Checklist for Interviews

Call-back interviews are great for meeting attorneys and catching a glimpse of the office culture. But some of the most important things you learn at a call-back interview may be from what you don't see and hear.

Here's a list of observations gathered from Varnum attorneys about what you don't want to see at a law firm.

• Attorneys don't need to introduce themselves to each other after they introduce you.
• When asked about the firm's diversity commitment, the interviewing attorney doesn't cough, mutter something about seeing an email about that once, then ask you what your GPA is (again).
• You don't see the flash of panic cross a secretary's eyes when an attorney walks by.
• No one asks you how your parents would feel about you missing all major holidays.
• When you ask an attorney whether he would recommend the profession to his children, he doesn't laugh spontaneously, compose himself, then say his children are normally asleep when he sees them.
• You don't wonder if all the associates were just punched in the face, or if that is just fatigue.
• When you ask about work/life balance, the interviewing attorney didn't nonchalantly drop your resume in the trash can.
• Every office door isn't closed.
• Associates don’t avert their eyes from partners and quietly call them "sir" and "ma'am."
• When you are taken out to dinner at the end of the day, the attorneys don't rush through their meal, decline dessert, and exclaim that they hope you appreciate the .85 hours you just took from their evening shift.
• Associates don't have hundreds of miniscule paper cuts, affectionately call "document review battle wounds" and "badges of honor," as the only thing to show for their first year as a lawyer.
• Attorneys don't list "praying for cold calls" as one of their hobbies.