I knew law firms pursued second year law students harder than a Thai street vendor after a western tourist, but what I didn’t know was that the firms rival the Thai’s in the amount of junk they hawk. It seems that law firms have gone away from the more mundane, lie-filled aspects of recruitment, like touting desirable practice areas, top clients, firm chemistry or a good lifestyle. Nope, it’s not about that anymore: the top students today are being baited with a table full of travel mugs, lip balm, stress balls and glow in the dark dice. ‘Isn’t this a bit garish?’ I thought. Luring me to their booth with a bag of golf tees…..that’ll never work!’ Boy was I wrong. By the end of the year I was circling the tables at the career fair like a kid rounding the block on Halloween, loot bag in hand. I was even armed with a costume: a kid in his dad’s suit, interested in articling with you.

By the time I realized I had no chance at a Calgary summer job, I would go to the interviews just to see how many sunglass clips, CD cases and hats I could fit in my car in one week. Good news! It’s a lot. I’d come home looking more like I’d been at the Exhibition than at a job interview. At the end of one of them, the 2 guys said “You’re our last interview, take FIVE travel backgammon sets.” Gee thanks guys…I’ll take these 5 sets as a sign….a sign that you’re VERY interested (in having me leave the room). Fair enough, no job for me, but at least don’t send me off with crappy stuff.

At the firm showcase and career forum, it got nuts. There were slinkys, shot glasses, shirts and bags of cookies, (watch your weight law students, there’s no plus sized law firms). The list went on and on, and if you didn’t provide some goods, your firm was as good as ostracized. Firms with the quality trinkets (listen up partners) were the firms that people wanted to work for. That’s right, some firms were catching the wave. 5 dollar starbucks cards! I took 2, because I wanted them to know how interested I was. ‘Hi there, are you interested in working in Calgary?’ ‘Not really, but I’m sure that water bottle would look good in my gym bag, let’s talk.’

So, law firms listen up, next time, go big or go home. Pens and coffee mugs are no longer acceptable. Lipbalm? don’t waste my time. Trivial crap is no longer bringing the top minds to your booth or firm. If you want the top talent, start putting out XBOX360’s with your logo. 5 dollar starbucks card? Not a bad start, but how about 50 dollars cards, or hell, what about cash! Cut out the middle man. I’m a big boy. Maybe it’s not Starbucks that I want to pay a visit to… If law firms are going to be the street vendors of the professional world, let’s at least not embarrass ourselves in 2007. Excuse me, I’m a bit worked up, I need to go use my stress ball.