CV and Interview Top Tips!
Importance
In an increasing difficult job market, competition is fierce for not only training contracts, but
paralegal and legal assistant roles. Remember, a paralegal or legal assistant role will most likely
be your entry route into a firm, so employers can try you out before they invest a lot of money,
time and effort in offering you a training contract.
For the recruitment for graduates, in our last financial year, our selection process was as follows:
619
115
44
18
• Applications
• 1st Telephone Interviews
• 2nd Office Interviews
• Hired!
This is to give you an idea of the odds you are facing; any error or miscalculation on your part
will prevent you progressing to the next stage. This presentation will hopefully help you avoid
any common pitfalls.
CVs – The Basics
 Spell Check
Time and time again people are told this and yet we still get CVs with spelling mistakes.
If spelling isn’t your forte get someone else to check it. Remember spell check isn't
always enough. Remember about 99% of applicants who say they have “great attention
to detail” then make a typo error!
 Checking your Formatting
Weird spacing, uneven boxes etc. just look poor. It also shows you don’t know how to use
Word very well or even worse, gives the impression that you just do not care.
 Reverse chronological order.
When dealing with education or experience, the most recent must go first, as that is the
most relevant.
Luiza da Costa
Training & Recruitment Manager
September 2014
 Put the relevant experience first
Put your volunteer work with any legal work experience, pro bono scheme, citizen
advice etc. Then put other work experience.
 Include non-legal work experience
This is still important and should still be on your CV. This type of work shows you have
other skills that might be transferable. It also shows a good work ethic.
 A CV doesn’t have to be two pages
As long as you are not waffling and what you have on there is relevant, you can go over
two pages.
 Bullet points
Don't tell a story; recruiters don't want to go searching for what they are looking for.
Make it clear and easy to read.
 DON’T LIE or Exaggerate
The person on the other side will know exactly what they are looking for and will have
interviewed for that position many times. They will know if you are making things up or
exaggerating.
 Proof read
You have checked your spelling, your grammar, your formatting. Before you click that
send button, just double check your contact details, missing words, dates of education
and employment.
CVs – The Difference
 A CV should be a targeted document
Have different versions for different roles. Think about the job you are applying for;
don’t send the same CV for every role. E.g. – don’t put “I have a passion for criminal law”
in your profile when you are applying for a PI Job.
 Photos
Very hit and miss whether people will actually like them and more often than not, people
put really inappropriate ones – i.e. photos taken on a night out / beauty fashion shots –
not suitable for a professional career.
 Standing out
Don't put “funny” phrases – e.g. “I am the rainman of law”
Luiza da Costa
Training & Recruitment Manager
September 2014
 Use buzz words – but don't fall into clichés
Talk about team work, communication etc but give specific examples. It’s not enough to
say I am team player, you must show where you have demonstrated that skill. Don't just
string buzz words together.
CVs – The sending
It’s not just about the CV itself. It’s how you send it.
 Email addresses
You are applying for a professional job, so have a professional email address.
“purplecookiemonster@gmail.com” - will get you noticed, but for the wrong reasons.
 Don’t just send a CV with no email.
Even if you attach a covering letter as well, still put something in the actual email itself.
 Use a subject line in an email
People are inundated all the time and need to know immediately what your email is
about. Also it helps them to find you, so you don't get lost in people’s in-boxes.
Something like “Career Enquiry” or “Legal Assistant Position”.
 Don’t spam your CV to every law firm in the country
People will not appreciate this lazy and thoughtless method. Certainly don't keep doing it
when you don't get a response! Show a company you have thought about working for
them specifically, you would be surprised at how many people fail to do this.
Interviews
 Prepare and Research
A question that you will ALWAYS be asked is ‘what do you know about the firm?’ Make
sure you can answer it with more than ‘you practice law’! Look at:
 Firm’s website – see their news and about us pages; look at the profiles of the
people you are going to meet.
 Firm’s social media websites – look at blogs and articles etc.
 LawSociety http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/choosingandusing/findasolicitor.law
This will tell you the number of offices, partners, solicitors in the firm.
 Law Society Gazette (http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/ ) – See if there are any
recent news stories about them. Have the partners written any articles recently?
 The Lawyer (http://www.thelawyer.com/ ) – aimed more at larger commercial
firms but worth looking at.
 Legal 500 (http://www.legal500.com/c/north-west/overview/regional-review
) – aimed more at larger commercial firms but worth looking at.
 Chambers & Partners (http://www.chambersandpartners.com/UK ) -– aimed
more at larger commercial firms but worth looking at.
Luiza da Costa
Training & Recruitment Manager
September 2014
It is always better to be over prepared than under prepared. Preparation will also help
you relax more in the interview and appear more confident.
Find out what the format of the interview will be beforehand. Will it be a standard
technical / competency questions based interview? Will you have any tests or tasks to
prepare for, e.g. in tray exercises, numerical/literacy exercises, psychometric testing, role
plays. If you do have any of these PREPARE for them.
 Be on time
Your research should also include where is the office located. How will I get there? Do I
need to take traffic into account? Being late is not acceptable. If you are going to be late
(train derailed, car broke down) call and let people know, even if it’s just going to be 5
mins. It shows a lack of respect for people’s time. Therefore ensure you have a contact
telephone number, of the person you are meeting with, before you set off.
