderately-priced menu item. If you need to maintain your alertness, the best lunch to order is a protein with vegetables or a salad. Avoiding sugar and certain carbohydrates (pasta and dessert) should help keep you alert through the meal and for the rest of the afternoon.

4. The End of the Call-Back Interview

The end of the interview is usually spent with a member of the recruiting staff. Thank the person who shows you to the door for their hospitality and inquire when you may expect to hear from them. Immediately after the interview, jot down some notes about each of your interviews that day that will help jog your memory once you return home.

5. After the Call-Back Interview

Should I write a thank you letter after a call-back interview; if so, to whom should I send it? Yes, but unless you can write a very personalized note to each person with whom you met, you should write one letter to the recruiting coordinator or the hiring partner and ask them to pass along your appreciation to the attorneys who interviewed you. If there is a particular person with whom you really connected, you could write an individual note to that person as well. Remember, however, that one good letter is better than several not-so-good letters or letters that are generic. You can e-mail, handwrite, or type your letter. It is critical that you proofread your thank you letters carefully as a misspelled word or grammatical error can influence the reader's opinion of you.
When will the employer notify me of their decision? The answer to this question varies. Some employers will get back to you within one week. Others will take more than one month. It may depend on how the employer's hiring committee is organized. A telephone call to the employer inquiring of your status is appropriate two weeks after your call-back interview, not before (unless an emergency arises).

Expenses and the Reimbursement Process

What are reasonable interview expenses? There is not a comprehensive list of acceptable expenses. The following is a list of items that typically qualify for reimbursement by the employer, and items that you should not expect the employer to pay for:

Typical Expenses:

Airfare
Hotel Room
Taxis
Meals (within reason)

Do not expect the employer to pay for the following expenses:

Hotel dry-cleaning bill
In-room movies
Mini bar purchases
Cocktails at a bar
Pet-sitting service
Flowers sent to a spouse back home
Long distance phone calls
Weekly health club fee
Weekend hotel stay in connection with a Friday/Monday interview
Limousine to and from the hotel
Forgotten toiletries

If you have a question about what constitutes an acceptable expense, please check with the recruiting department of the employer.

How does the reimbursement process work if I visit more than one employer on a call-back trip? You should select one employer to be your "host" and communicate this to all of the employers with which you are interviewing on the trip. You will send all of your receipts to the "host" employer and they will bill the other employers for their portion of your expenses. It does not matter which employer you select to be your "host" and you should not worry about asking employers to do this. Splitting costs is a common practice and employers appreciate it because it saves them money.
How do I get reimbursed for my expenses? After your trip, complete a NALP Travel Expense Reimbursement Form. The form is available on NALP's website and in CPDC. Send the completed form and your receipts to the recruiting coordinator of your host employer. Remember to keep a copy of the form and the receipts for your records.

The Offer of Employment

You should acknowledge an offer of employment within 24 hours of receiving it. In your initial response to the employer, be prepared to either accept the offer, decline the offer, or to tell the employer that you need more time to decide. Do not be intimidated into accepting an offer. You should only accept if you are fully prepared to work for that employer. If you are undecided, the best response is to thank the employer for their offer, express how pleased you are, let them know you need a little more time to think about it, and verify how long this offer will remain open (review the offer timing rules below). Do not be afraid to stand your ground here. No employer has ever revoked an offer because of a student's failure to accept on the spot. (For sample acceptance and decline employment letters see Appendices F and G to this manual.)

1. How do I decline an offer?

You should decline an offer as soon as you know that you are not going to work for a particular employer. The employer might then offer the position to another candidate, hopefully to another Duke student, so the sooner you can let them know, the better. You should call the person who extended the offer or the recruiting coordinator to decline the offer and follow up in writing. Do not be worried about declining an offer. While they may be disappointed, recruiting coordinators are generally friendly and understanding when you decline an offer. Try not to burn any bridges or create hard feelings, as you may want to work for the employer at some point in the future.

Upon completing your telephone call, you should write a professional letter to the employer to confirm your decision, and to express your gratitude for receiving the offer. You may want to let the employer know that you enjoyed your on-site visit and the opportunity to meet with several of the employer's lawyers. It may also be appropriate to express your regret in reaching the decision to decline the employer's flattering offer. Remember that your letter may be placed in a permanent file, and you want to leave a good impression in case you should decide to apply for another position with the employer in the future.

2. How Long May I Hold on to an Offer?

Duke Law School adheres to the NALP timing guidelines for employment offers from all public and private sector employers. The NALP guidelines are illustrated in the following table.

Deadlines for Accepting or Regecting an Offer

2L/3L Student Response Dates	Nov. 1	Dec. 1
2L/3L student previously employed by offeror and offer made before Sept. 15	x
2L/3L student with an offer deadline of Nov. 1 may extend this date with employer's permission if student holds only ONE OTHER offer		x
2L/3L student previously employed by offeror and made after Sept. 15		x
2L/3L student not previously employed by offeror must respond		x

Maximum Number of Offers You May Hold Open

Number of offers students may hold	5	4	3	2	1
After September 15	x
After October 1		x
After October 15			x
After November 1, with employer's consent				x
After December 1, with employer's consent					x

If you have an open offer, you must reconfirm your interest every 30 days with the employer.

The Law School strongly urges all students to make decisions regarding offers as soon as possible. While permitted by NALP, there is no reason to have more than three (3) offers outstanding at any one time. The sooner you accept or decline your offers, the better -- for you, the employer, and your classmates. This point cannot be over emphasized.

3. Reporting Your Offers to CPDC

The Law School Rules and Policies require that you report your job offers to CPDC throughout the interviewing season. This information is important whether the offer arose as a result of OCI, writing letters, personal contacts or other means. Students must report offers on Symplicity as they are received so that our information is always current. Real-time reporting also makes it easier for you to enter your data when it is fresh in your mind. As always, the data you provide will be kept confidential.

To report offers, log onto Symplicity and select "profile" then the "employment" tab. Click on the "add new" button at the bottom of the page and enter each offer received and accepted individually.

CPDC will ultimately incorporate this information into the Offer Report for use by next year's students. The report for this year will not be created until Spring 2009, after the on-campus interview process and the majority of other hiring has been completed. By reporting your call-back interviews and offers in the system, you will help insure complete and accurate data for next year's students. To protect your privacy, information about grade point averages will only be listed for employers who extended offers to three or more students.

NOTE TO 3Ls: When accepting an offer for post-graduate employment (including judicial clerkships) you must complete the 3L Graduate Employment Survey on Symplicity. You may access the 3L Graduate Employment Survey by selecting "profile" then the "3L Graduate Employment Survey" tab.

For more information on conducting a job search, writing a cover letter or other correspondence, resumes, etc., see our other Professional Development resources