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February 15, 2021 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

Five Specific Questions to Ask During Your Law Firm Interview

Virtually all advice related to job interviews involves helping the job seeker prepare answers to the interviewer’s questions. However, much of your potential employer’s impression of you will be based on the questions you ask in addition to the questions you answer. Besides asking the standard questions about job requirements, job benefits, or the next steps after the interview, you should ask questions that will help you determine whether this is your dream job.

Be prepared to show that you have done your research and have taken the time to prepare questions that will reveal something about the firm. Show your desire to know more about the company’s culture to ensure you are the right fit.

Here are some suggested questions to ask your interviewer:

1.What is it about your firm that differentiates you from other firms practicing similar types of law?

Depending on how your interview answers this question, you will understand how the firm’s culture and priorities line up with yours. Give your interviewer the opportunity to tell you what makes them special and think about what their answer means to you in terms of the company being a match to your goals.

2.How would you describe the firm’s culture and philosophy?

If your interviewer describes a positive work culture with advancement opportunities, this is great news for you. The more details provided, the better. You may even keep the conversation going by asking for an example that defines the company’s culture.

3.What does a successful member of this firm look like, and what do they do to be considered successful?

This question will show your genuine interest in being a team asset. The implication is that you are asking because you want to know because you want to emulate that success. After the interview, you can do additional research to gain more knowledge about this individual and prepare for your second interview.

4.What does your firm use as the common markers of success?

This question will help you determine how the firm handles performance reviews. This is something you will want to know before you agree to accept the job.

5.What’s something that you learned later about the company you wished you would have known when you first joined?

By asking to hear about the interviewer’s experience, you are showing a true interest in wanting to know more. The information your interviewer provides will give you an idea of what it is like to hit the ground running in your new environment.

At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, our industry-expert recruiters are here to offer you insight and guidance. We will help you land your dream job and be there for you every step of the way. We help you improve your resume, prepare for your interview, and help you decide which job is best for you.

For more than a decade, we have been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your career goals. Feel free to browse our Jobs and Career Listings to see a growing list of opportunities in your field.

January 25, 2021 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

LOOKING FOR A JOB IN 2021? READ THIS!

Legal industry job search — Job searches have changed due to COVID-19

Job seekers and recruiters have had to make adjustments to the hiring process due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

In April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the legal industry lost 64,000 jobs. However, as job interviews and professional networking continue to evolve, the legal industry has begun to rebound.

COVID-19’s economic impacts continue to present a changing marketplace for recent law school graduates and those seeking legal staff positions. However, there is some good news. New jobs were added for a solid six months (June to November), including a 208,000 increase in October.

At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we are here to help you navigate the new job-seeking landscape. Here are some job searching tips we would like to share with you:

Prepare for your virtual job interview

The increase of virtual interviews resulting from social distancing guidelines also serves as an indication of how the hiring process is evolving.

A national Human Resource survey revealed that 86 percent of employers conducted virtual interviews to hire job candidates during the coronavirus pandemic. Considering that the virtual interview is here to stay, job seekers should approach communicating their professionalism, experience, and willingness to fit into the company culture into a remote interview format.

Our advice is to be sure you make a great first impression via video conference. Develop anecdotal stories that represent your experience instead of a dry recitation of your qualifications.

Sharpen your job skills

With the lack of in-person events, there has been an increase in virtual events. Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn provide numerous opportunities to either attend upcoming virtual events at a discount or free of charge. Time in isolation doesn’t have to be isolated time.

Our advice is to use this time to take advantage of meeting new people and the opportunity to sharpen your skills.

Reconnect with colleagues

Facebook reported in March that messaging on Instagram, Facebook, and Whatsapp have increased 50 percent due to more people engaging on social media due to the pandemic.

Our advice is to use this opportunity to reconnect with other professionals in your field and keep up to date with the legal industry. As more people engage on social media due to the pandemic, now is a great time to ask for references.

Help from SRS

Before taking on a job hunt alone, contact SRS for a free resume review. You can also browse our Jobs and Career Listings to see a growing list of opportunities in your field.

Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Also, our industry-expert recruiters can offer insight and guidance. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your career goals.

May 15, 2020 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS – How to Prepare Your Responses

Be prepared to answer behavioral interview questions.

Have a stellar resume? Years of technical experience? These are all impressive, but for most jobs, fitting into a culture and demonstrating adaptability and responding to pressure is just as important as technical skills. Likely, you will be asked behavioral questions at your next interview.

WHAT IS A BEHAVIORAL QUESTION?

Behavioral Interview Questions are situational questions designed to uncover your skills and talents (competencies). They are questions that make you think and reveal qualities about yourself indirectly. They may make you uncomfortable because they require that you “think on your feet.” There is no right or wrong answer. However, there is a correct way to prepare your response to reveal the personality trait/work habit the interviewer is seeking.

