Recruiting 101 Guide (2020)

Timeline (for Summer 2021):

  • Spring 2020

    • Info sessions

    • Sometimes early diversity and women’s application processes occur (specifically for IB)

  • Summer 2020

    • Fine tune your resume (see resume section)

    • Prepare for interviews

  • Fall 2020

    • On campus events through OCS, etc.

  • (include info about popular industries - IB and consulting - and others if we can find)

Networking

Networking is incredibly important for recruiting in any industry—from investment banking to technology to start-ups. Having a number of connections to different professionals is one of the best ways to discover (and be offered) career opportunities. Sticking out from a stack of nearly identical and similarly impressive resumes is extremely difficult, but having the right connections to introduce unique opportunities and support you along the way could be a major boost. These professionals will likely be able to help you in advancing your career, building your education, and developing ideas.

  • But what IS networking?

    Networking is the act of interacting with others, often higher professionals, to trade information and build relationships that can be beneficial in terms of career development. Networking is a skill; there isn’t one way to network, just like there isn’t just one way to make friends. The important thing, however, is to build relationships that are genuine; if you don’t feel comfortable reaching out to them, you’re missing out on the benefits of networking! Oftentimes, you’ll be networking through career fairs, networking events hosted by companies, alumni communities, and even cold emails/calls. Luckily, we’ve got some tips for you along the way.

    • Harvard Extension School published a helpful guide on networking called “Build Your Network.” For more details about networking and a different perspective on networking strategies, please feel free to consult the guide!

  • Career Fairs

    For undergraduates, career fairs are one of the most accessible and low-pressure opportunities to network with professionals from different companies. Career fairs are filled with booths from a variety of different companies, so you can feel free to wander and ask questions to recruiters from those that interest you!

    At Harvard, there are lots of career fairs focused on different industries (such as Finance & FinTech; Media, Marketing & Creative Careers; Nonprofit, Government, & Global Health; and more) held by the Office of Career Services throughout both semesters. You can also find similar “meet-and-greet”-like opportunities at bigger events like conferences (such as HUWIB’s very own Intercollegiate Business Convention or Women in Computer Science’s WECode) or hackathons.

  • Harvard Connections

    There are multiple ways to connect with Harvard alumni! 

    • Navigate to the Harvard Alumni Directory and be sure to log in with your Harvard Key!

      • Within the Harvard Alumni Directory, you can search for alumni by location, what school they were associated with (HBS, HKS, Harvard College, etc.), and their class year. 

      • It is also often helpful to sort results by “last login” to contact alumni who may be more active in the Alumni Directory or “class year” to locate alumni who may have gone through the job search process more recently. 

    • The Harvard University LinkedIn page can also be a helpful way to find Harvard connections!

      • On the Harvard University LinkedIn page, click on the alumni tab on the left hand side of the screen to see all alumni of Harvard on LinkedIn.

      • You can sort by the location of alumni and career field!

    • Another helpful resource are mentors and upperclassmen on campus!

      • By building connections with older students in the student groups and clubs you’re involved in on campus, you can ask for their advice and support when looking for internships and jobs.

      • HUWIB is also a great place to begin to expand your network!

    • For more detailed information on using LinkedIn to locate alumni, finding professors in SEAS, and studying abroad, please feel free to watch Keith Karasek's Sophomore Forum! 

    • For another brief summary on leveraging Harvard Connections, please feel free to watch Keith Karasek’s Connecting to Alumni!

  • Cold Emails/Calls

    Harvard Extension School’s networking guide,  “Build Your Network,” suggests cold emailing or calling individuals with whom you are interested in scheduling an informational interview.

    • What is an informational interview? 

      • An informational interview is a brief meeting with an individual working in the career or field you are interested in where you can learn more about a specific career and expand your network. 

    • Planning and Scheduling an Informational Interview:

      • First, identify who you are interested in contacting by reaching out to any connections you already have and asking if they know anyone working in the field you are interested in.

        • Remember to leverage your network in all areas of your life! You can reach out to student groups you’re involved in, LinkedIn connections, peers from classes, friends, and family members. 

        • Another way to find connections is by searching the specific company you want to work at on LinkedIn then seeing if you have any connections who work there. If not, you can also look to see if a Harvard alumni works there who were involved in similar activities that you are involved in on campus.

