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Career Services
63 South Main Street, 2nd Floor
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH 03755
(603) 646-2215
Fax: (603) 646-1360
E-mail: Career Services

 

 

Steps for Participation in On-Campus Recruiting

In seven steps...

Employers in our Recruiting Program represent only a fraction of the employers interested in Dartmouth students. Many organizations, such as social service organizations, scientific and law firms, publishing houses and advertising/PR firms, prefer to post jobs in DartBoard or on their own websites and have individuals contact them directly to apply.

The Recruiting Program is only one of many resources to be used in your Job Search. For more information about launching a comprehensive job search, review our Entry Level Jobs web page. We also encourage you to arrange an appointment with a Career Advisor by calling Career Services at 646-2215.


Step 1: Research Recruiting Organizations

A complete list of Recruiting Organizations for each major application deadline will be announced on the "Career Services" or "Career Services- Entry-Level Jobs" blitz bulletin.

Entry-Level and Internship Descriptions:  These can be found in the Recruiting Program menu item on DartBoard.  Within each description you will find the qualifications needed, application materials required, (e.g. Unofficial Transcript, Writing Sample), a link to the contact person's information for your cover letter, Citizenship/Visa Requirements for each employer and a direct link to the employer's website.  Note the application deadline for each opportunity.

Employer Fairs held on campus at Dartmouth:

  • Employer Connections Fair, September 29 & 30, 2009 in Alumni Hall and the Top of the Hopkins Center, Noon - 4:00pm.  (Many of our recruiting employers will be here.)  Over 80 employers have booths at the fair, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and companies from a variety of industries!  A sample of employers attending: EPA, Google, CIA, Peace Corps, Fidelity, FBI, Teach for America, McKinsey & Co.  - just to name a few!
      
    2009 Employer Fair Directory  (PDF File)

    ALL students should attend this event.  It's not just for graduating seniors.
      
    Take advantage of this valuable networking opportunity.  It's never too early or too late to learn about different organizations, work environments, job & internship openings, and application deadlines.  This is NOT a resume collection event.  It is an opportunity for students to gather information.  Last year over 800 students attended each day.
  • Engineering & Technology Fair:  October 6, 2009, Thayer School of Engineering.

Alumni Advisory Network:  Search for alumni by employer name to obtain first-hand advice on applying to their organizations.

Additional Resources in the Career Resource Center include:

Also consider using Feldberg Library databases (Tuck/Thayer students have priority access in that library).


Step 2: How to use DartBoard

Review our Student User Guide.

  • Log in to DartBoard using your username and password.  If you are a first time user, click on "Click here to register" to create a user name and password, and complete your profile.
  • Upload a maximum of 10 different resumes (see instructions below on how to upload documents). Employers do NOT see the names you have given your documents;  they  are stored in our system for future use.  You can also store up to 50 cover letters,  10 writing samples and 10 "other" documents.  You will upload cover letters, as needed, to apply for particular opportunities as they arise.
  • Upload a copy of your Unofficial Transcript into our system as your "Unofficial Transcript".*

* To create an Unofficial Transcript:

See Sample Unofficial Transcript  (65K PDF File)

Create a Microsoft Word document and save it on your desktop to be uploaded.  Format it so that it is easy to read and understand.  This document should be no longer than ONE PAGE in length.  Your name should be in the title along with your email address.

  • HEADINGS SHOULD INCLUDE: Term, Course Title and Grade.
  • Cut and paste the names of your courses and corresponding grades for each successive term from Banner Student into the new Word document.
  • List your Overall GPA on the document.  Your Major GPA can be listed also. We recommend that you DO NOT round these numbers.
  • If you wish to include any Citations, you can note "Citation" beside the coinciding grade.
  • Items NOT to include: Course Number, Enrollment Count, Median Grade, Quality Points, Attempt Hours, etc.
  • Save the document as Unofficial Transcript.

* To create a List of References:

See Sample List of References (54K PDF File) 

If a "List of References" is requested by an employer in DartBoard, you can create this list as a simple Word document and save it on your desktop to be uploaded.

