Michael Cockburn (2L)
In the weeks beforehand, the students went about their days in a desperate search for quantification. What grades did you get? What volunteer clinic were you working for? Was that your first choice? What was your course load like? Did it show enough of an interest in corporate? How did your work experience stack up? Did you go to McGill? No? Western? Oh fuck, that sucks eh? Haha jk man. Anyway, how many firms did you apply to? Only 30? Did you apply to those New York firms? No? Oh, right the grades. How many interviews did you get here? You bought a navy blue suit? Did you know that statistically it made you more hireable over a black or a grey suit? That’s why I got one too. What tie you get? Oh, dark red? Same man. Ah well, shit, good luck right? Get enough type A personalities in a room together and it was inevitable.
The interviews were okay though. You stand in a line for a few minutes in the waiting room before your timeslot, your left hand shakes a bit on the first go. Everyone looks meekly at everyone else and we make bad jokes about not knowing what the fuck we’re doing. A rep from the CDO marshals you forward and, after adjusting your tie and checking your hair one last time you parade out, hoping your power posture is up to snuff. You walk into a room and thankfully remember how to properly shake a hand, and you sit. All of a sudden everything is fine. They ask a bunch of questions and they’re all about you. As you talk you remember how dope you used to think you were. Everyone seems interested in you. It’s great. Every single time you come out saying “hey, that went really well.” The day ends and you go home. Wash, rinse, and repeat.
The good feelings last until you remember that intent to calls are a thing. The desperate search for quantification begins anew. Has this firm sent out emails yet? They did? Shit. Why you and not me? What grades did you get? What volunteer clinic were you working for?
Whatever. We all signed up for this I guess, and we all go through it. Something will come up in the next week or two that’ll give you some perspective and you’ll remember it’s all fine.
