Students reflect on their recruit experiences
Though Ultra Vires traditionally surveys 2L Toronto recruit experiences, this year we are pleased to publish the results of our inaugural articling recruit student survey. Eleven students responded to our survey. Their responses have been anonymized and reproduced below.
Past Recruit Experience
Over 75 percent of the respondents participated in the previous year’s Toronto 2L summer student recruit, but 70 percent of these students did not accept a job offer in that recruit. Nevertheless, every respondent was employed during their 2L summer across various sectors, including legal clinics, full-service firms, specialized boutiques, and positions offered through the Law School Summer Employment Program (LSSEP).
Most students reported that the recruit process was minimally disruptive to their employment responsibilities, though some experienced significant upheaval.
Career Development Office (CDO) Services
Nearly every respondent consulted with the CDO in some capacity to prepare for the recruit. Most students found the CDO’s support indispensable:
Rachel [Weiner] was amazing. Super helpful in reviewing my materials/interview practice, but more importantly she has a very positive energy that made me feel really supported and encouraged.
The group info sessions, resume reviews, and mock interviews were all indispensable. Although the recruitment process can be stressful, I was at least able to go into it feeling prepared.
Neil [Dennis] was fantastic. Offered great insight into the market and my options.
I would be lost without Rachel’s knowledge about different employers, particularly government and public interest employers, and advice on preparing for these different kinds of interviews.
However, some were dissatisfied with the CDO’s efforts to help students interested in public interest opportunities:
- “Very unhelpful for progressive employment opportunities [and] support.”
Networking
Approximately 64 percent of respondents had virtual coffee chats with at least one participating employer, while only one respondent attended an office tour or firm information session. Overall, respondents had mixed opinions on the necessity and effectiveness of networking.
Super helpful to learn about the kind of work articling students and junior associates do and get excited about employers, but less instrumental for the sake of name dropping.
Wish it wasn’t so necessary.
It seems to matter more to some firms than others, but it never hurts.
I don’t enjoy doing it and not sure if it actually helps, but it seems to help others so maybe I’m just doing it wrong lol.
F*ck networking.
Articling Recruit Results
Respondents applied to a varying number of employers, ranging from five on the low end to 60 on the high end. The average was 30 employers per applicant, which resulted in an average of 10.6 interview offers and 2.1 job offers. Ultimately, students found jobs at large full-service law firms, boutiques, and with government employers.
Articling Recruit Experience
Overall, students were satisfied with the outcomes they achieved in the recruit but reported feeling drained by the entire process.
I got an offer that I’m extremely happy with and feel like I made the right choice accepting that offer.”
I ended up at my first choice firm and my summer experience was exactly what I had hoped for.
I’m really happy and grateful that I finally have a job! I can now 3LOL. I’m still not used to saying “I will be doing x…” and still accidentally say things like “I think I will be doing x… or I’m trying to do x…” a lot. The process was exhausting so honestly, I feel very lucky.
I’m happy I got an offer, but the entire process was very stressful.
Got a job somewhere I’m ok with but the process took ten years off my life.
Some participants were put off by the behaviour of certain employers during the process, though 87.5 percent of respondents did not report experiencing any uncomfortable or inappropriate interactions.
The ‘first choice’ language was explicitly asked from one employer, which I’m pretty sure they’re not allowed to do.
Did not make me uncomfy but some were obviously geared for white/affluent students only and not reflective of diverse applicants.
One employer called before 8am on call day to schedule and insisted on in-person interviews (instead of many firms indicating a strong preference but willingness to accommodate).
When asked to comment on Law Society of Ontario (LSO) recruitment procedures, responses were overwhelmingly negative.
While I am happy I was successful, the process is unnecessarily stressful and creates a situation that allows firms to push students around.
I don’t know why different provinces have to have different interview weeks. It’s not the LSO’s fault, but I really wish all the law societies could sit together and solve this.
Probably the most ridiculous process I’ve ever been forced to partake in. From applications to call day to interviews to offers everything is designed to be the most stressful and least easy thing possible. I hate it.
Advice for Future Participants
Many respondents offered words of encouragement, nuggets of advice, and warnings to those looking to participate in future articling recruits.
Improving your grades in 2L will help significantly if you weren’t very successful in 2L OCIs. Also, there are a few firms/places that do articling recruiting immediately after the formal LSO recruit so keep a look out!
Know yourself and follow the processes that work best for you.
Get help from the CDO as much as you can. Stay in touch with your non-law friends/family who will remind you how great you are and that you can do this!
Take care of yourself, know the story you want to tell, and do your best to stay confident and enthusiastic. As cheesy (and easier said than done) it sounds, take this as an opportunity to meet a lot of cool lawyers, hear about their work, and put your best foot forward!
Be calm! Nothing is as high stakes as everyone wants to make it seem. You’ll be ok.
