Santa Clara University
School of Law
Pre-Screen Interview Information
Session
Presented by:
SCU Law Career Services
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What is a Pre-Screen Interview?
• A pre-screen interview generally refers to a very brief
interview lasting approximately 20-30 minutes in
length.
• The purpose of a pre-screen interview is to provide an
introduction and to determine if you are a candidate
that will warrant further investigation and
questioning. In essence, a pre-screen is very much like
a round one date. You meet, you exchange basic
information, you try to market yourself in the best and
most valuable way possible and each party assesses
and processes the information obtained.
Preparing for a Pre-screen
• DO YOUR RESEARCH!
a) Firm website, additional online sources
b) Chambers Associates
c) Nalpdirectory.com
d) SCU Law Jobs
e) Other
One of the very first questions your interviewer
will most likely ask you is, “Tell me, what do
you know about our firm? Why are you
interested in working [said firm/office]?”
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Preparing for a Pre-Screen
• Know your resume and additional
materials inside and out.
• Start to think about how you would
respond to questions like:
“Why are you interested in [said practice
group(s)]?”
“What in your background demonstrates
your interests?”—This can be academic,
practical, a combination, other…
Preparing for a Pre-Screen
• Additional questions can be in the form
of behavioral or situational based
environments:
• “Can you describe an experience in your
practical work where you were faced
with a challenge, and what you did to
pro-actively come up with a solution?”
• “What was the end result and what did
you learn from that experience?”
Preparing for a Pre-Screen
• The personal section of your resume counts!
• Many pre-screen interview conversations tend
to focus on abstract and/or legally unrelated
topics. This is a tactic by the interviewer to try
to relate to you, and to see if you will acclimate
to the culture and environment of the firm or
office.
• Popular topics include:
– Sports
– Travel
– Leadership, Greek and extra-curricular activities
The Day of the Pre-Screen
• Pre-screen interviews are a welltuned machine.
• Don’t be late. Arrive 10-15 minutes
early for your interview. Sometimes,
the interviewer will be ahead of
schedule and you don’t want to keep
them waiting.
• Provide LCS with your current cell
phone number and update in SCU
Law Jobs.
Make It a Conversation
• The best, most successful interviews are
those that have natural fluidity. The art
of the conversation.
Answer questions with thought and detail.
Ask questions throughout the interview
that compliment what the interviewer is
discussing.
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Make It a Conversation
• Discuss your experience in a way that
will focus on the application of (direct
use of) your academic and practical work.
Discuss your knowledge of research,
writing, critical analysis, any practice
area or specific exposure (client
intake/advising) that you have had
exposure to.
• Discuss how you can compliment their
legal team. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO
APPLY YOUR SKILLS AT THE FIRM? 9
The Evaluation
• Most likely, the interviewer will either
have a formal evaluation form, or they
will take notes based upon certain
criteria. This includes (but is not limited
to):
– Your experience (both academic and practical)
– Activities (leadership, involvement, diverse
interests)
– Your PRESENTATON (the way you present
yourself both verbally and physically)
– Interest in employer and office/area
Post Interview
• Thank your interviewer for their time.
• Get a clear idea of when you might hear
back from them.
• WRITE A THANK YOU NOTE!!!
Thank you’s can (and should be) emailed
within 24 hours or less after the interview).
Personal touch: If you choose to write an
additional hand written thank you, make it
professional, polite and brief.
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Questions?
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