how to have informational interview lawyer

Your first step toward arranging an informational interview is to identify a practice area(s) or career field(s) which interests you. Think about classes you enjoyed, areas in which you thought you might want to practice before you came to law school, and fields in which you are just plain interested. Read professional journals and national newspapers, paying attention to the stories which attract your interest. Talk to your classmates, professors and the professionals in the CDO to help you generate ideas.

Full Answer

How do I ask someone for an informational interview?

The first step in asking someone for an informational interview is to conduct research about the person, their career and the industry. This research will help you make sure you are reaching out to the right person for an interview.

What is an informational interview?

An informational interview is a meeting or discussion in which you gather information from the person you are interviewing about their career. You can use an informational interview to gather insight about the industry you are interested in, the corporate culture of a specific company or the career path of an individual who inspires you.

What should you look for when hiring a lawyer?

Part of being a successful lawyer is learning how to make one’s voice heard without being overbearing. You will want to see how the candidate handles conflict, especially with someone for whom they work. What to look for in an answer:

How does the virtual interview experience work?

Our virtual interview experience is the default when you schedule time with your candidate. When the candidate accepts your interview invite, you'll both get an email with a link to your video conference. Open the link to test your connection, and get started. It's that easy. Are you a job seeker?

How can I get an informational interview?

Contact the person by email or phone, or through LinkedIn. Mention how you got his or her name. Emphasize that you are looking for information, not a job. If you reach the person by phone, ask whether it's a good time to talk for a few minutes.

How do you introduce yourself in an informational interview?

When the interviewee comes out to meet you, introduce yourself. Thank your contact for his or her willingness to meet with you, and re-emphasize that you are there to learn and gather information about his or her career field. Use an informal dialogue during the interview.

How do you conduct an informal interview?

How to prepare for an informal interviewDo your research. Conduct in-depth research on the organization, its products and/or services and its achievements. ... Analyze the job. ... Match your qualifications. ... Be prepared to discuss your career path. ... Come with ideas. ... Ask questions. ... Bring materials. ... Listen closely.More items...

How do lawyers prepare for interviews?

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ... Be presentable and dress your best. ... Come prepared to ask questions. ... Be personable and show enthusiasm. ... Be genuine. ... Promptly send a thank-you note.

What should you never do in an informational interview?

Here are 10 mistakes you want to avoid in every informational interview:Arrive too early. Don't come more than five minutes before an appointment. ... Dress down. Offices are much less formal these days. ... Forget your resume. ... Fail to prepare. ... Walk in without a goal. ... Have no ask. ... Ask for a job. ... Assume unlimited time.More items...

How many questions should you ask in an informational interview?

5-7 questionsBecause most informational interviews last 30 minutes, you won't have time to ask all of the questions. Choose 5-7 questions that are most important to you. First it is helpful to build a rapport with your contact person and find out more about his/her background.

What questions do they ask in an informal interview?

Questions to Ask at an Informal Interview“What about my CV made you want to meet with me?”“What is the work culture like at your corporation?”“What would the day-to-day duties of the role be?”“What opportunities for advancement are there?”“Are there, or will there be, opportunities to work remotely?”More items...

What are the best questions to ask in an informational interview?

Questions To Ask: Informational InterviewWhat are your main responsibilities as a...?What is a typical day (or week) like for you?What do you like most about your work?What do you like least about your work?What kinds of problems do you deal with?What kinds of decisions do you make?More items...

What two questions should you ask in an informational interview?

30 useful informational interview questionsWhy did you decide to work in this industry? ... Can you tell me about what led up to earning your current position? ... What are the most vital steps someone should take to prepare for a role like yours? ... What accomplishments do you feel set you apart in this industry?More items...•

How can I impress a law interview?

8 ways to prepare for a legal job interviewHighlight your successes. ... Be knowledgeable about what you've done. ... Frame your experience for the role. ... Know what's going on. ... Sell your soft skills. ... Prepare your questions — and your answers. ... Dress to impress. ... Relax and be yourself.

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

What are lawyer interview questions?

