Articles From the Team

Three questions you will always be asked at interview

George Bradt on Forbes.com highlighted the following: There are only three true job interview questions:

1. Can you do the job? 2. Will you love the job? 3. Can we tolerate working with you?

Each question potentially may be asked using different words, but every question, however it is phrased, is just a variation on one of these topics: Strengths, Motivation, and Fit. Can you do the job, focuses on your technical ability in doing the job.

As in-house legal recruiters we often help private practice lawyers re-focus how they sell their experience when looking to move in-house. Nothing gives us greater pleasure when an individual whose CV doesn’t look ‘right’ for a role gets the job. We believe that only through meeting individuals can you truly tell if they will be able to do ‘the job’.

Will You Love the Job? -Motivation

Let’s say you can do the job – what is going to keep you there for the medium to long term. Companies are obviously looking for longevity when they recruit (on a permanent basis) therefore understanding the motivations of a person is hugely important. The in-house lawyers that most inspire us are ones that feel they work in an environment that motivates and pushes them as well as rewards effectively.

Can We Tolerate Working With You? – Fit

Personality ‘fit’ also plays a huge part in the process and sometimes it is even more important than current legal/ commercial skills. This is because with training, skills can be taught… but it is much harder to change someone’s personality.

So next time you are going for an interview ask yourself those 3 simple questions and think about the answers that you want to give that conveys 1 and 2 are achievable. That will just leave number 3 and there isn’t a lot you can do about that one!

By Mark Levine - Director, In-house Legal Recruitment