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How much can firm receptions hurt?

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:17 pm
by Anonymous User
I was at a firm reception and wasn't feeling that well. I made small talk with a partner for most of the time but it was kind of awkward.

I wasn't on my A game and I think some associates and partners noticed I was kinda awkward (it might be in my head but I know one partner probably thought I was too quiet/introverted). We were in a group and he acknowledged I was there, and most likely will remember me (actually I'm 100% sure he will). However, I was mainly just sticking around the group, not contributing to the convo much, not impressing, etc.

I like their office but wondering if it's worth a bid since I would have to sacrifice a peer firm for them.

Re: How much can firm receptions hurt?

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:19 pm
by 09042014
If they remember you as a weirdo, ur done here.

Pick a different firm to bid.

Re: How much can firm receptions hurt?

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:19 pm
by Nebby
Won't hurt.

Re: How much can firm receptions hurt?

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:23 pm
by JVK
Anonymous User wrote:I was at a firm reception and wasn't feeling that well. I made small talk with a partner for most of the time but it was kind of awkward.

I wasn't on my A game and I think some associates and partners noticed I was kinda awkward (it might be in my head but I know one partner probably thought I was too quiet/introverted). We were in a group and he acknowledged I was there, and most likely will remember me (actually I'm 100% sure he will). However, I was mainly just sticking around the group, not contributing to the convo much, not impressing, etc.

I like their office but wondering if it's worth a bid since I would have to sacrifice a peer firm for them.
Why are you so sure he'll remember you, if you did nothing to add to the conversation?

I doubt it'll matter at all unless you stuck out in a bad way. That doesn't mean not standing out, more like saying something blatantly offensive.

Re: How much can firm receptions hurt?

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:26 pm
by Anonymous User
JVK wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:I was at a firm reception and wasn't feeling that well. I made small talk with a partner for most of the time but it was kind of awkward.

I wasn't on my A game and I think some associates and partners noticed I was kinda awkward (it might be in my head but I know one partner probably thought I was too quiet/introverted). We were in a group and he acknowledged I was there, and most likely will remember me (actually I'm 100% sure he will). However, I was mainly just sticking around the group, not contributing to the convo much, not impressing, etc.

I like their office but wondering if it's worth a bid since I would have to sacrifice a peer firm for them.
Why are you so sure he'll remember you, if you did nothing to add to the conversation?

I doubt it'll matter at all unless you stuck out in a bad way. That doesn't mean not standing out, more like saying something blatantly offensive.
He acknowledged I was being quiet (made a comment like "some of you are more introverted" **pointing to me**)

Def. will remember me because our group was with him for 2 hours and there were like 4 of us total. There were times when we were left 1 on 1 and it was kinda awkward. Tried making small talk but it felt forced. It's sort of like when 2 people meet and have great chemistry (and you're the third wheel), and when the other person goes to the bathroom, you're left there saying "sooo.... how the food?"

Re: How much can firm receptions hurt?

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:32 pm
by JVK
Anonymous User wrote:He acknowledged I was being quiet (made a comment like "some of you are more introverted" **pointing to me**)

Def. will remember me because our group was with him for 2 hours and there were like 4 of us total. There were times when we were left 1 on 1 and it was kinda awkward. Tried making small talk but it felt forced. It's sort of like when 2 people meet and have great chemistry (and you're the third wheel), and when the other person goes to the bathroom, you're left there saying "sooo.... how the food?"
I guess it could've gone better, but still, that's no death knell. That'd be pretty awful and disproportionate if he reported back to anybody, telling them to watch out for the "introverted" student. It shouldn't matter at all.

It might speak to your ability to interview well more generally, though. Practice for what it's worth before your school's OCI and if those go fine and your grades are good enough for the firm, this firm event won't make a difference.

Re: How much can firm receptions hurt?

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 6:30 pm
by 2014
Anonymous User wrote:
JVK wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:I was at a firm reception and wasn't feeling that well. I made small talk with a partner for most of the time but it was kind of awkward.

I wasn't on my A game and I think some associates and partners noticed I was kinda awkward (it might be in my head but I know one partner probably thought I was too quiet/introverted). We were in a group and he acknowledged I was there, and most likely will remember me (actually I'm 100% sure he will). However, I was mainly just sticking around the group, not contributing to the convo much, not impressing, etc.

I like their office but wondering if it's worth a bid since I would have to sacrifice a peer firm for them.
Why are you so sure he'll remember you, if you did nothing to add to the conversation?

I doubt it'll matter at all unless you stuck out in a bad way. That doesn't mean not standing out, more like saying something blatantly offensive.
He acknowledged I was being quiet (made a comment like "some of you are more introverted" **pointing to me**)

Def. will remember me because our group was with him for 2 hours and there were like 4 of us total. There were times when we were left 1 on 1 and it was kinda awkward. Tried making small talk but it felt forced. It's sort of like when 2 people meet and have great chemistry (and you're the third wheel), and when the other person goes to the bathroom, you're left there saying "sooo.... how the food?"
He's not going to remember you. They regularly forget associates they work with much less summers at a reception. Sure if you remind him he might have some vague recollection, but if you ever run into him again don't worry about it unless he brings it up. If you interview w/ them and it comes up that you went to the reception I would be very surprised if they pushed you for names, and even then, telling your interviewer "I talked extensively with Partner X, he had all of these great things to say" is harmless. The interviewer has better things to do than quiz the partner about his memory of you.

Re: How much can firm receptions hurt?

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 7:07 pm
by Anonymous User
If it's a tossup between bidding two firms that you're similar interested in, I'd bid the other. There's a (small) chance that you will have that partner as your interviewer. I get the sense that partners will often not remember. But it's a case by case basis right? I've met a few partners who have been able to recall, during a second meeting, my name and something interested I've told them.

Re: How much can firm receptions hurt?

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 9:58 pm
by wert3813
Came for at least throwing up and was hoping for making out. All I got was "I'm awkward." TLS Letdown.

Re: How much can firm receptions hurt?

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 10:28 pm
by snooze
wert3813 wrote:Came for at least throwing up and was hoping for making out. All I got was "I'm awkward." TLS Letdown.
Same here. And I haven't even taken my LSAT yet. Such a non-event.

Re: How much can firm receptions hurt?

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 7:43 am
by Nebby
snooze wrote: Same here. And I haven't even taken my LSAT yet. Such a non-event.
One of these sentences is not like the others.

Re: How much can firm receptions hurt?

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 10:22 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:I was at a firm reception and wasn't feeling that well. I made small talk with a partner for most of the time but it was kind of awkward.

I wasn't on my A game and I think some associates and partners noticed I was kinda awkward (it might be in my head but I know one partner probably thought I was too quiet/introverted). We were in a group and he acknowledged I was there, and most likely will remember me (actually I'm 100% sure he will). However, I was mainly just sticking around the group, not contributing to the convo much, not impressing, etc.

I like their office but wondering if it's worth a bid since I would have to sacrifice a peer firm for them.
I think it's a small chance they'll remember you - but I was at a reception and overheard a partner, summer, and an associate talking about a rising 2L who was a bit too drunk. The partner told the associate to "put her on the list" to ensure she does not get an interview through OCI or resume collection. Awkward can be dealt with and people can grow out of - drunk and embarrassing, not so much.