finding your career path The Harvard Guide to Your Job Search PUBLISHED BY THE OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES AND THE HARVARD CRIMSON
2012-2013
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 1
8/13/2012 2:50:47 PM
Grow Further.
BCG is growing, and our growth creates a path for yours. The success of our clients, our people, and our company is built on custom insight and open collaboration, stripped of templates, pretense, and hierarchy. And when we implement solutions together with our clients, they stand up to the test of real-world competition. This is why our clients outperform, our ideas become business principles, and our people grow to achieve diverse greatness, from a Grammy-winning vocalist to the CEO of Pepsi.
••• CG • • •is an equal employment opportunity employer
You don’t have to fit into a mold at BCG. We have never bothered to create one. We do, however, seek certain qualities in those who join us. Drive. Curiosity. And the desire to chart your own course while helping clients and colleagues find theirs. Within and beyond BCG, our people make a difference for their organizations – for the world – because of the leaders they became while here.
2 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 2
8/13/2012 2:50:48 PM
nts,
ns
ur he
Table of contents
Table of Contents Welcome....................................................6 Welcome to OCS...........................................................................7
The Job Search........................................8 The Job Search...............................................................................9 An Entrepreneurial Approach....................................................10 OCS Fall Programming...............................................................14 Quick Tips for Using Crimson Careers......................................18 The Job Search in an Uncertain Economy.................................20
On-Campus Interview Program 101...21 OCI Calendar...............................................................................22 What is OCI?................................................................................24 OCI Registration.........................................................................23 Summer Internships....................................................................24 Information for Study/Work Abroad Students..........................24 Using Crimson Careers for OCI.................................................24
Resumes & Cover Letters......................30 Create a Strong Resume..............................................................32 Get Resume and Cover Letter Help at OCS...............................32 Sample Resume............................................................................33 Write an Effective Cover Letter...................................................34 Sample Cover Letter....................................................................35 150 Sample Action Words...........................................................36
d the .
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 3
Interviews...............................................37 Ace the Interview.........................................................................38 Interviewing Tips.........................................................................39 Interviewing Types......................................................................40 Second and Final Round Interviews...........................................43
Offers & Decisions.................................44 Offers............................................................................................45 Once You Make a Decision.........................................................46 What To Do If..............................................................................47 On-Campus Interview Offers.....................................................48
Life After College...................................50 Industries................................................53 Advertising...................................................................................54 Health Tech..................................................................................55 Entrepreneurship.........................................................................56 Retail Merchandising...................................................................57 Entertainment..............................................................................58 Public Service...............................................................................59 Non-Profit Consulting................................................................60 Education.....................................................................................62 Technology...................................................................................63 Consulting...................................................................................64 Corporate Strategy......................................................................66
3
8/13/2012 2:50:48 PM
The Harvard Guide to Your Job Search 16th Edition
PUBLISHERS J. Sebastian Garcia ’13 and Deb Carroll
THE HARVARD CRIMSON, INC. Business Manager J. Sebastian Garcia ’13 Advertising Sales Joseph R. Botros ’15 Adam J. Conner ’14 Andrew F. Creamer ’14 Sandesh K. Kataria ’14 Frances M. Pak ’14 David L. Wang ’15 Alison R. Zhang ’15 Design Danielle E. O’Neil ’13 President E. Benjamin Samuels ’13
HARVARD OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES Deb Carroll Kate Lombard Marissa Long ’08 Robin Mount Copyright 2012, The Harvard Crimson, Inc. All rights reserved by The Harvard Crimson, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed, written permission of The Harvard Crimson, Inc. For advertising information, please call (617) 576-6600. For job search questions not answered, please call OCS at (617) 495-2595.
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 4
8/13/2012 2:50:51 PM
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 5
8/13/2012 2:50:54 PM
WELCOME
The Harvard Guide to Your Job Search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 6
8/13/2012 2:50:57 PM
welcome
WELCOME TO OCS Opportunities, connections, success Whether you have some specific goals in mind or have no idea what to do after Harvard, the Office of Career Services (OCS) is a valuable resource for any stage of your job, internship, fellowship, or graduate school search process. OCS can help you identify and explore options, build a professional network, focus your efforts, and maintain your motivation – all of which is important in a challenging economy. As you start thinking about which pathways to pursue, remember that there are many road maps and people willing to help you along your way. One piece of advice that has stood the test of time is that “the early bird gets the worm.” Don’t wait until the last minute to begin to explore and plan for your next step. Let OCS help you find the right approach and guide you from start to finish.
Opportunities:
Educate yourself about diverse careers options. • • •
Senior Month at OCS - don’t miss out on all the programming during September and beyond! Select from over 75 diverse panels and workshops offered each semester. Join your OCS class listserv to receive relevant updates about events!
Connections:
Find people who can help you in your job search. COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES
Meet employers, Harvard alumni, and students with similar interests at numerous workshops, panels, and events hosted by OCS. • Alumni speakers and panels. • 20+ OCS career fairs and expos already scheduled for this year. • See the OCS Google Calendars for all the details!
Success:
Get personalized advice to help you get where you want to be! • • • •
OCS Drop-In Hours, Monday through Friday, 1-4pm, for resume and cover letter reviews, quick questions, just getting started, or touching base. Special “Getting Started” advisers to help you take the first steps. Half hour advising appointments covering a diverse range of career areas and career decision-making. Complete the Senior Check-In so that we can tailor services to your interests!
Be sure to stay connected with OCS through the OCS website, including your OCS Class Listserv and OCS Google Calendars, at www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu. We look forward to working with you this year! - The Office of Career Services Staff
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 7
7
8/13/2012 2:51:00 PM
the Job Search
The Harvard Guide to Your Job Search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 8
8/13/2012 2:51:03 PM
THE JOB SEARCH
THE JOB SEARCH Most students find the job or internship search process both exciting and stressful, since it is a time of exploring options but also a time of narrowing choices and decision-making. At OCS we appreciate this, and we are ready to help you through each step of the way. Before applying for specific opportunities, it is important to do some thinking about what you want to do next.
Explore options
and discover which organizations, graduate schools, industries, and types of employers most closely match your interests, personality, skills, and offer you the best learning opportunities.
Reflect
and think about how you would like to participate in the world of not-forprofit, for-profit, and/or government work, now and in the future.
Think about other opportunities,
such as international experiences, fellowships, or research positions, and determine which path is best for you at this point in time.
Connect with the Office of Career Services at 54 Dunster Street
and let an adviser personally help you get focused and started on your search.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 9
9
8/13/2012 2:51:04 PM
THE JOB SEARCH
AN ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH In this current hiring climate, some of the characteristics of a successful job search are very similar to the components of launching a successful new business or venture. Both require taking initiative and being proactive, finding ways to stand out and differentiate yourself from the pack, being resilient and adaptable if your first plan doesn’t work, and making professional connections that will help you through each step of the process. It is not enough to hit the send button on several applications and then sit back expecting your Harvard credentials to do the work. The job search is a very active process that involves meeting and interacting with many professionals, which is why OCS often refers to the job search as a “contact sport.”
Insider Tip: “…you should approach career strategy the same way an entrepreneur approaches starting a business.” - LinkedIn Founder Reid Garrett Hoffman
MAKE CONNECTIONS You have to talk to people in order to learn what is out there, to get up to speed on current issues in a particular field, and to determine which options are a good fit for you. “Building a Professional Network” means making contacts with people who can provide you with up-to-date information and help you develop some “gravitational pull” from inside an organization, increasing your chances of being noticed and successful in your search. Especially in a sluggish economy, the connections you make building out your network can be crucial to finding and landing a great job or internship. Over 90% of job seekers land jobs or internships through this process of building professional connections. Take advantage of all the opportunities Harvard offers you, both on and off campus, in person and online, to speak with lots of people about your interests.
Attend Professional Networking Workshops.
Learn the skills that will help you succeed in broadening your connections. You are going to be networking throughout your professional career, including each time you want to change jobs, so make sure to learn and practice these skills before you leave campus. Networking workshops are among the “Nuts & Bolts” programming offered at OCS. Check the OCS Google Calendars for more details.
Go To Events.
These are opportunities for you to: • Ask questions • Meet people face-to-face • Experience the culture of a company or organization • Learn about full-time and summer internship opportunities • Learn what is a good fit for you and what is not • Get application and interview tips • Demonstrate your interest, knowledge, and skills • Get contact information and stay in touch if interested
10 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 10
8/13/2012 2:51:05 PM
THE JOB SEARCH
Participate in Career Panels.
OCS arranges many panels with diverse employers and organizations where alumni and other professionals talk about careers in areas such as non-profit management, fashion, sports, entertainment, global public health, human rights, international development and more. Most organizations do not hire through the on-campus interview program, so use these opportunities to build your professional network and connections. Remember that speakers are always looking for new people who are passionate about what they do to join their organizations and become the next generation of leaders in their field.
Attend Employer Networking & Information Sessions.
Over 75 organizations, mostly large employers who hire a lot of people at one time, come to campus between September and December looking specifically to meet Harvard students and to present information about their organizations. Make sure you check out the OCS Employers on Campus Google Calendar for specific dates and times. You do not need to be registered with the On-Campus Interview Program to attend. Don’t be discouraged if the type of organization you would like to work for does not offer an employer session, as there are many other ways to get in front of potential employers. While these sessions can be great learning experiences, they are also a chance for you to stand out from the stack of resumes these organization representatives have in their offices. Take the opportunity to demonstrate your passion for the field as well as your “soft skills,” including how well you interact and communicate with different kinds of people. If an employer sees that you will handle yourself well in a professional social situation, it will help them remember you and pull your resume out from the pile of other candidates! • Attend Special Employer Programs – Learn directly from experienced professionals how to navigate the hiring process in their fields. • On-Campus Interview Boutique Nights – Learn about the opportunities at some of the smaller or niche employers in the On-Campus Interview Program. - Finance – Tuesday, September 11th, 4-6pm @ the Har vard Faculty Club - Consulting – Friday, September 14th, 4-6pm @ the Sheraton Commander Hotel • Resume Clinics – A number of employers conduct field-specific resume review clinics in areas such as consulting, financial services and banking. See the OCS Employers on Campus Google Calendar for dates and details. • Interview Workshops – Many employers come to campus to present finance, technical, and case interview workshops. These are excellent learning opportunities for students who think they may be interested in interviewing for these types of positions. • Employer or Recruiter Office Hours – Usually held at OCS or the OCS Interview Facility, get recruiting, application, and interview questions answered. Bring your resume and/or cover letter and get employer feedback. See the OCS Employers on Campus Google Calendar for dates and details.
Attend Career Fairs and Expos.
Speak with employers about jobs, internships, and career paths. Recent Harvard alums often represent their employer at career fairs, making it even easier for you to connect and ask questions. Collect business cards or contact information and stay in touch. Below are some of the key events already planned on campus for the 20122013 academic year. Be sure to check the OCS Google Calendars for any updates and changes.
Harvard FAS On-Campus Interview Program Fair Friday, September 7th 1:00pm – 4:00pm @ the Sheraton Commander Hotel & Radcliffe Gymnasium
The Harvard Crimson/OCS Journalism & Media Fair Friday, October 5th 3:00pm – 6:00pm @ the Harvard Crimson, 14 Plympton Stree
Harvard OCS Advertising, Marketing, and PR (AMP) Expo Friday, October 12th 2:00pm – 5:00pm @ the Office of the Career Services
Harvard Job & Internship Fair Friday, October 19th 1:00pm – 4:00pm @ the Sheraton Commander Hotel & Radcliffe Gymnasium
Harvard OCS Global Health Fair Thursday, November 8th 4:00pm – 6:00pm @ the Office of Career Services
Harvard OCS Summer Opportunities Fair Friday, December 7th 12:00 – 4:00pm @ The Gutman Conference Center & Radcliffe Gymnasium
Harvard OCS Start-up Fair Friday, February 8th Check the OCS Google Calendars for more details
Harvard Pre-K-12 Teaching Expo Thursday, February 28th @ The Gutman Conference Center
Harvard OCS Clinical Volunteer Opportunities Fair TBA @ the Office of Career Services
AMBLE/OCS Spring Career Conference: Marketing, Media, Fashion, and Entertainment February date TBA Check the OCS Google Calendars for more details
Harvard Social Impact Expo Thursday, April 4th @ The Gutman Conference Center
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 11
11
8/13/2012 2:51:05 PM
the job search
EXPLORE OCS RESOURCES Some exclusive to Harvard students, OCS’s online resources provide job and internship listings, networking contacts, and industry information access 24/7. Attend a workshop at OCS to learn more about these databases, or stop by OCS during Drop-Ins to have a member of OCS first-floor team give you a personal demonstration.
Crimson Careers.
Search broadly through our job and internship database. Look regularly—listings are added frequently. This past year alone there were over 8,000 jobs and internships posted in Crimson Careers. Keyword searches may lead to better results when searching “non-profit” or “engineering.” Specialized searches also can be selected for jobs and internships posted by: • Harvard Centers and Departments • Harvard Alumni • On-Campus Interview Program (OCI) • Internship Consortia –– UCAN - 22 select colleges and universities from across the country jointly post over 8,000 domestic and international internships each academic year in order to represent a wide diversity of geographic locations, industries, and job functions –– iNet - an elite Ivy+ internship database with nearly 5,000 internship postings, iNet includes a range of industries, with non-profits, communication/media, marketing, internet, and start-ups as the 5 most-posted industries this past year
Global Focus.
Only top schools with high-performing students are invited to join the Global Focus U profile and resume database. By completing the profile fields and uploading your resume, employers from more industries and more locations, such as General Mills, SAP, SC Johnson, Eli Lilly, GE, and L'Oreal, will be able to search for you!
Goinglobal.
Includes informative country guides with tips on local professional etiquette, tailoring resumes and curriculum vitae by country/region, and visa information. Goinglobal also provides resources for international students looking to work in the U.S.
Vault.
Often used for career exploration and interview preparation, Vault has over 140 downloadable career guides, employer profiles and rankings, as well as discussion boards, industry blogs and news.
LinkedIn.
A professional networking site, LinkedIn provides job listings and opportunities to connect with students, alumni, and employers. Join the Harvard College Group to connect with thousands of alumni.
Peer 2 Peer Network.
Searchable database of fellow Harvard students who have volunteered to share their summer experiences with you, Peer2Peer is a great way to make a contact in a particular organization of interest to you.
Crimson Compass.
Start to build your professional network by connecting with alumni who have volunteered to speak with students about careers, pathways and industries. Select multiple career areas and keep searches broad; this resource is for informational interviews, not for job placement or listings.
Insider Tip:
“LinkedIn is a recruiter’s bread and butter.”
- Joshua Scull, Oak Ridge National Laboratories.
12 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 12
8/13/2012 2:51:05 PM
the job search
RESEARCH EMPLOYERS AND INDUSTRIES You may hear that to be successful in the job search and interview process you need to “do your homework.” This means researching the employers and industries that interest you. Background research will help you tailor your resumes and cover letters for greater success, prepare for interview questions, and ensure you are prepared to evaluate job and internship offers when you get them. Where to conduct research? • Employer websites • Search engines • OCS website, including access to: - Crimson Careers - Vault • Industry Publications, including: - The Wall Street Journal - Business Week - AdWeek - Wired • OCS Reading Room and Library - Vault Guides - Hoovers (Hollis)
Insider Tip:
Year after year, OCS employers consistently rank employer research as the weakest element among Harvard candidates. For example, do you know the CEO of the company you are interviewing with? Can you talk about a recent article that mentioned the organization? Do your research and separate yourself from the pack!
PROFESSIONALISM When going through the job or internship search, it is always important to present yourself as someone ready for employment and the responsibilities that go with it. Interactions with employers, though sometimes more casual than others, should always be professional. Be polite and engaged with everyone you encounter, even people who you don’t necessarily think will be part of the hiring decisions, like receptionists and wait staff at restaurants. Make sure to think beyond just face-to-face events, but consider all the ways you might communicate with an employer.
Email:
Make sure your emails are businesslike with proper grammar and punctuation. A pet-peeve of many recruiters is when students begin an email with “Hey.” Also, don’t forget to revise your email signature to something appropriate for employer correspondence.
Telephone:
Check your voicemail message and ring back tones, as employers will try to reach you by phone. Remember to return voicemails with a phone call – take the cue from the employer as to how they want to communicate with you. If you can’t reach the employer by phone, leave a message and then follow up by email.
