Mastering Your Elevator Pitch
“Tell me about yourself.” It’s the most common question in any interview. While it may seem like a softball question, your response sets the tone for the conversation and can shape the interviewer’s impression within the first few minutes. Here are the tips we give every candidate before an interview.
Treat it like an elevator pitch.
In an interview, you are your own advocate. You’re selling the firm your personal brand and the “tell me about yourself” question is the perfect opportunity to deliver a thoughtful elevator pitch. It should be concise, compelling, and logical. This is your opportunity to show the interviewer how you’ve thought about your career and where you’re headed.
Start with your professional education, unless there’s a better hook.
For most candidates, your story should begin with law school or another form of professional training. If you had a previous career or earned a specialized degree, those can be strong starting points as well. Occasionally, an element of your background—like your upbringing or early influences—may be worth including, but only if it’s relevant, meaningful, and adds dimension to your story.
Weave a clear through line.
Your path may not be linear, and that’s okay. What matters is that it makes sense. Each step in your career should build on the last and lead logically to why you’re interviewing at this particular firm.
Here’s an example:
I joined A firm to do Y work. While I enjoyed my time there, I realized I wanted to do more W so I moved to B firm.
At B firm, I gained exposure to W work and Z clients, and developed a real interest in V industry. Now, I’m looking for a firm where I can focus my practice exclusively on V industry.
It should be polished and practiced.
Because this question is so common, it’s okay if your response sounds a tiny bit rehearsed. In fact, we encourage you to practice speaking your response out loud until it feels natural. Record yourself. Practice in front of a friend. Say it out loud on a walk. The interview should not be the first time you’re saying it out loud.
A strong pitch preempts follow-up questions.
A well-structured elevator pitch often addresses common follow-ups, like why you're leaving your current firm or what you’re looking for next. When done well, it helps guide the interview in a direction you can confidently navigate.
Crafting a strong elevator pitch takes thought, practice, and strategy but it's one of the most effective tools you have in a legal interview. When done well, it tells your story, clarifies your goals, and sets you apart from other candidates. Take the time to refine yours—it’s worth it.
