Advice for students unsuccessful in the 2L Toronto Recruit
With reading week approaching, we are entering a time that most 2Ls dread the most – the 2L Recruit. Last year, I spent countless hours seizing every opportunity to coffee chat and have mock interviews with the CDO, upper-year students, friends, and anyone else I could get my hands on in preparation for in-firms. My greatest fear was the possibility of failing the Recruit.
Of course, the worst did happen, and I had a very silent 5 pm. I felt humiliated. I was so confident that I would secure a job, but I ended up being the only one among my close friends who was unsuccessful. I swore my friends to secrecy, instructing them that if anyone asked about me, they were to lie and say they had forgotten the name of my firm.
To make matters worse, someone in my year decided to make a relatively public list of where everyone ended up, including people who had failed the recruit and at what stages. Hot Tip: Try to consider people’s feelings and not be this person – there’s no reason to track your entire cohort’s results from the recruit. While it felt as if my world was ending, I ended up securing a job the following week – life goes on.
So here is my last-minute advice on what NOT to do during the recruit, and some tips for if you do find yourself unsuccessful.
1. Don’t Treat the Recruit Like It’s Life or Death
While the Recruit is an important process, your success in it is not the be-all and end-all of your legal career.
Throughout the entire Recruit process, I operated under the belief that if I were unsuccessful, it would mean I was a failure. This mindset heightened my anxiety during an already stressful situation. Despite having a successful first day during the in-firm process, I ended up sobbing in my car the entire drive home due to the overwhelming stress. My anxiety, along with my performance and emotions, continued to decline on Days 2 and 3 as I felt that things weren’t going the way I anticipated.
As I mentioned, I secured a 2L position the week after the Recruit. If you find yourself unsuccessful, it’s okay to take the day to mourn and wallow in your sadness, but be ready for the post-2L Recruit. There will be a number of firms posting 2L positions on LinkedIn and UTLC immediately after the Recruit. These firms often have short deadlines, so you don’t want to miss out on these opportunities because you were indulging in self-pity.
Opportunities will continue to arise. Throughout the remainder of the year, you can expect to see job postings from various firms across Toronto and the GTA. If these opportunities do not interest you, consider reaching out to other firms. For those open to relocating, there is also the 2L Ottawa Recruit, which accepts applications at the beginning of second semester. Additionally, the Articling Recruit offers another chance to secure a position that aligns with your interests.
Remember, your 2L summer does not define the trajectory of your legal career. If you’re unsatisfied with where you have ended up, there are opportunities for change. Many individuals who were unsuccessful in the Recruit have gone on to work at those firms as associates.
2. Debriefs
My friends and I kept each other updated throughout the in-firm process. Whenever we had overlapping breaks, we would take the opportunity to call and discuss our experiences. While sharing these experiences can be a helpful way to relieve stress, I would recommend debriefing with someone who isn’t actively going through the process.
You will likely be interviewing with some of the same firms as your friends, which means that talking to them may increase your stress rather than alleviate it—especially if you’re not hearing back from those firms while they are. If you believe this information could impact your performance or emotions, it may be better to save these debriefs for after the Recruit has ended.
If you find yourself unsuccessful, discussing your experiences with friends and upper-year students can be helpful. Even though I was the only one among my close friends who was unsuccessful, I found comfort in discussing my experience. After all, we had all just gone through the same exhausting process. Upper-year students are also a valuable resource! They have connections with people who have been in your position and have gone on to have successful summers. These upper-year students can provide advice and connect you with others to help you navigate the job hunt.
3. Reach out to Firms and the CDO
Many students who are unsuccessful in the Recruit are often unsure about what went wrong. If you find yourself in this position, consider reaching out to the firms you interviewed with to ask for feedback on where you could improve. Firms are generally open to providing constructive advice, which can be invaluable as you continue your job search.
In addition, the CDO is an excellent resource. Theresa, Aglaia, and Lindsay have worked with countless students in your situation and can offer tailored guidance for the post-2L Recruit, the 2L Ottawa Recruit, and beyond.
At the end of the day, the Recruit is just one part of your law school experience; the result does not define you or the trajectory of your career. You’ve already accomplished so much by getting this far, and there will always be firms, mentors, and classmates willing to help you out! Good luck!