MyPerspective: The Fall Recruiting Season

After the career fair, the chaos starts. From then on it will be company presentation after company presentation, and once the presentations are over it will be interview after interview. Pretty much the same people apply to every job so you'll most likely see the same faces at every event.

My own advice for managing the process is to first off understand that this job search is the equivalent of taking 2 classes. Seriously. It sucks up so much time and doesn't really end until late November. If there's ever a quarter to take three classes or load up an easy schedule, fall quarter is the time. Secondly, start as early as possible in terms of preparing. Some of the best companies interview really early and you want to have your answers completely prepared.

Finally, if you're clueless like I was in terms of figuring out what you want to do, go to Vault.com and read up on as much as you can. Vault.com should be added to one of your website favorites, and it's worth it to upgrade to the silver package so you can read more on the intimate details of companies. Figuring out what you're going to do after graduation is as equal to if not as big of a decision as picking a college. Make sure you know what you're getting into as you research jobs. It's one thing to read about I-Banking and the 100 hour weeks, it's another thing to actually experience it. And if you scour Vault long enough you'll be able to find good content.

Presentations are important because A. you actually get to meet people who may look over you resume and B. you get to meet people who may be able to help you get the interview. If there's ever a time to learn how to appropriately schmooze, it's during this process. Do not be discouraged if you feel your resume isn't up to par with the people who have 4.0's and Goldman Sachs on their resume. If you feel you're on the bubble, use presentations to distinguish yourself. Make sure you bring your best face however as these are the types of environments where such things as stupid questions exist. Do your prep work and be able to say or ask something insightful and inquisitive. To do this you should try showing up 15 minutes before the presentation. Companies will arrive early to set up their AV equipment, food, and drinks so this is a great opportunity to catch people when they can give you more individual attention. At the end of the session, everyone wants to ask questions so it's harder to distinguish yourself. By attending early, establishing repoire with one of the presenters, and writing a follow up email, I was able to work my way into 3 interviews. The people who attend the presentations have the power to make these types of moves. It's really not a big deal for someone to tell the team reviewing resumes "Hey I really liked Candidate Mary, let's put her on the interview list."

Lastly, if I can give you a few final words on the process, it would be to try not getting too stressed out by the process. Fall quarter was the best time of my life. You're not going to get invited to every interview and you may start to feel down especially when all the gossip chatter starts up about who's interviewing with whom and who got offers where. But you can't control that. What you can control though is how ready you are for the interviews you do get invited to. Manage your time correctly so still can go out whenever you want. And when you are out, be out and enjoy yourself. Don't dwell on the job process or it will eat at your life. I completely flailed with a girl I really liked because I became too engulfed in the process and stressed out. My hope is that we can work together so that you don't have to go through what I did. That you will learn how to best use your time preparing, how to kick ass in the interviews you do get, and be done with the process so you can cruise through the rest of your year. Your Senior Year fall will only happen once. Enjoy it the best you can.