Career Services, University of Pennsylvania

On-Campus Recruiting Policies

Offer Policy
First Round Interview Locations
Second Round Interview Policy
Confidentiality Policy
Alcohol and Recruiting Policy
Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

Offer Policy

Exploding offers and bonuses put enormous pressure on our students to make a decision before they have completed the interviewing process. Most students are not ready, nor should they be, to make a final decision before completing all their interviews. Furthermore, students with exploding offers are calling other employers in an attempt to arrange early interviews, thus greatly inconveniencing those firms. Regrettably, pressure to accept early makes it harder for us to enforce our policy against reneging.

If you make offers at the end of the summer to interns returning for senior year, we ask that you give them until November 2, 2009, so that these students may participate in on-campus recruiting. If you make offers to students through fall recruiting (for summer 2010 start dates), we ask that you give these students three weeks or until December 1, 2009 (whichever comes later) to decide, and that offers made on or after January 1, 2010 be held open for two weeks.

If you are interviewing for summer interns, internship recruiting begins February 1, 2010. Please give interns until February 22nd, or one week, whichever comes later, to decide on offers. Internship offers extended during the fall semester to students studying abroad during the spring semester should also be held open until this date, as should return internship offers extended to students who interned with your organization during the Summer of 2009.

In some cases, students may ask for extensions beyond these deadlines; we hope you can accommodate them. We would also like to request that no large exploding bonuses be offered for early acceptances. We ask that if there is a sign-on bonus, it be honored whenever the student accepts the offer. Most employers have been very understanding and willing to give our students the time they need. We appreciate your cooperation in the past, and ask for your flexibility in the future.

First Round Interview Locations

All first round interviews should be scheduled in our on-campus recruiting suite, or in the nearby Inn at Penn, and not in Center City hotels. If you wish to do a first-round schedule outside of these two venues during the first four weeks of fall recruiting, or during the first two weeks of internship recruiting, please speak to Patricia Rose, Director of Career Services, before scheduling.

Second Round Interview Policy

In order to eliminate the cancellation of first round interviews, we have instituted a second round interview policy. During the fall, please do not hold second round interviews outside of Philadelphia on September 29, 30 and October 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, and 15. You may hold second rounds in Philadelphia on any date, but please be flexible with students in scheduling times. Students should not be asked to cancel a first round interview at the last minute in order to make a second round. (We strongly encourage you to schedule second round interviews in Philadelphia at the Inn at Penn as it is much more convenient for students than Center City hotels.)

Please adhere to the following schedule for second round interviews during internship recruiting:
February 1, 2, 3, and 5: First round interviews only. No second round interviews either on or off-campus during the day. (Evening second round interviews are permitted.)
February 4, 9, 19: Second round interviews allowed both in and outside of Philadelphia.
February 8, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, and 18: Second round interviews in Philadelphia only. (First round interviews will also be
scheduled on these dates.)
February 22 and beyond: Second round interviews are allowed both in and outside of Philadelphia.

Confidentiality Policy

All materials received from our students (letters, resumes, transcripts, via email or hard copy), should be shared only with those persons at your firm involved in the hiring process. Please do not forward emails from students to others inside or outside your organization. Forwarding these messages not only causes embarrassment for applicants; it also creates a negative impression of your organization.

Alcohol and Recruiting Policy

We know that you are anxious to host students in as gracious a manner as possible during the recruiting process, but please do not serve alcoholic beverages. Serving alcohol to underage individuals is against the law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and in other states. While it is not illegal to serve alcohol to those 21 or over, it puts all students in an uncomfortable position, as they may feel pressured to drink whether they want to or not. By serving alcohol, you are giving the impression that drinking is a requisite part of the work environment at your organization. Students who, for personal or religious reasons, do not drink may be dissuaded from accepting employment with your firm. Furthermore, please do not hold recruiting events in bars or clubs.

These requests are in keeping with University policies, and the policies of the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam Era Veteran or disabled veteran in the administration of educational policies, programs or activities; admissions policies; scholarship and loan awards; athletic, or other University administered programs or employment. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to: Executive Director, Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street, Suite 228, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106 or by phone at (215) 898-6993 (Voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD).