O, hello again. Thank you for staying tuned for more exciting accounting blog action. Having recently experienced the wonder of recruiting and it being freshly burnt into my mind, someone might care to hear what I learnt.
If the conversation is ever slowing down, feel free to throw in this time eater.
Q: Why do you like working for firm xyz?
A: The people.
Now that you’ve wasted 30 seconds asking the same question that 100 other people are going to ask, you’re bound to stand out from the crowd.
Make the rounds before hitting up the buffet or bar. If you somehow managed to drum up a real conversation in that artificial social environment, then good on you, time to eat. If you don’t think you made an impression on anyone then, shake it off, take that name tag off, and have a drink (it’s not like they’ll remember you anyways).
There isn’t much point in trying to talk to firm xyz’s bigwigs in the last half hour because all the shy people who were originally eating with their little circle of friends suddenly have the courage to speak. By the end of the night, the delegates are surrounded by circles of looky lous that nod and smile too much. It always reminded me of a rotary fan surrounded by bobble heads. As the partner speaks, they’ll turn their head in an effort to acknowledge everyone around him/her, and having no other way to reciprocate the acknowledgement without being rude you can only nod. With all do respect to the looky lous, it’s time to GTFO.
Until next time my accountant brothas and sistas, keep it balanced.