The landscape of hiring has changed dramatically since COVID. “On campus interviews” are not “on campus” anymore—they are virtual. This change is not going anywhere, as virtual interviews allow firms and candidates alike to expand their hiring reach and attract top candidates. While there are benefits, virtual interviews have their drawbacks. Mastering the virtual interview is an important skill not just for law students and young associates, but also for the law firms that are hiring new associates and laterals. It is no secret that there is a decline in the associate market. First impressions matter, and in today’s hiring market, the first impression is the virtual interview.

A key component to a successful virtual interview is connectivity, and specifically, making sure your internet connection is strong. If the interview starts and there are issues with connectivity, it will be hard to hear and respond to questions in real time or worse, answers could be cut off or misconstrued. In addition, both the interviewer and interviewee will likely feel disconnected from one another, making a bad first impression and severely lessening a chance of a second interview. If connectivity issues are present at the beginning of a virtual interview, it is best for everyone to recognize the connectivity issues and reschedule the interview. Do not plow through a virtual interview with connectivity problems as the interview will more likely than not be unsuccessful.