Online:
Edit what you have on Facebook and other social networking sites. What would happen if a recruiter Googled you? Also, be proactive about your online presence by setting up a LinkedIn account. Some things vary by industry and organization, such as dress code. This is why you should always do research online, make connections with alumni and other professionals in the field, and follow any formal instructions or informal cues given to you by an employer. When in doubt, always err on the formal side until you are sure.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 13
13
8/13/2012 2:51:05 PM
the job search
ocs fall programming
Architecture, Urban Development, and Green Construction •
How to Find Jobs and Internships in Architecture, Green Construction, and Urban Planning: Mon., Nov. 5, 4:00–5:00pm, OCS Conference Room
Arts Management, Museums, Galleries, and Auction Houses •
How to Find Jobs and Internships in Museums: Thurs., Sept. 27, 4:30–5:30pm, OCS Reading Room
Consulting •
Explore Careers in Consulting and Corporate Strategy: Mon., Oct. 29, 5:30–6:30pm, OCS Conference Room
Creative Arts: Film, Music, Dance, Photography, Theater, and Fashion Design • •
That’s Entertainment: Explore Careers in Film, Theater, Music, and Dance: Wed., Oct. 10, 4:00–5:30pm, OCS Reading Room Building a Career as a Contemporary Artist: Wed., Nov. 14, 4:00–5:00pm, OCS Conference Room
Education, Social Services (Psychology and Counseling), and the Ministry • • • •
Explore Graduate School in Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work: Fri., Oct. 19, 4:00–5:00pm, OCS Reading Room How to Find Teaching Jobs Abroad: Summer and Full–Time: Fri., Nov. 9, 3:00–4:00pm, OCS Conference Room Explore Career Pathways in Education: Wed., Nov. 14, 4:30–6:00pm, OCS Reading Room Choosing a Graduate Program in Child Development or Child Policy: Thurs., Nov. 29, 4:30–6:00pm, OCS Reading Room
Engineering, Science, Biotech, Medical Devices, Electronic Gaming, and Technology • • • • • • • • •
How to Find Jobs and Internships in Scientific and Technical Industries: Mon., Sept. 24, 4:00–5:00pm, OCS Conference Room Explore Careers in Science and Engineering: Beyond the Bench: Wed., Oct. 10, 4:00–5:30pm, Maxwell Dworkin 119 Explore Careers in Digital Media: A Career Chat with Perry Hewitt, Harvard’s Chief Digital Officer: Mon., Oct. 15, 4:00–5:00pm, OCS Reading Room Explore Design Careers: From Engineering to Creative Development: Thurs., Oct. 18, 4:00–5:30pm, Maxwell Dworkin 119 Grad School in the Sciences and Engineering: Applying, Surviving, and Thriving: Wed., Oct. 24, 4:00–5:00pm, Maxwell Dworkin 119 Explore Data and Analytics Careers: Thurs., Nov. 1, 2:00–5:00pm, Maxwell Dworkin Lobby Finding and Funding Summer Research in Engineering: Thurs., Nov. 29, 4:00–5:00pm, Maxwell Dworkin 119 Entertainment Management: New Media, Television, Film, and Sports Explore Careers in Sports Management: Thurs., Nov. 8, 7:00–8:00pm, Location TBD
Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise • •
Working for Start–Ups: How to Find Opportunities: Tues., Oct. 2, 4:30–5:30pm, OCS Reading Room Explore Careers in Social Enterprise, Corporate Social Responsibility, Foundations, and Philanthropy: Thurs., Oct. 25, 4:30–5:30pm, OCS Seminar Room
14 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 14
8/13/2012 2:51:07 PM
the job search
Environment, Sustainability, Global Food Production, and Energy •
Explore Careers in Energy, Environment, and Sustainability: Tues. Oct. 16, 5:00–6:00pm, OCS Conference Room
Fiction and Non–fiction Publishing, Journalism, Writing, and Illustrating • • •
The New Journalism: Finding Your Place in an Evolving Field: Wed., Sept. 19, 4:30–5:30pm, OCS Reading Room Careers for Those Who Have a Way with Words: Wed., Oct. 17, 4:00–5:00pm, OCS Reading Room Following the Editorial Path to a Career in Publishing: Thurs., Oct. 25, 4:00–5:00pm, OCS Conference Room
Finance, Hedge Funds, Private Equity, Real Estate, and Venture Capital • •
Explore the Diversity of Careers in Finance: Mon., Sept. 17, 5:30–6:30pm, OCS Conference Room Banking and Consulting: Myths and Realities: Thurs., Oct. 4, 4:30–5:30pm, OCS Conference Room
Government, Politics, International Relations, and the Military • • •
Explore Business Careers with the Federal Government: Wed., Sept. 19, 5:30–6:30pm, OCS Conference Room How to Find Jobs in the Federal Government: Tues., Oct. 2, 4:00–5:00pm, OCS Conference Room How to Find Jobs in Public Policy and International Relations: Thurs., Oct. 11, 4:00–5:00pm, OCS Reading Room
Hospitality, Travel, Culinary Arts, and Restaurants • •
Explore Careers in Food, Wine, and Travel: Tues., Oct. 9, 4:30–5:30pm, OCS Conference Room How to Find Hospitality Jobs and Internships: Tues., Nov. 13, 4:30–5:30pm, OCS Reading Room
International Development, Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation, and Global Health • • • • • •
International Development Overview and Trek: Fri., Sept. 14, 11:30am–1:00pm, OCS Seminar Room Explore Graduate School in International Development/Affairs: Tues., Sept. 18, 5:30–7:00pm, OCS Conference Room Explore Careers in International Development: Introduction to the Field: Thurs., Sept. 27, 4:30–5:30pm, OCS Conference Room Career Pathways to International Development: Thurs., Oct. 4, 5:00–6:30pm, OCS Reading Room How to Find Jobs in International Development: Focus on Chemonics: Thurs., Oct. 18, 4:00–5:00pm, OCS Conference Room Finding and Funding Internships in Africa: Thurs., Nov. 1, 4:30–6:00pm, OCS Reading Room
Law • • • • •
How to Apply to Law School: Tues., Sept. 25, 4:00–5:00pm, OCS Reading Room Explore Jobs in the Legal Profession: Tues., Oct. 9, 4:00–5:00pm, OCS Reading Room Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising, and Fashion/Retail Explore Careers in Brand Management: Wed., Oct. 17, 6:00–7:00pm, OCS Conference Room Advertising 101 (with WPP): Tues., Oct. 23, 5:30–7:30pm, Location TBA
Be sure to check the OCS Google Calendars for updates, changes, and OCS Spring Programming.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 15
15
8/13/2012 2:51:09 PM
the job search
QUICK TIPS FOR USING CRIMSON CAREERS Through the Crimson Careers online system, you have access to jobs and internships posted exclusively to Harvard students, opportunities posted by Harvard Centers and Departments, internships posted by our consortia partners, events and career fairs, as well as appointment scheduling with OCS advisers. Below is a brief overview of how to navigate Crimson Careers.
Navigation Bar
The navigation bar is consistent throughout every screen in Crimson Careers. As you get more familiar with it you may find other ways you prefer to get from place to place in the system, but the navigation bar is an easy place to start.
Home Tab
On the home page of Crimson Careers, you will find shortcuts, announcements, and alerts indicating activity on your account or steps you need to follow, such as signing up for an OCI interview.
Profile Tab
This basic yet important information is for OCS internal use only and is not visible to employers. It is used for contact information and for scheduling appointments. Keep your phone number and email address up-to-date so that we can contact you in case of a change in schedule, interview cancellation, or a last minute open interview time! Make sure that your class level and graduation date are correct under this tab. Please note that you must use your @fas, @college, or @post email address to access the Crimson Careers system. If you are having this email account forward to another account, like gmail, be sure to double-check that you are not missing any important system messages by continuing to check your Harvard account while you are conducting your job search. Email messages, such as appointment and interview reminders, are sent from Crimson Careers on a batch basis and may be filtered as spam during the forwarding process.
16 The HArvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 16
8/13/2012 2:51:09 PM
the job search
Documents Tab
All application documents can be uploaded or viewed from this tab and may include resumes, cover letters, unofficial transcripts, and writing samples. While customized resumes and documents can also be uploaded directly to specific positions from the job description page, we recommend uploading all documents from this tab so that you can preview the document format. Below is some important information to help you use the documents tab most efficiently: • Upload resumes, cover letters, and writing samples from Microsoft Word to better maintain formatting and to reduce the upload time. • “Unofficial Transcript” means your “Student Record” or “Official Transcript” only, see the OCI section of the OCS website for more details. • To remove encryption, your Student Record must be printed and then scanned into a PDF. If you do not upload your Student Record this way, employers may receive your application materials as a blank page stating “document could not be included.” • Always “View” uploaded documents from the documents tab to ensure proper formatting was maintained in the file conversion. • There is NO LIMIT as to how many documents you can upload.
Jobs & Internships Tab
Crimson Careers allows you to set up your own searches, set favorites, and set up “search agents” to get email updates on new postings. Consider beginning with a broad search on keyword or industry and then progressively narrowing your search from there.
Applying to Non-OCI Jobs and Internships
Whenever possible, tailor your application materials to the specific job, organization, or industry for which you are applying. Make it Final! Think of your application as if you are sealing it and posting it by mail to the employer. Changes you make to your documents will not change or update a submitted application. To review applications to non-OCI positions, navigate to the “Jobs & Internships” tab, and then to the “Applications” sub-tab. Non-OCI employers will contact you directly by phone or by email if they would like to schedule you for an interview.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 17
17
8/13/2012 2:51:09 PM
the job search
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE JOB SEARCH IN AN UNCERTAIN ECONOMY? Despite the current economy, as a Harvard student you have many reasons to remain confident and optimistic, provided you approach your job search with realistic expectations and are ready to invest both time and effort.
Cast a wide net.
Don’t approach the job search with your heart set on one dream employer, job, or industry. It is important to think about multiple paths you can take in the short term to gain the skills you need to achieve your goals in the long term. It is important to extend your search beyond on-campus interviews, which only represent a small fraction of the opportunities available to Harvard students. If you don’t get an offer from your first choice organization, think about where else you could learn similar expertise or develop other valuable abilities.
Use all the resources available to you.
OCS has expert staff and resources to help you navigate your job search in varying economic climates. Take advantage of resume and interview workshops to put your best foot forward. Attend career fairs and panels to meet face-to-face with potential employers. Meet with an adviser to strategize the best course of action for you and your goals. Use the online and library resources to expand your job search.
Build your professional network.
In an uncertain economy, employers are often less able to predict their hiring needs in advance and therefore rely more heavily on “just in time” hiring. For this reason, it is essential to be proactive and not wait until a job gets posted. Use friends, OCS events, family members, and the Harvard network to meet people in the organizations and industries where you would like to work. Stay in touch so you are at the top of their list when a position becomes available. Furthermore, having a good network is your greatest asset in the future as you try to change jobs, change sectors, get relevant inside information, or advance in your chosen field.
Stay positive.
Although the job search may seem more difficult or take longer than you expected, remember that employers want to hire people who can solve tough problems, overcome obstacles, and stay enthusiastic through challenging times. OCS staff, programs, and resources can help you stay motivated and stay on track. Keep in mind that people hired during a recession often advance more rapidly, as they have had opportunities to take on more responsibility earlier in their careers and have demonstrated success in the face of adversity.
Advice from President Faust:
“The best advice I could give is to be ready to improvise. The ability to recognize opportunities and move in new—and sometimes unexpected— directions will benefit you no matter your interests or aspirations. A liberal arts education is designed to equip students for just such flexibility and imagination.”
- Forbes interview, 7/30/12
18 The HArvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 18
8/13/2012 2:51:10 PM
on-campus interview program 101 The Harvard Guide to Your Job Search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 19
8/13/2012 2:51:12 PM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY Undergraduate, MA/MS and PhD
On-Campus Interview Program (OCI) Academic & OCI Calendar, 2012-2013 Senior Job Search & OCI Orientation
Wed, Sept 5 & Thurs, Sept 6
Fall Networking & Information Sessions
Tues, Sept 4 - Thurs, Oct 4
On-Campus Interview Program (OCI) Fair
Fri, September 7
Finance Boutique Night
Tues, September 11
First Fall OCI Deadline, Full-Time only
Wed, September 12
Consulting Boutique Night
Fri, September 14
Mock Interview Marathon, Full-Time
Tues, Sept 18 - Thurs, Sept 20
Fall On-Campus Interviews, Full-Time only
Fri, Sept 21 - Thurs, Oct 25
No Off-Campus Second Round Interviews
Fri, Sept 21 - Fri, Sept 28
The Job & Internship Fair
Fri, October 19
Intern Networking & Information Sessions
Mon, Oct 29 - Thurs, Nov 15
Intern Finance/Consulting Boutique Night
Fri, November 9
Summer Opportunities Fair
Fri, December 7
Fall Reading Period
Wed, Dec 5 - Wed, Dec 12
Fall Examinations*
Thu, Dec 13 - Fri, Dec 21
Winter Recess
Sat, Dec 22 - Sun, Jan 27
First Spring OCI Deadline, Intern & Full-Time
Wed, January 16
Mock Interview Marathon, Intern
Fri, Jan 25 - Tue, Jan 29
First Day of Spring Classes
Mon, January 28
Spring On-Campus Interviews, Intern & Full-Time
Wed, Jan 30 - Thur, Feb 28
No Off-Campus Second Round Interviews
Wed, Jan 30 - Thurs, Feb 7
Spring Break
Sat, Mar 16 - Sun, Mar 24
Spring Reading Period
Thurs, May 2 - Thurs, May 9
Spring Examinations*
Fri, May 10 - Sat, May 18
Commencement
Thursday, May 30
*Absolutely NO recruiting events, i.e. interviews or meetings, are to take place during Harvard's Exam Periods.
Offer Decision Deadlines Job Offers Resulting from a Previous OCI Summer Internship
Thursday, November 1
Job Offers Resulting from FALL OCI
Thursday, December 6*
Summer Intern Offers Resulting from a Previous OCI Summer Internship
Friday, March 1*
Job/ Summer Intern Offers Resulting from SPRING OCI
Friday, March 1*
*Or three weeks from date of written offer, whichever is LATER. Last printed on: 7/17/2012 1:34 PM
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 20
8/13/2012 2:51:12 PM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY Undergraduate, MA/MS and PhD
On-Campus Interview Program (OCI) ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEW DATES AND DEADLINES 2012-2013 FALL 2012 Employer Interview Date Friday 9/21 - Friday 9/28* Monday 10/1 - Friday 10/5 Tuesday 10/9 - Thursday 10/11 Monday 10/15 - Thursday 10/18 Monday 10/22 - Thursday 10/25
Student Application Deadline Wednesday 9/12 @ 11:59pm Wednesday 9/19 @ 11:59pm Wednesday 9/26 @ 11:59pm Wednesday 10/3 @ 11:59pm Wednesday 10/10 @ 11:59pm
Employer Preselect Deadline Tuesday 9/18** Tuesday 9/25 Tuesday 10/2 Tuesday 10/9 Tuesday 10/16
*No interviews will be held on Wednesday, 9/26 due to Yom Kippur. **Employers with a Friday 9/21 Visit Date will have a Preselect Deadline of Friday 9/14.
SPRING 2013
Employer Interview Date Wednesday 1/30 - Friday 2/1 Monday 2/4 - Thursday 2/7 Monday 2/11 - Thursday 2/14 Tuesday 2/19 - Thursday 2/21 Monday 2/25 - Thursday 2/28
Student Application Deadline Wednesday 1/16 @ 11:59pm Wednesday 1/23 @ 11:59pm Wednesday 1/30 @ 11:59pm Wednesday 2/6 @ 11:59pm Wednesday 2/13 @ 11:59pm
Employer Preselect Deadline Tuesday 1/22 Tuesday 1/29 Tuesday 2/5 Tuesday 2/12 Tuesday 2/19
Interview Schedule Notes 1) All students must register to participate in the On-Campus Interview Program (OCI). 2) Student Application Deadline: Students submit all application-related materials via the Crimson Careers OCI system each Wednesday night, two weeks prior to the Employer Interview Date. 3) Employer Preselect Deadline: Invited, alternate and not invited decisions are typically entered by 6pm on this date in Crimson Careers. Check your "interviews" tab in Crimson Careers to view your status. 4) Pre-select (Invited) Sign-up Start Date is 12:00am the day after the Employer Preselect Deadline. 5) Schedule Types: Interview schedules may be one of two options listed below. a) Preselect - Alternate Schedules: Alternates will be able to select any remaining interview time slots at 12:00am three days before the interview date. b) Open Schedules: Interviews are scheduled entirely on a first-come, first-served basis. 6) Interview Changes: You may change your interview time in Crimson Careers if there are open interview times available up until 12am two calendar days prior to the interview date. If you need to switch an interview time and there are no open times available, please email ocsrec@fas.harvard.edu to request an interview switch with another student. 7) Interview Cancellations: You may cancel an interview up to 12am two calendar days prior to the interview date through Crimson Careers. Late cancellations are a violation of the On-Campus Interview Program Policies. Students may not cancel a first-round interview to attend a second-round interview. Harvard University FAS- Office of Career Services On-Campus Interview Office: 617-495-2598 / ocsrec@fas.harvard.edu www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu \ 54 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Last printed on: 7/17/2012 1:34 PM
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 21
8/13/2012 2:51:12 PM
the job search
what is oci? The On-Campus Interview Program (OCI) streamlines the application and first round interview process for both full-time and internship opportunities with approximately 200 employer participants each year. The majority of on-campus interviews are held in our interview facility at 1033 Mass Ave, 5th Floor.
The OCI process is highly competitive and only used by certain types of companies. Some students mistakenly think of OCI as the “easy� way to find a job or internship, however, it is important to realize that OCI is often stressful with multiple quick deadlines and demanding interview schedules. The program is one tool among many that students should utilize in their search for jobs and internships.
By the Numbers (2011-2012) FULL-TIME Seniors
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS Juniors
Sophomores
1,642
1,665
1,693
642 (39%)
554 (33%)
188 (11%)
12,343
11,177
1,655
19 / student
20 / student
9 / student
3,367
2,457
205
Average # of OCI interviews
7 / student
6 / student
2 / student
2 / student
# (and % of applicants) who accepted offers through OCI
315 (49%)
245 (44%)
45 (24%)
5 (15%)
19%
15%
3%
# in class # (and % of class) active OCI participants # of OCI applications Average # of OCI applications # of OCI Interviews
% of class who accepted an offer through OCI
Freshmen 1,676 33 (2%) 127 4 /student 25
0%
2011-2012 OCI by the Numbers 1800
Number of Unique Students
1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 in Class
200
w/Applications w/Interviews
0 Seniors
Juniors
Hired
Sophomores
Freshman
22 The HArvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 22
8/13/2012 2:51:12 PM
on-campus interviews
Why are there so many banking and consulting firms?
