On-Campus Recruiting: Is It for Me?

Please note, the On-Campus Recruiting Program is for Harvard College and GSAS students and alumni ONLY: (See Eligibility Requirements)

On-Campus Recruiting streamlines the application process and first round interviews with over 200 employers each year for both full-time and internship opportunities, and facilitates interviews on-campus in our interview facility at 1033 Mass Ave, 5th Floor.  However, the process is highly competitive and does not suit employers from every employment sector.  The program is one tool among many that students should utilize in their search for jobs and internships.

Some students mistakenly think of on-campus recruiting as the “easy” way to find a job or internship.  While many aspects of the program make the application and interview processes more convenient, it is important to realize that on-campus recruiting is often stressful with multiple quick deadlines and demanding interview schedules. 

Why is there so much Finance and Consulting?

Every year, students ask this question.  Over 25 different industries were represented in last year’s On-Campus Recruiting Program, including popular opportunities at Google, Abercrombie & Fitch, the NFL, and Walt Disney.  That being said, many types of companies and organizations do not hire through this kind of an elaborate process.  Formal recruiting programs are very time consuming and expensive for employers.  Highly sought after areas such as sports, media, electronic gaming, and entertainment firms are overloaded with applications and have no need to spend resources traveling to college campuses in search of additional candidates.  Other types of companies such as start-ups, venture capital, and biotech firms are looking for applicants to show initiative by finding them!  In addition, 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 recruiting on campus, they may still be interested in hiring you!  Refer to the other sections of this guide (see Explore Careers) and use OCS Drop-In Hours Monday through Friday 1 – 4pm to let a counselor help you develop an individualized job search plan.

2008-2009 By the Numbers

		FULL-TIME	SUMMER
Total # of Applications	:	15,506	10,365
Average # of Applications	:	23 / student	17 / student
Total # of Interviews	:	3,299	1,597
Average # of Interviews	:	6 / student	4 / student
% of Student Applicants with at Least 1 Interview	:	78%	58%
Approximate Application to Interview Ratio	:	5 : 1	6 : 1
Approximate Interview to Offer Ratio	:	13 : 1	8 : 1
Approximate % of Participants who accept a job through On-Campus Recruiting	:	38%	39%

 

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