      • Next, email the individual with whom you would like to schedule an informational interview.

        • Email the contact to show interest and ask to speak on the phone in the email. 

        • It is important to clearly and briefly state why you are emailing the individual and how you found their contact. For example, if your friend worked with the individual last summer, mention your friend’s name and where they worked together. 

        • For example phone introductions and emails, please see pages 7 and 8 of “Build Your Network.”

      • Finally, repeat this process for as many individuals as you are interested in learning more about their career. 

        • If an individual agrees to schedule an informational interview, be sure to be as flexible as possible with stating your availability.  

    • For more information on cold emailing, including more example emails and a more detailed review of what we summarized in this Cold Emailing section, please feel free to watch the last six to seven minutes of Anthony Arcieri's Sophomore Forum!

  • Preparing for Networking Interactions

    • Be warm, friendly, and curious:

      • In the recruiting process, it’s important to make a good impression; unintentionally presenting yourself as rude or disrespectful will likely not get you that second-round interview! Just like in day-to-day interactions, make sure to be attentive, smile, and show that you’re interested in what they have to say!

      • In a similar vein, depending on the type of event, you should try to dress for the occasion. Showing up to a professional networking event in sweats (or even jeans, in some cases) and a t-shirt gives off the impression that you don’t really care about the event or the company. But remember, even considering these things, make sure to be genuine!

    • Get an experienced companion!

      • Often, the first few networking events that you attend can seem very daunting. Bringing along a friend or mentor who has more experience is a great option until you get the hang of things on your own. Take note of the types of questions they ask, how they approach recruiters, and ask for any advice they might have!

    • Before a more personal event, such as a coffee chat, you might want to do some research (through company websites, LinkedIn, or just a plain Google search!) not only about the company, but also the person with whom you’ll be speaking with. 

      • Asking individuals about specific projects or roles will show your interest and expertise in the industry.

      • In addition, coming into an interview without knowing the basics of a company (and sometimes, their individual job), can give off an impression that you are unprepared and/or inconsiderate of their time. Reading the “About” or “Mission” pages of company websites are a great start.

    • The Elevator Pitch

      • This is likely a term that you’ve heard thrown around before. These are brief introductions that will showcase your experiences, interests, and goals—perfect for networking!

      • It’s a good idea to get comfortable with these; creating a general 30-second elevator pitch with your name, year, concentration, school, work experience, and career goals is a great way to prepare for interacting with professionals.

      • Of course, adding in specifics about the company that you’re interviewing for is a good idea, too. (Tip: practicing these in the mirror and/or with mentors and adults can help with the nerves!)

      • This video made by Harvard Human Resources does a great job introducing elevator pitches and gives useful examples!

  • Conversation Starters and Questions

    • Asking questions while networking can seem like a tricky task—you want to display your curiosity and passion but also make sure that you aren’t coming off as entirely uneducated in a company/industry. In short, you don’t want to be asking questions that a simple Google search would have answered. Instead, ask focused and personalized questions about projects they’ve worked on and their favorite parts about their role / company, and why they chose them.

    • At the end of the conversation, make sure to thank whoever you were speaking with, and if appropriate, ask them for a business card or email address! Sending them a personalized follow-up a few hours to a couple days after an event is a great way to leave a mark and remind them of things you discussed.

Networking Questions

  • An extensive list of questions to ask during networking events compiled by the University of Evansville. 

    • This resource is helpful if you are looking for lots of example questions in a broad range of categories!

    • Consider what type of information you are most interested in learning about during a networking event. For example, consider if you are most interested in job responsibilities and workload, how an individual got to their current position, company culture, how to best prepare for a career in a certain field, etc. 

  • More networking questions compiled by Harvard Law School.

    • This is a great curated list of a few top questions to ask during networking events! 

  • Networking questions from Yale’s Office for Postdoctoral Affairs.

    • This list of questions is also divided into a few categories depending on what type of information you would like to learn more about!

    • There is also a helpful sample follow-up email to send after a networking meeting!

Resumes and Cover Letters

  • Where do I start?

    • When first writing your resume, start by going over this guide (RESUMES & COVER LETTERS) from OCS.  This document has helpful templates and information on how to craft your resume from scratch and how to tailor your resume once you’ve created it.