Every year students ask this question. Over 25 different industries were represented in last year’s On-Campus Interview Program, including popular opportunities at Abercrombie & Fitch, Amazon, Bloomingdale’s, Facebook, Pepsi and Walt Disney. That being said, many types of companies and organizations do not hire through such an elaborate process as OCI. Formal programs are very time consuming and expensive for employers. Highly sought after firms in areas such as sports, media, electronic gaming, non-profits, and entertainment are overloaded with applications and have no need to spend resources traveling to college campuses in search of additional candidates. Other types of employers such as start-ups, venture capital, journalism, and biotech firms are looking for applicants to show initiative by finding them. Many companies prefer to make “just in time” hiring decisions closer to the employment start date and cannot predict hiring needs in advance. If you do not see an employer, organization, or industry of interest to you interviewing on campus, they may still be interested in hiring you! Refer to the other sections of this guide and use OCS Drop-In Hours, Monday through Friday, 1 – 4pm to let OCS help you develop an individualized job search plan.
Successful candidates are those who: • • • •
Engage in a significant amount of advance preparation Conduct industry research and employer outreach Take the time to learn which companies interest them and why and can communicate this clearly during an interview Build connections with people who work where they are applying
OCI REGISTRATION Eligible students already have access to Crimson Careers. However, to earn “OCI access” – to be able to apply to on-campus interview opportunities, schedule on-campus interviews, and otherwise participate in the On-Campus Interview Program – you must follow the registration procedures listed below: • • •
•
To apply to employers with the first OCI deadline on Wednesday, September 12th, seniors and recent alums must attend one of the Fall Senior Orientation Meetings on Tuesday, September 4th or Wednesday, September 5th at 4:00pm in Science Center C. GSAS students are invited to attend an Orientation Meeting or the special GSAS session for the Job Acceleration Work Group on Friday, August 31st, 10:00am @ OCS. Underclassmen are invited to attend Orientation Meetings that will be scheduled in October, November and December, allowing them to gather information and register in plenty of time for the first internship deadline on January 9th. The first underclassmen orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24th at 5pm in Science Center B. Students who do not attend an Orientation Meeting may register after September 12th via our website. Students must complete a brief online tutorial and pass an online quiz with a minimum 80% correct score in order to participate. Online registrations wil take two business days to process.
Important OCI Dates
Program Eligibility
•
•
• • •
First Fall Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 12th @ 11:59pm in Crimson Careers Full-Time Job Interviews: September 21st– October 31st First Spring Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 9th @ 11:59pm in Crimson Careers Summer Internship and Spring Full-Time Job Interviews: January 30th – February 28th
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 23
• •
Harvard College students and alumni, including undergraduates on a leave of absence Graduate School of Arts and Sciences students and alumni Select Harvard Extension School and MIT Students
23
8/13/2012 2:51:12 PM
on-campus interviews
OCI SUMMER INTERNSHIPS Many firms in the On-Campus Interview Program are increasingly turning to their summer interns to fill their full-time openings, especially in the finance and technology sectors. These employers specifically target juniors and some sophomores for internships that allow both the student and the employer to test drive a future full-time employment relationship. Students applying for these summer positions must meet high standards and should prepare accordingly. In many cases competition for summer internships is more intense than for full-time jobs. Last year, only 3% of participating sophomores and five freshmen were hired for summer internships through OCI. Other employers in the On-Campus Interview Program choose only to manage their full-time hiring through OCS. These companies often have summer internships but ask that students apply directly to them through their website.
Note to Juniors and Sophomores:
Don’t hesitate to attend an Employer Networking & Information Session in the early fall, especially if you do not see one scheduled specifically for summer internships later in the semester. Many employers only have one session during the year, regardless of how many times they come to interview on campus.
Information for Students Going Abroad
Students who study or work abroad are attractive candidates to employers. Going to an international destination shows initiative, independence, curiosity, a willingness to explore and acclimate to a new culture, and other valuable qualities. Employers do not want to miss these candidates, but the logistics of being out of the country do create some obstacles and may require the student to do extra leg work. The most important things to remember about On-Campus Interviews or your job/internship search while you are studying abroad are: • Start early – Make a plan for how you will proceed given your unique circumstances. Remember that some elements of your search can be conducted even before you leave the country. • Be flexible – Each employer will have their own way of working with students who are going abroad, so be ready to research and adapt to their processes. This is also why it is important to start early. • Use all your resources – OCS advisers and staff are available to help you strategize your individual approach. Many of our resources are online and accessible from anywhere in the world where you have internet access. • Know the logistics – Be sure to attend an Orientation Meeting before you go abroad or plan to take the online Tutorial and Quiz from overseas (see OCI Registration). While you may be able to apply to OCI positions through Crimson Careers if you have registered, it is important that you do not sign up for an interview time unless you will be physically present on the interview date. • Stay connected – You can still belong to OCS listservs, utilize OCS online chat hours, and login to OCS proprietary databases from abroad. Don’t forget to check the student section of the OCS website at www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu/students both before you go and while you are away to get the most up to date information and information that is more specific to you.
USING CRIMSON CAREERS FOR OCI The On-Campus Interview Program is facilitated using the Crimson Careers online system. Students are able to manage their OCI applications and interviews using the same website where they can search other job and internship opportunities posted by companies, organizations, and Harvard Departments and Centers. However, to apply to OCI positions, students must still register with the On-Campus Interview Program to gain “OCI Access” (see OCI Registration). Below is a brief overview of how to navigate Crimson Careers specifically for OCI. See “Quick Tips for using Crimson Careers” in The Job Search section of this guide for more information.
Searching Jobs & Internships
Depending on your search criteria, you most likely will see OCI positions side-by-side with other non-OCI opportunities. When trying to meet an OCI deadline, we recommend filtering for OCI positions by “Position Type.” When reviewing your search results, you will note that most OCI positions are classified as Pre-Select Schedules. This means that the employer is selecting interview candidates prior to the interview date. Apply by clicking on the job description and submitting the requested documents through Crimson Careers. Your application to these postings will show up in the “OCI Applications” section of the “Interviews” tab.
24 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 24
8/13/2012 2:51:12 PM
on-campus interviews
A few OCI opportunities may alternatively be classified as Open Schedules. This means that the employer is willing to interview students without prior screening. Apply by clicking on the job description and submitting the requested documents through Crimson Careers, and then you will automatically be able to sign up for an interview slot on a first-come, first-served basis. This is also the position type used for educational events like the OCS Mock Interview Marathon. You may view your scheduled interview under the “Scheduled Interviews” section of the “Interviews” tab.
Applying to OCI Positions
Students are responsible for providing to individual employers exactly what the employer requests. One of the first things a recruiter asks him or herself is “Did the student give me what I asked for?” Anything listed in the application pop-up screen is required by the employer. If a category of document is not an option in the application window, then the employer did not request it.
Example 1
This application requires the student to apply on the company website in addition to Crimson Careers.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 25
25
8/13/2012 2:51:12 PM
on-campus interviews
Example 2
This application requires a resume (with GPA and SAT’s) as well as a cover letter and transcript.
Signing up for OCI Interviews
There are two sections of the INTERVIEWS Tab in Crimson Careers that allow you to manage the on-campus interview process: • OCI Applications • OCI Scheduled Interviews In the OCI Applications section, you will see some of the most relevant details about your application, including the status of the employer’s decision about your candidacy. In the accompanying screen shot, the status is highlighted in yellow and can be any of the following five options: Pending: Each application will have a “Pending” status until the employer submits a decision. Employers enter decisions by the “Sign-up Start Date,” and your application status will change to either “Invited,” “Alternate” or “Not Invited.” Invited: If you are invited to an interview with that employer, an email will be sent to you reminding you to sign up for an interview. You will also see an alert on your Crimson Careers homepage and the status of that application in the “OCI Applications” section will be changed to “Invited.” Alternate: If you are accepted as an “Alternate” you will be able to sign up for any remaining interview spots beginning at 12am, 3 days prior to the employer’s on-campus visit date. Alternates may sign up on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to check your email and your application status in Crimson Careers to avoid missing an opportunity. Not Invited: You have been declined for an interview. You may want to send the employer contact one final follow-up email or phone call to reiterate your interest and qualifications, but this should be done sparingly and with sensitivity. Sign-up Ended: If your status reads "Sign-up ended," that DOES NOT MEAN YOU MISSED AN INTERVIEW. The system automatically registers that status once the sign-up period has ended. When an employer updates your interview status in Crimson Careers, you will be automatically emailed and the Interviews screen will change accordingly.
26 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 26
8/13/2012 2:51:13 PM
on-campus interviews
Typically interviews take place between 9:30am-5:30pm, last 30 minutes to an hour, and take place at the OCS Interview Facility located at 1033 Mass Avenue, 5th Floor. Due to high demand, interviews often also take place at the OCS Main Office at 54 Dunster Street or the Harvard Faculty Club. However, there are exceptions to all these criteria. You have a responsibility to attend every interview listed under your “Scheduled OCI Interviews”, to examine your schedule for conflicting interviews, and to check your @college or @fas email account for any updates or changes. To change your interview time, click on the “Reschedule” link and you will see the interview times that are available. Interviews are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is in your best interest to sign-up as soon as possible. If there are no remaining interview slots that work with your schedule and you would like to see if there is anyone willing to switch timeslots with you, please contact the OCI Team by emailing ocsrec@fas.harvard.edu for the list of other students on your interview schedule.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 27
27
8/13/2012 2:51:13 PM
on-campus interviews If you have tried to switch timeslots and there are no times that work with your schedule: You may need to contact the employer and/ or recruiter using the contact information on Crimson Careers to ask for their advice. Understand that you will most likely need to share information about your time conflict. Employers have spent a great deal of time and money scheduling their on-campus visits and are under no obligation to reschedule a first round interview. Second round interviews are not a legitimate reason to reschedule the first round interview (See Second Round Interview Policy). Please contact the OCI Office at ocsrec@fas.harvard.edu if you have any more detailed questions.
Interview Logistics
The date, time, duration, and location of your interview(s) will be emailed to you as a confirmation of your interview. You can also find this information from your Crimson Careers Interviews tab under “Scheduled Interviews.�
Cancellation Policy
Please check your schedule carefully to avoid conflicts. If you need to change your interview time or cancel an interview, you may do so using Crimson Careers as long as it is prior to 12:00am two calendar days before your interview date. If you must cancel your interview after that time, whether due to illness or an emergency, please contact the On-Campus Interview Office immediately so an alternate can have the opportunity to interview. Cancelling an interview with less than two days notice for a non-health related reason may result in restricted access to the On-Campus Interview Program. Students are not allowed to cancel a first round interview for a second or final round interview. See the Second Round Interview Policy for more details. Cancellation Policy
Date
You may freely cancel an interview using Crimson Careers
Anytime prior to 12am, 2 days before your interview date
You must contact the OCI Office immediately
Anytime after 12am, 2 days before your interview date
28 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 28
8/13/2012 2:51:13 PM
on-campus interviews
No Show Policy
Not showing up for an interview is extremely disrespectful of an employer’s time, denies other Harvard candidates the opportunity to interview, and jeopardizes our positive relationship with recruiters. We take this offense very seriously, and will put a hold on your Crimson Careers account and prohibit you from applying to or signing up for any further on-campus interviews until you meet with the Director of the On-Campus Interview Program. A letter of explanation and apology to the recruiter involved must be written before reinstatement in the program. Failure to comply with the No Show Policy may result in your removal from the On-Campus Interview Program. In case of an emergency, explain your situation to someone in the OCI Office as soon as possible.
Second Round Interview Policy
Employers and students must both follow the guidelines listed below when arranging second round interviews. Students are not permitted to cancel a first round interview to attend a second round. FALL SPRING 2nd round policy
Date
2nd round policy
Date
NO 2nd rounds can be conducted outside the Cambridge area
September 21 - September 28
NO 2nd rounds can be conducted outside the Cambridge area
January 30 - February 7
Employers MUST give students at least 72hour notice to leave the Cambridge area
After Friday, September 28
Employers MUST give students at least 72hour notice to leave the Cambridge area
After Thursday, February 7
If you are having any problems with employers not abiding by these dates, please contact the On-Campus Interview Office at 617-495-2598.
OCI Application FAQs
This employer does not indicate that they want a cover letter, should I attach one anyway? For OCI opportunities each employer has individual specifications and needs, so demonstrate your ability to pay attention to details and follow instructions by providing exactly the documents requested, no more and no less. Can I send one general cover letter for all my applications? No! You may have filled out a common application for college, but your job applications should be tailored to the needs and specifications indicated in the job description. Remember, the job or internship search is not a numbers game; it is about finding and demonstrating “fit.” Can employers see the saved document names? Yes! Be careful to name your documents carefully. For example, you do not want to send a document called “Consulting Letter” to a non-profit organization! How do I attach my GPA or SAT scores? If an employer requests GPA and/or SAT scores, simply include them in your resume. A separate document is not necessary. Note: Employers may wish to check the accuracy of these figures before formally hiring you by requesting an official transcript and/or reports from the relevant testing service. Do I need an official copy of my transcript? No! You may use your “FAS Registrar’s Student Record” in lieu of your official transcript. See the OCI section of the OCS website for specific information about scanning and uploading your transcript. Note: you are on your honor to supply accurate transcript information to employers and must use your official transcript or Student Record only. Misrepresenting your Harvard transcript is an Ad Board offense. Why is the employer asking me to apply on their website in addition to Crimson Careers? Some employers, whether for legal or tracking purposes, require students to also complete applications through the organization’s website. If an online application is required, the employer’s web address will be given, and you must complete BOTH the online application at the company website and the Crimson Careers application to be considered for an on-campus interview. Be sure to check the entire job posting carefully to see if an employer requires an additional application on their website. Note: if an employer is asking you ALSO to apply through their own organizational website, they may ask you to submit a cover letter (or answer application questions) through their site even if they do not ask for a cover letter via Crimson Careers. Remember, the On-Campus Interview Program is highly competitive- be sure to take advantage of all of the resources and advice outlined in this guide for meeting people, resume/cover letters, and interviews.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 29
29
8/13/2012 2:51:13 PM
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 30
8/13/2012 2:51:15 PM
Resumes & cover letters
The Harvard Guide to Your Job Search 2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 31
8/13/2012 2:51:16 PM
RESUMES & COVER LETTERS
CREATE A STRONG RESUME A resume should be a brief, informative summary of your abilities, education, and experience. It should highlight your strongest assets and skills, and differentiate you from other candidates seeking similar positions. Although it alone will not get you a job or internship, a good resume is an important element towards obtaining an interview. Tailor your resume to the type of position you are seeking. This does not mean that all of your work history must relate directly, but your resume should reflect the kind of skills the employer would value. Find additional guidance on resumes and cover letters, as well as resume samples, on the OCS website or on the first floor of OCS.
Don’t • • • • • • • •
Use personal pronouns (such as I) Abbreviate Use a narrative style Number or letter categories Use slang or colloquialisms Include a picture Include age or sex List references on resume
Do • • • • • • •
Be consistent in format and content Make it easy to read and follow Use spacing, underlining, italics, bold, and capitalization for emphasis List headings (such as Relevant Experience) in order of importance Within headings, list information in reverse chronological order (most recent first) Avoid information gaps such as a missing summer Be sure that your formatting translates properly if converted to a PDF
Resume Language Should Be • • • • • •
Specific rather than general Active rather than passive Written to express not impress Articulate rather than “flowery” Fact-based (quantify and qualify) Written for people who scan quickly
Top 5 Resume Mistakes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Spelling and grammar errors Missing email and phone information Using passive language instead of “action” words Not well organized, concise, or easy to skim Too long (keep to a single page for most industries)
Plan to work internationally?
Resume guidelines can vary from country to country. Check out Going Global at www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu.
Get Resume and Cover Letter Help at OCS •
• • •
Resume and Cover Letter Workshops. In addition to in-person workshops throughout each semester (check the OCS Google Calendars), you can also learn the nuts and bolts of resume writing from the OCS Online Workshop: “How to Write a Resume” on the OCS website. OCS Drop-Ins. Monday through Friday, 1–4pm, come by and sign up for a ten minute session. Have someone review your resume or cover letter, get any career question answered, or get help getting started. Extended Drop-Ins for SENIORS. In addition to the regular OCS Drop-Ins, OCS advisers will review resumes and cover letters from 11am–1pm every day until the first OCI deadline, Wednesday, September 12th. Industry-Specific Resume Review Clinics. Led by employers in areas such as consulting, financial services, and banking; listed on the On-Campus Interview Program Google Calendar.
32 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 32
8/13/2012 2:51:16 PM
RESUMES & COVER LETTERS
Sample Resume Sample Resume R E S U M E S A N D C O V E R L E T TERS
433 Mather Mail Center Harvard College Cambridge, MA 02138-6175
Always use your @fas or @college email account and check it frequently, even if you have enabled forwarding. If an employer asks for your SAT scores or GPA, you can include them in your education section.
Roberta Josephina Maddox maddox@fas.harvard.edu (714) 439-6547
17 Rodeo Road Irvine, CA 92720
Education HARVARD UNIVERSITY A.B. Honors degree in History. GPA 3.73. Coursework in International Political Economics and the European Community. Commit 25 hours per week to the Harvard Varsity Field Hockey Program. UNIVERSITY OF LONDON Study abroad coursework in Investment Analysis and Financial Accounting.