Some of these questions are in the category of “When did you stop beating your wife?” They have an underlying assumption that you did something wrong. For example, “Tell me about a time you did not properly handle a disagreement with a co-worker.” If you can not think of an answer immediately, ask for clarification. This will give you some time to figure out the underlying purpose of the question so that you can prepare your response.

Employers are not trying to trick you. They ask behavioral questions so that they can hire the right person for the job. The questions they ask are to determine if you have qualities such as integrity, decisiveness, adaptability, sensitivity, tenacity, and diplomacy. They want to know if you are a self-starter and if you feel comfortable in a leadership role.

Here are some common behavioral questions:

How did you handle conflict with a co-worker?

Describe a time when a co-worker approached you and criticized your work. How did you handle the situation? What was the outcome?

Tell me about a time when you had to persuade someone to see your point of view. What tactics did you use?

What was the outcome?

Tell me about a time you failed. How did you deal with it?

THE STAR METHOD

Apply the Star Method to any behavioral interview question. STAR stands for:
Situational: Tell the interviewer the context or setting of your answer.
Task: What was your role in the situation?
Action: What action did you take to address the situation?
Result: What was the result of your action?

Results are the most crucial element of this equation. What did you learn? The details of what exactly happened in the proposed situation are not as important as your result.

Preparation and practice are the keys to your successful behavioral interview. Find out as much as you can about the company culture before you arrive at your interview. Review the company website, their social media platforms, and ask your colleagues. Then, practice responding to the most common behavioral interview questions. Discuss your possible answers with someone you trust, someone who has had success in your field, or your recruiter. Ask for help with specific questions that may be difficult to answer. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we can help you prepare in advance. Being prepared will not only reduce your anxiety, but it will also demonstrate your confidence and competence.

For more than a decade, SRS has been helping job seekers find their ideal opportunity. If you are a top performer in the Legal Industry or Informational Technology, submit your resume. Exceptional talent is in high demand at the top-performing companies. Ready to make a career move? Contact SRS today!

March 20, 2020 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

HERE ARE FIVE TIPS TO HAVING YOUR VIRTUAL INTERVIEW WORK SEAMLESSLY

Many companies are utilizing video conference to conduct the initial interview.

Virtual job interviews? Yes, they are becoming more common every day, especially since the coronavirus has put everything on hold. During the next months, employers will utilize video conferencing in lieu of face-to-face interviews. In addition, many companies find that they can narrow down their choice of job candidates through virtual interviews.

Here are five tips to ensure that your interview works seamlessly:

1. Conduct a Trial Run Interview

Test your equipment prior to the actual interview. Make sure the audio and video are working and that you are familiar with all the added features. Conduct a sound and video quality test to ensure things are functioning correctly. The last thing you want is to discover that your audio is working improperly or that you don’t know how to share your screen once the interview begins. By avoiding technical difficulties, you can stay focused.

2. Find a Quiet, Non-Distracting Space

Make it a priority to create a distraction-free space to conduct the interview. If you are conducting the interview from home, make sure to inform your household members that you will be attending a virtual interview, and must have an hour of privacy. Finally, in order to ensure that your potential employer has your undivided attention, mute any notifications on your mobile phone and computer. It is essential that you treat your virtual interview with the same level of respect and professionalism that you would any other job interview. Remember, if you are multitasking during the interview, recruiters will be able to tell if your attention is elsewhere.

3. Be Honest

Despite all of your preparation, technical glitches may still occur. If the video frame freezes or your audio skips out, you may need to ask your interviewer to repeat the question. It is better to be upfront and ensure that you have the information you need rather than missing something because you were too embarrassed to admit that you missed something.

4. Be Aware of Your Body Language

Remember, this is a virtual interview, so your body language does matter. Sit up straight. Make sure you are looking directly at your camera. Make sure you have dressed appropriately. Treat any virtual meeting like a face-to-face meeting. Don’t let emails or social media notifications distract you from the interview.

5. Prepare for Your Interview

As with anything, adequate preparation is critical. Prepare for your interview by rereading your resume and the job description. Have both documents handy for the call. Prior to the interview, find out who you will be speaking with, and check out his or her LinkedIn account.

Although thoughts of a job interview might conjure up visions of a bunch of candidates waiting in a stuffy office lobby, times have changed. More and more companies are using this tool to narrow down the potential list of candidates who deserve an in-person meeting. By conducting a professional and productive virtual interview, you will ensure that you have a shot at making the next round of interviews or, better yet, land the job.

For more than a decade, SRS has been helping job seekers find their ideal opportunity. If you are a top performer in the Legal Industry or Informational Technology, submit your resume. Exceptional talent is in high demand at the top-performing companies. Ready to make a career move? Contact SRS today!