Interviewing for the "Dream Job'
I was not even going to interview at this particular law firm. I had a job and I would have to drive to the other end of the county to take on a new paralegal position. However, curiosity, and the knowledge that the worst that would happen is that I would not get the position caused me to call the Office Manager back and schedule an interview.
I interviewed with one of the Managing Partners and the Office Manager. One took my resume and one took my application. They questioned me on my work experience, both present and past. I should mention that my job lead for this position was the husband of a former co-worker; the husband worked for a client of this attorney. The position had been open for some time. One of the girls in the office where I was working transferred the calll to schedule the interview for me with the Office Manager, and she said, "Do you know who SHE is?!" I told the Office Manager that in the interview and she said that was because they knew she THREW someone out the window! The Managing Partner spoke right up and said he smoked cigars, would I mind? I asked if he would consider switching to a pipe and he just said no, very dryly.
When the interview was over, we walked out of the Law Library, first the Office Manager, then me, then the Managing Partner. Before we reached the door, I turned around, looked the Office Manager right in the eye, thanked him for the interview.
I think that in an interview, you should put your best foot forward, but for heaven's sake, be down to earth, especially if you expect to keep the job for any length of time.
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