Life skills and career tips for Canada's lawyers in training
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/50715
Faculty of Law, says one shiſt in the pro- cess involves probing for behavioural issues. As she points out, those doing the interviews generally have baseline behavioural points they want to explore to determine how the prospect fits at the firm. "What is your greatest accom- plishment? Talk about a challenge you faced in the past five years and how you accomplished it. You're given a file that a lawyer had before. How would you handle it?" Other areas firms will now look at include behaviours such as demon- strated leadership, how a student deals with conflict, and teamwork. Cyr sug- gests having three stories ready to cover various aspects of your resumé. And, she says, be ready to talk about your least fa- vourite job. "The most common mistake students make is not giving enough de- tail," says Cyr. "Touch not only on legal experience but also real-world experi- ence." And, she adds, "It's normal to be nervous, but don't let your nervousness incapacitate you." The kiss of death in an interview is not to have questions prepared for the inter- viewers when they ask if you have any. "If you say no or 'I don't have any,' that demonstrates disinterest in the employer. Mention knowing someone at the firm or dealing with them. Ask about pro bono work," says Cyr. "Don't ask about benefits, pay, and social events, hours of work." Gowlings' director of student pro- grams Natalie Zinman notes Gowl- ings takes a consistent approach in all interviews but says students should be prepared to speak on a wide range of topics. Leckie agrees. "We are looking for people who are academically and intellectually strong," he says. "Some- one who is multi-dimensional," adds Mundy-Markell, who notes interview- ers will be probing for demonstrations of leadership and entrepreneurialism. "Will these people be ambassadors for our firm?" asks Zinman. "Will they have a strong sense of client service and leadership?" Further, Herbst says, law schools will do mock interviews, oſten with lawyers from large firms. "Students find it really helpful," she notes. So that's worth tak- ing advantage of. Reach out Zinman says interviewers know a lot about their firm and what it can offer students. Recruiters, however, stress the need for students to do their homework not only about the firms they are in- terviewing with but also the process so they are comfortable with it. "We really encourage people to reach out to our current students," says Zinman. "They really are a great resource. Find former summer students." She adds that the Internet has had an effect on the articling process in that firms can post more information about their professional dealings. "Students should really know about the place and 10 F A L L 2011 C ANADIAN Lawy er 4STUDENTS that should be reflected in their written materials," says Zinman. Leckie says if students have an interest in a particular practice area, they should research it and ask about the firm's law- yers who practise in it. A chance to meet practitioners in that area can oſten be ar- ranged, he says. "The more engaged with what we do and how we do that, it facili- tates a healthier process." The evolving marketplace has also led to the creation of recruitment and student departments at firms that focus on dealing with arti- cling and summer placement positions. The situation with summer positions is a conundrum for Herbst. She says it's fine for students to take a summer position and then proceed to regular articles. But, at the same time, she says she's looking for people with a breadth of experience, something that going from summer positions to regular arti- cles isn't necessarily going to provide as students move into the profession. "I'm not a particular fan of this trend," she says while noting that those who have summered are not overlooked in the ar- ticling interviewing process. In addition to taking in the sugges- tions of recruiters and law schools, pro- spective articling students may want to read the articling handbook available through the Canadian Bar Association. It provides sample interview questions, tips on qualities interviewers may be looking for as the process moves along, and questions the student could ask.