We’ve all been there—naïvely thumbing through that glossy copy of L’Expert that you keenly grabbed on your way out of moot court in 1st year when you see the stunning Osler /BLG/Bennett Jones/*insert random national firm name here* advertisement situated in the midst of an article about “Choosing a Firm that Suits You.” You think to yourself “Hey—at *insert random national firm*, they put students first and are committed to providing me with a well-rounded articling experience. They want ME to consider joining THEIR team!” No. No they don’t. They want the kid who sits three seats down from you and has an ‘A+’ average to consider joining their team. If they can’t get that person, they want the guy/gal who sits two seats down and has an ‘A‘ average. You are expendable. You’re like a thin blonde 18-year-old ‘server/actress’ in LA—there are 1000 more just like you in line to take your place.

By absolute definition, most of you are about average. Think of all the people you went to law school with—they are also looking for jobs. Some, if not most of them, are better qualified than you. Now think of the number of students in all the other law schools throughout the country. They are also looking for jobs, and some of them are undoubtedly more qualified than you. Aside from a small handful of highly-ranked law students, no one is looking for you, in particular. In fact, even those highly-ranked students are interchangeable as far as the large firms are concerned.

It doesn’t matter how you feel about the firm—it matters how the firm feels about you. For an articling student, what the hell is the difference between various large Calgary/ Vancouver/ Toronto firms anyway? Various books and certain college career people will advise you to do inane annoying things like phoning to request a firm tour. Let me save you the time: there are offices, desks, copying-printing rooms, some sort of employee space and the odd one has some sort of fancy lounge. There. Tour done. And frankly, no partner or senior associate really cares who you are—just consider how many job candidates they deal with every bloody year. The hiring committee is just waiting for your transcript. That’s it.

So what’s the best advice? The Firm that is the “Right Fit” for you is the firm that will (get ready for it) Give you a Paycheck. That may not be a Vancouver firm with a bay view office where you will article with a renowned human rights lawyer on the case that will finally bring the Chinese government to its knees. Frankly, that’s just not going to happen for most of you—probably not any of you. It might mean that you simply grind out your articles at a mid to small size firm in Winnipeg, Prince Albert or Whitehorse.

Or maybe you’re going to a rural community. And you know what—that’s just fine. There are hundreds or maybe thousands of lucrative small and rural offices throughout this country that are absolutely begging for young, enthusiastic lawyers to join their ranks. In all honesty, these people really do care who you are and they actually will take the time to assess your character before they ask for your class ranking. In fact, they’re not even going to ask for your class ranking—if they like you, it’s because of who you are.

Your career will be what you make it—law school is not the sole determinant of your success, and neither is the name of the firm where you article. Just get yourself through and find a place to start. Don’t be an arrogant prick about where you “won’t go” and don’t believe all the bullshit articling hype they feed you at school. It’s only the beginning, not the end.