On the other side of this – don’t be too early. You should aim to be at an interview 15
mins beforehand. Use the time to look round reception, read through any literature
available and look at any awards on display. This will give you a feel for the office and
show your interest.
If you are earlier than this, then go and look round the shops, grab a cup of coffee.
Interviewers normally have very busy diaries and it shows a lack of respect for you to
turn up early and expect to be seen. Your appointment is at that time for a reason.
TOP TIP - Ask reception to quickly use the bathroom before they announce you. Use this
time to double check your appearance, before meeting your interviewer.
 Look the part
Wear a suit – you are applying for a professional job, you need to be wearing a suit.
Males need to be wearing a shirt and tie.
Hygiene – basics are everything – brush your hair, your teeth, and shower. Ladies –
chipped nail varnish show a lack of care and effort on your part.
Appearance does play an important part, a firm needs to know that they can put you in
front of clients or send you to court. If you cannot make an effort for an interview, you
certainly can’t be trusted to make an effort on a day to day basis.
It’s not just your appearance; if you are asked to bring anything (CV, example of work)
make sure it’s presentable. Not rolled up, creased, stained, wet etc.
 Act the part
Lawyers want to hire bright professionals, who will be good additions to their team.
Chewing gum, making inappropriate comments/jokes, lack of basic manners are just
going to get you remembered for the wrong reasons.
Luiza da Costa
Training & Recruitment Manager
September 2014
 Interview Etiquette
Think about how you should sit.
 No slumping
 No foot tapping, hair twirling or any other general fidgeting
 Don’t cross your arms
Keep eye contact but don’t stare intently. If you are being interviewed by more than one
person, look mainly at the person that asked that particular question but do try and look
at the other people and include them.
TOP TIP – don’t accept any food in interviews. You can guarantee that you will have
taken a bite out it and they will ask you a question.
 Be positive and optimistic
A good personality fit is a major factor in the selection process. People want to work with
positive and enthusiastic individuals. They want someone who is going to help make a
happy work environment.
 Know your answers to standard questions
You are always going to be asked questions like:
 What interests you in law?
 Why do you want to practice in this particular area of law?
 Do you know anything about what is currently going on this particular area of
law?
 What attracts you to this law firm?
 What are your future career plans?
 Areas of achievement – what makes you stand out from the crowd?
Know your answers to these; they will come up time and time again. You may have to
tailor your answers to different roles/firms, but if you know what you’re going to say on
the basics it will help you feel and appear confident.
Technical questions – there is always a chance they will ask you some technical
questions. Therefore do some preparation beforehand and refresh yourself on the basic
legal principles for the particular area.
For example – if it’s a personal injury role, look up limitation periods. Remember an
employer will not always expect you to know the answer, but they may want to see how
you cope with a “stress test”!
Luiza da Costa
Training & Recruitment Manager
September 2014
 Ask a relevant question
You will always be asked at the end of any interview, “do you have any questions?” This
is a really important part of the interview; it is not just a wrapping up exercise. This is
your chance to show how much research your have done and how interested you are in
the role. Ask questions:
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On any articles you have read about the firm, the person interviewing etc?
The plans for the firm in the future?
How is the firm going to deal with “X” issue currently affecting the market?
What is the firm’s working culture like?
What will be the early responsibilities in the role you are applying for?
Questions are a simple part of your tool kit to come over as enthusiastic and interested.
 Don’t ask about salary, benefits, perks
You want the interview to be about how well suited you are for the job and not what you
can get out of it. Salary negotiations can be dealt with once you have a job offer.
TOP TIP - If you are unsure about these things, ask to see a job spec before the
interview. This should give you these details.
 Don’t focus on future roles – think about the job at hand
If you are being interviewed for a paralegal/legal assistant position, don’t focus on do
they offer training contracts (you can check this on the Law Society website,) when do
they offer them? How long will it take to get one? Your interviewer wants to know that
you are happy and committed to come in and do the actual job you are being interviewed
for.
Perhaps you can phrase your question carefully though, e.g. If I prove myself in a given
timescale, what are the prospects for a training contract? Firms recognise bright and
able candidates who want to progress!
 Remember – An interview is a sales pitch
This is your opportunity to show a prospective employer, why they should hire you. It is
not about what the role/firm can do for you and your future career. If you are asked why
they should pick you, make sure you have an answer!
Luiza da Costa
Training & Recruitment Manager
September 2014
And Finally!
There are many other sources of guidance for you on these matters from books to websites.
Speak to careers advisor and see what they recommend.
Attend graduate fairs and days like today, as it will get you speaking to people who could help
your future career.
GET WORK EXPERIENCE! There are a variety of ways to get work experience and it is imperative
that you do so. Look out for Pro bono schemes, vacation schemes, placements, shadowing,
working for the Citizen Advice Bureau. Get involved and show you are committed to a career in
the law.
Express Solicitors do a number of different work experience activities throughout the year check out our website: http://www.expresssolicitors.co.uk/career/graduate
We also help with the MMU mentoring scheme, this is a great scheme to get you more exposure
to the legal world.
Recommended websites:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/law_sector.htm
https://www.lawcareers.net/
Luiza da Costa
Training & Recruitment Manager
September 2014