Not every attorney is cut out to work for a large-scale practice. To determine how suited you are to the practice of law in a large firm, consider the following three statements. Decide whether each is true or false of you.

1. I am more drawn to issues involving people and human behaviour than to data, theory and numbers.
2. I prefer to work on concrete, relatively short-term projects, rather than to analyse complicated issues that can take years to resolve.
3. I would rather gather information and communicate with others orally than use written methods.

If you answered false to any of these statements, you’re ready to work at a large law firm. Here’s why:

1. In 1980, corporations first surpassed individuals as the primary consumers of legal services. These entities overwhelming turn to large law firms for legal assistance. As a result, most work handled by large law firms today involves the transfer of money and not the personal concerns of people. (There are, of course, exceptions, especially in adoption, immigration, criminal, elder, marital, professional licensing and employment law matters.)
2. The democratisation of information caused by advances in technology has lessened the public's need to pay lawyers for advice on routine matters. Lawyers in large firms now earn most of their fees by analysing complex fact situations or those without black-and-white legal conclusions. This type of problem-solving requires in-depth analysis, accumulated through many hours of review and research.
3. Oral communication in large law firm practice is limited to depositions, telephone calls, client conferences, negotiation, mediation and court appearances. Even for experienced lawyers, the need to keep records of conversations and to report to clients, opposing counsel, the court and colleagues make writing a big part of the day’s work.

A successful law career begins with a winning interview. Here are some tips to help you make a positive and lasting first impression.

• Nothing comes across better in an interview than enthusiasm. Don't hold back on communicating how much you look forward to doing this kind of work.
• Share your vision. Employers look for candidates with forward vision and goals - beyond paying off your student loan or making loads of money!
• Be yourself. Don’t try and be the person you think your employer wants you to be. Work on being the best version of yourself.
• EQ vs. IQ. Where companies used to focus their staff selection criteria on hard skills such as academic qualifications and industry knowledge, today there is an increasing demand for ‘soft’ skills like empathy, assertiveness and social acumen. Don’t be shy to emphasise your emotional intelligence.
• Find work that fascinates you. Remember, employers are looking for people with passion. And that can’t be feigned. If there’s an area of law that interests you, pursue it. Your passion will reveal itself in the interview.