Optimizing Your On-Campus Information Session

On-campus recruitment seasons are busy and full of excitement as students explore the many companies that host information sessions on campus. To maximize your session and attract top students in your target market, we recommend the following ways to optimize your time on campus.

1. Book Early

• Reservations for space in September will be available in April, so watch for our communication!
• The classrooms in Goodes Hall are large and are available at no charge, but they are limited in number and availability due to evening courses. Booking early will give you first choice of these rooms.
• Student tend to attend information sessions during the first 2-3 weeks of September. Booking later in October, close to exams, usually has lower attendance numbers.

2. Make Your Presentation Interactive and Allow Time for Networking

• Use a dynamic speaker who will hold the interest of the students (most have been sitting in lectures all day)
• Start the presentation with high energy
• Ask students what they want to hear about in the session
• Bring a combination of HR reps, interns and Smith alumni to presentations to talk about what it is like to work there
• Networking sessions allow students to connect with your staff and ask individual questions and allow you to identify talent!

3. Have your Presentation Resonate with Students

Students want to hear about more than just the perks of working at your firm, including:

• How people work together to get a project done
• How decisions are made
• Number of meetings in a day or week
• Typical start and end of the day
• Typical day or week in the life
• How will their time be valued
• Company Culture
• Career Trajectory

4. Post Job Opportunities on Smith Career Portal Prior to your Session

• Students come better prepared when they know exactly what opportunities exist at the company.
• Allow at least a day after your session for the posting to close, so students can incorporate their learnings from your session in their applications.

5. Talk About all of the Opportunities in your Company Even Though you Might Only be Targeting Certain Ones this Cycle

• Students get a better picture of the whole organization and opportunities for potential cross functional training when all departments are discussed.

6. Use the Attendance List to Cross Reference the Applicants

• At the end of the every session, we give you the attendance list so you know which students attended your session.
• Many companies use the attendance list and networking session for early candidate identification.

7. Provide Contact for Students to Follow Up with After the Session

• Students often have questions after a session or while filling out their application. Having one representative that will field questions after the session will be helpful to students.