Expressing Passion And Work Ethic On Interviews

One of the most common challenges we encounter with candidates is a lack of true passion and drive. While skills and qualifications matter, top employers in Big Law are looking for candidates who not only have a positive attitude and strong intellect, but who also bring energy and a genuine passion for their work. It’s about having a desire to work hard and collaborate effectively in a team environment. Far too often, we meet candidates who excel academically and have impressive experience but struggle to show the enthusiasm and motivation necessary to push themselves and their teams toward success.

In my years of experience as a recruiter, I can quickly identify candidates who will be well-received by some of the best firms in the country—often, this doesn’t require them to come from a peer firm. What truly stands out is not just experience but the passion to work hard, succeed, and push beyond the basics. This enthusiasm needs to be communicated in a poised, professional, and organized way.

Many candidates tell us that all they need is an interview, claiming they shine once they’re in front of people. While that may be true to an extent, there’s still a strategic way to approach the process from start to finish—even if the candidate’s confidence is high.

Unfortunately, many attorneys can be strong-willed, and it’s those who are open to advice—especially from a recruiter with years of experience—who tend to succeed in the interview process. There are a few rare candidates who already have it all figured out, but they are exceptions, not the rule.

One thing is clear: if you’re on a call with me to discuss an upcoming interview and I hear distractions in the background—papers shuffling, the oven turning on, or the toilet flushing—you're not taking the process seriously. These candidates rarely get hired (or if they do, it’s usually through connections rather than merit), because they haven’t learned the proper etiquette necessary to succeed in a competitive interview process that often involves impressing a variety of people.