Cambridge, MA May 2013
London, UK Fall 2011
IRVINE HIGH SCHOOL Graduated with high honors. SAT I: M:780 V:760. National Honor Society. Member of Varsity Field Hockey Team.
Irvine, CA June 2009
Related Experience PEPSI-COLA NORTH AMERICA BEVERAGES New York, NY Marketing Analyst Intern Summer 2012 Examined profitability of foreign market for new fruit drink using analysis of comparable local brands. Managed focus groups and consumer surveys gathering >500 data points. Created ideas for niche marketing campaigns including use of social networks and viral marketing. Presented findings to senior managers using quantitative analysis and creative visuals in a combined PowerPoint presentation. THOMAS WILCK ASSOCIATES Newport Beach, CA Assistant Account Executive Summer 2011 Researched and assembled requests for proposals for medium-sized public relations and communications firm. Actively participated in staff meetings and brainstorming sessions. Generated correspondence with top executive officers. TECH HILLS Laguna Hills, CA Technology Intern Summer 2010 Implemented new web site, including backend database storage system and dynamic web pages. Leadership Experience
Note that relevant interests and skills can be demonstrated through campus and volunteer activities as well as through previous employment.
HARVARD UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN IN BUSINESS (WIB) Executive Committee Member Spring 2010–Present Organized marketing and advertising campaign to increase membership. Coordinated business conference and networking reception for 50 business professionals and 500 students. Watch out for typos! HARVARD COLLEGE MARATHON CHALLENGE Training Program Director Spring 2010 Developled training program for 25 charity runners. Raised over $25,000 to support Phillips Brooks House Association and The Cambridge Food Project. Skills & Interests Computer: Microsoft Excel, Power Point, and Access, Stata, SQL, Java and HTML. Language: Fluent French and Conversational Spanish. Traveled extensively in Europe. Interests: Snowboarding, cake decorating, and foreign films.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 33
33
8/13/2012 2:51:16 PM
resumes & Cover Letters
WRITE AN EFFECTIVE COVER LETTER A cover letter is an important part of the application process. It is an opportunity to make a concise argument as to why you are a great fit for the particular position and how you can contribute to the organization. Your cover letter should demonstrate that you have thoroughly read the job description and the employer’s website while highlighting your skills and experiences that are most applicable to the job or industry. It is not a narrative version of your resume, but instead a means of connecting your resume to the specific needs of the position and organization. While many sections and ideas in your cover letter can be reused for multiple positions, even in multiple industries, avoid using a generic cover letter. You may have filled out a common application for colleges, but for job applications your materials should always be as tailored as possible to the needs and specifications indicated in the employer’s job description. Some general rules about letters include: • Address your letters to a specific person if you can. • Tailor your letters to specific situations or organizations by doing research before writing your letters. • Keep letters concise and factual, no more than a single page. Avoid flowery language. • Give examples that support your skills and qualifications. • Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. What can you say that will convince the reader that you are ready and able to do the job? • Remember that this is a marketing tool. Use lots of action words. • Have someone proofread your letter. • If converting to a PDF, check that your formatting translated correctly. You can find additional guidance on cover letters, as well as letter samples on the OCS website or on the first floor of OCS.
COVER LETTERS AND CRIMSON CAREERS Below are some of the frequently asked question regarding cover letters and the Crimson Careers online system.
How do I know if a cover letter is required on Crimson Careers?
Application requirements are listed once you click the “Apply” button for a specific job or internship in Crimson Careers. You need to upload a resume for the system to know that you are eligible to apply and to reveal the application requirements, so you might want to upload a blank document as a resume to get started.
If a cover letter is not required, should I submit one anyway?
For OCI positions, no. The employers are very specific about what they want and are looking for candidates to follow instructions. For nonOCI positions, you should also generally follow instructions, but as long as it is not specifically prohibited, a thoughtful, tailored cover letter will add value to your candidacy.
Who do I address my cover letter to?
Unless there is a separate contact listed somewhere in the body of the position description, you should use the contact information posted on Crimson Careers. You can find the contact's name on the right-hand side of the position description below the application requirements. If you do not find a contact name, “To Whom It May Concern” is sufficient.
34 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 34
8/13/2012 2:51:16 PM
R E S U M E S A NRESUMES D C O V&ECOVER R L ELETTERS TTERS
Sample Cover Letter
Sample Cover LEtter September 20, 2012 Ms. Ellie Wells Senior Manager Wallaby Yogurt Company 110 Mezzetta Ct American Canyon, CA 94503 Dear Ms. Wells: I am a senior at Harvard University and would like to be considered for the Manager in Training opportunity at the Wallaby Yogurt Company. I am very interested in the field of marketing and would welcome the opportunity to contribute my research and writing skills and experience to your growing business. I am excited about Wallaby’s commitment to organic, all-natural ingredients in its products. As a varsity field hockey player, I am very aware of the importance of healthy food as the foundation for a healthy life. Your emphasis on “learning by doing and leading by serving” is also consistent with the training I received as an athlete. Whether on the field learning new drills in the worst weather conditions or patiently working with a new team member, I am most fulfilled when contributing to the team effort. At Harvard, my concentration is in History while also exploring coursework in Economics. My academic work has strengthened my research and writing skills as well as my understanding of the economics of business growth and development. Working with Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business (WIB) over the last two years gave me the experience and confidence to work in a dynamic, fast-paced organization where learning quickly and pitching in are instrumental to success. As a member of the Executive Committee, for example, I managed campus advertising campaigns that increased overall membership and attracted more than 500 students from 12 different schools to our annual Intercollegiate Fall Conference. Thank you for your consideration. I very much look forward to the opportunity to speak with you in person about my interest in this position. Sincerely, Roberta Maddox
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 35
35
8/13/2012 2:51:16 PM
resumes & cover letters
150 sample action words Accomplished Achieved Acted Adapted Added Administered Advised Analyzed Assembled Assessed Broadened Budgeted Built Calculated Centralized Changed Clarified Classified Collaborated Compiled Completed Composed Conducted Conceived Concluded Constructed Controlled Coordinated Counseled Created
Defined Delivered Derived Demonstrated Designed Determined Developed Devised Directed Discovered Earned Edited Enhanced Established Evaluated Examined Executed Expanded Expedited Fabricated Facilitated Followed Formed Formulated Founded Generated Governed Guided Headed Identified
Impacted Implemented Improved Increased Initiated Inspected Instituted Instructed Interviewed Interpreted Introduced Invented Launched Lectured Led Liaised Maintained Managed Marketed Mastered Maximized Mediated Minimized Modeled Monitored Motivated Negotiated Operated Organized Originated
Participated Performed Persuaded Planned Predicted Prepared Presented Prioritized Processed Programmed Promoted Proposed Proved Provided Publicized Published Purchased Recommended Redesigned Reduced Regulated Renegotiated Reorganized Reported Represented Researched Resolved Reviewed Revised Rewrote
Scheduled Selected Served Shaped Simplified Sold Solved Streamlined Strengthened Structured Studied Summarized Supervised Supported Surpassed Surveyed Synthesized Taught Tested Trained Translated Unified Updated Upgraded Utilized Verbalized Verified Visualized Worked Wrote
36 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 36
8/13/2012 2:51:20 PM
Interviews
The Harvard Guide to Your Job Search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 37
8/13/2012 2:51:22 PM
interviews
interviews During an interview, potential employers are trying to assess your qualifications for the job, your "fit" with the employer or organization, how well you have considered your reasons for applying, how clearly you can communicate your potential contribution to the organization, and your “soft skills,” such as communication and professionalism. In other words, the interviewer wants to know: Why do you want to work here? and, Why should we hire you? Employers are looking for students who are focused and mature, understand the requirements of the job, and can communicate how their skills can be used to meet those requirements. They want to hire people who are cooperative, organized, and hard-working. Listed below are some suggestions for improving your interviewing skills.
Research the employer, field, and position
Before the interview, read the employer’s website as well as any print material that you may have picked up at job fairs or other hiring events. Be sure to stay current on industry news by reading daily news publications and associated periodicals. Google search the organization on the day of the interview to be current on any new developments. Utilize Harvard online subscriptions such as Vault (available online through the OCS website) and Hoovers (Hollis) for additional industry and organization information. Whenever possible, attend the employer’s Networking & Information Session or speak with someone who works at the organization to increase your visibility in the organization and to gather additional first-hand information.
Know your resume
Be prepared to discuss everything on your resume. Remember that your resume is the only information most interviewers will have about you. Expect questions about your choice of activities, concentration, and thesis if you have included a reference to it. Employers and organizations are interested in knowing how you've chosen to spend your time and energy, and why. Help your interviewer get to know you and differentiate you from other students. Don't be terse when answering "what and why" questions, but don't ramble, either. Expand on your experience and skills, but whenever you can, focus your responses on how these relate to the job for which you are interviewing.
Practice Interviewing
The old saying “practice makes perfect” certainly applies to the interview process. Practice doesn’t imply that you are memorizing questions and answers, but instead that you are making eye-contact, clarifying your explanations, understanding the reasoning behind certain questions, and connecting your own experience to them. You can practice with roommates, friends, tutors, and OCS advisers by scheduling a half hour appointment and requesting interview practice. The more experience you have articulating your thoughts and highlighting your skills, the more effective and polished your presentation will be.
Prepare some questions to ask an employer
Thoughtful questions will help you underscore your interest in the job and demonstrate that you have done your own research regarding the available position. Make sure you know the next step in the process before you leave. Ask, “When might I expect to hear from you?” and, if applicable, indicate your continued interest in the position.
Dress appropriately
A well-groomed, professional appearance is essential to making your best possible impression. Attend employer Networking & Information Sessions to pick up cues on how to dress for particular industries. Generally, both men and women should plan to wear conservative attire in a dark color. In some creative, technical, or non-profit fields you may have more leeway in terms of formal vs. casual dress, but it is always safe to err on the formal side. Attire
For Men
For Women
Corporate Dress
• • •
Dark suit with a light shirt Conservative tie Dark/well-polished shoes
• • •
Dark suit or tailored dress Simple jewelry Dark/well-polished close-toe shoes
Business Casual
• • •
Khakis or dress pants Button-down long-sleeve shirt Have a blazer and tie handy
• • •
Skirts or dress pants Sweater sets or blouses Have a blazer handy
38 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 38
8/13/2012 2:51:22 PM
interviews
Have a good attitude
Project enthusiasm, confidence, and a positive attitude! You must convey the message that you are the best candidate for the position you are interviewing for, and that this is the employer you want to work for. A job interview is not the place to be “laid-back;” it is up to you to “sell” yourself for the job. You must market your skills and experience to fit the job requirements, which you know from careful and extensive research of the employer. Be professional, polished, and confident.
Interviewing Nuts & Bolts Tips • • • • • • •
Map the location of the interview in advance Arrive 10-15 minutes early Bring extra copies of your resume and paper to write on Silence your cell phone Smile and shake hands Make eye contact After the interview, send a thank you note or email
Phone and Video Interviews
Especially in a slow economy, employers may opt to use phone and video interviews more comprehensively, perhaps even asking case questions and technical questions to assess your ability to do the job. In light of this, we encourage you to prepare for phone and video interviews as you would for any interview. During a phone interview, you are not able to see the interviewer’s reactions and adjust accordingly. There is a certain amount of energy that is shared between interviewer and interviewee that can be lost in a phone interview. Make sure you compensate for this by being prepared, focused, and able to communicate clearly. A few tips include: • Enunciate clearly and do not speak too quickly. • If possible, use a landline instead of a cell phone to avoid static, noise, and losing signal. • Plan the time and place of your phone interview so that you have privacy, quiet, and a good connection. You may be able to schedule a room and phone at OCS if the interview takes place during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm, by calling 617495-2595 option 0. • Dress as you would for a real interview. Dressing the part will help you focus on the importance and purpose of the conversation. • Have clear and organized notes in front of you as reminders of questions to ask, background information about the employer, and perhaps even strategies for answering tough questions. Skype, Facetime, GoogleTalk, and other video conferencing technologies are most often used by employers on the West Coast or overseas. In addition, these technologies have made it easier for employers to interview students when they are studying abroad or otherwise off campus. Again, we encourage you to prepare for a video interview as thoroughly as you would for any interview. These are some additional things to keep in mind: • Get familiar with the technology. Ask what product or service will be used and try to practice with your friends and family if you can. This will make you more comfortable in the interview, allowing you to focus on the conversation. • Formal video conferencing tools can be expensive and are often paid for by the employer. In these cases, whether you use equipment at Kinko’s or at Harvard, you will most likely still have a “trial run” where you can test the technology. • Remember that the interviewer will be able to see you AND the things that surround you. Items in the background can reflect on you as a candidate. Consider removing things from the background or find an alternative location for your interview. • Maintain eye contact. Many technologies allow you to view yourself simultaneously, and it is tempting to monitor yourself rather than stay focused on the interviewer. • As with an in person interview, dress appropriately for the position and/or organization. • As with a phone interview, make sure that you have privacy, quiet, and a good connection.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 39
39
8/13/2012 2:51:22 PM
interviews
Get Interview Help at OCS
OCS offers a number of opportunities to learn more about interviewing and to practice your skills. Refer to the calendar section of the OCS website for dates and times.
Ace Your Interview: Strategies for Success
General Mock Interviews
Thursday, September 20th, 4pm @ OCS
After the Mock Marathon, you may schedule a half hour appointment with an OCS adviser through Crimson Careers. We also recommend that you take advantage of the resources available in the houses through your house business and/or pre-career tutors.
Case Interview Workshop with Case in Point author Marc Cosentino Wednesday, September 12th, 8:00pm @ Science Center
Industry Specific Interview Workshops
Mock Interview Marathons
Led by employers in areas such as consulting, financial services, and technology. See the OCS Google Calendars for dates and times.
Schedule a mock interview with a volunteer employer or graduate student who has experience in your preferred industry. You must be registered with the On-Campus Interview Program and sign-up through Crimson Careers in order to participate. • FALL (Seniors and Alumni): Tuesday, September 18th – Thursday, September 20th • WINTER (Underclassmen): Friday, January 25th, Monday, January 28th, and Tuesday, January 29th career tutors.
OCS Publications Available at OCS and on the OCS website.
OCS Resource Library Includes online texts by Vault, titles like Case in Point by Marc Cosentino, and free access to http://www.casequestions.com.
INTERVIEW TYPES Behavioral and “Fit” Interviews
At some point in the interview process, the majority of employers use what is called a “Behavioral Interview” to assess a candidate’s skills and fit with their organization. The principle behind this type of interview is that past behavior will predict future behavior. In most cases, the employer has predetermined a specific set of characteristics, often referred to as “competencies,” that are required to be successful in the available position. Some examples of competencies include problem-solving, teamwork, communication, writing skills, and leadership. The employer then designs open-ended questions that ask you to refer back to a particular situation and describe how you responded. For example, an interviewer may request, “Tell me about a time when you were on a team that was not working well together.” The expectation then is that you cite a specific situation from your own experience. Unless the interviewer indicates otherwise, the incident you describe can come from your work, school, activity, or volunteer experience. It is important that you have something specific to say and that you can describe your own role and what you learned from the particular situation. Be aware that the interviewer is expecting to ask you multiple questions in a thirty minute interview, so be as concise as possible while getting your point across. This type of interview is a great way for you to tell the story behind your resume. Rather than merely presenting a list of your achievements, you have the opportunity to elaborate on some accomplishments that you may be particularly proud of. But like a good story, it is best to keep a few guidelines in mind: • Show, don’t tell—use a specific example and relevant details • Stay on topic—remember the question you are trying to answer; don’t get sidetracked • Have a conclusion—be sure to include the outcome or what you learned from the situation • Make it resonate—touch upon why your behavior or reMany employers will openly discuss their sponse would be useful to the employer or in the position chosen “competencies” with candidates at • Show passion for the mission – in non-profits, sports, a Career Fair, Networking & Information entertainment, bio-tech, start-ups and other areas, a core competency may include a passion for the goals of the Session, or other recruiting or educational organization
Insider Tip:
event, like a “pre-night” the evening before the interviews.
40 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 40
8/13/2012 2:51:22 PM
interviews Below you will find several competency areas, each with a subset of skills and attributes listed beneath it. These are qualities that employers seek in candidates and that you will want to continue to develop across your career. To prepare for interviews, identify and practice telling stories for each of these seven competencies, demonstrating at least one of the related qualities in your example.
Concrete/Technical Skills • • • • • • •
Research skills Data analysis/handling large data sets Tech/social media savvy Computational power Quantitative instincts Qualitative analysis Coding Languages: Java, C++, Python, Ruby, etc.
