Nickname: Jonah

Review: Unfortunately, you must navigate the waters you choose to travel. These "dog and pony shows" are a part of the deal. You will encounter similiar situations in all aspects of your life--especially professionals in this arena. Hopefully, you will get to the point where you will be able to interact with a person and "get them". This is not something that can be taught or even explained--you just get it--or you don't. If you are looking for ethics and morals--MBA programs are benign compared to the real world in the "war room" where the deals are negotiated. You have to embrace it, if you are going to be a success at the high end. If that makes you nauseous, I suggest due diligence and find a nice eco-friendly or nice not-for-profit. Last point: everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time--same as you and me. If you treat people with respect--from the person emptying the trash cans to the top partner(s)--you will be off to a good start.

Date reviewed: Sep 15, 2006 4:57 AM

Nickname: Zoeldar

Review: It's a good article, with obvious advice. As an HR Exec who has interviewed 000's of candidates, I feel comfortable sizing someone up in the first 5 minutes...it is an acquired skill, but part of my core competency. In today's world, most anything goes - piercings, tattoos, etc. We look to gauge 'the content of their character' and future potential, not how smooth they are in a cocktail setting. That said, its easy to 'knock yourself out' of competition with awkward comments, rude behaviors, or poor manners. And I hate b-nosers, too. Z

Date reviewed: Sep 14, 2006 6:57 PM

Nickname: BobbyMax

Review: It is hard for me to understand the comments made in this article. There is no ethics and morality in any segment of US educational system. The system is so corrupt that it will gain the credibility of the civilized of the world. In any meeting any thing can happen including sexual encounters.There is no need for the students to work hard as the hirings are not merit based. The system is so corrupt that any can happen in the US.

Date reviewed: Sep 14, 2006 7:08 AM

Nickname: katman

Review: Hey sounds to me like just be a respectable person and you should do well.

Date reviewed: Sep 14, 2006 12:49 AM

Nickname: Doneit

Review: The article is actually really good. As an MBA graduate I have attended many of these events. And truth to be told things do happen that way, and is incredible how much oyur classmates can "change" in those events.

Date reviewed: Sep 14, 2006 12:46 AM

Nickname: AJ

Review: I am a very laid back personality and sometimes find it a bit clausterphobic when I have to attend a gathering where everyone is wearing a mask with intentions of flattering someone. The people and events are so transparent that I feel unclean for even attending and subjecting myself to the whorish atmosphere. I'd rather be judged on performance and effectiveness in a workplace, then whether or not my one-liner is going to get me notice. The line "tell me something to remember you by" is implicitly narcisistic, and perhaps a 3 stoogies, 360 degree over the head pounding will shake his memory. My response would be - "Isn't it your job to do the remembering? I think people should be accountable for their own responsibilities."

Date reviewed: Sep 13, 2006 11:06 PM

Nickname: Lia

Review: All the suggestions are basic common sense. This is very good information for those not comfortable in social settings. I would also add "be yourself" and "don't wear jeans."

Date reviewed: Sep 13, 2006 4:38 PM

Nickname: boywonder

Review: come on....give me a break.....if you follow the advice given above, isn't that in itself being insincere....we all know what these events are for so why not just be yourself.....if you are naturally a brownnoser or arrogant, why not just let it show from the beginning....realistically, is that person going to change after 20 or so years? probably not.....i'd rather know from the beginning that somebody was a arrogant, cocky, selfish etc. before i hired him/her rather than after the fact and then realize after 1 month on the job that the person you hired isn't the same person you "networked" with at a cocktail party......the whole process is pretty much a necessary joke.

Date reviewed: Sep 7, 2006 4:22 AM

Nickname: Curious Paul

Review: While these thoughts are pragmatic -- it certainly points out how imperfect the recruiting process is. I do not recall reading much on overall how some of the top recruiters gather info on people (on the job, via professors, via former employees, etc.). Also, how the decisions are made at the initial and later stages of the process (including "mutual affection" factors). [80s Stanford MBA, an early participant in the BW rankings info gathering]

Date reviewed: Sep 7, 2006 2:34 AM