Increasingly, law firms are taking candidates through multi-stage interviews. Whether due to an effort to check candidate’s commitment or just bring more dynamic recruitment processes into play – the popularity of multi-stage interviews is on the rise. So – what can you expect, and how should you navigate them?
Initial Stages
These are the types of interviews that you will typically be used to. They will usually be brief, and conducted by phone or via video call. They are a chance for the hiring team to get an idea of how a candidate comes across.
You can expect:
- To make some small talk!
- Chat about your recent skills, employment, why you’re looking for a new role.
- Hear a little more about the company/law firm.
You should treat these interviews with the same professionalism as in person interviews. It’s your chance to make a first impression on the hiring manager. (handy tip – we have a blog for more advice on how to prepare for these interviews – check it out, here!)
In person meeting
This is sometimes the final stage of an interview process – not always with multi-stage interviews! Again, many people are used to these interviews. They usually require you to visit the firm or company’s office and chat with a panel of interviewers.
You can expect:
- More in-depth conversation around your career to date.
- Specific questions relating to your working style and problem solving.
- To ask questions about the firm or team.
- You may be asked technical or situational questions.
This is a great opportunity to showcase your confidence, your interest in the role, and find out if you get a good feel for the firm (interviews are a two way street!). For more practical interview advice, check out our blog.
Written exercises/case studies
You may not have come across this type of interview before. These are more common for fee earning/qualified roles. So, if you’re taking that step, this may be the first time that you experience this type of interview. Law firms will want to see how you approach certain tasks, and get a better understanding of your work style, knowledge and technical skills.
You can expect:
- A specific topic or case study to work with.
- A deadline to complete this task and return it to the firm.
- Some firms may want you to try working the way that they do and give you some guidelines to follow.
Don’t panic! This may feel like a test but this is a great way to show a firm how you work. Quite often, it isn’t about ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ – but about showing some of your professional personality and highlighting your technical skills/understanding. Do your best, give yourself enough time and focus, and return the task to the firm in a timely manner.
Group interviews/assessment centres
This type of interview is usually favoured for entry level roles where there are a lot of candidates. Firms will want to see how well you work with others, observe your abilities to take initiative and see your confidence in a work setting.
You can expect:
- Interaction with other candidates to problem solve and collaborate.
- Role playing exercises.
- Team building exercises.
- Group discussions.
It’s important to make sure that you present yourself with confidence at these interviews. You should actively demonstrate your abilities by participating, but allow others the opportunities to engage too. Remember to listen, demonstrate team work and lead when you feel confident to do so! Don’t shy away – be yourself and you’ll shine through! These interviews are all about teamwork, willingness to learn and figuring out if you’re a good cultural fit.
Presentations
Presentation interviews are a great way for employers to understand a candidate better. Instead of a typical sit-down chat, presentations offer an opportunity for candidates to express themselves more freely, or uniquely.
You can expect:
- A presentation topic – it could be personal (your favourite hobby, an interest, about your personality) or more professional (possibly similar to a written exercise, about your working style).
- To present this to a panel of interviewers, either in person or online.
- To answer any questions on your given topic.
Practice makes perfect! Plan your presentation thoroughly and give yourself time to do a couple of practice runs. You want your personality to shine through and highlight your public speaking skills. This is the opportunity for engaging and building a rapport with the interview panel so ensure you feel good about your presentation and don’t overthink it!
Final/Informal interviews
The final hurdle! Though these interviews are often known as ‘informal’ interviews, they are still technically formal! You may be meeting with senior partners or line managers. These interviews are the final stage of the process so can feel particularly important.
You can expect:
- To go over some questions that may have been asked before.
- Small talk! (Yes, again) Building rapport with senior partners and potential line managers will help you to feel more confident if you’re successful.
- Discussions about the team environment, recent cases or projects, or the development of the department.
- To gain further clarification on any questions that you might still have.
Stay consistent with how you’ve navigated other stages of the interview process – you’ve made it this far! This is the time to demonstrate your insights about the firm’s culture, values and goals. Bring your enthusiasm! Take this final stage opportunity to show your commitment, reinforce your skills and experience, and get your final questions answered.
Thoughts…?
It has to be said that it can be difficult to juggle multi-stage interviews with other offers. It can be a lengthy process – particularly if you’re in a period of unemployment. Some candidates may become disillusioned with the process, or feel as though the firm is creating unnecessary hurdles. The truth is, it is difficult to get to know if a candidate is the right fit on one interview alone! The same goes for candidates – can you truly be sure that a firm is right for you from one conversation? Of course, if you are unsuccessful, it is disheartening. However, the experience of multi-stage interviewing will set you up for next time – try to see the positives!
How can a recruiter help?
Recruiters have experience of these things. They know how firms operate and have a good idea on timescales for interview processes. They will be able to guide you through the process and support your decision making when it comes to having offers on the table.
