How To be Successful During Screener Interviews
Screener interviews are the first step in the formal interview process and an opportunity for an applicant to make a great first impression. These interviews can prove challenging because it’s often the first time a graduate has interviewed for a professional position and due to the small percentage of applicants who move forward in the interviewing process. At Ivy Grad Services, we know that screener interviews can be a stressful time in a graduate’s life. Our expertise in interview preparation and mock interview sessions, as well as resume revisions and cover letter creation, will leave you feeling confident and capable and our screener interview strategies will help ensure success in all of your interviews.
Understanding Screener Interviews
The purpose of screener interviews is for the employer to narrow down a large pool of applicants. Roughly twenty-five percent of people interviewed will move forward in the interview process. Screener interviews take 20-to-30 minutes to complete. During the interview, the interviewer will be assessing if you possess the necessary qualifications for the job, your communication skills, as well as the level of enthusiasm you have towards the position. Screener interviews can take place over the phone, video call, or in person, and each one comes with unique challenges. Phone interviews make it impossible to see the other person’s body language or facial expressions, which can make it difficult to know how they felt about the interview or for you to clearly relay your intent. Video calls make seeing your interviewer more accessible, but important aspects like eye contact are still difficult, and in-person interviews mean everything you do from the way you dress to your body language is being taken into consideration.
Research and Preparation
Doing research on the law firm you’re interviewing with prior to the interview is a great way to show enthusiasm and leave a lasting impression. It’s important for firms to know that you’re willing to go above and beyond, and one of the ways you can do this is by being knowledgeable about them. This shows that you went out of your way to learn more about the position and what it will take, should you be called back for another interview and eventually hired. Some important qualities to look into include marketing materials, pitches, current and former clients and individual strengths of the practice. Being well-versed in these unique dynamics and being able to incorporate those aspects into your answers during the interview will ensure that you’re saying things that the interviewer is looking for from a potential hire. Ivy Grad Services’ can assist you in tailoring your research and preparation to reflect a deeper understanding of the role and company, enhancing the relevance of your responses.
Crafting Your Responses
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions during screener interviews. These questions are used so commonly that you should be prepared to have an answer ready for them before the interview even starts.
Why did you go to law school?
What do you like about law school?
Are your grades a good indication of your academic achievement?
What law school activities do you participate in and enjoy?
What do you do when you’re not in class/studying?
Have your ideas about being a lawyer changed since you entered law school?
What kind of law are you interested in?
If you weren’t in law school, what would you be doing right now?
Having clear, concise, and thoughtful responses to these questions will make an impact on how well you succeed in your interview. At Ivy Grad Services, we help our clients develop and refine their answers through mock interviews, ensuring responses are both compelling and succinct.
The STAR technique is a great way to answer behavioral questions. The acronym stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. When behavioral questions are asked, practice first describing the situation. Then, describe the task or goal that you were working towards in that situation, what actions you took to achieve your goal, and the result of your actions. Practicing answering the following behavioral questions using the STAR technique will prepare you to effectively communicate in an impactful way.
Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a person you were working
with and how you handled it.
Describe an ethical dilemma you were confronted with and how you dealt with it.
Tell me about a time when you had multiple high-importance projects with
competing deadlines and how you handled it.
At one time or another everyone has something fall through the cracks. Tell me
about a time when that happened to you and what actions you took to correct it.
Describe a project where you encountered failure and were forced to change your
approach to achieve success.
Effective Communication Skills
During your screener interviews, demonstrating clear and effective communication is critical. Some people find that they may talk at a faster pace when nervous. Remember to take a deep breath and slow your pace. Be thoughtful about what you are saying and maintain a confident and conversational tone of voice. Remember to be polite and refrain from using inappropriate language or bringing up unprofessional topics. What you communicate with your body language is equally as important as what you communicate verbally. Body language is ninety percent of how we are perceived. Making direct eye contact conveys that you’re confident in holding a conversation and discussing the questions being asked. Maintaining good posture relays confidence while slouching can give the impression of being shy or having low energy. It’s important to maintain relaxed posture, as being too stiff can translate into nervousness. During your interview, make sure you are mindful of your hands, as nervous fidgeting can come across as unprofessional. Incorporating good body language into your interview can set you apart from other candidates. Ivy Grad Services’ mock interview services provide feedback on both verbal and non-verbal communication skills and can help you convey confidence and engagement. Utilizing these strategies will ensure you’re relaying a positive message throughout your interview.
Asking Insightful Questions
At Ivy Grad Services, we advise on selecting and phrasing questions that showcase your depth of research and genuine interest in the opportunity. Before the interview, take time to have thoughtfully considered any questions that you may have about the firm that you’re interviewing with. Asking well-formulated and genuine questions shows that you have substantial interest in the firm and solidifies your intent in securing this position, both of which can set a candidate apart from the competition in a positive way. Be sure that any questions on your list are not easily answered in places such as the job listing, the firm's website or a simple Google search. Examples of good questions to ask are ‘What type of supervision and evaluation are given to a summer associate?’, ‘How many participants does the firm expect to have in the summer program?’, and ‘What do you think sets this organization apart from other organizations in the area?’. Asking thoughtful questions is a great opportunity to relay your enthusiasm about the position and leave a lasting impression on your interviewer.
Conclusion
Using the strategies listed will help ensure that you have successful screener interviews. Preparing before your interview by researching the company you’re interviewing and formulating thoughtful questions will demonstrate your enthusiasm and your ability to go above and beyond for the position. Crafting clear, concise, and thoughtful responses, as well as using the STAR technique, will set you apart from the competition. Remembering to maintain a calm, steady pace and a confident and conversational tone of voice will allow your verbal communication skills to make a lasting impression and professional and confident body language will make a positive impact on what you’re communicating nonverbally.
Ivy Grad Services offers everything you need to nail your interviews by offering mock interview sessions, where we help students take their elevator pitch to the next level, as well as resume revisions and cover letter creation to ensure our clients know their resume inside and out. Our expert guidance and support will make sure that your screener interview strategy is ready for anything. Take your screener interview preparation to the next level today by filling out our form or email us directly at IvyGradServices@gmail.com.