      • You can also stop by OCS during drop-in hours to have one of their advisers review your resume!

  • What should include in my resume, and what should I look out for?

    • At the top of your resume, include your contact information, particularly your Harvard email address and phone number.  In the content section, include all relevant academic and work experiences.  Be direct and as specific as possible when describing the items on your resume.  Focus on results-based descriptions.  Remember to include any leadership roles you’ve held in your activities on campus.  You should also include any technical skills at the bottom of the page. The interests section is a great way for you to show your personality and let interviewers talk to you about something else besides technicals and work experiences.

    • Avoid:

      • First person.  Stick to strong, active verbs in phrases rather than complete sentences.  Instead of “I have managed my club’s budget,” try “Managed club’s $500 budget for Fall 2019 semester.”  Your resume should be easy for an employer to skim.

      • Listing experiences or accomplishments that did not happen. Make sure everything in your resume is accurate.

      • Including a picture of yourself, excessive formatting, abbreviations, and slang.  Keep it simple and professional!

      • Writing a resume longer than one page.  You may have many experiences and leadership roles that you want to include, but focus in on what’s most recent and relevant for the jobs you are applying for.

      • Spelling and grammar errors.  Have someone else check for mistakes before you submit your resume to any employers.

      • Submitting your resume as a Word document, etc.  Always submit your resume as a PDF!  This also holds for cover letters.

  • What should I know about cover letters?

    • The OCS guide listed under the resume section (RESUMES & COVER LETTERS) also has a template for cover letters.

    • Here are some things to keep in mind:

      • Keep your cover letter to one page; it will help you keep your writing concise and to the point.

      • Within the content of the letter, focus on sharing relevant information about yourself that is not on your resume, or elaborate on an experience you’ve listed on your resume.  Explain how the academic and work experiences you’ve had in the past make you a good candidate for the position.  Give specific examples!

      • Research the company beforehand so that you can tailor the contents of your letter to the specific company to which you are writing.  Address the letter to a specific person at the company whenever possible.

      Interviews

  • How to act 

    • Arrive at least 15 minutes to the interview

    • A simple “Nice to meet you. Thank you guys for taking the time to….” is a great hello

    • Don’t flub the handshake

    • Stay standing until the interviewer sits down

    • Don’t come on too strong or overenthusiastic

    • Sit up in your chair

    • Have humble confidence

  • How to prepare

    • “Test runs” with lower-stakes companies

      • Coffee chats are a good way to prepare talking to professionals

    • Interview with your peers

    • Network with people who are in the firm or position that you are interviewing for

    • Dress to impress

    • Study guides and company websites

  • What to expect 

    • There usually are two to three rounds of interview

      • First round: in person or over the phone 

      • Second round: in person or super-day

      • Third round: super-day

    • First rounds tend to be more behavioral based. Very few technical questions

    • Second rounds are more technical questions

    • Super-days are a mix of behavioral and technical questions. You can have between three to six back to back interviews during the super-day

      • You WILL get tired of talking during the course of the super-day

      • Remember: each interviewer DOES NOT know what you said to the other interviewers so each interview is a whole new ball game

      • Bring snacks and drinks to replenish your brain cells after each interview

    • If you do not know the answer to a technical question, it is okay to say that you don’t know

    • The interviewers are there to GET TO KNOW YOU, not make you feel bad

    • Each firm that you interview for will have a different cultural feeling

      • Make notes on which one fits you the best

  • After the Interview

    • Breathe. It is helpful to quickly jot down a few BRIEF notes of what you talked about with each interviewer, so that you can remember to add this in when you send your thank you emails later

    • Write a thank you email to your interviewers within 24 hours after the interview

      • Make sure to include an individualized aspect to each interviewer, referencing some part of the conversation you had with them

    • Continue prepping for the next company’s interview

    • Wait to hear back from the firm

      • This can take up to 2 weeks

  • Behavioral Questions:

    • These questions can be broken down to 6 subtopics 

      • teamwork, client-facing, ability to adapt, time management, communication, and motivation/values

    • Teamwork example questions:

      • Give me an example of a time you had to work with someone with a different working style than yours. 

