As the summer associate hiring process has become increasingly competitive, law students are constantly looking for ways to stand out and set themselves apart from their peers. One of the most important components of the recruiting process is the interview. As longstanding members and the current co-chairs of Weil, Gotshal & Manges’ Professional Hiring and Steering Committee, we have conducted hundreds of interviews, both on-campus and in our offices, with law students who are eager to make an indelible impression. In this article, we will share the top tips for students when preparing for their law firm interviews, as well as mistakes we regularly see that can easily be avoided.
Be Genuine and Authentic
We cannot emphasize enough that you should be sincere, genuine and authentic throughout the interviewing process. First, we want to get to know you, not someone you think we should hire. And you want to find a firm that jibes with your true self. You will hear many firms talk about “fit” and “culture,” and this is for good reason. In our experience, associates’ long-term happiness directly correlates to how well they enjoy the personality and culture of their chosen firms. By allowing us to get to know you during the interview process, we can get a sense of whether you will be a good fit with our culture. More importantly, the interview is a golden opportunity for you to meet different firms, see what they are all about (i.e., what makes them tick), and start to decide which are and which are not the right fit for you.