Lawyer Interview QuestionsTell me about a situation where you failed. ... Describe an ethical situation that you had to deal with. ... What would you do if you were assigned a case that you were morally opposed to? ... Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty.More items...

Craft a Professional Email

Spend time crafting a professional email to the individuals that interest you. Below I provide a template from themuse.com.

Come with Questions

Have some preset questions to open the conversation. Once again, here are some sample questions.

Be Prepared to Answer Questions

An effective informational interview involves dialogue. With that said, some questions you should be prepared to answer. Remember, during the informational interview you’re also being interviewed.

Can you please name a Supreme Court case that impacts your practice of law on a daily basis?

The purpose of this question is not necessarily to test the substance of the answer but more the fact that the candidate has an answer. This is indicative of the fact that they are informed and see the larger picture. So much of what a lawyer does relies on having strong background knowledge of the law.

Can you give an example of where you have chosen to involve yourself in the broader legal community?

Lawyers that network and do the “extra-curricular” activities are generally better informed about recent developments than other attorneys. In addition, networking helps a lawyer build a reputation in the legal sector. Attorneys who have better connections with other attorneys benefit from getting referrals of business from those other attorneys.

How do you handle a disagreement with a superior over a legal matter?

Disagreements happen in the practice of law. Two attorneys can reach different opinions about an issue and both can be correct. It is even more difficult when one of the attorneys works for the other. Part of being a successful lawyer is learning how to make one’s voice heard without being overbearing.

Can you elaborate on a situation where you were unsuccessful and how you handled it?

You should get a sense of how the lawyer handles adversity because there is quite a bit of it in the legal profession. A good lawyer will learn from failure and make the necessary adjustments so it does not happen again in the future. Every lawyer will experience failure at some point.

Why Set Up an Informational Interview?

In the last post in the law school series I discussed questions you should be asking yourself before deciding to go to law school. I also mention the importance of meeting different lawyers and law students to discuss the profession.

Speak to Law School Admission Coordinators

Most law schools have an admissions coordinator who handles admissions related questions.

Contact your Local Bar Association

If you have an interest in a certain type of law you can search out lawyers who practice in that specialty. One place to start is your local bar association. Most have “sections” based on different practice areas. For example, the Ontario Bar Association has 39 sections ranging from Animal Law to Trusts and Estates Law.

My Experience with an Informational Interview

When I was first investigating law school I thought I might want to practice family law. My wonderful mom (who is not a lawyer) bumped into an old classmate who happened to be a big name family lawyer in our city.

What is the first step in asking someone for an informational interview?

The first step in asking someone for an informational interview is to conduct research about the person, their career and the industry. This research will help you make sure you are reaching out to the right person for an interview. It will also help you learn what information is already available online about the individual you want to interview and their career or company. This information will help you later in the informational interview process when you are preparing interview questions.

Why do we do informational interviews?

You can use an informational interview to gather insight about the industry you are interested in, the corporate culture of a specific company or the career path of an individual who inspires you. You can also use an informational interview as a networking opportunity to build a professional relationship with the person you are interviewing.

How to request an interview?

Here are a few general tips to remember when sending an email to request an informational interview: 1 Recommend a phone interview. If you are willing to conduct your interview over the phone, say so in your email. This makes it easier for the person to respond positively to your request because they don't have to plan for a commute or an in-person meeting. 2 Avoid asking for a job. Even if you are currently looking for a job, you should not make this obvious as part of your informational interview request. Instead, identify your interest in the person's career or industry and state what you hope to learn more about from them. 3 Include a calendar invite. Adding a calendar invite to your informational interview email request can make it easy for the person to respond and helps you ensure the interview won't be forgotten or overlooked.

How to get a positive response to an interview?

Having a clear idea of what your goals are will also help you prepare targeted questions for the interview. 3. Send an email asking for the interview.

How to avoid asking for a job?

Avoid asking for a job. Even if you are currently looking for a job, you should not make this obvious as part of your informational interview request. Instead, identify your interest in the person's career or industry and state what you hope to learn more about from them. Include a calendar invite.