On-Campus Recruiting: Tips & Advice by Class

 

On-Campus Recruiting Program Eligibility

Yes	No
Seniors – For full-time jobs Juniors – For summer internships Sophomores/ Freshmen – Limited opportunities Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (MAs, MSs and PhDs) Study Abroad Students Alumni of Harvard College & GSAS  Visiting Undergraduate Students Undergraduates on Leave of Absence	Division of Continuing Education (DCE) Harvard Kennedy School of Government Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard Graduate School of Design Harvard Law School Harvard Business School Harvard Medical School Harvard School of Public Health Harvard Divinity School Special/Visiting Graduate School Students & Post-docs

Seniors:

If you are looking to start a job the summer after graduation, the On-Campus Recruiting Program begins as soon as you return to campus your senior fall.  Employer Information/Networking Session begin on September 2, 2009 and full-time OCR job application deadlines begin on September 16 (see OCR Calendar).  OCS has the resources and the staff to help you prepare to be the best candidate you can be from beginning to end.

• Start thinking about your interest and what you would like to do after graduation
• Meet Potential Employers face-to-face
• Search Job Listings
• Attend a Senior Orientation Meeting
• Sign up for Crimson Careers OCR access
• Attend Career Events and Workshops
• Perfect your Resumes/Cover letters
• Get Advice from a Career Counselor

Juniors:

Some employers in the On-Campus Recruiting program hire summer interns as part of their overall recruiting effort.  These employers specifically target juniors, and these internship programs 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, so it is essential that students use all resources available to them.  Some employers only manage their full time hires on-campus, even though summer internships are available, and ask that the students apply directly online.  

As with full-time positions, the On-Campus recruiting program may not include the type of summer internship that every student is looking for.  The program is not meant to be the single source of all employment opportunities. 

• Start thinking about your interest and what you would like to do next summer
• Meet Potential Employers face-to-face
• Search Internship Listings
• Sign up for Crimson Careers OCR access
• Attend Career Events and Workshops
• Perfect your Resumes/Cover letters
• Get Advice from a Career Counselor

Sophomores/Freshman:

Some employers are willing to look at sophomore and freshmen applications for their summer internship programs, but statistically very few are offered positions.  Sophomores and freshmen can access jobs and internships listed in the On-Campus Recruiting Program if they attend an orientation or pass the online tutorial and quiz.

GSAS:

Masters or PhD candidates in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences are welcome to search and apply to many On-Campus Recruiting jobs and internships.  Employers have indicated in the job description and requirements section whether or not they are willing to receive applications from GSAS students.  

OCS offers numerous programs, workshops, and dedicated counselors to serve GSAS students interested in non-academic careers.

STUDY 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 students to do some extra leg work.

Going Abroad in the FALL?
(+) ALL Summer Internship and some Full-Time Interviews occur in the Spring.
(-) Many employers do their information sessions in the Fall and even some Summer Internship Networking Events are held as early as November.  You can still access the contacts in our database and contact them personally to let them know of your plans. 

Going Abroad in the SPRING?  
Many employers offer early application and interview options for their Summer Internships for students who go abroad during the spring semester.  In such cases, you must be registered with The Office of International Programs (OIP) to receive information on the opportunities available. 

How to Register for On-Campus Recruiting while Abroad.
See the Sign-Up web page for details.

TIPS for participating in OCR while Abroad:

• Start Early: Make a plan for how you will proceed given your unique circumstances.  Remember that some elements of your search can be done before you leave the country.
• Be Flexible: Each employer will have their own way of working with the students who are going abroad, so be ready to research and adapt. 
• Use all your resources: The counselors and staff at OCS 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. 

Alumni:

Alumni of Harvard College or the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences may register for a Crimson Careersaccount here.

*An @POST email address is required for alumni to register on Crimson Careers.

Alumni of Harvard College and GSAS are also eligible for the On-Campus Recruiting Program, although the program is primarily geared towards current students and entry-level hiring.  It is advised that you use Crimson Careers to access the contact information for companies that are coming on campus this year.  You are welcome to participate in On-Campus Recruiting IF you are a recent graduate (less than 5 years) AND you can come to Cambridge for interviews, but it is recommended that you CONTACT THE EMPLOYERS FIRST to ensure that they want you included in the general undergraduate resume pool. YOU DO NOT NEED OCR ACCESS TO VIEW CONTACT INFORMATION.

Alumni/ae Registration for Crimson Careers and OCR:

1. Register now for a Crimson Careers account to view current job openings and employer contacts.
2. Edit your profile in Crimson Careers to indicate your alumnus/a status.
3. Harvard College or GSAS alumni/ae only may participate in the On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) program.  Please send an email with the subject line “OCR Alumni Request” and the information charted below to register.
4. (Optional) Watch the Online Tutorial to familarize yourself with the Crimson Careers system.

To request OCR access in Crimson Careers,
Send an email with the following information to fasocs@fas.harvard.edu

Info	Example
Name:	Joe Smith
Birth Date (as 6 digits):	021484
Harvard ID# (first 8 digits only):	51123478
Year of Graduation (4 digits):	2006
Phone Number:	555-555-1212
Email address:*	joesmith@post.harvard.edu
House Affiliation:	Dunster
Concentration:	Anthropology

On-Campus Recruiting Home