Pedigree: How Elite Students Get Elite Jobs

Pedigree: How Elite Students Get Elite Jobs by Lauren A. Rivera

Elite jobs in this book are defined primarily as big law firms and top tier investment banks and consulting firms. These jobs typically pay huge amounts of money and require large amounts of weekly hours. There is a high demand for these jobs, with an acceptance rate lower than that of elite colleges. Most applicants don't even have their resumes reviewed. The firms primarily interview applicants from their preferred elite colleges and via employee referrals. It is all about relationships. They want to hire people that fit well with the current employees. They may consider a valedictorian from a lower rated local college, but in general they view attendance at an elite college as a mark of intelligence. The primary colleges considered may be based on location and connection. A graduate of a lower tier college may encourage their firm to recruit there. A firm may also skip out on an elite school located on the other side of the country.

How does the interview process work? It is surprisingly ill-defined, with little training involved. Interviewing is often seen as something that takes people away from their primary responsibility. The interviewers are looking for somebody that they can get along with and feel comfortable putting in front of a client. They want to see dedication and a desire to devote many hours to the job. They also want to see outside interests. Technical skills seem a minor concern. Recruitment events are also of questionable utility.

The book paints a picture of life in these high paying firms and what it takes to get a job there. There is little mention of what they actually do. It seems the main goal of getting one of these jobs is to get paid a lot and have elite status. Classwork at school is less important. The admission to the elite school is most important. Spending time in Greek organizations or sports teams is more important than actual coursework. These firms are looking for people with the desired social skills and strength to succeed.

What about others? Understanding the process of getting these jobs can help. Being able to share an interesting life story in a captivating way is important. It is also important to find a way to relate to the interviewer. However, to even get to the interview state, you need to have the relationships. If you know somebody at the firm, you have a chance. If not, you probably don't.

In the end, one question not answered is "why should we care?" Elites have a scheme to propagate elite wealth through generations. While it is primarily an elite-only system, others do have the chance to join the elite group. Is this good enough? If we do crack down on elite propagation, will they just use more hidden means to pass down wealth and influence?