Learning Orientation • • • • • •
Intellectual curiosity Quick learner Flexible and adaptive Open to new ideas Innovative Reflect on mistakes, able to make improvements
Problem Solving • • • • • •
See multiple possibilities Evaluate options Synthesize/integrate information Multidisciplinary approach Entrepreneurial approach Think on feet
Communication • • • •
Strong writing skills Public speaking and presentation skills Argue and persuade effectively Communicate globally
Critical Thinking • • • • •
Deal with complexity Handle ambiguity See issues from multiple perspectives Uncover flaws in arguments Ask good questions
Leadership • • • • • • •
Demonstrate initiative Justify decisions Advocate Motivate Conviction Good judgment and integrity Resolve differences
Teamwork • • • • • • •
Consensus builder Listen to others Show intellectual hospitality Collaborative Ability to work in diverse teams Aware of diverse/global perspectives Can build professional relationships and network
In addition to determining how your interests and skills “fit” with the position and organization, the interviewer is often also trying to assess how you might fit in regards to the company or team culture. Sometimes fit questions are simply about whether you can connect with the interviewer on some other topic apart from your work or Harvard experience. Consider how you want to discuss another interest that you have, whether it be art, current events, gaming, etc., should an interviewer ask you about them – especially if you have referenced these interests on your resume! Many interviewers also apply what is colloquially referred to as the “airport test,” especially in fields where people work for long hours in teams. While they are listening to your responses, the interviewer is mentally asking him or herself, “Is this someone I could be stuck with at an airport for 12 hours?” It is important to keep in mind that this question is not a social question about friendship – this question is in a professional context to encapsulate other questions like: “Can you make the most out of a bad situation?” and, “Can you get along with your colleagues for long periods of time under less than ideal circumstances?” You may consider applying this test yourself as you evaluate whether this is an organization or field where you want to work.
Finance Interviews
Because of the highly analytical and quantitative nature of the field, finance interviewers may purposely create a challenging environment to test how you will respond in an actual work situation. It is not uncommon for the interviewer to ask seemingly odd questions in a rapid-fire manner such as, “Quick, what is your SAT score?” or perhaps, “A client is screaming at you on the phone, how are you going to calm the situation?” Even the interview room may be set up so that multiple interviewers have a role to play in creating a test situation (think good cop/ bad cop). Remember, in these types of interviews, employers want you to showcase your ability to remain composed under stress, analyze a situation, and form conclusions about the situation.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 41
41
8/13/2012 2:51:22 PM
interviews The finance interview seeks to assess two things in a candidate: (1) fit for the job and the organization and (2) technical knowledge. In the world of finance, there are multiple functions such as investment management, investment banking, sales, trading, brokerage, financial advising, etc. Assessing “fit” for a position usually involves questions you are familiar with such as “Tell me about yourself,” and “Why are you interested in working for our organization?” The technical questions will be specific to the finance area for which you are interviewing. For example, common questions for investment management might be “Tell me about your dream stock portfolio? What is your investment strategy? If you are given a market or an industry, what would be the steps to evaluate them?” The point here is to make sure that you have adequately reviewed the basic concepts of the area you are interviewing for and keep up to date on the literature in the field such as the Wall Street Journal and/or The Financial Times. It is especially important to review the financial news on the day of a finance interview. Finance interviews may also use case questions as part of their general interview format. Although the use of case questions in finance interviews varies depending on the employer, it is important to be prepared.
Case Interviews
According to Adam Borchert, '98; Manager, Bain & Company,
“A case interview is a dialogue about a business problem derived from real-life business situations. During the course of the discussion, the interviewer and interviewee will collaboratively work through a number of qualitative and quantitative approaches to the business question. The discussion typically moves from identifying a critical issue, breaking the problem into component parts, and finally recommending one or more solutions. A consulting firm, such as Bain & Company, uses case interviews to see how you think about the types of business problems we work on each day. The best case interviews are thoughtful and collaborative dialogues about potential approaches to solve a tough business problem. We are not looking for a "right answer" or asking you to display knowledge of specific business terms, current events or well-known frameworks. Rather, we hope to see a good dose of analytical problem-solving skills, creativity, common sense and recommendations aimed at generating results for our clients. Finally, at Bain we believe a good case interview should be fun and thought provoking as it is very similar to discussions you would have daily as a member of our team.” The case question, inherent in many business and consulting interviews, is one way of determining whether a candidate has the aptitude for handling complex business problems. How a candidate answers a case question can reveal both the student’s ability to do the job and his or her desire to do so. Questions are sometimes drawn directly from the employer’s experience or can be crafted on the spot from news of the day. Most employers (and most interviewers) don’t expect in-depth business knowledge or high-level business terminology (there are exceptions, usually on the individual interviewer level). What they are looking for is whether the student has the analytical or problem-solving ability and the business sense to know what matters in a specific situation and the communication skills to explain and discuss it clearly. Most often, the employer verbally presents a business scenario to the candidate and asks how he/she would approach the problem. Sometimes, usually in later round interviews, some employers will present the candidate with a case study in print and allow the candidate a designated period of time to analyze the data either alone or in groups. If the case question is presented verbally, make sure you understand what is being asked of you. Reiterating the question is an effective way of confirming that you’re on the right track, but it also gives you a moment to think about the situation with which you are faced. Once you are sure you understand what has been presented, don’t be afraid to ask a few questions. A few clarifying questions may well save you from launching into an elaborate analysis that lacks focus and misses the point. Case Interview Step by Step: 1. Repeat the question 2. Ask clarifying questions 3. Organize your thoughts 4. Share your thoughts on how you are solving the problem with the interviewer 5. Suggest solutions
42 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 42
8/13/2012 2:51:22 PM
interviews In preparing to answer the case, don’t feel that you need to dive headfirst into immediate solutions. Remember that it’s not the solutions they’re looking for, it’s the analysis. They want to hear how you’re thinking about this problem. Organize your thoughts. Think of a systematic way to look at the evidence that has been presented to you. The case interview guidebooks offer a variety of frameworks and strategies that can be useful tools for organizing your thoughts, but none take the place of common sense. You may not have taken business courses at Harvard, but you most certainly learned how to use analysis and reasoning. Begin by talking about how you “might” want to look at the situation. Taking the time to introduce your approach allows the employer to see that you get the “big picture.” In a first-round interview it is unlikely that you will have time to proceed through all of the analysis that is necessary. Having scored you on understanding the scope of the problem and developing a strategy, the employer may very likely suggest that you spend the rest of your time on one area of the analysis. For example, “Let’s talk about the customer. How would you carry out that analysis?” The case or finance interview is not something you want to try without careful preparation and practice. It is important for students interested in a consulting or finance position to take advantage of every opportunity to practice case and finance interviews. There are a variety of guidebooks available that offer helpful strategies for answering case and finance questions, many of which are available at OCS. Case and finance interview resources available at OCS include: Case Interview Resources: • Case in Point...Complete Case Interview Preparation • CQ Interactive on-line tool available at OCS • Vault Case Interview Practice Guide Finance Interview Resources: • Heard on The Street: Quantitative Questions from Wall Street Job Interviews • Vault Guide to Advanced Finance and Quantitative Interviews • Vault Guide to Finance Interviews OCS offers a number of opportunities to learn more about Case and Finance Interviewing and to practice these techniques. Refer to the calendar section of the OCS website for dates and times. It is also a good idea to practice with friends, members of business focused student groups and people you have connected with at the firms where you are applying.
Writing Thank You Letters/Emails
Thank you letters to each interviewer are strongly recommended. Sending thank you letters via email are usually sufficient because many employers make very quick decisions about whether a candidate should continue to the next round of their evaluation process. However, additional hand-written thank you notes can be a nice touch and a way to stand out, especially if you feel that your interviewer went out of his or her way to be helpful or informative. For OCI interviews, contact information for your interviewers will be available for you to collect before or after your interview at the interview location.
SECOND AND FINAL ROUND INTERVIEWS Most employers will invite you to visit on-site for a second interview if you are a serious candidate for employment. This does not mean that you are assured an offer – preparation for the second and/or final interview is essential so that you can present yourself effectively. Feedback from both employers and students indicates that second-round interviews have become increasingly rigorous and increasingly important in evaluating you as a candidate. You should never assume that you will receive an offer until the employer officially extends it. If an employer invites you back to their site for second or third round interviews, you can generally expect a fairly full day of meetings with a range of potential colleagues and supervisors. Make sure you get the names and titles of people with whom you'll be interviewing so that you are prepared. The interviews are likely to be similar to your first round, but more in depth and with more and more senior interviewers. Know that while you are a serious candidate if you've made it to this stage, every part of the day (including lunch and dinner) is evaluative. Remember that the decision-making process should be a two-way process. Think about the information you need about the job, employer, and working conditions to make an informed decision, and go into your interviews prepared to try to glean the knowledge you need to make an informed decision. If you decide to decline an invitation for a second interview, or if you have accepted a second round interview but cannot keep the appointment, please notify the employer promptly. Employers expect to be treated with the same courtesy they extend to you. Declining employers promptly with poise allows you to maintain a relationship with that organization and keep representatives in your professional network, even if you do not end up working for them.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 43
43
8/13/2012 2:51:22 PM
offers & Decisions
Offers & Decisions The Harvard Guide to Your Job Search
44 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 44
8/13/2012 2:51:25 PM
offers & DECISIONS
Congratulations!
You’ve received an offer. Now what? The following information will help you think about how to: • Prioritize the offers you have received, and those you are still working on. • Weigh job offers against other options such as graduate school and fellowships. • Evaluate and negotiate compensation packages.
GETTING THE OFFER Say thank you
Many employers will give an initial offer over the phone. Show gratitude that you were selected among many candidates and express your continued and sincere interest in the position.
Ask to get your offer in writing
To thoroughly consider an offer and compare it to others, you need to have access to the written details. Request the offer in writing when offered the position over the phone. Any employer should be able to mail or email the official documentation to you.
Keep in touch
Even if you need time to make a decision, it is essential to keep in touch with your contacts at the organization. Make sure to return phone calls and emails from the employer. It is reasonable for them to check in and see where you are in your decision-making process, but if you feel like they are contacting you too frequently, you can be proactive and suggest the date for your next conversation. Then you can also plan to ask questions that will help you make the right decision!
Be an ACTIVE decision-maker
To make an effective decision, you may need to speak to more people at an organization, negotiate some details of an offer, consult friends and family, and/or do some self- and career-assessment regarding your current and future goals. While you should be given time to make a thoughtful decision, you also have a responsibility to use your time wisely and not wait until the last minute.
Advice from Harvard President Drew Faust:
“You are at a moment of transition that requires making choices. And selecting one option – a job, a career, a graduate program – means not selecting others. Every decision means loss as well as gain—possibilities foregone as well as possibilities embraced...if you don’t try to do what you love—whether it is painting or biology or finance; if you don’t pursue what you think will be most meaningful, you will regret it. Life is long. There is always time for Plan B. But don’t begin with it.”
2008 Baccalaureate Address
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 45
45
8/13/2012 2:51:26 PM
OFFERS & DECISIONS
SELF-ASSESSMENT Making decisions requires self-assessment to determine what direction you want to take. Before making a decision, ask yourself the following questions: • • • •
Where do I see myself every day for the next year or two? What skills do I want to use? What do I want to learn and what will make me happy or satisfied? How do I want to make an impact?
The goal is to reach a decision that is consistent with who you are and what you hope to achieve. This is true whether you are comparing job offers, graduate programs, or fellowships for post-graduate study or travel and weighing these against one or more additional options. The decision to accept a job or other career option is a very personal one, and often involves talking to lots of people and both listening to your gut and taking a leap of faith.
OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT When considering job offers, ask yourself: • • • •
What are the potential paths that could follow after accepting the position? What will I learn from this job? Where could those skills and experiences take me in the future? Do I like and respect my potential coworkers? Do I feel comfortable with the culture of the organization? Do people seem happy working there? Will I have the opportunity to meet new people in the field, and expand my network of professional connections? Am I happy with the job location, in terms of cost of living, climate, proximity to family, and opportunities for social life or cultural activities?
ONCE YOU MAKE A DECISION Decline Offers
When you know you are no longer interested in an employer, withdraw from the applicant pool or decline their offer as soon as possible. Interviewing with or holding onto an offer with an employer that does not interest you wastes your time, wastes the employer’s time, may impact other students who are hoping for that opportunity, and may damage your own professional reputation. You can decline an offer over the phone, but be sure to reiterate your appreciation as you do so. You should also follow up with any person at the organization who you’ve come to know during the job search process. Do not leave a voicemail message to decline an offer. If the contact person is not available, leave a message for them to call you back to have a real-time conversation.
Accept an Offer
You can accept an offer with an employer over the phone, but be sure to follow any instructions that they provide via email or mail. There is often a fair amount of paperwork that takes place to make you an official member of the team.
Remember, It’s A Small World
In all your interactions with employers, always be polite, professional, and respectful of people’s time. Even if you ultimately decide not to work with a particular employer, you never know when your professional paths may cross again. It is in your best interest to keep the people you meet during the job search process in your network. A strong network is the best job security and vital to your own professional devel-
46 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 46
8/13/2012 2:51:26 PM
offers & DECISIONS
WHAT TO DO … If...
Then...
You receive an offer that you are really excited about… Don’t delay! There is no reason to drag out the process if you have received an offer you are happy with. Examine the details of the written offer, clarify or negotiate if necessary, and accept in a timely manner. After you accept, be sure to decline any other outstanding offers. You have multiple offers, but none stand out as the best choice…
Even if you are unsure which option is best, do not wait until you have all possible offers in hand to start making decisions. You should be actively evaluating options against each other and your ideal and not hold more than two or three offers at a time. Declining offers in a timely manner helps you maintain good relationships with employers, even if you decide not to work for them. It is respectful of their time and allows them to give an offer to someone else.
You have an offer, but you want to hold out for something else…
It is acceptable to ask an employer for more time to make a decision on an offer, but don’t do so unprepared. Have a realistic sense of how much time you need and always express appreciation and enthusiasm for the existing offer. If you are granted more time, be sure to call the other employer and let them know you have an offer pending. If they really want you, they may be able to speed up the process. Also be prepared for what you will do if the employer does not give you more time.
You accepted an offer, but something better has come along…
Once you have accepted an offer, you have given a good-faith commitment to honor it. Reneging on an offer is a breach of your agreement, can jeopardize your professional reputation, and can damage Harvard’s relationship with that organization. However, you can initiate honest and open communication with your employer for advice and counsel. Stop by OCS Drop-In Hours or make an appointment with an OCS adviser to discuss your options.
Remember to consult an OCS adviser for guidance, whether you are in the midst of any of the scenarios above or experiencing a unique problem.
Salary
While compensation shouldn’t be the sole focus of your analysis, it is an essential component of any job decision. Keep in mind that if you are looking at more than one type of job, you may be looking at different sets of numbers. One cannot compare, for instance, an entry level position in publishing with one in consulting. The starting salaries for these fields are simply too different, but each may teach you a lot and lead to other interesting opportunities. Many websites offer a combination of salary data by job title, industry, and/or field, as well as salary calculators to help determine how salaries may be impacted by cost of living in different geographic regions. Here are a few examples: • Payscale.com • Salary.com • Glassdoor.com • NACE Salary Calculator available through Crimson Careers (uses data from the U.S. Department of Labor) Also remember that compensation includes more than base salary. Bonuses and Benefits may seem like a minor piece of the puzzle, but they can come with a considerable price tag once you begin paying the bills. Benefits to consider include: • Bonus Structure (Yearly, Performance-Based, etc.) • Stock Options or Profit Sharing • Paid Leave (Vacation Time, Sick Time, and Personal Days) • 401K or Other Retirement Saving • Education Benefits • Relocation Benefits • Health, Life, and Disability Insurance
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 47
47
8/13/2012 2:51:26 PM
OFFERS & DECISIONS
Making a Commitment
As you are making this immediate career decision, think about where it will lead you. While this may well be your first full-time job or career decision, it most certainly will not be your last. Barring unforeseen circumstances, you should expect to stay in your first job for approximately two years. It will take time for you to gain both the quantity and quality of experience to use as leverage for your next career evolution.
Negotiating
Think carefully before negotiating a job offer and actively seek outside benchmarks and guidance from industry research, your personal and professional network, and resources at OCS. Competitive organizations usually offer a set package that is identical to those offered to all new hires. Unless you offer something significant in terms of additional, relevant education or experience over and above other candidates receiving an offer, it is unlikely that you will be able to negotiate additional monetary compensation. This is especially true in a down economy, when many organizations have frozen salaries or reduced staff. However, there are several aspects of your offer or decision timeline that you may want to negotiate instead or in addition to salary. If you do decide to negotiate, plan to have the conversation over the phone. Have notes in front of you, and try practicing beforehand with a friend, parent, or OCS adviser. Some negotiation guidelines: NEVER
ALWAYS
Never wait until the last minute to negotiate
Research the industry to best represent yourself during negotiation
Never misrepresent yourself or a competing offer in any way
Get advice from recent alums, professionals in the field, OCS advisers, and family members
Never negotiate over email (some exceptions for negotiating across time zones)
Listen carefully for tone of voice and other cues that will help you navigate the negotiation
Never get confrontational (and always behave professionally!)
Know what your deal-making and deal-breaking factors are ahead of time
Never accept an offer and continue looking for additional opportunities. This is considered an egregious breach of ethics, and can seriously harm your reputation in your chosen field. Keep in mind that people within fields usually know one another and have been known to compare notes. Similarly, employers often self-police the practice of reneging on offers by rescinding any offer to a candidate who has reneged with another firm. If an opportunity has come along that you would like to pursue after you have accepted a job offer, seek advice from OCS and contact the employer that has made you the offer, let them know about the situation, and ask their advice.
Maintain Relationships
When you ultimately come to a conclusion, it is important to remember that it is a small world. The opportunity you don’t take today may well be right for you in a few years. Being as gracious when declining an offer as you are when accepting one can go a long way towards building a network of contacts that will stay with you a lifetime. Finally, trust yourself. In the end, only you can decide whether or not a job is right for you.
ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEW OFFERS Students need to be aware that many employers in the On-Campus Interview Program (OCI) have a very short timeline from when first round interviews start to when offers are made to candidates. Sometimes students feel pressured by employers to accept an offer quickly. If a time frame is not within our constraints stated in the OCI Offer Policy, please contact the On-Campus Interview Office and we will help negotiate the correct amount of time needed to make the decision. Often the person making the offer is simply not aware of our Offer Policy.
48 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 48
8/13/2012 2:51:26 PM
OFFERS & DECISIONS
On-Campus Interview Program Offer Policy
In order for students to make effective decisions, they must explore as many of the options open to them as possible. At the same time, students are expected to be active decision makers, avoid waiting until the last minute, and honor commitments and agreements that they make during the on-campus interview process. All companies participating in the On-Campus Interview Program (which includes all interviews conducted off-campus with students whose resumes have come to through OCI) must follow this timetable: FULL-TIME HIRING OFFER TIMETABLE Date of Offer:
Deadline:
Offers resulting from previous summer internship obtained through OCI
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Offers resulting from Fall OCI
Thursday, December 6, 2012 or 3 weeks from Date of Offer (whichever is LATER)
Offers resulting from Spring OCI
Friday, March 1, 2013 or 3 weeks from Date of Offer (whichever is LATER)
INTERNSHIP HIRING OFFER TIMETABLE Date of Offer:
Deadline:
Offers resulting from previous summer internship obtained through OCI
Friday, March 1, 2013
Offers resulting from Spring OCI
Friday, March 1, 2013 or 3 weeks from Date of Offer (whichever is LATER)
No exploding offers.
We expect employers to honor all offers made to students and that no conditions will be placed on the offer (e.g., "We have 10 offers outstanding for 8 openings and will accept the first 8 students who get back to us," etc.). No financial incentive (e.g., “We will provide a $5,000 bonus if you sign today,” etc.) may be offered to induce students to accept offers early.
Students should always insist on receiving offers in writing.
Please examine the contract you sign very carefully. Students who renege on offers after both parties have signed will be denied future access to the On-Campus Interview Program.
Reneging on a Job Offer
is considered an egregious breach of ethics and will create an adverse relationship not only between you and the employer, but also between the employer and Harvard. Students who do renege on a job offer will have their Crimson Careers account blocked immediately and will have to meet with the Director of the On-Campus Interview Program. If an opportunity has come along that you would like to pursue after you have accepted a job offer, consult OCS and contact the employer that has made you the offer. Let them know about the situation and ask their advice.
Get Offer Help at OCS • •
Offers and Decisions Workshops and Office Hours: check the OCS Google Calendars for updates and additions OCS Drop-Ins: Monday – Friday, 1 - 4pm @ OCS
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 49
49
8/13/2012 2:51:26 PM
life after college
The Harvard Guide to Your Job Search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 50
8/13/2012 2:51:29 PM
life after college Who am I? What is my place in the world? How do I fit in? What am I good at?
Who do I want to be with and learn from? How can I be effective? How can I make an impact and make the world a better place? How can I contribute to my family, community, country and the world?
It may seem counter-intuitive, but at graduation your learning has just begun!
“What do I want to do with my life?” is a question people continue to reflect on across their lifespan. Over time the people you meet and the experiences you have will help refine your thoughts about this question. One of the goals of a Liberal Arts education is to help you begin the answer-seeking process in the rich pool of resources that universities have amassed for you to learn from. However, you will need to develop new skills and acquire new information continually to be successful in a changing world. After graduation the rules change for measuring success, and this can be a difficult transition. For most Harvard students, high school success came from following an approved script of achievement in areas like grades, athletics, extracurriculars, standardized tests and other measurable activities where the goals and standards were pretty straightforward. After college, however, there is no one-size-fits-all approved script for success. Instead there are thousands of pathways in millions of directions with many different opportunities and definitions of success. The first few years out of college can be like driving on a road in the fog. You can’t really see where you are going, but by looking ahead at the part of the road you can see in the headlights you still manage to reach your destination. Each person is responsible for designing their pathway and figuring out where their skill set is best applied. Beginning to think about an individualized path is not as hard as it sounds, since there are plenty of road maps and people willing to help and give advice. The hardest part is learning how to make decisions about choices while you are still trying to decide what the path might look like.
You may also want to think about selecting a “Board of Advisors” to help you consider these questions and make intelligent decisions about what to pursue next. Many students seek out family, friends with similar interests, college faculty and administrators, career service advisers, alumni, employers and others with “insider knowledge” of what they are thinking of doing to advise them along their path. The more you talk openly with people about the pros and cons of different choices the more informed your decision making will be. Also take advantage of all the experts who come to campus to speak to gather their advice as well. Your past experiences, the current economic conditions and luck will each affect what options are open to you at any given point in time. Since there is no right path and multiple ways to the same end points, your choice of a first post-graduate experience can be seen more like an experimental research project than the selection of a “career.” Think of it as testing a hypothesis about what you think would be a good next step for you. Ask yourself: Where will I learn interesting skills and information? Where will I meet interesting people? What part of the world do I want to be in? What might this experience lead to? Do I need or want to be close to any particular friends or family at this point in time? Try not to worry too much about what you do next as long as it exposes you to interesting people, knowledge, skills and future pathways. Across time you will need to accumulate many experiences, skills and expertise in an area to be truly effective. The order in which you learn these skills and add them to your growing tool kit is not usually a critical factor. In fact, bringing knowledge and connections from disparate fields and different sectors, such as private for-profit, not-forprofit and public sectors, often leads to novel solutions to problems.
The first few years out of college can be like driving on a road in the fog. You can’t really see where you are going, but by looking ahead at the part of the road you can see in the headlights you still manage to reach your destination.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 51
51
8/13/2012 2:51:31 PM
life after college
Once you embark on your first post-graduate experience, continue to test your hypothesis: collect feedback and data by checking in with yourself periodically to reflect and evaluate how the experience is going. Are you still learning, meeting interesting people and moving forward in a positive direction? Trust your gut feelings. When you have stopped learning and growing in an experience or if you feel bored, this is feedback that it is time to start thinking about what you may want to do next. Ask yourself, is it time to go back to graduate or professional school, or time to change jobs? Following this approach over time will allow you to grow and change across many different experiences. What if you discover you really don’t like what you selected, the experience isn’t what you expected or you think you made a mistake! Just like an experiment where the result is negative, you will have learned a tremendous
amount about what variables matter. Learning what you don’t like to do is as important as learning what you do like. A “mistake” is a window of clarity. All of a sudden the fog lifts on the road in front of you and you see which fork you did not want to take. This is a gift to you since it is better to learn these lessons early in life rather than later. Remember you will have a long life of getting to know yourself and the world you live in and you will be in a continual state of learning, changing and developing. Life is about the choices you make along the road, the twists and turns you take, the stops and starts, the planned and unplanned experiences. Through careful experimentation, choice and reflection you will build and follow a path that is right for you. The Office of Career Services looks forward to helping you with your plans and journey.
HARVARD COLLEGE SENIORS 2012: NEXT STEPS WHERE DO SENIORS GO AFTER GRADUATION?
DC
10-49 students
1-9 students
50-99 students
100+ students
WHAT DO SENIORS INTEND TO DO THE FALL AFTER GRADUATION?
FELLOWSHIPS
11
11
9
FINANCIAL SERVICES
CONSULTING
COMMUNICATIONS, SPORTS, HOSPITALITY, MARKETING, RETAIL, OR THE ARTS
UNSURE OF PLANS
EDUCATION
POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO SENIORS IN THE CLASS OF 2012 FOR TRAVEL & STUDY.
5
5
5
4
4
2
4 RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS 1 MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIPS 18 FULBRIGHT GRANTS 115 ADDITIONAL AWARDS
%
%
GOVERNMENT, MILITARY SERVICE, NON-PROFIT AGENCY, OR NGO
%
%
HEALTH OR MEDICINE
%
%
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OR ENGINEERING
%
%
SCIENCES OR ENVIRONMENT
9
%
%
VOLUNTEERING OR TRAVEL
6
138
17
FULL-TIME GRADUATE OR PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL
LAW
%
%
BASED ON 2012 SENIOR SURVEY DATA. Copyright © 2012 The President and Fellows of Harvard College.
52 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 52
8/13/2012 2:51:33 PM
industries
The Harvard Guide to Your Job Search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 53
8/13/2012 2:51:36 PM
industries
advertising
Finding an Engaging Agency Career
Jean Huang ’03
Group Director, Strategy Sullivan
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to the world of brands. Even as a grade-school kid, I loved dreaming up imaginary businesses just so I could create snappy names and ads for them. It was only natural that I’d end up at a brand engagement agency, having learned a few lessons along the way. During my last couple years at Harvard, a small group of students came together to form the Advertising Club. We hosted guest speakers, held workshops at OCS, discussed Super Bowl ads, and generally kept each other motivated about our brazen career paths ahead. After having interned at JWT, I started full-time as an Assistant Account Executive on Lever 2000 and Ragu—soap and spaghetti sauce, classic CPG! That year was an amazing crash course on how to boil down the essence of your brand and get a message across in 30 seconds or less. It was a thrill to see the ads I’d worked on hit the airwaves and glossies. Working with a client as big as Unilever, JWT was one agency of many. Though we were the lead agency on our accounts, I started craving the ability to more directly impact the entire business, not just the ads. As a result, I went client-side to Calvin Klein fragrances, where I worked in global marketing on iconic brands like Obsession and Escape. The beauty bug bit me, and after CK I managed Dior’s North American makeup business for several years. With bottom-line responsibility, I worked on everything from product development to forecasting to selling every season in to retail buyers. Both of my beauty experiences sharpened my ability to understand what drives consumers’ perceptions at a high level and their behavior at point-of-sale. Eventually though, I wanted to get back to practicing the craft of brand strategy more explicitly. What drew me to Sullivan was an appealing combination of 30,000-ft-level perspective and on-the-ground activation. In the wide world of agencies, some firms focus on only one or the other, and what I have always liked is being able to not only define what makes a brand special but also to put it into action. These days, I feel privileged to help some of the world’s bestknown brands figure out their stories and then translate them to real “stuff”—ads, presentations, websites, or something else all together. A lot of people said, “What? You’re going from client-side back to an agency?” because the typical assumption is that you’ll start at an agency and then take a cushy client job somewhere. Don’t feel bound by conventional wisdom, because there are many happy agency-lifers as well as those who comfortably live on either side. If you’re considering an agency career in branding, marketing, or advertising, here are some
tips for how you might find the place that fits you best. Questions to ask yourself • How much do I care about the brand name of my employer? There are many wonderful places to work that you’ve probably never heard of. In many of those cases, the recognizable brand names live on the client roster. • What’s my “sweet spot”? Ideally, your sweet spot lies at the intersection of what you’re drawn to and what you’re good at. Are you a big-picture thinker who wants to take a more academic approach to brands, or do you like making stuff that puts brand guidelines into practice? Do you like the idea of seeing your work publicly run in the marketplace? None of these are mutually exclusive of course, but consider the focus of any agency you’re considering and what you prefer. • What kind of industries do I want to learn more about? Take a look at the agency’s portfolio and ask what kinds of clients they typically work with. • Do I want to learn the job in a more structured (and probably more specialized) environment, or do I want to touch a lot of areas? There are certainly pros and cons to both, and often a correlation between size and structure. As in: the bigger, the more structured, the smaller, the more entrepreneurial. • In interviewing: Do I feel connection and chemistry with these people? You will probably spend more time with them than with anyone else in your life, so a good fit—in terms of personality, skill set, and otherwise— is critical. Some key ingredients for success • Intellectual curiosity. You should be driven by a desire to know the “why” behind everything. • Creative problem-solving ability. Our clients come to us for help figuring out what they need to do and how they should do it. • Stellar oral and written communication skills. Communication is the business we’re in, and even if you don’t sit on the “creative” side of the house, you need to be fantastic at expressing yourself and your thinking. • Attention to detail. One typo can wreck an otherwise great deliverable! • The ability to stay on your toes and react on the spot. Even when clients throw you a curveball, you need to keep a cool head and know just what to say. Hopefully these thoughts help you get a better sense of what it’s like in the agency world—it’s an exciting place to be once you find where you fit!
54 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 54
8/13/2012 2:51:36 PM
industries
healthtech
New Frontiers in Healthcare
My indefinite postponement of medical school is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I was never one of those people who dreamt about becoming a doctor; rather, it seemed like a reasonable and responsible pursuit when I declared myself as a Biochemical Sciences concentrator in the spring of 1997. I liked science, all of my friends were pre-med, my parents were thrilled at the thought of having a physician in the family, and having a “M.D.” after my last name seemed pretty cool – what could go wrong? So I went through the motions – pre-med classes, Kaplan, MCAT practice tests in the Leverett Library -- and found myself dreading the next step of actually applying to medical school. I had spent four years with people who were passionate about medicine and driven to fulfill a lifelong dream, and I knew I did not have that same passion and drive. But I did love other things related to health care: how socioeconomic factors influenced health outcomes, why it was so hard to find a primary care physician, and the reasons my father always complained about his health insurance premiums. On a complete lark, I took a health care policy class senior year and realized I could have a career in health care without being a health care provider. And so, for the first time ever, I went with my gut and decided to pursue a different path after graduation. It only took 5 years for my father to stop asking about my medical school applications. I approached my search for non-health health care jobs in a manner that fit my scientific training: I searched for the word “health” on the Office of Career Services recruiting website, wrote down the name of each company that came back with a match,
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 55
and submitted resumes and cover letters: health insurers, health care consulting companies, state health agencies, you name it. The first company that called me back was as a small start-up company called “athenahealth”, and I’ve been here ever since. I have been extremely lucky here at athenahealth, a cloud-based business service that took a chance on a young, smart, and slightly confused woman 11 years ago. What began as a “job” blossomed into an extremely fulfilling and challenging career that explores the business side of health care, its impact on policy, and the ways technology enables (or hinders) the delivery of care. Our vision at athenahealth is to become the nation’s health care information backbone and fundamentally transform the way providers coordinate and deliver care. I’ve implemented workflow processes within small physician offices and large health care systems, gathered business requirements and designs for our software application, served as a product manager for our largest service, educated our sales and marketing teams on government, industry, and competitive movements, and followed our CEO around the world for a year. On any given day, my fellow athenistas and I may chat about about payment reform, the role of government in innovation, the strategic direction of our company, or trends within health care technology as a whole. Not bad for a premed refugee. If I could have a conversation with my 20year old self, I was say: focus on what you like doing and less on what you think you should do. The qualities that got you to Harvard are the same qualities that will allow you to excel at what whatever piques your passion.
Jasmine Gee ’99 athenahealth
55
8/13/2012 2:51:38 PM
industries
entrepreneurship
Starting a Company
Roger Lee ‘08
Co-Founder, President PaperG
Like a typical applied math/economics concentrator, by senior year I had interned at an investment bank and received a full-time offer at a management consulting firm. However, I decided to pursue a different path – I started a technology startup called PaperG. It was the best decision I ever made. Entrepreneurship allows you to make a difference in the world in a way that most jobs rarely can, especially the ones typically available to college graduates. As an entrepreneur, you have the ability to create something from nothing, to build a product or service of lasting value with people you love. At PaperG, we built online advertising technology that’s now used by over 20,000 local businesses and 100 media companies. And the magical part of being an entrepreneur is that even though you’ll work long hours, you won’t even realize how much you’re working – because it’s so enjoyable that it doesn’t even feel like work. One unique aspect of entrepreneurship is that it doesn’t discriminate – a 20-something year old with no prior work experience can still build a successful company. In no other industry or career can you attain that level of impact, responsibility, and success so quickly. How is this possible? Widespread use of the Internet didn’t occur until the mid-90s, so college students who grew up with the Internet have as much experience online as anyone else. In fact, they often have an advantage because they intuitively understand the Web in a way that older people do not. Some of PaperG’s enterprise customers are willing to pay us tens of thousands of dollars per month because we’ve been able to make online advertising intuitive for local business owners that weren’t comfortable with it before. Many students aspire to ultimately start a startup company, but believe that it would be wiser to gain working experience, become financially secure, and maybe attend business school first. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, the best stage of your life to start a company is now – when you are able to take financial risks because you don’t yet have a family to support, and when you still have the stamina to pour all your waking hours into making your startup a success. While working at another startup or a larger technology company may indeed be good experience for starting your own company, the returns are probably much smaller if you’re working
somewhere else (such as at a bank or consulting firm). You don’t even need to have a great idea to a start a company. Contrary to popular belief, the idea is usually worth very little – at most startups, the initial idea typically changes several times before the company stumbles upon an idea for a product that people will actually want. PaperG initially wanted to be a marketplace for college newspaper ads before we realized that automating online advertising for local businesses was a lot more lucrative. And as anyone familiar with the history of Facebook knows, execution is more valuable than the idea anyway. For a startup to succeed, it’s primarily important that the founders are smart and have the resilience to keep trying until they make it. Chances are you have those qualities. One reason why careers like investment banking and consulting are so appealing, and starting a company so daunting, is that the path to success is much clearer. The process laid out by on-campus recruiters seems irresistible: get good grades, pass a well-documented interview process, and after two years at Bank X or Firm Y, you’ll be able to do anything you want (never mind that “anything” tends to disproportionally involve hedge funds or private equity). In contrast, it’s less obvious how one even starts a company, much less make it successful. Luckily, there are an increasing number of incubator/startup accelerator programs and web resources that illuminate the startup process, and its associated concepts and terminology, for firsttime entrepreneurs. Additionally, being a Harvard student means you have unique access to an alumni network of entrepreneurs that are more than willing to help out (you can email me at roger.lee@post. harvard.edu) – in fact, much of the $1.1 million seed round we raised came from the founders’ alumni networks. Most crucially, the learning process itself – of product discovery, hiring and managing a great team, raising money from investors, acquiring real customers, identifying and pursuing a business model, talking with the press, etc. – is one of the most rewarding aspects of starting a company. I learned more in the first 3 months of starting PaperG than I probably would have in 2 years at a typical entry-level job. So what are you waiting for? Start your own company, and embark on the greatest adventure of your life.
