On-Campus Interviews
- FAQs about InterviewTRAK
- About the On-Campus Interview Process
- Recruiting Interview Dates
- Pre-Select Schedules
- Open Schedules
- Resume Submission/Drop Deadline
- Information Sessions/Presentations
- No Show/Cancellations
- Citizenship Requirements
- Company Information
- Eligibility Policy
- Interview Follow-up
- Employment Offer Guidelines
ABOUT THE PROCESS
Each year, over 160 companies participate in the on-campus interview program. SMU attracts diversified companies in a variety of fields from Fortune 500 to small growth firms. Opportunities are available for full-time and internship positions. The on-campus recruiting program is open to all undergraduate students, and to graduate students from Dedman College, Meadows School for the Arts, and the School of Engineering.
To participate in on-campus recruiting all students must attend a Career Services Orientation to learn of our services and how to utilize the web-based job posting system called MustangTRAK. Within MustangTRAK is a link called On Campus Interview Schedules which houses all the information pertaining to on-campus recruiting activity. Campus recruiting should be only one component of a successful job search strategy.
RECRUITING INTERVIEW DATES
The 2007-2008 Recruiting Program dates are follows:
- Fall September 17 - November 9, 2007
- Spring February 19 - April 4, 2008
PRE-SELECT SCHEDULES
The majority of the employers who recruit at SMU choose to screen the resumes of candidates in advance. Employers will post a job in On Campus Interview Schedules and request students submit their resume by a deadline. Some companies require additional information such as cover letters, transcripts, applications, or writing samples. Review the Employer’s Job Description in On Campus Interview Schedules carefully for instructions and deadline information. The employer will then review resumes for approximately 1 week and select students to interview.
Pre-selected students are notified by email and instructed to schedule an interview time on the employer's schedule in On Campus Interview Schedules. Students may also check Career Events link in MustangTRAK to see all the employers that have scheduled information sessions and have pre-selected them to interview. This pre-selection process typically takes 2 weeks from the Resume Submission Deadline until the day of the on-campus interview.
OPEN SCHEDULES
Employers will post a job in On Campus Interview Schedules and allow qualified students to sign-up on a "first-come, first-served basis". This is the least common method used by employers. Open Schedules occurs more often toward the end of a semester when time is limited.
RESUME SUBMISSION/RESUME DROP DEADLINE
All resumes for on-campus recruiting are submitted via On Campus Interview Schedules. The resume submission/resume drop deadline is the last day resumes can be submitted via Career Center Recruiting. Note: The deadline is by midnight of that day.
INFORMATION SESSIONS
Over 50% of the companies who participate in on-campus interviewing will host an "Info Session" in advance of their interview date. These evening presentations typically last 1 hour and provide valuable insight about the company and positions. Expect to see 2-3 Info Sessions per night during recruiting season. All interested students are encouraged to attend. Check On Campus Interview Schedules weekly for location of the information sessions.
CAMPUS INTERVIEW CANCELLATION/NO SHOW POLICY
Cancellations: If you MUST cancel a scheduled campus interview with an employer visiting SMU, the deadline for doing so is 24 hours prior (8:30-5:00 Monday-Friday) to the interview. You are responsible for contacting the Hegi Career Center's Employer Relations Coordinator at 214.768.2287 and requesting that your name be removed from a schedule. Failure to cancel your interview 24 hours prior to the interview will result in the interview being classified as a "no show".
No-Show: A "no show" is defined as a missed scheduled interview where the student does not appear for the interview and has not notified or given sufficient cancellation notification (as defined above) to the Hegi Career Center prior to the interview.
Campus interviews are an important service provided by the Hegi Career Center. Failure to follow interview cancellation procedures means an opportunity denied to other students who could have taken advantage of an interview on campus. It also means time and money lost to the employer and a less favorable view of SMU and its candidates.
Sanctions: If you violate the interview cancellation policy above - regardless of the reason (including illness, emergencies, etc.) your on-campus recruiting account will be immediately deactivated and you will be required to meet with a Hegi Career Center professional staff member within two (2) working days subsequent to the missed interview. You will also be required to submit a ready-to-mail letter of apology to the employer. The letter of apology is to be given to the Hegi Career Center's receptionist within ONE (1) working day from meeting with a Hegi Career Center professional staff member. Upon receipt of the letter of apology, your on-campus recruiting account will be re-activated. If you fail to meet with a professional staff member and submit a written letter of apology and/or violate the interview cancellation policy more than once, your on-campus recruiting account will remain inactive and your interview privileges will be revoked indefinitely by the Hegi Career Center.
CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Employers will indicate on their Job Description whether or not their organization requires U.S. citizenship or Permanent Residency in the US. All international students seeking employment within the U.S. should consult with the International Office before participating in the program.
COMPANY INFORMATION
Students are expected to begin their company research prior to submitting their resumes. On Campus Interview Schedules provides links to Employer’s websites. Students are also encouraged to research companies by attending information sessions, career fairs and reviewing professional and industry literature. For more information on locating company information attend a Company Research Workshop.
ELIGIBILITY POLICY
Students are not allowed to interview on campus until registered in MustangTRAK and their resume is uploaded.
EMPLOYMENT OFFER GUIDELINES
The staff of the Hegi Family Career Development Center concurs with the judgment of the Principles for Professional Conduct Committee of the National Association of Colleges and Employers that "the best employment decisions are those made with the greatest amount of information." Further, "students given sufficient amount of time to gather thorough information related to all available job opportunities are more likely to make good long-term employment decisions and less likely to renege on job acceptances." The staff of the Career Center also acknowledges the desirability by employers for having definite timeframes for the acceptance and rejection of offers by students.
Therefore, to provide students with sufficient time to make a considered employment decision and to allow employers the flexibility needed to compete for talent, the Career Center recommends that employment offers extended to students for full-time employment should remain open for a minimum period of two weeks.
INTERVIEW FOLLOW-UP
Once a student has interviewed for a position on campus, employers expect the student to follow up on their candidacy with them directly. There is an expectation that you will send a thank you letter/ note within 24 hours of your interview. During your interview, it is important to get the interviewer’s business card and determine who to contact for follow-up purposes. Please contact the employer directly for information on second interviews and hiring decisions. Report any employer practices that may violate professional and ethical practices immediately to a Career Center Staff member.