Networking: On Campus Recruiting

Office of Career Development

NETWORKING:ON CAMPUS RECRUITING

Leslie LynnOffice of Career Development

Spring 2012


• OCD’s Two Functions• Importance of Networking for On Campus Recruiting

Success • Events and Activities• Online Resources• Terminology and Concepts• Role of Current Job Postings• Questions – When and How?

Agenda


Mission and FunctionOCD has two primary functions:

1. To prepare students for a successful career search and

2. To develop and manage corporate relationships with recruiters who hire at Ross School of Business


2. To develop and manage corporate relationships with recruiters who hire at Ross School of Business

• Recruiting• 4 Recruiting Relations Managers

• Manage company relationships by industry

1. To prepare students for a successful career search

• Career Education•4 staff counselors•Approx. 45 MBA peer counselors

OCD is Comprised of Two Teams


OCD Recruiting TeamLisa Kozlo

Cindy Cantrell

Dwana Jones Maria Hayes

Industry Breakout

Industry Breakout

Industry Breakout

Industry Breakout

Brand/CPG ConsultingInvestment

BankingAutomotive

Pharma AccountingFinancial Services

Manufacturing

Health Care Non-Profit Real Estate Energy

Retail Technology Government

Entertainment Telecom Utilities

Transportation


Please Remember

• Employers like to hire people they know and trust; therefore, relationships with potential employers are critical to obtaining a job

• True for both on- and off-campus jobs

Interview

Resume

Networking

Job


Company Goal: Meet students, promote opportunities within company, and select students for jobs

Student Myth: On-Campus recruiting is a smorgasbord of opportunities and an easy way to get a job

Reality: On-Campus recruiting is a very competitive process. Focused candidates are much more successful than those who try to recruit for multiple functions. Networking among several functions is very challenging from a time management standpoint.

On-Campus Recruiting


Presentation Format

• Corporate presentations are M-Th beginning Sept. 10– Generally held at Ross at 5 or 7 p.m.– May be off-site if large crowd expected

• Company will bring alums/HR reps – Short presentation on positions offered– Q & A

• Reception


Etiquette

• Business casual dress (unless Fin. Services & Consulting)• Entering and leaving presentation (watch doors)• Laptops

– Don’t take them out (notes or solitaire?)• Cell Phones

– Turn off• Questions during presentation

– Remember, you are not in an audience of one• Send thank you e-mail with reminder of conversation

– Get recruiter’s business card


The Reception• Be careful about eating and talking at the same time• Do not monopolize a recruiter’s time

– Be considerate of classmates who would like to join the conversation

– Do not corner recruiters• DO NOT UNDERMINE A CLASSMATE’S SEARCH• If you are not familiar with this type of networking, make

a counseling appointment for practice/tips


Tips for Success

• Research companies prior to presentation

• Be on time/familiarize yourself with locations

• Sign in and collect literature

• Attend the reception

• Ask for business cards if you talk with someone

• Be courteous of your fellow students

• Relax -- people at the presentation want to see you succeed


Activity

• Introduce yourself to the person to your right– Feedback

• How was the handshake?• Did your partner seem confident?


Potential Pitfalls

• Coming in late/Leaving early• Being overly aggressive when trying to meet company

representatives– You are only in competition with yourself – show your

best side!• Asking inappropriate questions• Dressing in an unprofessional manner• Taking food from receptions for presentations you did not

attend


Common Questions

• What should I wear?• What is business casual?• Do most companies have more than one presentation?• What if two or more companies in which I am interested

are presenting on the same night?• Should I bring a resume/business cards?


Networking Hours• Tables in the Wintergarden or one-on-one appts.• Check recruiting events calendar on iMpact• Tips:

– Business casual dress (unless Fin. Services or Consulting)

– Research companies and positions prior to attending– Wear your Michigan Ross Name tag on the right side– Shake hands with the recruiter– Be ready with elevator pitch– Be comfortable with small talk– Bring resume/business cards


Networking Hours

• Usually held in Wintergarden, similar to a career fair

• Some companies have more formal procedures

• Drop by and by appointment (becoming more prevalent, set up via clubs), individual and small group formats

• Great way for students to ask specific questions and make contacts within the company

• Tips– Business casual dress (no jeans)– Be prepared with conversational items– Previous tips (bring resume, be courteous, send thank you)


Etiquette – Networking Hours• Business casual okay (except Fin. Services & Consulting)

• One-on-one format, usually, so can ask more personal-professional questions

• Take literature• Do not ask overly personal questions

– Stay positive• Do not monopolize a recruiter’s time• Be aware of time


Other Activities (Not OCD)• Companies may invite you to private events such as

dinners and company tours (via resume database or club)• Clubs will often bring in companies for resume reviews,

mock interviews, career symposia, mentoring opportunities, private dinners and receptions

• Tip: though some of these interactions may seem light-hearted, companies are evaluating you – e.g., do not let a company give you your first mock

interview/resume review!– Don’t get too informal with recruiters/alums


Activity• Small Talk

– 3 Minutes• Partner A: Recruiter• Partner B: Student

– Make small talk– Switch – 3 minutes

• Partner A: Student• Partner B: Recruiter

– Small talk on another subject


Elevator Pitch

• What is it?– 15-60 second speech about who you are and what

type of job you’re seeking• When is it used?

