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How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 1:20 pm
by Anonymous User
I have two final CBs coming up next week. yes, ive done ALL the mass mailing. I'm pretty sure this is my last shot. How do I not come off as desperate while also trying to make these firms know they are my number 1 choice? one of them does same day offers and i'd love to just say i'd accept an offer on the spot, but this may come sound out as desperate. any advice for showing my undoubted interest without coming off as desperate?

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 1:22 pm
by Desert Fox
Anonymous User wrote:I have two final CBs coming up next week. yes, ive done ALL the mass mailing. I'm pretty sure this is my last shot. How do I not come off as desperate while also trying to make these firms know they are my number 1 choice? one of them does same day offers and i'd love to just say i'd accept an offer on the spot, but this may come sound out as desperate. any advice for showing my undoubted interest without coming off as desperate?
Seem exited about working at their firm, have good reasons for why them, etc. etc. Seem cheerie.

Just don't say anything stupid and you'll be fine.

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 1:24 pm
by Anonymous User
Desert Fox wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:I have two final CBs coming up next week. yes, ive done ALL the mass mailing. I'm pretty sure this is my last shot. How do I not come off as desperate while also trying to make these firms know they are my number 1 choice? one of them does same day offers and i'd love to just say i'd accept an offer on the spot, but this may come sound out as desperate. any advice for showing my undoubted interest without coming off as desperate?
Seem exited about working at their firm, have good reasons for why them, etc. etc. Seem cheerie.

Just don't say anything stupid and you'll be fine.
is the accept on the spot thing still no bueno? i can do acting cheerie haha

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 1:24 pm
by Desert Fox
Anonymous User wrote:
Desert Fox wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:I have two final CBs coming up next week. yes, ive done ALL the mass mailing. I'm pretty sure this is my last shot. How do I not come off as desperate while also trying to make these firms know they are my number 1 choice? one of them does same day offers and i'd love to just say i'd accept an offer on the spot, but this may come sound out as desperate. any advice for showing my undoubted interest without coming off as desperate?
Seem exited about working at their firm, have good reasons for why them, etc. etc. Seem cheerie.

Just don't say anything stupid and you'll be fine.
is the accept on the spot thing still no bueno? i can do acting cheerie haha
If you want to accept on the spot, go ahead. But don't tell them that ahead of time.

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 1:29 pm
by TooOld4This
Show, don't tell. Be enthusiastic. Figure out why you really want to work there. Do not say you will accept on the spot.

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 1:33 pm
by Anonymous User
thanks for the advice, figured that was not good. ive done some mocks recently and apparently when i sound enthusiastic i tend to talk really loud so im trying to be enthused without being super loud lol

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 1:37 pm
by charliekelly33
Anonymous User wrote:thanks for the advice, figured that was not good. ive done some mocks recently and apparently when i sound enthusiastic i tend to talk really loud so im trying to be enthused without being super loud lol
Talk like this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDp-KA7-hnY

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 2:05 pm
by Pikappraider
I got and accepted an offer from my number one choice after telling the head of recruiting and one of my interviewers (hiring partner) that they were my number one choice and I would be prepared to accept an offer if given the opportunity to do so. Make sure you have a good story for why that firm as both asked me immediately after I said that. Good luck hope you crush the callbacks

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 2:09 pm
by Anonymous User
Pikappraider wrote:I got and accepted an offer from my number one choice after telling the head of recruiting and one of my interviewers (hiring partner) that they were my number one choice and I would be prepared to accept an offer if given the opportunity to do so. Make sure you have a good story for why that firm as both asked me immediately after I said that. Good luck hope you crush the callbacks
thanks!!! but oh no, differing opinions. I think maybe i'll feel it out. perhaps if they ask me why this firm over other area firms, i can say this is my number one choice in the area. maybe. lol.

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 2:10 pm
by Desert Fox
[youtube]FltRUoAaGdo[/youtube]

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 2:15 pm
by Pikappraider
Desert Fox wrote:[youtube]FltRUoAaGdo[/youtube]
Haha that was awesome

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 2:16 pm
by Desert Fox
Pikappraider wrote:
Desert Fox wrote:[youtube]FltRUoAaGdo[/youtube]
Haha that was awesome
In case OP doesn't get the job, this one is applicable.

[youtube]DeMXf_g7y3o[/youtube]

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 2:32 pm
by Anonymous User
hahaha im getting both jobs!!! at least that's what I need to tell myself.

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 4:15 pm
by Pikappraider
Don't know if this is bad advice or what but I went into all my callbacks like I already had the job and was just very enthused and tried to ask non canned questions. I honestly think people way over think these interviews and get themselves in trouble. It's important to do some research but I did better with the firms I researched relatively little than the ones where I gunned and was like reading articles written by the partners and shit

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 4:54 pm
by NotMyRealName09
Pikappraider wrote:
Desert Fox wrote:[youtube]FltRUoAaGdo[/youtube]
Haha that was awesome
I liked it because I could see my office from there.

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 5:16 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:
Pikappraider wrote:I got and accepted an offer from my number one choice after telling the head of recruiting and one of my interviewers (hiring partner) that they were my number one choice and I would be prepared to accept an offer if given the opportunity to do so. Make sure you have a good story for why that firm as both asked me immediately after I said that. Good luck hope you crush the callbacks
thanks!!! but oh no, differing opinions. I think maybe i'll feel it out. perhaps if they ask me why this firm over other area firms, i can say this is my number one choice in the area. maybe. lol.
I also told someone during the course of my callback that the firm was my #1 choice and that I would accept an offer if I was fortunate enough to receive one. I got the offer, and did indeed accept on the spot.

That being said, I only told them because I was directly asked "Where does FIRM X rank on your list of possible employers?" I wouldn't go in there with the attitude that definitely you will say it at some point, because chances are it will come off as desperate/awkward. However, if the opportunity presents itself, I don't see the harm. Just be sure you can back up why it's your first choice, as I was pressed about it after I said it was my #1.

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 5:57 pm
by TooOld4This
Yes, obviously if the interviewer pitches you the question that would be awkward to answer if you didn't say the firm was your number one choice, you can go there. But waltzing in in October and volunteering that this is your number one choice and you would accept on the spot basically screams "because you are my last chance and I am desperate."

Responding to a question they pose = not desperate
Volunteering the information toward the end of the hiring cycle = desperate

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 6:52 pm
by Pikappraider
I 100% agree with both of the above posts. I went into it thinking I would say it but waited until the opportunity presented itself. This was also in August and the timeline difference between now and then may look more desperate at this point. OP, you made it to law school and did well enough to get multiple callbacks so just use your judgment. I would say it if there is an opening, but dont force it.

Re: How to Not act desperate in interviews

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 6:57 pm
by Anonymous User
Sorry to hijack the thread but I had a related question. I will be doing two skype interviews with peer firms in a secondary market next week. When they ask me where I'm looking or if I looked at any other markets in the region should I mention that I am also interviewing with their peer firm but would rather choose theirs or just try and be vague and dodge the question if I can.