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For my callbacks, a lot of my interviewers have been asking this question relatively early on in the interview. Some even have asked me the moment I get into the room.

Is this a bad sign? I always feel like they haven't asked me anything at all... Am I turning them off so fast that they defer to this question? Or is this an interview strategy?

I wouldn't think so. In fact, at this stage, a lot of firms really are trying to sell you, so that question may be very sincere. Make no mistake, having poignant questions ready is important since you're clearly being critiqued, but I don't think it's a bad sign at all.

Full disclosure, I'm a 2L. But I've gotten offers from firms where this happened in > 50% of the CB interviews.

some firms intentionally do this with most people they interview

have questions ready

Anonymous User wrote:For my callbacks, a lot of my interviewers have been asking this question relatively early on in the interview. Some even have asked me the moment I get into the room.

Is this a bad sign? I always feel like they haven't asked me anything at all... Am I turning them off so fast that they defer to this question? Or is this an interview strategy?

The question isn't a bad sign, but it coming out quickly is. It means you are unengaging.

I've actually seen it be more of a good sign than a bad sign in my interviews. In fact, my most recent callback the guy didn't even ask me anything. He just sat back and asked what he could tell me about the firm and practice group. I got an offer. It can definitely be a bad sign too, but not always.

probably best not to read tea leaves to decipher these random observations about interviewing style. I've had interviews where its been on me to continually jump-start the conversation after interview went almost immediately into "do you have any questions" and netted offers.. I've had times when I got the questions early on and didn't land an offer. And I've had dynamic interviews that went the full half hour on substance with no questions that did not result in offers. you just can't fuckin know man

Desert Fox wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:For my callbacks, a lot of my interviewers have been asking this question relatively early on in the interview. Some even have asked me the moment I get into the room.

Is this a bad sign? I always feel like they haven't asked me anything at all... Am I turning them off so fast that they defer to this question? Or is this an interview strategy?

The question isn't a bad sign, but it coming out quickly is. It means you are unengaging.

I accepted an offer from a firm where the first partner I met with basically asked me two very quick questions then jumped to this. I generally wouldn't take it to mean anything. I actually thought I was insufficiently engaging, but in hindsight I think he just wanted me to do the work during the interview.

Desert Fox wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:For my callbacks, a lot of my interviewers have been asking this question relatively early on in the interview. Some even have asked me the moment I get into the room.

Is this a bad sign? I always feel like they haven't asked me anything at all... Am I turning them off so fast that they defer to this question? Or is this an interview strategy?

The question isn't a bad sign, but it coming out quickly is. It means you are unengaging.

I think this depends. If you're not a total social retard, you should be able to read the situation and tell if it's bad or good. If there's a short period of silence before the question, it's bad.

zugzwanger wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:For my callbacks, a lot of my interviewers have been asking this question relatively early on in the interview. Some even have asked me the moment I get into the room.

Is this a bad sign? I always feel like they haven't asked me anything at all... Am I turning them off so fast that they defer to this question? Or is this an interview strategy?

The question isn't a bad sign, but it coming out quickly is. It means you are unengaging.

I accepted an offer from a firm where the first partner I met with basically asked me two very quick questions then jumped to this. I generally wouldn't take it to mean anything. I actually thought I was insufficiently engaging, but in hindsight I think he just wanted me to do the work during the interview.

A law firm partner wanted someone his junior to do all the work? I don't believe it.

B.B. Homemaker wrote:

zugzwanger wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:For my callbacks, a lot of my interviewers have been asking this question relatively early on in the interview. Some even have asked me the moment I get into the room.

Is this a bad sign? I always feel like they haven't asked me anything at all... Am I turning them off so fast that they defer to this question? Or is this an interview strategy?

The question isn't a bad sign, but it coming out quickly is. It means you are unengaging.

I accepted an offer from a firm where the first partner I met with basically asked me two very quick questions then jumped to this. I generally wouldn't take it to mean anything. I actually thought I was insufficiently engaging, but in hindsight I think he just wanted me to do the work during the interview.

A law firm partner wanted someone his junior to do all the work? I don't believe it.

I had a callback where the only question was why x city, and the partner proceeded to explain why I should be looking at y city instead. And then asked me if I had any questions. Ended up with the offer. Its really no use trying to read into things...

sideroxylon wrote:some firms intentionally do this with most people they interview

have questions ready

Fuck a question. I figured out how to spin it into something else more engaging and memorable.

As a junior associate who has been doing a lot of CB interviews, if I can tell that the person is legit within 4-6 minutes, I will start recruiting them and asking them if they have questions is one way to talk more about the totally awesome firm/people/kool-aid.

So, I don't think it is a bad sign, even if it's early in the interview. Sometimes it means that I am bored though and have no interest in you. So who knows. Usually you know after a round of callbacks which interviews you crushed/failed/did fine.

Had a callback where this was the first thing out of 4 of the 6 interviewers' mouths. The other two asked me a couple questions (Why X city, what do you want to practice, etc) and then they jumped into "So what can we tell you about the firm?" Got an offer.

Was a firm with a high CB to offer ratio though so maybe they really were just trying to recruit me, I don't know. I would just make sure you have good questions in case this happens, but wouldn't neccessarily take it as a bad sign.

I've found that the opposite is often the case. I had a firm where half the interviewers only had me asking questions. I thought it wasn't going well but got an offer. I suspect they might do this when someone is among their top choices.

Agree with DF, but this is the kind of thing you shouldn't read into. The interviewer is also largely relevant here. If they didn't read your resume or are bored this is largely a way to not have to come up with questions.

I've asked this question early when:

I don't like your resume/cover letter/writing sample
I think your credentials are great
I think you need to be sold on working here
I am slammed at work and can't think of anything better to ask
Your answers are bad and I've given up
I'm interested in what you know about us and why you want to work here
I've been handed your resume 5 minutes before the interview and need filler as I continue to skim it

Asking this question early/late/never isn't a "tell" on how I am evaluating you, let alone something you can generalize about with multiple people and multiple employers.

dowu wrote:

sideroxylon wrote:some firms intentionally do this with most people they interview

have questions ready

Fuck a question. I figured out how to spin it into something else more engaging and memorable.

you're a lawyer now, dowu?

sideroxylon wrote:

dowu wrote:

sideroxylon wrote:some firms intentionally do this with most people they interview

have questions ready

Fuck a question. I figured out how to spin it into something else more engaging and memorable.

you're a lawyer now, dowu?

No

Not a bad sign. I think all my interviews have always ended with this question - the ones i've been offered and those I haven't.

From what I was told from Hiring partners pre-OCI (during 1L year and such). You always want to have a question for them, so save some in your back pocket and ask them after this question or when there is a point at the end (maybe in a later email as well). Shows your interest and that you're engaged.