56 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 56
8/13/2012 2:51:38 PM
industries
retail merchandising
A Global Impact
When I tell someone that I work for Abercrombie & Fitch, their first question is usually “Which store?” They are often surprised to learn that I work at the corporate headquarters instead of the mall. Many people think of the retail industry only in terms of the finished product, artfully presented and ready for purchase. However in the eyes of a merchant, the in-store presentation of the final product represents only a small piece of an extensive lifecycle that we manage each day. Retail merchandising gives recent graduates an exceptional sense of ownership in their work from day one. Each merchant works within a specific product category such as sweaters or accessories managing everything from the individual details of each style to the top level analysis of your category’s position within the market. The demands of the business require merchants to be efficient and adaptable in a fast paced environment. We are constantly seeking new information about our product, competition and consumer. In preparation for each season, merchants collaborate with the conceptual team to identify emerging trends and partner with our designers to interpret the trends in a way that is appropriate for our brands. For our project we were challenged to come up with fresh “green” humor that was also evocative of Abercrombie’s heritage. Market research in the form of competitive shopping and consumer survey is a key part of the merchant position. We were able to focus group our ideas as part of the process and get valuable feedback from our customer base before finalizing our designs. As the “hub” of the production wheel, the merchant is responsible for communicating the needs of the business not only to design but also to the planning, sourcing (our supplier and factory liaison), and allocation teams. We worked with these groups throughout the course of the project establishing how merchants influence the product at each stage of the development cycle. At the completion of our project, the shirts were sent to select stores around the country. I had the honor of having my slogan chosen for my team’s
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 57
t-shirt. However we quickly learned that the shirt color plays as equal a role as message, garment feel and fit in generating sales. Unfortunately for us, dark green proved to be the least salable color to our customer. The team whose shirt drove the most sales volume in test stores had their tee (“Save Energy, Let’s Make Our Own Heat”) sent into bulk production and rolled out all stores. The strengths of the training program are demonstrated by our ability to make an impact on the business immediately through real-life work scenarios. I love the global nature of the retail business, and because of my background in foreign language it was important for me to have the opportunity for international exposure on a consistent basis. A&F’s business is international on multiple levels. Everyday I correspond with my overseas vendor contacts. They are not only business partners but also friends. Between cost negotiations and production timelines, we discuss our lives and sometimes exchange small gifts that are representative of out local cultures. The future of our brands is focused on our international expansion. What began with the 2007 opening of our London flagship store on Savile Row will continue as the company plans to expand further into the UK market and in three additional international cities during the coming year; the Ginza district of Tokyo, Milan, and Copenhagen. It is exciting to be part of the company as we broaden the audience of our brands, push the boundaries of scale and learn from a developing market. The benefit of working with a tangible product is that our successes are easily measurable. It is exciting to watch your product grow from idea to reality but the most satisfying aspect of the job is to see your work walk down the street, in a magazine, or even on the big screen (as was the experience of one of my coworkers). Harvard trains its students to be hardworking, intellectually curious, and entrepreneurial; all qualities of a successful merchant. Retail merchandising at A&F provides an environment that capitalizes on and rewards these skills on a daily basis.
Joanna Miller ’08 Abercrombie & Fitch
57
8/13/2012 2:51:38 PM
industries
entertainment
A Passion for Entertainment
Felipe Tewes ‘06
Manager of Film Programming, HBO
As I began making the career fair rounds my senior year, I faced a daunting realization. One glimpse at the case study method books and a handful of conversations with fatigued alumni made it clear that, in contrast with the general mentality of consulting and banking as viable, accessible options, securing any job, not to mention carrying it out postgraduation, was an arduous prospect. If I was going to be climbing uphill, why not choose a path that aligned with my personal interests? I dedicated my senior year to tackling the shroud of mystery that surrounds the entertainment industry, by conducting research and informational interviews (using the alumni directory), as well as participating in programs such as Harvardwood 101, a great introduction to the various segments of the industry through a week long trip to L.A. during January. Harvardwood is a global organization for Harvard students, alumni, faculty and staff in the arts, media and entertainment (www.harvardwood.org). The Catch-22 in entertainment is that most “entry-level” (assistant) jobs require one or two years of experience. Often the only initial option is an unpaid internship, which was not feasible for me. Several people pointed me in the direction of the talent agencies, not only because, due to their central position, they serve as a “grad school” for the business, but also because they wisely open their doors to entrylevel candidates, knowing that they will serve as a wide network down the line. I was accepted into the agent training program (also known as “the Mailroom”) at the William Morris Agency (now William Morris Endeavor) the summer after graduation. WMA not only served as assistant boot camp, but it provided me with a top-notch “desk experience” qualification on my resume, as well as a network of peers that struggled through those first years together with me and still serve as contacts and friends. There is, of course, a mail cart involved for the first couple of months, but the access to scripts, materials, and individuals is unparalleled. Above all, you are trained to work entrepreneurially, even within a company, to secure each next step – the best preparation you can receive for a career in entertainment. I soon applied for and was offered a job at Focus Features, as the executive assistant to the CEO. The actual duties were unquestionably administrative, but the access to a heavy flow of information on
production and distribution, as well as to the individuals within the organization, was crucial to my growing knowledge of the business. The position required great dedication and organization, but above all the ability to work well and respectfully with colleagues and contacts. I quickly learned that, in a business that is often unquantifiable and that depends in great part on connections, the best asset you can develop is a strong reputation. I served as an assistant for over two years, which allowed me to recently join HBO as a Manager in Film Programming, focusing on the acquisition of Latin American and/or Spanish-language films for the network. I receive submissions from sales agents and other representation, travel the festival circuit, and actively reach out to rising filmmakers to find the needles in a haystack. The world of acquisitions can serve as great exposure to the wealth of material that is being produced, and is not as strictly based in Los Angeles as production is. It is worth mentioning that working in the industry as it currently stands more often than not requires a West Coast rotation. Simply put, these career paths require flexibility and pursuing opportunity where it arises, and opportunity tends to arise more often in the Pacific Time Zone. If I can offer one piece of advice in an industry that lacks a stable, determined path, it is to view each experience as an independent learning opportunity. It is overwhelming to approach each new commitment as merely a step to the next, a mentality far too prevalent in the entry-level and assistant phase. There certainly is a “pay your dues” culture that will test your patience, but there is much to be learned while doing so that is necessary before stepping into roles with the burden of greater accountability. An executive I knew began his seminar for the interns each semester with one piece of advice: “Do not work in the film industry.” He then followed up with, “if you can imagine nothing but working in film for the rest of your life, in spite of my advice, then let’s talk.” There are certainly better-paid career tracks with higher likelihoods for “success,” or fields where a Harvard degree will place you in better entry-level positions. However, if entertainment is a passion of yours that you would like to explore, and you come armed with patience and perspective, then do not let the shroud of mystery that surrounds it keep you from what could potentially be an exciting and fulfilling career.
58 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 58
8/13/2012 2:51:38 PM
industries
public service
Rewarding Service
In November 2008, I arrived in Kenya to a country full of citizens claiming “Obama ni yetu” (Obama is ours) who were excited to discuss with any American they could find the recent presidential election and, consequently, their reinvigorated hope for the world. Admittedly, the timing of my arrival in Kenya could not have been better. Despite the newness of Obama’s victory having worn off, in the nine months that have followed my arrival, Kenyans have never failed to treat me kindly or faltered in their excitement to share cultural ideas. I have felt so welcomed that they might as well have been saying “Emily ni yetu.” Throughout the year, I have been working in Kenya as a secondary school math and biology teacher through the United States Peace Corps. While on any given day my experiences can run the emotional gamut, I have not once doubted my decision to serve as a volunteer. Since arriving in Kenya, I have gotten the opportunity to discover as much about myself as I have discovered about this new culture of which I have become a part. I have learned the challenges and rewards of a profession in education, some that apply globally and some that are specific to Kenya. I have forged new friendships, whether they are with fellow Peace Corps Volunteers, teachers I spend a majority of my week with, or the mama I buy my produce from who patiently deciphers my incomprehensible use of the local tribal language. At times I feel that I have lived more in the past nine months than I have in my previous 22 years.
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 59
If you are thinking about serving as a volunteer overseas, you owe it to yourself to try. The people you meet should make you smile, might make you cry, and will definitely take you in as one of their own. You will experience cultural differences that reinforce that you are thousands of miles from home while simultaneously feel welcomed by people who act as a surrogate family. While the work you do might not save the world, you will learn a lot about it and about yourself, too. If you are looking for a structured way in which to volunteer overseas, then the Peace Corps could be for you. It is an established program that knows how to look out for the safety of its volunteers while also giving them the independence and flexibility to assist their communities in the manner the volunteers identify as being most appropriate. Upon arriving in the country, Peace Corps is helpful in cultural adjustment, setting up a two-month home stay and training you in the local language(s) to ease your integration into the country in which you are serving. With the structure that Peace Corps offers come certain rules that must be followed, but these rules are generally justifiable and are instituted for the safety of the volunteer. For the most part, Peace Corps gives you the tools to be an effective volunteer, but the responsibility is on you to use them. So if you want to learn about the world and about yourself, consider serving abroad. If you want to serve with an established organization, join the Peace Corps.
Emily Baker ’08 Peace Corps
59
8/13/2012 2:51:38 PM
industries
non-profit consulting
Turning the Ship
Laura Clancy ‘03 Achievement First
Nonprofits totally don’t have their act together. Inefficiency and corruption run rampant. Their finances are a mess, they have no idea whether or not they’re having an impact, they lack polish and a basic understanding of business. Or not. Almost 10% of the US workforce is employed by the nonprofit sector according to the Congressional Research Service; roughly the same number of Americans work in manufacturing. According to the Government Accountability Office, as much as 5% of the US GDP was produced by the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits take on incredibly lofty goals – such as reforming education, ending homelessness, and making policy changes—with extraordinarily limited resources. While for-profits only have one customer to serve (if they create the right product and set the right price they have the funding they need to operate), nonprofits have two customers: the end beneficiary and the people paying for the service (typically government or other funders.) Many people interested in nonprofit consulting believe that bringing a corporate approach to nonprofits is what will “save them.” Yet the central two premises of consulting have always been: 1. In organizational life, certain tasks have a learning curve associated with them, and a consultant can provide expertise by dint of having done that task repeatedly and having learned and improved the process. 2. Many managers would love to get their hands on certain kinds of data or learn more about what others are doing in the field, but lack the time and resources to do so. Approaching any consulting engagement with the idea that you will fix the client will not lead to successful implementation in the long run. Good consulting, whether for-profit or nonprofit, asks the consultant to put him or herself at the service of the client and provide data to illuminate the choices facing the client. I didn’t plan to spend most of my time at Harvard focused on public service, but found that I loved the people I interacted with, and my average day had far more variety than most people’s. I ended up becoming the president of Phillips Brooks House Association and many of
the students and staff I worked with then remain my most trusted colleagues and mentors – some have even become clients! After graduating, I went to the national office of Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization with over a century of history, a powerful brand, incredibly talented local leaders across the country, and a client roster of over 200,000 young people. I learned there that conversations about nonprofit strategy often take place in the fundraising office. Two of my mentors there who had long careers in the for-profit world advised me to go to business school and focus on more quantitative subjects like operations and finance, which brought me to Columbia Business School. While there, I consulted at a number of education reform organizations in New York City on fundraising and marketing messaging to financially support myself. Many of my business school classmates were interested in nonprofit consulting and strategy, but found it difficult to translate that interest into a concrete list of jobs to apply to! I remember very clearly when, as VP of Careers for the business school’s Social Enterprise Club, I hosted an info session by Bridgespan and 70 people turned out. I knew that only five or ten, max, would get interviews, and if one or two got offers we’d be lucky. I also knew that there weren’t any other companies that I could invite (at the time) to direct the remainder of the attendees to! After graduation, I moved to Boston to join the headquarters of Bridgespan, a relatively large nonprofit consulting firm founded and still connected to Bain. Most of my clients there were large foundations exploring a new potential area of giving or looking to realign their giving with their intended impact. There’s a classic analogy that some people like to work in kayaks – small, agile organizations with few people on board but who can turn quickly—and others like to work on cruise ships – hard to turn and slow-moving, but with far more people on board. Consulting can sometimes make you feel like you’re in a liferaft with a megaphone trying to tell the cruise ship where to go! While I truly loved the clients that I met and I valued the training that I got there, I also saw that very few, if any, recommendations that we made were getting implemented three,
60 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 60
8/13/2012 2:51:38 PM
industries
non-profit consulting
Turning the Ship
six or twelve months out. We’d spend hours and hours at our cubicles painstakingly crafting 100+ slide Powerpoint presentations, but really what many executives wanted was a few new insights about data they hadn’t seen yet and ideas for what they could be doing differently. And what many executive directors pointed to as a major barrier for implementation was being shorthanded. I then moved to New Sector Alliance to become its Managing Director and Boston Executive Director. New Sector has for many years offered low-cost, high-quality consulting services, as well as an AmeriCorps program that recruits bright young people out of college from across the country and
places them into year-long capacity building projects at Boston and San Francisco Bay Area nonprofits. Because of funding for AmeriCorps and the limited time duration of the program, nonprofit leaders can access top talent at an affordable price for them. And because of the economies of scale we’re able to realize, program participants get a foot in the door at terrific nonprofits and get support from our staff, their peers and mentors that we recruit from the management consulting industry. There are many people interested in nonprofit consulting, but there are only a few larger shops. There are far more opportunities working as an “intrapreneur” within exciting nonprofits. And as further evidence of that, I’ve since moved to NYC for my spouse and
taken on a new role at Achievement First, a large charter management organization, as VP/Chief of Staff. In my role, I’m helping our rapidly growing organization to stay happy, healthy and sustainable, and I constantly find myself drawing on the consulting toolkit. I’m also surrounded by ex-consultants (from places like McKinsey and BCG) who’ve decided to move into operating roles as well. In our trainings, we stress the importance of humility – that they will best be serving nonprofits by deeply listening, doing what’s needed, and providing data to illuminate the client’s choices. That’s what consulting comes down to—strategic clarity, whether that’s achieved through huge models in Excel or by simply focusing.
harvardCentered.pdf 1 8/1/2012 10:57:06 AM
Innovative technology.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
Innovating education.
CY
CMY
K
At IXL, we're making major innovations in educational technology. Our products have 2,000,000 subscribed users in 50 states and 170 countries. And we're just getting started. We have many types of engineering and product management jobs open, and we're looking for individuals like you to join our team.
Check us out!
www.ixl.com/jobs The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 61
LEARNING
61
8/13/2012 2:51:39 PM
industries
education
All You Need is a Skill
Philip Parham ’09 Commongood Careers
It was once said that those who cannot do, teach. The idea behind this saying was that teachers do not produce anything tangible. The belief was that people go into teaching because they do not possess skills that are truly useful, or because they just couldn’t make it in more demanding professions. The education reform movement in America is looking to change this long-standing intransigent view. Many efforts have been made to professionalize the teaching workforce, finding more efficient ways to recruit, train, and retain teachers. In addition, many resources have been spent attempting to restructure school districts, introduce charter schools, and reduce class sizes so that teachers can make deeper connections with students. However, not many people are working to fundamentally change our views on who teaches and how. When I was a teenager I developed a passion for helping people find fulfilling next steps in their life journey. As a junior at my small Maryland high school, I displayed that passion in placing small pins on a large U.S. map of all the places where our seniors had gotten into college. When I arrived at college myself, I evolved that passion into helping my peers find fulfilling careers. I worked on raising awareness of the variety of career options available to students, particularly in the nonprofit and social sector. It was through that work that I learned more about education reform and the exciting opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. By the time I was a senior, I was convinced that I wanted to enter education, but I wasn’t sure about being a full-time teacher in a classroom or a full-time grant writer in an office for a nonprofit focused on education reform. I discovered Citizen Schools through the Center for Public Interest Careers and was drawn by its unique approach to reforming education in America. Citizen Schools seeks to redefine and expand the parameters of both the school day and who teaches in the classroom. Instead of having students attend classes for just six hours a day, Citizen Schools partners with middle schools and school districts to expand the learning day by three hours, giving middle school students time to work on their academics in a hands-on environment, while introducing and reinforcing concepts such as college access. Beyond traditional extended-day programming, Citizen Schools brings professionals into the
classroom as volunteer Citizen Teachers to teach apprenticeships. Students work on a semester-long project with their Citizen Teachers to develop final products, ranging from making robots with Google engineers to designing menus and business models with b.good managers in Harvard Square. All of this is to expose students to next step opportunities they can pursue. For me, working as a National Teaching Fellow for Citizen Schools was the perfect opportunity. For two years, I got to teach my own classes in the afternoon while training Citizen Teachers on how to best transmit their careers in engaging fun ways for middle school students. In addition, I managed multiple projects in the morning to improve staffing support for all the Teaching Fellows throughout the entire national organization. I wasn’t only teaching; I was working behind the scenes to see how we could better implement our model around the country. In doing so, I got multiple perspectives on all the work there is to do in education reform and I developed a better idea of how I wanted to contribute after the Fellowship. The bonus is that I did all of this while constantly pursuing my passion of helping others find fulfilling next steps, whether it was my 6th grade class, Google engineer Citizen Teachers, or my peers at Citizen Schools. After the Teaching Fellowship, I continued at Citizen Schools as a recruiter finding great new educators excited about having an experience as awesome as mine. I now look forward to applying my skills and passion for helping people find fulfilling next steps at Commongood Careers as their new Recruitment Manager. From my experience working in the education field, I now know that the debate over education reform is too narrow. The parameters are too small. To reform education, we need to involve more than just our traditional classroom teachers. From experience, I can say that teaching is very demanding and our teachers don’t have enough time in the day to close the achievement and opportunity gaps by themselves. It involves all of us going into classrooms and teaching what we know. Teachers do so much more than teach; they teach others how to do by doing it themselves. That is what an apprenticeship is. Everyone can teach. All you need is a skill. What will you teach?