– Informational interviews, career fairs, corporate presentations, office hours

– Can even be used with classmates, at the grocery store, etc.


Elevator Pitch Goals

• Engage people in everyday life to help you brainstorm career search strategies and connect with others who work in similar functions or industries (could be for informational or strategic networking OR direct job leads)


Be Specific

• Looking for a restaurant:

– “Do you know any good restaurants in Ann Arbor?”

• Vs.

– “looking for a restaurant near the business school that offers a variety of different foods, is quick and inexpensive and also offers smoothies”


Your Elevator Pitch

• Broad Statement:– “I’m hoping to find a finance position.”

• Tailored Statement:– “I am seeking an opportunity in finance within the

high-tech industry where I can utilize the analytical skills I have developed as an automotive engineer. I would love to work for a mid-sized company in the Bay Area where there is a balance of structure and the freedom to innovate.”


Practice your Elevator Pitch

• Partner with a classmate

A: give pitch, B: make conversation

B: give feedback to A

B: give pitch, A: make conversation

A: give feedback to B


Online Resources

• Recruiting Events• Job Database

– View positions by On Campus or by Interview Week (contrast with Job Postings)

– On-Campus job posting anatomy• Timeline, Interview Schedule, Citizenship

Requirements• Contact Company Rep for real and specific

questions related to the position; NOT for general networking or finding an alumnus


Questions?

Got some? Timing is everything.


Asking Questions Do’s and Don’t’sDo know the art of asking questions:

Be considerate of the person to whom you are asking the question.

– Try to frame the question positively.

– Give the person the opportunity to shine rather than defend.

Be considerate of others. Does the question have general applicability?

Make sure you are interested in the response.

If possible, do research in order to pose well-informed questions.

Know when to stop asking questions.


Asking Questions Do’s and Don’t’sDon’t ask the following types of questions: Question solely intended to show how smart you are.

“I read in the WSJ today that…, I think therefore…”

Question that is really a speech.“Don’t you think that your company should…”

Question framed in the form of a resume. “When I was working at Acme Consulting, I…”

Question that is easily researched. “Where is your company located?”

Question involving sensitive topics. “What do you think of the recent layoffs at your firm?”


Sample Question TypesLarge group (10+ people) situations:

• Questions on company structure or organization.

• Questions on organizational values.

• Questions on relevant industry trends affecting the company.

• Questions on current or future initiatives.

• Questions on MBA-specific topics:

– Roles and responsibilities of new hires

– Expected career progression

– On-campus recruiting process

• In large group settings, it is especially important not to put the recruiter on the defensive.


Sample Question TypesSmall groups (2 to 10 people) situations:

• Questions on the recruiter’s role in the company.

• Questions on recruiter’s background with the company.

• Follow-up questions based on recruiter’s role and background.

• Questions on recruiter’s perception of the company.

• Questions on recruiter’s experience with the School.

• Questions on MBA-specific topics

– Desired skills and experiences

– Expected career progression

• In a small group setting, take into account the relevance of your question to others in the group.


Sample Question TypesIndividual (one-on-one) situations:

• Introduce yourself and your background.

• Questions on the recruiter’s role and background with the company.

• Questions on organizational culture. (What kind of people do well?)

• Questions on how to succeed in the recruiting process.

• Questions on your fit with the company.

• Sensitive Questions.

• In the one-on-one setting, take care to develop rapport first. Sequence of questions should not disturb the flow of conversation. This is not an interrogation.


Other Opportunities to Meet Employers

• Zell Lurie Entrepalooza• MPowered Career Fair• Diversity Conferences – NSHMBA, National Black• Many functional/geographic/diversity clubs hold forums

during the fall– Join the club that encompasses your interests to learn

more!


Your On-Campus Approach

• What is a closed list?• Why do I want to be on it?• How do I request inclusion on the close list of a company

of interest?

• The answers to all these questions – and more! – will be addressed in the bidding workshop


Questions?

Networking: On Campus Recruiting

Documents

Transcript of Networking: On Campus Recruiting