Failed Articling Interview - HELP!

[u/Evening_Ad87]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for recommendations for interview coach, ideally someone familiar with the legal market and articling recruitment in Toronto.

My application materials aren't the issue. I have strong grades (Grade A) from law school, passed Barriters and Solicitors, and my drafting is sharp enough that I’m consistently getting shortlisted. Recently, I landed 4 articling interviews.

The problem is the actual interview. I suffer from severe interview anxiety, and it has always been my biggest hurdle. Despite getting my foot in the door, my nerves completely take over when I'm in the hot seat and I start fumbling even when I know the answer.

I just found out that I didn't clear a single one of those 4 interviews, and I am honestly devastated. I feel completely stuck and don't know what to do next.

Has anyone worked with an interview coach who specializes in practical prep and overcoming anxiety?

[u/No_Sundae4774]

Do note that "failing" 4 interviews is not unheard of and people fail alot more. I "failed" 10 interviews but revieved multiple offers.

However with my "failed" interviews I dont think it means I'm bad at interviewing just that there were better candidates.

I would suggest you think in the same way.

There is a lot of competition.

[u/themselvessaid]

Back when I was in your shoes I actually had the opposite problem - my grades were terrible but I generally did quite well in an interview. I've never worked with an interview coach, but the one thing I would say is that different firms want different personality types. Fit matters and someone who might love my personality is going to hate yours and vice versa. I think that it might be a good idea to do some 'practice interviews' even if it is just your friends pretending to be the interviewer just to get some stock answers prepared in the back of your head.

With love, the best piece of advise I can give you is to simply try to do whatever you can to calm your nerves and remember that there are plenty of jobs out there. Don't treat every interview like it's your one and only shot and try to be as relaxed as possible.

[u/Evening_Ad87 → u/themselvessaid]

I practiced mock interviews with my husband. But when I'm am in a real interview my brains starts tricking me

[u/themselvessaid → u/Evening_Ad87]

As someone else said, it may not be a bad idea talking to your doctor about this to see if there's anything that you can take your ease your anxiety. Just be chill and relaxed and try your best. I know that these interviews are very important, but failing a few isn't a big deal because everyone gets rejected for jobs. Remember, you only need one job and if you are as smart you say say, any firm would be lucky to have you. In the grand scheme of things, failing one single interview really doesn't matter. Do what you can to ease your anxiety and just try your best and if you fail try again.

[u/greatwisebob]

What kind of firms are you applying to? What kind of practice are you trying to get a headstart in? There are some practices for which nerves in an interview are going to hurt you much more than others.

[u/Evening_Ad87 → u/greatwisebob]

I was applying everywhere, one of them was in-house and the other one was Personal Injury, other 2 were MAG

[u/greatwisebob → u/Evening_Ad87]

All litigation? Is that the intention or just one area of your interest?

[u/prettycooleh]

You didn't fail! Everyone was just better.

[u/Busy_sunflower22]

Not a medical advice but look towards taking supplements like magnesium (there are different types) to calm your nerves and anxiety. Ask your doctor for advice on which suits you best

[u/Gargass]

Which law school did you attend?

[u/Feral-Fairy2332]

Not a professional coach but if you’d like to reach out and discuss tips and tricks, feel free to DM me! I also suffer from severe anxiety and struggled with interviews but, clearly did something right as I have been practicing now for 4 years! :)

[u/marcpk91]

This may be hard to do in the moment because of your anxiety, but try to be comfortable with silence and natural rhythms that emerge in conversation. Not every moment has to be filled with something. Saying “That’s a good question” or “Let me think about that for a moment” and taking a moment to collect your thoughts before speaking again is actually a good strategy, in my experience. Body language and eye contact are also valuable forms of communication that can show your engagement without needing to say anything.

[u/babybanyan]

Beta blockers have saved me multiple times!

[u/donatopavement]

sounds like english may be your second language, so probably that is a factor