Preparing For Public Interest Interviews

• Familiarize yourself with the organization's mission and work 
  • Start by exploring the organization's website, which is often the best source of information about their mission, practice areas, major accomplishments, and recent projects. Be sure to review key sections such as "Mission," "About Us," "Practice Areas," "News," and "Press Releases" to gain a thorough understanding of their work and priorities. 
  • Supplement your research by reviewing the organization's social media pages, if available, for information on their current priorities and insights into their culture. 
• Understand the issues that shape the employer's work
  • Read about current events and advocacy efforts relevant to the organization's work. Prepare 1-2 questions that show you've thought about how these developments might impact the organization's priorities or approach. This shows that you're not just invested in the role, but also in the organization's broader impact and purpose. 
• Research your interviewer(s)
  • If you know who will be interviewing you, take a moment to research their role, areas of practice, notable work, and career path. 
  • If you come across any personal, non-work-related information, do not mention it during the interview. 
  • Refrain from sending LinkedIn connection requests to your interviewer(s) before or after the interview, unless invited. 
• Leverage your network
  • Talk with OCPD, classmates, alumni, or faculty who have prior experience or connections to the organization. Their firsthand insights can provide valuable context beyond what's available online, helping you prepare more effectively for your interview. 

A strong personal narrative helps interviewers understand who you are, what drives you, and why you're a great fit for their organization. It's more than just an answer to "Tell me about yourself." Your story should be woven throughout the interview. The more clearly you understand how the position you're interviewing for connects with your motivations, experiences, and goals, the more naturally and confidently you'll be able to respond to any question. 

Your narrative should connect: 

• Who you are: Your core motivations, values, or background that shape your interest in public interest work. 
• What you've done: Key experiences (e.g., volunteer work, internships, clinics, or coursework) that demonstrate your skills and commitment relevant to the role 
• Why you're here:  What you hope to do accomplish (e.g., the type of work, communities, or systemic change you want to pursue), why this organization and position are compelling to you, and how they align with the impact you're seeking to make. 

The more you can show alignment between your values and experiences and the mission and needs of the organization, the stronger and more compelling your narrative will be. 

As you prepare your narrative, reflect on: 

• Why this organization, and what about their mission or model resonates with you? 
• Why these clients or communities? 
• Why this role or type of advocacy? 
• Why you? What strengths or perspectives do you bring?
• How does this position fit into your path?

One common mistake students make when answering interview questions such as "Tell me about yourself" is simply reciting their resume or sharing their full life story without connecting their experiences or motivations to the role or organization. Public interest interviewers aren't just looking for a list of past activities. They want to understand why you're drawn to their work and how your background prepares you to contribute. Failing to make that connection can leave your answer feeling unfocused. You also miss an important opportunity to demonstrate why you're the best candidate for the role. 

• Contact OCPD to schedule a mock interview. These can be done in person, by phone, or video.  
• Review and practice your responses to common public interest interview questions with OCPD, your friends, or on your own. 
• Use the job description or posting to anticipate organization- or role-specific questions.
• Avoid memorizing your responses to prevent sounding overly rehersed. 
• Make a list of key things you want the employer to know about you before the end of your interview. Practice weaving them into your responses. 
• Know your materials. Be prepared to discuss anything on your resume and cover letter. If you submitted a writing sample, review it carefully beforehand and be ready to answer any related questions clearly and concisely. 
• Be prepared to discuss gaps in your resume, lower grades, or other challenging questions that may arise regarding your academic or professional record. 

Interview formats vary widely, and there is no uniform interview style. Summer internship interviews are typically shorter and involve just one round, while postgraduate interviews may be longer and consist of multiple rounds. You might meet one-on-one with an attorney or HR professional, interview several people back-to-back, or face a group of interviewers at once. Interviews may take place in person, by phone, or via video, so clarify the format ahead of time to ensure you’re prepared.

Interview styles will also differ. On one end of the spectrum are conversational interviews, which feel more like a discussion, with back-and-forth dialogue. On the other end are highly structured interviews, where each candidate is asked the same predetermined set of questions to ensure consistency and reduce bias. In these cases, interviewers may not deviate from their script, which can feel more formal but is designed to ensure fairness. Many interviewers fall somewhere in between, blending structure with moments of natural conversation.

Employers also vary in the types of questions they ask. Some focus on background-based questions about your experiences, qualifications, and motivation for joining the organization. Others rely heavily on behavioral questions, which ask how you’ve handled situations in the past. For certain roles, particularly for permanent positions with prosecutor and public defender offices, you may be asked to respond to hypotheticals or participate in role-playing exercises.

Talk to others who have previously interviewed with the organization to gain insight into what to expect. Just keep in mind that interview formats and styles can vary between hiring cycles and depending on the position which you're interviewing for. 