  • First, secure permission from each of your references to provide a prospective employer with their information.
  • Make your references effective by showing them your resume. This will also give you the opportunity to "coach" them as to what your key points will be.
  • Upon being asked by a potential employer to submit references,  follow up to let the references know they are about to be contacted.
  • Some organizations do not allow their personnel to give out recommendations for reasons of liability. Be prepared that an organization may only give out your term of employment/internship, title, and salary information. If this is the case for a particular employer, do not use this employer as a reference.
  • Be sure to check that your references are still valid every so often. People move on, and their contact details may not stay the same. Inaccurate contact details for your own references is not something that creates a favorable impression!

To upload your documents into DartBoard:

  1. From the Career Services homepage, click Quick Links → DartBoard Login
  2. On the DartBoard Home Page, under My Account, click "My Documents"
  3. Click [Upload File] under the document you wish to upload
  4. Name your Document, then browse your desktop to retrieve the document you have saved on your desktop.  (Employers will NOT see the name you have assigned the document)
  5. Click "Upload"
  6. You can view the document that you have uploaded by clicking on [View] in the specific documents section.

  E-mail Student Recruiting Services (srs) with questions.


Step 3: Apply for Interviews

On the DartBoard toolbar, under Recruiting Program, click on "Apply - Active Recruiting Events".  Browse upcoming opportunities and click on the job title(s) that interest you to view detailed job descriptions and application materials required for each. At the top of each job or internship description there is a button titled "Apply Now".  This button enables you to submit documents - which you have already created and uploaded  into DartBoard - for that particular opportunity.

In addition to your resume, a cover letter is usually required for each job opportunity. An employer may also request additional materials.  We recommend that you:

  • Attend our resume and cover letter workshops (announced via "Career Services" blitz bulletins).
  • Review our Writing Your Resume (66K PDF File) and Writing Job Search Letters (62K PDF File) handouts and/or online workshops.
  • See our cover letter and resume samples in Career Services
  • Take advantage of our resume review hours and RWIT resume and cover letter review hours (announced via "Career Services" blitz bulletins).
  • Be sure to include your FULL email address on your job application materials so that employers don't mistakenly try to respond to someone who shares your nickname
    (e.g. use "Jasmine.A.Donne@dartmouth.edu" rather than "jad@dartmouth.edu".)

Important: You must create and upload a tailored cover letter, addressed to that specific employer, before you can submit the letter using our online system. Application materials must be submitted online via DartBoard before the deadline specified in the Job Description.

If you are OFF CAMPUS

For RESUME DROPS

Off campus students may use DartBoard to apply to resume drops, as these employers already plan to interview via phone or off-campus locations.

For ON-CAMPUS/PRESELECT interviews

Only students who are currently ON CAMPUS may apply for ON-CAMPUS Interviews via DartBoard.  Most employers are willing to schedule phone interviews OR interviews in another location for off-campus students.

If you are off campus and interested in an ENTRY-LEVEL on-campus interview opportunity, email your application materials DIRECTLY to the employer, using the email address that appears in the detailed job description in DartBoard.  Explain that you are currently off campus.   Do NOT apply via DartBoard.

If you are off campus and applying for an INTERNSHIP, follow the instructions for off-campus students provided in the Posting Information section of each internship description.  Each employer has specified how off-campus students should apply for internships.


Step 4: Sign up for Interviews

On-Campus Interviews: It is your responsibility to check DartBoard daily (under "My Activity → Schedules → Preselect" ) to check the status of your Recruiting Program applications, obtain on-campus interview notification/signup instructions and sign up for interviews as directed. Do NOT rely on automatic emails for interview notifications!  You forfeit your interview if you fail to sign up by the date and time specified.

Important:  When you sign up for your interview time slot, take careful note of any MANDATORY PRE-INTERVIEW MEETINGS (date, time and location) and of the interview length and location!

Resume Drops:  Resume Drop employers will contact selected students directly within three weeks of the deadline to set up phone interviews and interviews at the employer site.  Interview decisions for Resume drop opportunities will NOT appear in DartBoard.

