Top Tips for acing your Interview

An interview is likely to be required almost every time you apply for a role, and this is equally true when applying for training contracts.  The process at Machins is currently split into three: (1) an application; (2) an initial interview and (3) a final partner-led interview.

This post gives some tips from my experience on how you can do well and impress your interviewers at the initial interview stage.

1. Know your stuff: It is essential you have thought about why you want to be a solicitor and why you have chosen to apply to Machins. It is likely that these questions will come up in most training contract interviews, so make sure you have given some thought to why you have made those choices. For example, I would recommend avoiding telling the interviewers you have always wanted to work in criminal law, as that is an area Machins does not practice!
2. Prepare, prepare, prepare! I cannot stress this enough. Whilst there will definitely be some questions you cannot prepare for, it is vital you can recall and can share with your interviewer examples of tasks you have completed and the outcomes. It is also imperative you are able to reflect on your experiences to date, draw out the key skills and explain how these will help you in your role as a trainee solicitor.
3. Be confident & engaging: Try not to fidget during the interview as this can be distracting, however, be confident in your answers, succinctly articulating your responses. If you have never had a panel interview before, it may also feel strange to talk to two or three people at once, but try to maintain eye contact with all interviewers.
4. Show your personality: The panel already knows the paper version of you and so the interview is the perfect time for you to show who you are and why you think you are a good match for Machins. It gives you a feel for the firm and gives the firm a feel for you, to see whether our culture aligns with what you want to get out of your training contract.
5. Ask questions! By asking questions, this shows you are engaged with the process and genuinely interested in Machins and wanting to become a trainee solicitor here. Have your questions prepared in advance, even write them down so you do not forget! There will always be time at the end for you to ask questions about life at Machins, the application process or find out more about your interviewers.

Whilst the interview stage can be very daunting for applicants, it is important to recognise you successfully passed the application stage, so well done! Try to see the interview as an opportunity to show off your personality, experience and what you have to offer. If you need any more help with the application process at Machins, check out some of the other articles on our Trainee Blog! Good luck!