New York Lawyer
September 11, 2003

Q:
A few weeks ago, I interviewed for an associate position at a large firm. During the interview we talked about my foreign language skills. I casually mentioned that I was reading Harry Potter in French to improve my facility in that language. The partner wasn't very pleased. She was somewhat taken aback and brushed off Harry Potter as something her children would read.

By the way, I didn't get the job...

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A:

This is what�s known as trying too hard.

In touting the virtues of Harry Potter for kids of all ages, as I�ve done in a past column, I wasn�t suggesting that you try to use Harry to help you land a job. Trying to impress a future employer with your knowledge of Harry en francais strikes me as misreading the opportunity to build a relationship. The partner was probably taken aback because your French pitch seemed an obvious effort to brag about your language skills, while telling her nothing about your legal ability. (Also, you don�t know that you didn�t get the job because of this blunder, although I�m sure it didn�t help.)

Relax and stop trying so hard. Firms will say bienvenue instead of sortez de mon bureau! (Roughly translated: �Get the hell out of my office!�).

Sincerely,
Holly English
Principal Consultant, Values at Work