Smith College student instructions:

NOTE: students from other colleges should check with their own career offices for specific instructions for that school.

Smith College, in conjunction with Northwestern University, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and the University of Virginia sponsor this employment interview day in New York City. The purpose of the program is to expand interview opportunities for students who are interested in the fields of advertising, marketing, publishing, public relations, legal or medical research, and not-for-profit. Most employers in these fields do not conduct on-campus interviews. 

We anticipate that approximately 15 to 20 employers will participate in the program. Participation means that the employer will be sent resumes of students from all four schools who are interested in interviewing with that employer. The employer will then select students from each school to interview in New York City on Feb. 23, 2009. Participating students travel to NYC at their own expense. 

Are these interviews for actual job openings?

Because many of these employers do not have structured training programs and do not hire in large numbers, it is often difficult for them to predict in February whether they will actually have vacancies in June. As a result, some of the interviews are informational in nature. However, many students who have participated in the New York Recruiting Alliance have found even the "informational interviews" to be extremely worthwhile. In some cases, these contacts have resulted in a job offer at a later date. 

Please be forewarned that due to the nature of these industries, candidates are typically asked to pay their own expenses if invited back to NYC for second round interviews. 

How can students participate?

Check the online List of Participating Employers. Smith students, if interested, bring a resume, cover letter, and any other requested materials for each organization of interest to the CDO by 4:30 on Jan. 14, 2009.  Or email them as attachments to Deborah Wijnhoven at dwijnhov@smith.edu .  

After the resume submission deadline the resumes will be sent to the organizations to select students (and alternates) for interviews.  The CDO will contact you by phone or e-mail to notify you if you have been selected for an interview. 

If selected, you will be asked to confirm your intent to interview in NYC within a couple of days of finding out. (If you choose NOT to accept your interview(s), please notify the CDO as well. You may want to write a letter of appreciation to the employer(s) explaining that you will not be accepting their interview offer). If you are an alternate and move on to the interview schedule, the CDO will call to notify you.

Additional interview spaces for interested students may open up during the program on February 23. To be considered for additional interviews, you are encouraged to come to the American Management Association 48th & Broadway, by 8:45 a.m. on the day of the event to place your name on employer waiting lists. 

Interview Schedules: Completed schedules noting exact times of all interviews will be emailed to  participants one to two weeks before the interview day.  

What about travel arrangements and costs? 

Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements and costs. Please see the section on this website for directions and lodging options.

When and where are the interviews?

The interviews will be held between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 23, 2009, at the American Management Association, 48th & Broadway, in New York City. Due to space restrictions, several employers will be conducting interviews in the same room. 

What if I change my mind about participating after dropping my resume?

Please do not drop your resume if you are not seriously committed to participating in the program. If you are selected by one or more employers and sign up for interviews, you are obligating yourself to travel to New York . (unless you choose NOT to accept your interview).

If an emergency occurs and you will be unable to interview after you have signed-up, please call Brenda at the CDO (413) 585-2579 immediately!  Or Deborah Wijnhoven (413) 585-2582 cell:413-531-3837

Any student who does not appear for a scheduled interview without notifying the CDO staff in advance will be a no-show resulting in the loss of campus interviewing privileges.

Return to Top of Page

Jeff Jenkins
Tel : 847-491-2565
Fax: 847-467-7778
jjenkins@northwestern.edu

Tech questions:
Deborah Wijnhoven
dwijnhoven@smith.edu

New York Recruiting Alliance. 2009