      • Tell me about a time when you needed to get information from someone who was not very responsive. What did you do?

    • Client-facing example questions:

      • Give me an example of when you did not meet your client’s expectations? What happened, and how did you rectify the situation?

      • Tell me about a time when you made sure a customer was pleased with your service. 

    • Ability to adapt example questions:

      • Tell me about a time when you were under a lot of pressure.

      • Tell me about a time when you failed.

    • Time management example questions:

      • Describe a long-term project that you managed. How did you keep track and complete the project?

      • Give me an example of a time you managed multiple things at once. What was the biggest challenge you faced while managing these tasks?

    • Communication example questions:

      • Tell me about a time when you were able to persuade your team to work with your idea

      • Give me an example of a time you had to explain something complex to a fairly frustrated client. How did you go about handling the delicate situation?

    • Motivation/values example questions:

      • Tell me about your most proudest accomplishment. 

      • Would you rather work under extremely close supervision or close supervision?

  • Guides for specific industries

Your 2020 Guide to Virtual Interviews

Although COVID-19 has caused lots of uncertainty, companies have moved to virtual options to continue recruiting students and graduates.  Several employers had used platforms such as HireVue for first-round screenings before COVID-19, but this has become much more common in the past few months.  Most companies have also shifted to virtual interviews for their following rounds in order to follow health guidelines. Big picture, there are many pros and cons that come with this change:

Benefits: compliance with health guidelines, reaching more candidates, no travel time (can interview from the comfort of your home rather than having to trek to NYC in the middle of the week), more access to virtual open houses or job fairs, saving time/resources, often easier for introverts
Costs: reliance on technology and WiFi, lack of 1-on-1 connection, harder to communicate and gauge culture fit, awkwardness of virtual conversation

WIB’s Career Development Committee has compiled advice and tips based on personal experience to provide insight on how to approach recruiting interviews in a virtual setting:

Tips for General Interviews:

  • Make sure you have a reliable WiFi connection / technology! Test out the platform and your own technologies (mic, sound, etc.) beforehand so you aren’t scrambling last minute

  • Arrive early, just as you would to an in-person interview.

  • Dress and act as you would if you were actually face-to-face with a recruiter (in other words, get off the couch and put on a nice shirt!)

    • Solid, neutral tones like blue or gray are camera-friendly

    • White or bright colored clothing can clash with skin tones

    • Patterns can be distracting, especially on camera

  • Find a good setting for your interview! Having a non-distracting background as well as no conversations or noise around you is important. Lighting is also important; positioning yourself to face a window or light. 

  • Look at the camera and maintain “eye contact” rather than looking down or at the computer screen; adjust your camera position if need be!

  • Don’t move around too much; it can be tempting to fidget or move your body, but movement, especially in a camera frame, can be very distracting and even disturbing for the recruiter! Maintain good posture and sit professionally!

Tips for Pre-Recorded Interviews (e.g. HireVue, Yello, etc.):

  • Read the instructions very carefully!  Even if you’ve done these types of interviews before, don’t assume that every employer conducts their interviews the same way.

  • Know the date when you have to submit your interview, and beat that deadline by several hours or even days.  This will make a better impression on the prospective employer than submitting at the last minute!

  • Don’t rush through your answers.  Spend time practicing the pace of your answers so you sound natural and confident!

Tips for Live Interviews (e.g. Zoom, video chat, etc.)

  • Especially for situations like case interviews (consulting) or programming (tech), it is a lot harder for interviewers to understand your thinking and follow your framework virtually

  • It’s extra crucial to be very vocal with your thinking and steps.  Even if your first approach is wrong, it’s better to show your train of thinking rather than be silent

  • Over-communicate and walk the interviewer through all of your thoughts:

    • “This is similar to a …”

    • “I think it would be useful to…”

    • “I want to try…”

    • “I’m going to implement…”

    • “This makes me think…”

  • Other than that, do all your prep work for technicals and behaviorals just as you would for a normal interview!

In Conclusion:

Virtual recruiting can definitely feel uncomfortable at times; however, remember that no one feels completely natural in this type of environment! Naturally, it will take time to loosen up, so you may find it useful to practice talking and looking into a camera in a comfortable setting. Don’t worry too much and focus on being yourself and showing off your great qualities.