• Begin the interview by introducing yourself with a warm greeting, a confident (but not aggressive) handshake, and good eye contact.  
• Practice active listening. Don't interrupt or start forming your answer before the interviewer finishes speaking. 
• It is perfectly fine to take a few seconds to gather your thoughts before answering a question. A thoughtful pause is better than jumping in with a rushed or unfocused response. 
• If you do not understand a question, ask for clarification. Don't guess at what the interviewer meant. 
• If asked an illegal or offensive question, you are not required to answer. Politely explain that you are not comfortable discussing that topic and ask, "Is there another question I can answer?" Inappropriate questions include questions about religious or political affiliation, age, marital or family status, disability status, etc. 
• Be mindful of your body language. Sit up straight, maintain eye contact, and aim to project calm confidence. Avoid crossing your arms or fidgeting. If you tend to fidgit with items such as your jewelry, a pen, or your hair when nervous, consider removing or minimizing distractions before the interview. 
• Avoid excessive use of "um," "like," "you know," and other fillers. 
• If in a group interview, direct your response initially to the person who asked the question, but make eye contact with the others as well. 
• Use specific, relevant examples to illustrate your experience and skills. Don't speak in generalities. 
• Never speak negatively about past employers, coworkers, or experiences. If asked about a difficult situation, focus on how you handled it and what you learned. 
• We recommend coming up with 2-4 questions for the employer if given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of your interview. 
• If not mentioned at the end of the interview, it is appropriate to ask about the hiring timeline. This question should not count as one of the questions you prepare for the employer. 

• Carefully review any instructions you've been provided with about the interview day, such as where to check in, what to bring, or any security protocols. Do not wait until the day of the interview to review this in case anything is unclear and you need to reach out in advance of your interview for clarification.
• Dress neatly and professionally. Even if the office culture is typically casual, it is important to wear business attire for your interview. First impressions matter and professional dress shows respect and seriousness about the opportunity. 
• Arrive early. Plan to arrive at the employer's building about 30 minutes before your interview to allow time for parking, security, and finding your way. However, only go up to the interview location about 10 minutes before your scheduled time unless you've been instructed otherwise. 
• Be polite and respectful to everyone you meet as they may have sway in hiring decisions, even if they are not involved in your interview. Details of a rude interaction with support staff or others you come across in the building can (and often will) make their way to the hiring manager. 
• Bring copies of your resume and any other materials you submitted as part of your application. If you were asked to bring a list of references or writing sample with you, remember to bring them.  
• Avoid reading from notes during the interview itself, but it is perfectly fine to have a few prepared questions written down to refer to at the end if you forget them. 

• Know the date, time, and who will be calling whom. Clarify the time zone if needed. 
• Choose a quiet location where you won't be interrupted. 
• If using a cell phone, make sure your phone is fully charged and has strong reception. Turn off notifications to avoid interruptions. 
• Since your interviewer can't see you, your voice matters even more. Speak at a steady pace, avoid mumbling, and don't forget to smile. Smiling can actually help you sound more enthusiastic and engaged. 
• Some students will have notes available during interviews. A phone interview allows you to discreetly refer to these documents, but make sure you are not reading directly from the page. 
• Do not multitask. It may be tempting to check emails or open tabs, but stay fully focused. Interviewers can tell when you're distracted. 
• Take brief pauses before responding. Without visual cues, it can be harder to tell when someone is done speaking. 
• Sit up straight and maintain good posture. This helps improve your focus and energy. Some people also find it helpful to stand during phone interviews. 

• Test your tech. Check your internet connection, camera, and microphone the day before and again the morning of the interview. Make sure the platform is downloaded, updated, and working on your device. Do not use your phone to log onto a virtual interview. 
• Find a quiet place with minimal background noise and a neutral, uncluttered background. Avoid virtual backgrounds if possible, as they can be distracting or glitchy. 
• Make sure your face is well-lit. Position your camera at eye level, so you appear engaged and professional. 
• Wear the same interview-appropriate outfit you would for an in-person interview. Dressing fully can help you mentally switch into "interview mode."
• Silence your phone, disable notifications, and close all unnecessary tabs or programs. 
• Ask roomates or family members to avoid interrupting during your interview time. 
• If you do not have a quiet space to conduct your interview, contact OCPD. With advance notice, you can reserve an interview room in our office during business hours. You may also be able to reserve a room in the library.  
• Make eye contact (virtually). Look at the camera, not your own image, when speaking to simulate direct eye contact. Nod or smile occassionally to show you're listening and engaged. 
• Have a backup plan. If your internet cuts out or the platform fails, have a phone number or email address ready to contact the interviewer immediately. 
• Treat it like a real interview. Arrive (log on) 5 minutes early (unless directed otherwise) and greet the interviewer(s) warmly. 

Sending a thank you note after your interview is an important step that shows appreciation, reinforces your interest in the role, and helps you leave a lasting impression. 

• Send your thank you note within 24 hours of the interview. 
• Email is perfectly acceptable (and often preferred due to timing). 
• Keep it brief but thoughtful. Thank the interviewer(s) for their time, mention something specific you appreciated or learned during the conversation, and reaffirm your enthusiasm for the position and organization. 
• If you were interviewed by multiple people, it is perfectly acceptable to send one thank you note addressed to everyone. If you have the names and contact information for each interviewer, you can send the thank you email to the entire group. If you do not have contact information for everyone, send the thank you email to your primary contact and express your appreciation for the time spent with all the interviewers. You can politely ask that your thanks be shared with the rest of the interview team. 
• If the employer requested additional materials during the interview (e.g., writing sample, references, or transcript) be sure to include those in your thank you email. 
• Proofread carefully before sending. 

If the employer provided a timeline for their decision and you haven't heard back by then, it is appropriate to follow up wiht a brief and polite email. If no specific timeframe was given, you may follow up approximately two weeks after the interview. 

If you receive another offer in the meantime, reach out to the employer to inform them of your situation. Express your continued interest and ask when they anticipate making a decision. 

Be honest in your communication. Do not tell an employer they are your top choice unless that is truly the case and never say this to more than one organization. 

Accepting a job or internship offer should be treated as a final decision. Therefore, you must withdraw all outstanding applications with other employers. This helps preserve your professional reputation and ensures that other candidates can be considered.