Weird Interview Format? Partners "screener" --> Partners + Associates "callback"? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Anyone ever have anything like this? Firm has about 75 total attorneys across three offices, non-major market. I had what felt like a 30 minute Zoom "screener" with 3 partners, one being the managing partner. It wasn't phrased as a screener or anything and honestly I thought it'd be the only interview, but a few days ago they asked for another Zoom interview, this time with the same 3 partners, two additional partners, and 2-3 associates. Any thoughts on what to expect or tips on how to approach it?

[Anonymous User]

I guess I cannot speak for all firms, but from both my experience interviewing candidates and being the interviewee, this doesn't sound uncommon. I feel like most places try and use both associates and partners for the callback portion of the interview. I think usually a partner and associate team for screeners is more typical, but you are past that now.

I think the answer on how you prepare is, well, the same as you did for the initial interview unless they sent you specific questions beforehand.

[Anonymous User]

I''ve had several interview progressions like this in the last few months. With one firm, I had a screener with an associate and then an interview with the partner who was head of the practice group, which I thought was the final interview. Then I had a third interview with several partners and associates at once. But normally it's been one or two partners as the screener and then a mix of partners and associates as the callback.

[publius365]

Not unsurprising, especially for a small firm in a non-major market.