Student Guidelines for Campus Recruiting/Interviews
Mock Interviews
I’m not majoring in business, can I still participate in the on-campus recruitment process?
YES! No one at Spelman is majoring in business. The liberal arts major isone of the most sought after majors currently in the marketplace. Employers industry-wide are interested in the critical thinking skills, leadership skills, and effective oral and written communication skills cultivated in a liberal arts curriculum. So the appeal here is not your specific major, but your liberal arts exposure.
I am confident I want to attend graduate/professional school after I graduate. Should I still participate in on-campus interviewing?
YES! It is not wise to place all of your eggs in one basket. Year after year, we see students who don’t pass their graduate admission exams, are burned out with school, get acceptance letters with no money, don’t get accepted at all, or have life changing circumstances that delay their admission into graduate school. The graduate school application process is a long one, and the duration will often exceed the on-campus recruitment season. If something should go awry with your acceptance and you haven’t participated in on-campus recruitment, you will place yourself in serious jeopardy of leaving Spelman with no definitive plans after graduation; and having undergraduate loan payments due shortly thereafter!!! You may also want to consider attending graduate school part-time (at the employer’s expense) and working full-time.
Should I discuss my interest in attending graduate school during the interview?
NO! Focus on the opportunity for which you are interviewing. Employers are interested in hearing about your interest in the company as well as the position. They want to hear you clearly articulate why your experiences are a good match for the position. Speaking of graduate school prematurely will conjure up red flags in the mind of the employer; causing them to think you arenot taking the opportunity seriously.
How soon should I begin participating in on-campus interviewing?
Employers primarily interview graduating seniors during the Fallsemester. Fewer opportunities for Seniors are available during the Spring semester. It is imperative that Seniors build time into their Fall schedules to interview. This will require frequent monitoring of both the Spelman and AUC recruitment calendars; as well as applying for these positions in e-Recruiting.
Employers generally recruit sophomores and juniors during the Spring semester. Organizations, such as INROADS, will begin recruiting first-year students (as well as upperclassmen) as early as the Fall semester.
How do I sign up for interview schedules of companies participating in on-campus recruitment (for internships and/or full-time employment)?
We strongly recommend ALL students register with our online employment system, eRecruiting. eRecruiting is a web-based tool used by the College to coordinate the on-campus recruiting efforts of organizations representing corporate, non-profit, government agencies, etc. Students can access the recruiting calendar for any given month, sign up online for interview schedules, research company profiles, search for jobs and internships, and receive internship listings from our office. Students will need to secure a username and password from the Spelman Career Planning office in order to access eRecruiting via a career counseling appointment. At that time, you will also be given access to the Atlanta University Center eRecruiting database.
Is it important that I attend company information sessions?
YES! It is critical to attend company information sessions in order to obtain valuable information regarding a company. This information will assist you in navigating through the interview process as well as evaluating a job offer should you receive one. Employers also use information sessions as a gauge to determine if students are interested in their company and to determine whether they will continue to recruit from a particular campus in subsequent years. Remember that both Spelman and AUC Career Planning host information sessions. AUC Career Planning information sessions are held in the Woodruff Library.
What is considered appropriate interview attire?
Either a pant or skirt suit is appropriate. Both the jacket and slack/skirt should be the same designer, same color, same material, and same pattern (absolutely NO separates). The length of the skirt should be tasteful and professional. Knee length is always appropriate. Colors should be conservative. A black or navy blue skirt and jacket is the best choice. Avoid pastel colors like pink and powder blue. Your blouse should be tailored-not frilly with ruffles or lace and not revealing. Silk or a fabric that drapes and looks like silk are your best choices. The color should look good with your suit color and look good on you. Don’t wear anything that dangles (earrings, bracelets, necklaces). Avoid clothes that are too tight, you’ll be less comfortable and you won’t be taken as seriously.
Your shoes may be a smooth leather or suede that is plain and unadorned with a 2 inch heel. A dark shoe color with a dark business suit is your best choice. Your color choices for stockings include either your skin color or the color of your dark skirt or shoes.
YOU MUST WEAR THE JACKET, regardless of which type of suit you choose to wear. Remember, this is a uniform, not an outfit! If you are have questions regarding interview attire, please call the Career Planning office for clarity.
What should I do if I am running late to an interview, or have scheduled an interview, and need to cancel due to an emergency or illness?
Once you are on an interviewer's schedule, you have made a commitment to meet with that employer. If you are unable to keep a scheduled appointment, you owe the recruiter and the College the courtesy of canceling with a minimum of 24 hours notice. In the event that you are ill or an emergency occurs, PLEASE contact us at 404-270-5273 no later than 2-3 hours prior to your interview time. Another student on the waiting list may then have an opportunity to interview with the recruiter.
What should I do if a company makes me an offer?
PLEASE notify the Office of Career Planning and Development IMMEDIATELY when you have received an employment offer!!!!!!!
How long do I have to respond to an offer?
FULL-TIME offers resulting from Summer Internships have a response deadline of November 27.
FULL-TIME employment offers that are extended during the Fall Semester must give students until November 27th or one month from the time of the offer to respond--whichever is later.
INTERNSHIP offers resulting from a Previous Summer Internship must give the student until March 1 to respond.
INTERNSHIP offers extended during the Spring Semester must give the students until March 1 or two (2) weeks from the time of the offer –whichever is later-to respond.
Most companies will try to pressure you to accept the offer immediately. Consequently, it is acceptable to inform the recruiter of the above policy should they begin to pressure you. DO NOT accept any employment offer that makes you feel uncomfortable, or “to have something just in case something better doesn’t come along.”
How serious is reneging on an employment offer?
Reneging on an accepted job offer is a very serious offense as well as damaging to one’s career. Spelman College does not support this behavior and will respond to it accordingly!
