Tips for First Year recruiting

First Year internship recruiting is in full-swing and I thought it would the right time to share some wisdom from my experiences. Instead of providing 'abc' of what you need to do, which I am sure you all are quite familiar with by now, I will highlight some areas where I think students falter.

Focus: Though this such an obvious first step, I find that its not followed as religiously as it should be. If you are feeling lethargic and lack motivation to get everything done, its time to get your act together. A dream or aspiration is something you have to pursue, it doesn't not fall on your lap. It's time to ask the hard question of how much it really matters to you. Figure out all the things you need to do, make a plan and get going.

Preparation: By now you should have clear idea of what you need to do well to be successful in your chosen recruiting area. Quite likely there are several things. Often, many consider preparation as getting familiar with this areas or somewhat competent. The bar is high fellows, target should be perfection. What would it take to get close to perfect in each area? You are bound to make mistakes when it comes  the final interviews. Prepare and practice everything you can - cases, subject areas, behavioral, situational. If you perform great in practice chances are you can at least be good in the final interviews.

Externalities: How many times have you asked the questions How will the economy hold? How many students will so and so company recruit? Well, the question really is - Does the answer to these questions affect what you are doing? or Do you have any control on the economy or the numbers anyway? Forget what you can't control and worry about things you can. It might however be useful to stay informed on these issues. Sometimes opportunities arise if you informed and observant.

Attitude: What behavioral aspects would you look for in an employee? Enthusiasm, curiosity, confidence, positive outlook are some traits that definitely impress recruiters. Bring the same to the table. I'ts not all about going to the interview, solving the puzzles and answering questions with the straight face. Your attitude is not something you can switch on and off.  So examine yourself and see if you need a change. Investigate the culture of companies you are interviewing with to figure out qualities important to them. If there is something that you rather not adopt then think twice about interviewing with the firm.

Perspective: If the process is stressing you a lot, keep things in perspective. This is not your life. There are many things to it. Anyone who has made it thus far will do just fine. You define your choices, don't let your choices define you. 

Of persistence, opportunity and chance

I spent most of my winter break writing cover letters and applying for various positions with different firms. I did, however, get to spend a very exciting New Year with friends in New York. After a fun ‘New years’ I was back to the grind putting in more applications, customizing my resume and cover letter every time to ensure that I brought forward my interest and fit. First 2 weeks of January were also spent practicing 2-3 cases, frameworks, doing company research and behavioral interviews for a total of 6-7 hours a day. I also believe that my colleagues (at least those with consulting focus with whom I had ample interactions) spend about the same effort if not more. News was not nearly as good. I had a few consulting interviews but acceptance rate from application to interviews was about 10%. Having worked hard and practiced tons of case and behavioral interviews I was confident as I went into the first week of recruiting. As far as I can tell I did well but I couldn’t make it to any second rounds. After 3 weeks of recruiting I was left with just one more interview after which I had to focus my efforts to more off-grounds search which I had already begun in earnest. I attributed part of the results to the fact that we have stellar Darden candidates and as you expect recruiting for top firms is very competitive. The other part I attributed to ‘Chance factors’, a claim that may be contestable. I found it hard to really fault any of my performances and felt I just needed to persevere. Most of my friends looking for consulting were in the same boat albeit they still had one or two interviews with top consulting firm off-grounds. So did I and that too with my top choice!

The process started exactly the way I didn’t want it to. My flights were delayed constantly and though I kept recruiters in loop I ended up an hour late for interview. I had to rush into my first interview and I struggled a little bit with numbers. In between the interview I remember thinking that my chances were pretty much over as great performances in previous interviews hadn’t got me anywhere and with mistakes I probably wouldn’t get too far. However, I quickly shook myself of the negativity and focused on the task at hand to end the interview strongly. I kept thinking positively, smiled and even joked with the recruiters about the situation and airline industry. My second interview was much better and did my best to show my interest in the firm, my positive attitude, enthusiasm as well as my adeptness at tackling complex problems. It paid off! I got the second round and I really felt fortunate because I found myself less deserving that with my other interviews. Later on I felt it had more to do with attitude and adeptness at handling the situation that the just the case. I was extremely motivated as I went into my second rounds and did exceptionally well.

Result – I got the offer

Moral – hard work, positive outlook and persistence pays dividends

Opportunity – though I did not elaborate earlier I took my opportunities to get this interview and though I could have sulked about my current situation I saw it as an opportunity to create an impression. Many might not agree with my conclusion but I feel that made a huge difference

Chance –mitigate what you can and forget what you can’t

As I got back into town and over the course of the weekend I found that many of my classmates had some exciting offers. Well deserved, I may add. This seems to have been an excellent week for Darden students on the recruiting front . We also seem to be doing better than comparable schools. (For more factual data and comparisons please wait for updates on career websites of each School, my claims are based on hearsay and perceptions)

At the same time I do know that many of my deserving classmates are still looking for jobs. Mostly because they have opted to do something close to their hearts or do something different. I hope you can take some confidence of my story. Also I know for sure that you will get what you want because for one you are at Darden and I have seen what you are capable of. I know from my life that I have come this far not because of easy successes, but because of failures and obstacles that challenged me and my audacity to continue to dream big and explore uncharted waters.

I remind you once again of Robert frost’s lines

Two roads diverged in a wood,
and I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

So go ahead, dream big, and get what you want!

Success is counted sweetest

Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of Victory

As he defeated -- dying --
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!

- Emily Dickinson

Some words of encouragement for most of us who are still going through the recruiting process. Past couple of weeks have been very hard for me and I am sure it has been for most of us. This week was a 5 day 15 case week, with added burden of recruiting and interviewing. Despite the work load I really enjoyed this week, the cases and the class discussions. In particular our Management communications class where we all narrated beautiful stories that conveyed a deeper meaning. One of stories related a personal experience to current process and delivered a message left a significant impression on me. It was about how we have got so involved in the process and are 'Looking to do what we think we have to do rather than doing what we want to do'. So I think we really need to figure out what we are really passionate about and go fo it. Also, it is very easy for us to take high paying corporate jobs and be indifferent to so many causes that need attention. Its upon us to go out and make a difference. I leave you with a poem by Robert Frost offering some words of wisdom.

The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Games we play - Recruiting for Summer Jobs

Its that time of the year where more than anything you need confidence and self-belief. We dropped our resumes and cover letters to several companies for Summer intern positions over the winter break. They are now coming out with close lists for interviews. Everyday we hear about the lists we made it on and ones we didn't. With 320 excellent candidates, this is where the quality of Darden students makes this process very competitive. Though at a personal level I don't feel any tension or competition with my classmates as I know them very well, respect them for their abilities and have an equal stake in their success. Reality at the end of the day is that we need to make the close lists to get interviews and if one does, other does not.

There are about 250 job postings for 320 students with over 50% open to internationals. Needless to say that everyone would walk away with an offer, most people with more than one. The question really is about fit and whether you managed to get exactly what you want.

Its not the same across the board. Some areas are more competitive than others e.g. management consulting which has the most interests. Most consulting companies had over 100 students apply for 25-30 interview spots. Investment banking is also competitive but (too my surprise) Darden is very strong in this field and attracts lots of Investment Banks. Marketing and general management can be equally competitive depending on the companies and specific positions. Darden having a general management and case based curriculum develops skills that appeal to wide variety of industries and functions. Hence there is a great breadth of opportunities available.

The full process from the start present itself like a game - competitive yet organised and sporting. So as I head back to my preparation drill, I say to myself "Let the games begin"