The CDO-Student Partnership Agreement

The Career Development Office (CDO) works with students at the Yale School of Management in the delivery of high-quality programs to teach the practical career management skills necessary to succeed in the global MBA marketplace. The CDO staff, SOM faculty, alumni and recruiters work together to present a comprehensive sequence of interactive workshops that fully prepares students for both the internship and full-time job search. In order for this process to be successful, students and the CDO need to work cooperatively in accord with the policies outlined below.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THE CDO

The CDO will maintain the strictest confidentiality of student information that is obtained from counseling sessions, interview feedback, and placement records.

Students will have equal access to all CDO services including: career counseling, career development workshops, on-campus interviews, access to company literature and contact information, and the online alumni directory.

The CDO staff will be available to assist you in identifying and formulating a successful job search strategy by:

Developing a job search profile
Critiquing resumes and cover letters
Expanding your networking techniques
Helping you enhance your interviewing skills
Recommending follow-up procedures
Educating you on the job search process

Employer Relations
The CDO team will actively develop and enhance relationships with employers for the purpose of increasing employment opportunities for Yale SOM students. These efforts will be reflected in the variety of companies participating in the on-campus recruiting program, the various recruiting presentations, the job opportunities posted online, and the referrals made by the CDO team.

Freedom of Choice
Students will have the freedom to choose an internship and full-time job opportunity that best suits their career goals and aspirations. The CDO staff will work with students to ensure that they are well positioned to make the best possible employment decisions for themselves.

Confidentiality
The CDO will maintain student confidentiality by restricting access to personally identifiable data (including written records, reports, and databases). Employment and salary data will only be published in aggregate as deemed appropriate.

THE CDO'S EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS

Maintain Professional Conduct
Interviews, corporate presentations, and communications with employers are professional activities that require professional conduct. As with all Yale SOM activities, punctuality and professional demeanor are expected. The CDO strongly discourages students from arriving late or leaving in the middle of corporate presentations. This is discourteous to both corporate guests and fellow students and should be avoided. Plan to arrive on time and stay for the entire duration of the event. Please keep cell phones, laptops and pagers off during any event or interview.

Professional Communication
Please remember that you represent both yourself and SOM when interacting and communicating with recruiters, company representatives and alumni. It is important to be professional in all interactions, including alumni of the school. Students who utilize the CDO's services are expected to uphold a professional relationship with the office. This includes keeping appointments, adhering to deadlines and attending workshops - respecting the relationship the CDO has built with both students and employers. Disrespectful verbal or written communications directed towards any CDO member or employer representative will be individually addressed.

Dress Appropriately
Presentations and company receptions are typically business casual unless otherwise noted. Interviews are typically business formal unless otherwise noted. Jeans, shorts, or hats are not appropriate at recruiting related events. It is expected that students will respect and adhere to the business dress codes and etiquettes of different employers who are recruiting at Yale SOM.

Relationship Managers/Counselors
Students are encouraged to connect with a Relationship Manager as a first point of contact for their recruiting inquiries. Any questions about the recruiting process should be initially directed to the RM rather than the recruiting organization.

Resources
We ask that students treat the career information resources - both printed and electronic - as privileged information and to abide by user policies of the CDO. Unauthorized removal, destruction, or disclosure of career information resources inhibits students' ability to obtain information to which they are entitled. In addition, unauthorized duplication of copyrighted materials is not permitted.

Respond to all CDO Deadlines
To better serve you and the companies, you are expected to respond by the deadline to all interview invitations. CDO deadlines are at NOON on the day of the deadline, unless otherwise noted.

Interview with Commitment
Students will be honest throughout the recruiting process. Campus interviews are not opportunities to "shop around" for an interesting job. Nothing is more apparent to an experienced recruiter than a student who has given very little thought as to why he or she would be interested in working for their organization. It misleads and perplexes employers, wastes time and money, and prevents fellow students who are sincerely interested in these opportunities from being able to obtain an interview slot. Students are expected to research and prepare for all recruiter interactions. Do not expect the interviewer to "sell" you on the organization.

If you are not interested in the organization from which you received an invitation to interview, please decline the invitation as soon as possible. Many times companies provide us with a list of alternates. By you declining an invitation, it may open up an interview slot for your classmates who have a sincere interest in interviewing with that company.

Adhere to Schedules
Adhere to interview schedules and counseling appointments. The CDO makes every effort to schedule students for interviews at times which do not conflict with classes or examinations. Students are expected to keep all scheduled job interview appointments, whether on- or off-campus, and counseling appointments (including mock interviews). All non-emergency cancellations need to be made at least forty-eight hours in advance of the scheduled appointment. If an emergency occurs, the CDO should be notified immediately so that alternative arrangements can be made.

Schedule Interviews Outside of Class Times
Occasionally, students are scheduled to interview while their class is in session. This is commonly due to a change in the initial class schedule that the CDO receives from the Office of Student Affairs. If any changes are made to your class schedule, it is your responsibility to inform the CDO of those changes. If an interview conflicts with your class, you are expected to try and find another student with whom you can swap interview times. If you are unable to swap with a classmate, please advise the CDO as soon as possible.

Show Up for Your Interview
Please keep track of all your interviews and time changes. Failure to appear for a scheduled interview on campus may result in suspension of interviewing privileges. A letter of apology to the appropriate recruiter must be submitted within twenty-four hours of the missed interview, with a copy submitted to the director of the CDO. If you apply to a job posting, it is expected that you have a genuine interest in the position. Any student who accepts an interview with a firm is expected to honor their commitment and professionally prepare for and attend their scheduled interview.

Respond to a Job Offer by the Agreed-Upon Deadline
Communicate your acceptance or rejection of a job offer on or before the date requested by the employer. If you require additional time to consider an employer's offer, please notify the person who extended you the offer as soon as possible.

The process of accepting an internship or full-time offer is considered to be part of a serious commitment. Upon accepting a job offer, students are expected to withdraw from the interviewing process (both on-campus and off-campus) immediately and to notify promptly all employers who are actively considering them for jobs that they are no longer available for consideration.

The School of Management does not condone the reneging of job offers by candidates or employers. Students are obligated to explain immediately the circumstances to the CDO Director. Depending upon the circumstances, students could be subject to forfeiture of all CDO services while at SOM and career services as an alumnus/a. Reneging on job offers can seriously damage SOM's established recruiting relationships.

Communicate Receipt and Acceptance of a Job Offer to the CDO
When you receive or accept a job offer, students are obligated to report this to the CDO by completing the online placement record. Offer and acceptance information is vital to tracking your success and that of the student body as a whole. It also helps us identify students who might need additional support. All offer information is kept strictly confidential and salary statistics are reported only in aggregate.

Provide Timely, Accurate and Current Information
In all forms of communication, please provide timely, accurate and current information about your academic and employment records including courses taken, positions held, and responsibilities performed.