62 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 62
8/13/2012 2:51:41 PM
industries
technology
Go West
The San Francisco Design Center, when empty, looks like a four story, hundred-thousand square foot airplane hangar with carpet. Over four days in May of 2007, we transformed this into a cacophony of spot lighting, backlit dividers, and dozens of luminescent screens, pulsating with dance music and the bustle of a thousand jostling people from the city, the area, the world. In all respects, this looked like a rave, and on any other day in San Francisco, it could have been. But as I stood ready to speak about what the young Facebook was about to unleash on the developer, venture capital, and media throng standing, sitting, and hanging off the walls in front of me, my heart raced anyway. That’s why when the lights went down and the microphone kicked in, I just started sprinting. Back and forth across the room, like a mad country preacher I testified about how the project I founded at twenty-five alone on a late night a year before, the Facebook Platform, was going to change their lives forever. Broken repeatedly by spontaneous, thundering applause, I shouted my twenty-minute thesis defense, but I received no doctorate. I was simply a software engineer, and my thesis was that engineers, using these tools, could work for themselves and build their own dream. Over the next two years, a five hundred million dollar economy of social applications created by thousands of companies sprang up. I think I passed. I was no tenured professor or vice president or “made” partner. I hadn’t spent my early twenties paying my dues by teaching the undergrads a professor didn’t have time for, or making PowerPoint decks for the managing director, or climbing my way through a nine-level hierarchy in some giant company to become an “architect” so someone would listen. These builders of Silicon Valley didn’t care. They didn’t care I went to Harvard, or even that I graduated high school. They cared about the idea, the fact that we made it real, and that it would change the way software was written on the Internet. This is what Silicon Valley is about. But beware - Silicon Valley turns Harvard on its head. You’re at Harvard for two reasons. One you have drive. You are good at pleasing your elders down a straight and narrow path. You ace standardized tests, you write flawless five paragraph essays, and you can do exactly what
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 63
your teachers specify to earn that coveted A, riding straight to the right of the number line, to Eastern terminus of that railroad - success! You can take that train in first class for the rest of your life. You know where it’s going to end - managing director, tenured lecturer, six-figure boss man, Chief Financial Officer. I’m sure your superiors will appreciate your dedication. But let us not forget the admissions committee looked at your essay too. And I’ll bet you didn’t write about your achievements, or about how well you did your schoolwork. You wrote about your passion, that human talent or service or desire that made you special. Not what you feel the pull to BE, but what you feel the pull to DO. And your life epic will be the story of what you do. If you are in software, Silicon Valley is the place where you can write that epic unconstrained, because you are the person the startups and small companies are looking for. The defenders of value are important - the managers, the lawyers, the financial people. But it is the creators of value who wield the power - the engineers, the designers, the product thinkers. It is your ideas from late-night bull sessions and later-night prototyping that become features and products and industries, not the sludge emerging from endless top-down specifications and board meetings. And the role doesn’t define you here - I’ve been an engineer, a manager, a mentor, a recruiter, a speaker and writer, an evangelist, a leader. I now run Facebook Mobile using all of these tools, digging deep into that drive and that passion, not to be the best I can be, but to DO the best I can DO. It was up to me to make my ideas a success, and I’ve learned more quickly here at Facebook than I did anywhere else. Silicon Valley is intense. This probably is the densest concentration of driven and intelligent people anywhere, including New York, DC, and Cambridges on both sides of the pond. You can’t coast on Harvard here. There are Berkeley students and Stanford students and complete dropouts who emerge already practiced in building products and founding companies. But you have the skill, the drive, and the passion to truly test yourself and write your epic here. If you want to get somewhere amazing with your time on this planet, don’t just ride that easy train to the right. Go west, young (wo)man. I’ll see you here.
Dave Fetterman ‘03 Engineering Manager Facebook
63
8/13/2012 2:51:41 PM
industries
consulting
You Do What?
Frank Ferrante ‘06 Bain and Company
When I began the interviewing process as a Harvard senior, like many other undergrads aspiring to land a position in management consulting, I wanted to know what it meant to be a consultant. So, I asked. I asked the question of on-campus firm representatives. I asked my interviewers. I asked older friends who had acquired positions when I was still trying to find the hidden gem that is Hemingway gym. The funny thing is that I never heard a consistent answer that concisely described what impact I would create in the world. And as expected, when I was posed the same question by undergrads throughout my first few years with Bain, I fumbled with my words to deliver a consistent message. It was not until recently that I solidified my personal point of view. I had been exposed to Bain’s recruiting literature for years. I knew all along that “Bain’s clients outperform the market 4 to 1”; that Bain operates in every financial market on the globe working with clients across industries to deliver “results” and not reports; that everyone associated with the firm used the words “adding value” as frequently as “hello” and “good-bye.” Finally, I knew of the firm’s commitment to the non-profit sector and community impact groups. What I didn’t know was how to synthesize everything I heard and knew. My thoughts finally crystallized when I was explaining what I do to my 15-year-old brother. In many ways, he was the perfect conduit for my discovery. He doesn’t know the first thing about business, he is sufficiently curious and intelligent to probe for the truth, and most importantly, he is sufficiently stubborn to keep his older brother on his proverbial toes. In the end, I think I developed a one-liner that I am proud of. When asked what I do as a Bain consultant, I now say “I create value for organizations and the people they impact.” Well, what does that mean? Bain consultants create value at corporations and other financial institutions on a daily basis by delivering results-oriented work. Over the past three years, I have been exposed to a lot... I have used phone and survey-based primary research to develop a refreshed perspective on customer segmentation for an industrial distributor with
an unloyal customer base. I have built a financial model to predict the impact of launching a new product for a global food manufacturer. I have facilitated workshops with cross-functional client stakeholders to drive consensus on future organizational design for a Sydney-based financial services provider during a six month Australian transfer. I have even participated in managementlevel discussions for private equity buyers considering targets in the most arcane of markets. In all of these cases, we created value for which direct impacts are seen everyday. Stock price increases reflect company earnings improvements and drive shareholder returns. Articles in the Wall Street Journal comment on M&A transactions in which we played a key role. New product launches inflate revenues via increased customer satisfaction. Improved organizational tactics create more productive, satisfying, and empowering careers. And simple “thank yous” make us feel great. It’s clear that the value we create benefits both our clients and the people they impact, including us! Bain consultants also create value outside the corporate sphere in the non-profit sector. We regularly perform formal pro-bono consulting services to non-profit organizations posed with difficult strategic questions. Examples include a recent growth strategy for the Boys & Girls Club of Boston and a litany of projects with organizations like City Year and Cradles to Crayons. Additionally, a number of my colleagues have taken the opportunity to spend six months at The Bridgespan Group, a non-profit consulting firm founded by a group of Bain partners. Regarded as an equally challenging and rewarding experience, Bridgespan, like Bain, enables consultants to apply the skills they’ve cultivated to compelling social causes. Finally, Bain supports members of its consulting staff that go on to pursue non-profit careers, a track that is becoming increasingly popular among the consulting staff ranks. To illustrate the trend, an associate consultant colleague and friend or mine recently went on to become the Director of Operations for a prestigious charter school in New York.
64 The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 64
8/13/2012 2:51:41 PM
industries
consulting
You Do What?
The most refreshing aspect of our nonprofit commitment is not necessarily the value created directly in the organizations with whom we partner; once again, it is the broader impact on communities, schools, and children that compel so many Bainees to continually seek out these wonderful opportunities. In the next 12 months, I plan to attend an MBA program (hopefully!) like many of my colleagues before me. Although I ultimately plan to return to Bain, I am not sure where I
will settle in permanently. The one thing I can guarantee, however, is that I will continue to create value wherever I may go. Global training programs, invaluable business experience, an exceptional peer network, and a thoughtful approach to problem solving have honed in me a unique and powerful skill set apt for creating change and lasting impact anywhere. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to begin my career with Bain. Those my colleagues and I touch will be lucky too.
Teaching Opportunities in Malaysia and here in Boston
Founded by Harvard alumni in the heart of Harvard Square, Axiom Learning is an innovative learning center designed to help kids ages 5 to 18 achieve their full potential for excellence in a 1-‐on-‐1 teaching environment.
Axiom Learning is a fun, energetic place to work where we are dedicated to catalyzing positive transformation in global education. We are looking for versatile people who are can teach subjects ranging from math and science to English and test prep. Teaching experience is optional (but passion is not!). Ideal candidates will be passionate about teaching and learning, love kids, think creatively and is seeking a challenging and rewarding experience for a minimum of 1-‐2 years.
We are actively hiring for our expanding operations in tropical Malaysia and for our centers here in Harvard Square, Wellesley, Concord and Brookline. Please visit our website www.AxiomLearning.com for more information and then send us your resume and cover letter to info@AxiomLearning.com or call us any time at 617-492- 4444 or 1-800-988-5010. The Axiom experience awaits!
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 65
65
8/13/2012 2:51:44 PM
industries
corporate strategy
The ‘Sexiness’ of Strategy
Elaine Paul, HBS ‘94
Senior Vice President The Walt Disney Company
Why choose a job in Corporate Strategy? Why choose a job in a company rather than at a service firm such as an investment bank or consulting firm? What sort of experience can you expect to gain in Corporate Strategy? After undergraduate I was only considering investment banking and consulting. In fact, taking a job at a large corporation was not on my radar screen. What I found is that a job actually working at a company in Corporate Strategy can offer many things other jobs cannot. In Corporate Strategy one gets exposure to the long term growth challenges of a company. Companies can achieve long term growth through several means: mergers and acquisitions, new business development, new market entry, or helping existing businesses grow faster. In Corporate Strategy, one is frequently exposed to projects relating to all these. In addition, one gains exposure to the operating side of the business and to senior decision makers in the company. With respect to M&A, nearly all opportunities to acquire or merge with another company are pursued through Corporate Strategy. Analysts in Corporate Strategy gain experience analyzing company performance, performing company valuations, putting together deal term sheets, and managing the buy or sell process. Working for the company itself means that there is no “pitch work”, as all opportunities under consideration are realistic possibilities. New business development is another very exciting aspect of Corporate Strategy. In this area, our work is very much like that of consultants. Developing and launching any new business requires developing an idea and analyzing its feasibility. This typically includes assessing an industry for possible entry, evaluating the company’s potential competitive advantage, and performing rigorous financial analysis to estimate the economic potential of any new venture. In many ways, this is the “sexiest” strategy work. The advantage of
working on such projects as part of a Corporate Strategy Department rather than as an outside advisor is that you live with your decisions. You continue to work in the company as it operates the businesses you analyze, recommend, and bring to fruition. You are in a position to influence implementation actively. Exploring opportunities to expand businesses into new markets is yet another facet of Corporate Strategy. These types of projects can be quite challenging and exciting. One must consider how concepts and businesses that may thrive in the United States can best be translated overseas. This involves assessing the best markets for expansion, the necessary changes to the business model, and the economic impact of launching in a new market. Through this work one gains an understanding of the subtleties of doing business in different countries and exposure to today’s global marketplace. Lastly, there is always potential to grow a company’s existing businesses faster. In Corporate Strategy one may consider pricing or distribution alternatives, structural reorganization or efficiency enhancement. Depending on the health of a company’s businesses, this may offer complex and diverse challenges. Where does a job in Corporate Strategy lead? It is excellent preparation for business school and beyond. Experience in Corporate Strategy can easily transition into a job at the operating level of the corporation. Additionally, the business, financial, and analytical expertise gained is applicable across industries and across functions and will be well-regarded in the marketplace. A job in Corporate Strategy can offer an exciting opportunity to work within a company, gain experience in a wide variety of projects including transaction-oriented work, long-term growth strategy, and new business development. In an exciting company, in an exciting industry, Corporate Strategy offers a wide array of valuable experience, and an excellent place to start your career in business.
Y
W O
To
66 The harvard guide to your job search
Mor
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 66
8/13/2012 2:51:45 PM
YOU HAVE TALENTS
WE HAVE OPTIONS To find out more about career opportunities, please visit www.morganstanley.com/careers.
Morgan Stanly is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity. (M/F/D/V) Š 2012 Morgan Stanley
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 67
8/13/2012 2:51:45 PM
JOB INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
NOTES
Start a Career in Investment Management.
Start Something When you’re looking to start a career, look to Fidelity. You’ll enjoy early responsibility, global opportunities, and the autonomy to find the best ways to create value for fund shareholders. Application Deadlines Full Time: September 12th, at Midnight Intern: January 16th, at Midnight Please follow application instructions on Crimson Careers. For more information, please visit investment.fidelitycareers.com. 2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 68
Info Session: Harvard Faculty Club Theatre Room September 11th, 2012 8PM 8/13/2012 2:51:45 PM
Approaching my senior year, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I felt like 90 percent of the kids in my class were going into investment banking, opting to work on the sell-side of finance, researching recommendations for brokerage customers. The more I learned about it, the less I liked the idea. I started exploring buy-side companies, where you’re investing in many different types of securities. Luckily I had a friend who interned at Fidelity Investments, and he raved about his experiences. He answered all my questions about buy-side careers, and the more I learned about it, the more excited I got. After going through the recruiting process, I immediately knew Fidelity was the place for me. For an undergrad straight out of school, the responsibility I was given as a Research Associate at Fidelity was unmatched. I covered a group of 15 to 20 stocks, making buy and sell recommendations. Within my first week at work I hosted a company meeting with the CEO, which was a truly empowering experience. When I was promoted to Analyst, I got bigger stocks, from companies that most people would recognize, and had the opportunity to manage a sleeve of a fund. I’ve rotated across four groups since I started, including consumer stocks, healthcare, tech and small cap. The culture of learning at Fidelity is a priceless benefit, and each day brings a new experience. When you get a new group of stocks, you don’t sit alone in
your office with your ideas. When you have an insight, you bring it to a Portfolio Manager and say, “I’ve found something that sounds good, and I want to pass the data point along.” Those discussions are collaborative, and you incorporate other people’s insights into your own process. Investment Management is a tough industry. Even if you are the best stock picker in the world you will only be right about 60% of the time. I’m surrounded by some of the best investors in the world, and that pushes me to be my best. I’m given incredible access to the resources I need to do my job, from meeting with experts in the field to getting on a plane to visit a company. The research really does take me everywhere. For example, I was in Japan earlier this spring. We also have a large international presence on the Analyst side so I can call someone on our international team anytime, and get the research they’ve published. This helps me to have a truly global perspective, which I see as a distinct competitive advantage. Work-wise, Fidelity is where I grew up. I don’t think I would have developed as much professionally if I had chosen to work anywhere else. I feel incredibly lucky to have a job I love, where I feel that I’m making a positive difference. Every decision I make has an impact on helping people meet their financial goals. Being part of a solution is very gratifying. - Morgan Peck ‘03
MORGAN PECK
sponsored content
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 69
69
8/13/2012 2:51:47 PM
H
Notes
a
a
e
a
d
B
m
u
i
c
s
o
k
b
i
p
o
e
t
a
s
L h
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 70
8/13/2012 2:51:47 PM
Hello, we’re Hudson River Trading. Give us a few nanoseconds and you’ll be hooked. We are MIT, Harvard, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, and more. We are bachelors, masters and PhDs; physicists & statisticians,
engineers & mathematicians. At HRT, responsibility is distributed according to individual impact, so a systems engineer will spend every day working on
challenging computer science problems.
Become an algo
developer and you might find yourself looking at massive amounts of market data and using a variety of tools to come up with complex strategies. If you are a hacker who wants to work in a powerful computing environment, we want programmers who can reduce latency and increase throughput, in a place where every second counts. And don’t be fooled – we’re not a typical finance company; our coders are the most important investment we have – and they
know it. It’s no secret that your compensation will be high and you will be rewarded based on performance. Unlike other firms, our developers work in parallel with algo, because we know programming skills are a major part of what makes us successful. We know you might think we’re a bunch of suits, but that’s simply not true. We’re geeks who use FreeBSD, and
even have kernel committers on staff. So, if you’re thinking about going
to Silicon Valley to work for a tech
company, remember that’s what we
are and more: grub-loving, foosball-playing, challenge-seeking problem solvers. Sound like you too?
We hrt you. <3
Learn more at the Fall Career Fair on Sept 7 and at our info session on Sept 12. hudson-trading.com/careers
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 71
8/13/2012 2:51:47 PM
wELCOME
The harvard guide to your job search
2012-13 GUIDE TO YOUR JOB SEARCH FINAL_INSIDE_USE.indd 72
47
8/13/2012 2:51:49 PM