McGuireWoods Houston partner Tyler VanHoutan shared insights with Law360 for an Aug. 29. 2022, story about how lateral associate candidates can put their best foot forward when interviewing at law firms.
VanHoutan, who chairs McGuireWoods’ associates committee, was one of five law firm representatives who told Law360 what they look for during the interview process.
“Successful candidates have done their homework on the firm, office, practices and interviewers,” VanHoutan said. “They are prepared, engaged and inquisitive, ask relevant questions and take notes. They also refer to others at the firm with whom they interviewed and mention those conversations. Extra points if they send follow-up correspondence thanking the interviewer and referencing something they learned during the interview.”
Conversely, VanHoutan said applicants who fall short include “candidates who seem to be running out the clock. They are unprepared, unengaged, unenthusiastic and unfamiliar with the firm, office, practice or interviewer.”