Vacant Interview Slots

If an employer selects you as an Alternate:

  • Go to the My Activity → Schedules → Waiting List in DartBoard to to see if an employer has designated you as an alternate.  You may sign up for a slot on the date specified if there is a vacancy.  Alternates obtain slots on a first-come/first-served basis, and Alternates are NOT ranked, so don't delay in trying to obtain a vacant slot.  Keep checking the schedule periodically until the date the schedule freezes, in case a vacant slot arises later on.

If there is no Alternate list or the list is exhausted:

  • Vacant interview time slots may be filled on a first-come/first-served basis by anyone who is eligible for the Recruiting Program.  Vacancies will be announced as they arise via "Career Services" blitz bulletins. Check this bulletin daily during recruiting interviews for interview slot vacancy announcements and signup instructions!

Interview Locations:  All First Round interviews take place in Career Services, 63 South Main Street, 2nd floor.

 


 

Step 5: Practice Interviewing

A job interview is your opportunity to sell yourself as the best candidate for a position. Practicing your interviewing skills will dramatically increase your chances of success. Use these resources to improve your skills:

  • Tips for Successful Interviewing (55K PDF File)
  • Interview Workshops (announced on the "Career Services" blitz bulletins)
  • Mock interviews (announced on the "Career Services- Entry-Level Jobs" blitz bulletin)
  • Case Interview Resources - this type of interview is used by consulting firms
  • Case Interview Workshop (announced on the "Career Services- Entry-Level Jobs" blitz bulletin)
  • Optimal Interview - this online tool lets students practice interviewing skills with real-to-life, multi-media interview scenarios.

Tuck students have volunteered to conduct mock interviews for career fields in which they have experience and expertise. Mock interviews will be available for graduating seniors in early Fall .  Watch for announcements on the "Career Services" or "Career Services- Entry-Level Jobs" blitz bulletins.  You may also ask recent alums, parents, and advisors to role play with you in mock interviews.


Step 6: Arrive Early For Your Interview

Candidates should bring their Student ID cards and arrive at the Recruiting Entrance of Career Services for check-in 10 minutes prior to interview start time.

Changes:  Changing your interview time slot is permissible until 12:59 am, TWO FULL BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR to your interview date. No changes will be accepted after that time. Instructions on how to change your interview time slot will be posted on the "Career Services" or "Career Services - Entry-Level Jobs" blitz bulletin prior to the start of  interviews.

Canceling Interviews:  Students are expected to cancel interviews no later than 12:59 am TWO BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR to the day of an interview. Failure to do so will seriously jeopardize your continued participation in the Recruiting Program. Students are expected to negotiate 2nd round and subsequent interview dates/times so that there is no conflict with academics and previously scheduled 1st round interviews.  Employers have agreed to offer 2 dates, by signing off on the following policy:

"INTERVIEW SCHEDULING:  Employers must offer flexibility in scheduling 2nd-round interviews, in consideration of students' academic schedules (minimum 2 dates).  A minimum of 3 business days lead time is required between notification and actual out-of-town interviews at employer's site.  Interviews should not be scheduled during reading or exam periods."

No Shows:  No shows are not permitted!  If a student fails to appear for a scheduled interview without explanation, the student will forfeit all remaining first round interviews in our Recruiting Program.


Step 7: Follow Up on Your Interview

Candidates who demonstrate genuine interest, enthusiasm, and persistence are highly valued by prospective employers. Follow up on your interview by:

  • Mailing a thank-you letter (Writing Job Search Letters - 62K PDF File) to your interviewer within 48 hours.  Use email if the subsequent interview decision is being made in less than a week.  Use the Postal Service for your thank-you note if the subsequent interview decision will take longer than one week.
  • Provide any requested supporting documents as soon as possible (e.g. writing sample, copy of transcript, references, etc.)

If an employer contacts you to indicate that they are no longer considering you, ask what you might have done or could do in the future to improve your candidacy for a similar position. Don't hesitate to ask for specific feedback on your resume, cover letter, interview preparation and interview performance. This information will help you with your next interview.

If you have questions or would like support through this process, make an appointment with a Career Advisor to discuss your strategy.  Call 646-2215 to schedule an appointment.

Last Updated: 9/9/09