Eight years in legal recruitment has left Mark Coates, manager, Taylor Root Hong Kong, in the position to offer useful tips to those currently searching for the right legal job. His number one tip for things to do once the interview has been secured? In one word: preparation. “It sounds obvious but preparation is key.  We hear of so many candidates who go to interview without properly researching their interviewer's background or the role they are interviewing for,” he said.

Hand in hand with preparation is the ability to sell oneself in front of the interviewing panel. Coates called lawyers an ‘introverted bunch’ for the most part and said he encourages all candidates to come in to the office and practise their technique. “It’s amazing how a personality can come out after a few dress rehearsals!” he added.

Coates also often has to assure candidates that he and his team only call them to interviews when they feel they will be right for the job. “We hear plenty of stories of candidates being hounded by recruiters trying to force them in to jobs they are not suitable for.”  This doesn't help anyone, according to Coates.