9 interview mistakes: do they apply to in-house jobs?

Yes, I have seen all nine interview red flags cited in this article knock out solid candidates for in-house interviews. Sometimes career advice is too generic for our esoteric space, but these definitely apply to lawyers at all levels applying to in-house jobs in the Bay Area. I’ve put them in the order of frequency I see:

1. Inconsistent track record. This is especially true in our conservative space: “Frequent job changes or unexplained gaps in employment can raise eyebrows. While there can be legitimate reasons for such patterns, it’s crucial for candidates to provide clear explanations. A history of short stints might suggest a lack of commitment or adaptability.”
2. Lack of preparation. Yes, you do need to know the employer’s core products/services and history, and you do need to explain how your skills align with the job. Otherwise “it suggests a lack of genuine interest in the role and can be a sign of how [you] might approach tasks if hired.”
3. Poor communication skills. Legal candidates must be able to break down complex issues and explain things clearly. If they can’t even present their own history or explain their area of law well, they will certainly be cut. No rambling!
4. Vague or evasive answers. Same as #3. You have to be able to give examples.
5. Bad attitude. No pessimistic outlooks or else the manager can imagine you scaring away clients/colleagues and not coming up with solutions (key to being an in-house lawyer!).
6. Lack of enthusiasm. Same as #5 and very important. I’ve seen lawyers who are a good fit on paper but get cut because they couldn’t muster up sufficient enthusiasm. It is your job to build rapport during the interview, even if you feel the effort is not reciprocated.
7. Bad questions. If you don’t ask any questions or ask questions that show insufficient prep, you will be dinged. Also, don’t ask self-interested questions, e.g., about comp, vacation schedules, time people get into the office, or ability to work on side projects. It won’t be seen as being transparent. You can ask when you have offer in hand.
8. Overemphasis on salary. Same as #7. Yes you have a mortgage and other opportunities, but don’t come off caring more about pay than the job.
9. Disparaging previous employers. All lawyers know not to do this, but sometimes it can come up subtly, like an interviewer will probe why you left somewhere to see how gracefully you can answer it.