The document provides an overview of interview skills specifically for law students, outlining the purpose of interviews, preparation steps, and best practices during the interview process. It distinguishes between a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a resume, explaining the importance of a CV in showcasing a candidate's qualifications in a detailed manner. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for a statement of purpose and the significance of making a strong first impression to successfully launch a career.

1. INTERVIEW SKILLS FOR
PLACEMENTS

2. Presentation
by
Maj Gen Nilendra Kumar
Director

3. What is an Interview ?
•It is a conversation where questions are asked
and answers are given.

4. •It is a one to one conversation with one person
acting in the role of interviewer and the other
one in the role of interviewee.

5. PURPOSE
•It is two fold :
1) To give to the employer valuable insight the
candidates personality and abilities.
2) To allow the candidates a chance to discern
whether his credentials and career goals match
up with what the law office seeks.

6. RELEVANCE
•Law students would need to be
groomed to make a positive impact at
an interview for :
a) Acceptance at a lawyers chamber
b) A placement
c) Admission to a prestigious master’s
programme.

8. •Placement is only relevant in the case of law
students who are aspiring for a salaried job
immediately after a law degree.

9. • Those who wish to go for post graduation or take
judiciary or civil services entrance test are not
interested in placement at this stage.

10. PRE INTERVIEW PREPARATION
1. Read the job description carefully
2. Visit the entity’s website
3. Try to find out then client’s , current and future
areas of business
4. Gather information about the company from google
, YouTube , LinkedIn and Facebook profiles etc.
5. Find out profile of interviewees , if known
6. Check interest news stories about the organization

11. TIPS
• Research on the employer , hiring interviewer and job
profile
• Review common questions and proper response
• Dress appropriately
• Arrive on time , relaxed and prepared for the
interview

12. AT THE INTERVIEW
1. Make good first impression
2. Be authentic , positive , focused , confident , candid
and brief
3. Pay attention to your body language
4. Show your interest by asking insightful questions
5. Showcase your competence for the job
6. Thank interviewees personally / email/ post

13. •If you feel flustered and pause then take a few
deep breaths to gather your thoughts.

14. •Try to stay cool and connected. Staying calm will
help you focus on the interview . Make eye
contact and avoid distractions.

15. •Be flexible and honest . More flexibility you
show, say in responding to a work schedule and
a work location , the more likely it is that you will
be hired.

16. •Listen and take notes. Have a question ready to
ask at the end of the interview.

17. REMEMBER
1) Listen
2) Don’t talk too much
3) Avoid familiarity
4) Use appropriate language
5) Response with care
6) Don’t appear desperate
7) Don’t appear over confident

18. AVOID
1. Asking generic questions ( or none at all)
2. Giving elaborate personal information
3. Probing interviewer for personal details

19. WHAT NOT TO DO !
1. Appear disinterested
2. Dress inappropriately
3. Appear arrogant
4. Talk negatively about current or previous employer or your
college
5. Attend a cellphone during the interview
6. Appear clueless about the company or its nature of
business
7. Avoid giving specific examples

20. NEED FOR AN APPROACH DIFFERENT THAN IN
MOOTS
•In a group discussion part of an interview , law
students should not wait for their name being
called. They may have to intervene.

21. PREPARE FOR A JOB
INTERVIEW

22. Ten Best Interview Tips
by
RANDALL J.HANSEN,PH.D

23. •The students would need to apply with their CV.

24. CURRICULUM VITAE
•Provides a summary of one’s experience and skills.
•Its is an in-depth document spreading over two or
more pages.
•It contains details of ones education & achievement
and accomplishments like publications , awards ,
honor's etc.
•The contents are arranged chronologically . A CV is
static and doesn’t change for different positions.

25. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CV & A RESUME
•A CV is longer and more detailed synopsis of
one’s background and skills
•A resume is a concise document. Typically it is
not longer than one page
•The purpose of a resume is to make an individual
stand out from the competition.

26. CV SAMPLE
Jhanak Desai
203 , Diamond Galaxy ,Kasturba Gandhi Road
Surat – 395023
Mob : XXXXXXXXXX
Email : jdesai2996@Hotmail.com
EDUCATION
 Stood first in company law and taxation papers
CLINICAL EDUCATION
• MOOTS
 Best girl mooter prize Amity International Moot 2015
 Second prize for Research in Henry Dunant Moot 2014
XII Exam Gujarat Board – 2011
Sarvodaya Vidyalaya No.3 Surat
76%
BA.LLB Nirma University Ahemdabad , Gujarat -
2016
CGPA 7.6 ( First division)

27. • DEBATES
Rotary Club Social Annual Debate, 2012
Best against the motion
 Gujarati Mahila Sabha
Vaad Vivaad ,2012
Second prize

28. • INTERNSHIPS
Modi and Seth
Law Practitioners
Surat May – July 2014
on Negotiable Instruments Act
Third Additional District Judge
Surat May – July 2015
Gujarat State Finance Commission, Ahmedabad
June – July 2016
Worked on the draft bill for ‘debt relief to farmers’

29. PUBLICATIONS
Co authored the paper ‘Relief to Draught Victims’
Gujarat Law Times , Aug 2015 issue
Review of the book titled ‘Juvenile Justice’ in Gujarati News Paper
Jagran , 23 September 2014
School Law Journal
Associate Editor 2014

30. LEGAL AID CAMPS
For street vendors – Ahmedabad Vyapar Mandal (20th April 2014)
For visually challenged girls – Mahila Sahayata Dal (8th March 2015 )
REFERENCE
Dr. Jaal Dastur , Asst. professor School of Law Nirma University ,
Ahmedabad
M/s Usha Mehta , Senior Advocate , Gujarat High Court

31. SAMPLE OF A COVERING
LETTER
CV WOULD NEED A COVERING LETTER

32. Jhanak Desai
Date 11th October 2017
Mr Lalu Bhai Shah , Senior Manager (HR)
Shah & Seth
Solicitors , 23 M.G Road
Mumbai – 400001
Dear Mr. Shah
Your law office had recently advertised in the LinkedIn for a Law Associate. A perusal of the job description indicated therein makes me confident that I
fully match your requirements.
I wish to humbly state that my academic profile , exposure to practical legal skills and publications showcase my proven ability to be an effective member of
your tax and financial regulations team.
For additional information about my capabilities kindly see my attached CV.
I am keen to work and acquire valuable experience in your renowned law office.
I thank you for your time and look forward to learning from you
Yours sincerely
Jhanak Desai
203, Diamond Galaxy, Kasturbha Gandhi Road
Surat – 395023
Mob : xxxxxxxxxx
Email : jdesai1996 @hotmail.com

33. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (SOP)
• Some job providers ask for a “Statement of Purpose”
rather than a CV.
• A SOP indicates what motivation , ambition or reason
has induced the candidate to opt for this particular
job.

34. CONCLUSION
•Preparation of an impressive CV and making an
impact at the interview is the first vital step in a
career launch.