Fabian Sani Esq@FabianSani8
I remember few weeks after my Call to the Bar, I went for an interview at a SAN’s office in Ikoyi. To this day, it remains the worst interview experience I’ve ever had.
I arrived properly dressed and sat at the reception while waiting to be called. After a while, a Senior Advocate walked in with two other people. What surprised me was that he was wearing jeans and a T-shirt on a workday, so I had no idea he was the SAN.
Out of respect, I bowed my head slightly and said, “Good afternoon, sir.”
He asked politely if I was a client. I told him no, that I was there for an interview.
Suddenly his tone changed. He raised his voice and said,
“Oh, you’re a lawyer and you can’t stand up to greet me?”
In my mind I was thinking, why should I jump up to greet someone I don’t even know, especially someone dressed casually like that? But of course I stood up and said, “Sorry, sir.”
He then went on to emphasize that he was a SAN and that a young lawyer like me should know how to greet elders properly.
Honestly, in that moment I felt shame, anger, and disgust all at once. I just wanted to leave the place as quickly as possible.
They later brought out a written test and said I had 30 minutes to complete it. I didn’t even spend five minutes. I just marked answers randomly and submitted it. My ride was already waiting outside and I was heading out when someone rushed after me saying the SAN wanted to see me.
So I went back.
He started a long lecture about respect and how young lawyers must greet elders properly. I didn’t even bother answering most of his questions because, at that point, I had already lost interest.
I eventually told him, “Sir, I already made a first impression with you, and I don’t think I stand a chance here.”
He continued explaining how important it is to greet elders, but in my mind I kept thinking: If I had been a client instead of a young lawyer looking for a job, would he have raised his voice like that?
After that, they asked me to wait downstairs for the proper interview with the practice manager of the oil and gas firm. When she asked why I wanted to leave, I simply told her I was no longer interested.
And that was it. I left.
The supposed salary was ₦500,000, but honestly I had no regrets walking away. I couldn’t imagine working in an environment like that.
My only regret till today is that I didn’t walk out the moment he raised his voice at me.
