Meet with Employers
The Employer Relations team provides a variety of in-person, hybrid, and virtual opportunities for students to interact with employer representatives from a variety of organizations. Please see the Upcoming Events on our main page to learn about these recruitment opportunities.
Connect with Employers Using Handshake
Students and alumni can view job posts and upcoming recruitment events in Handshake, our career management tool. Register for events or apply for a job using your Handshake account. Follow your favorite employers in Handshake to receive alerts anytime an employer is on campus or posts a job opportunity.
Spring 2023 Events
February 2 | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Analytics & IT Fair (In-Person)
February 15 | 4:30–6:30 p.m. | Campaigns, Congress & Lobbies Networking Reception (In-Person)
February 17 | 10–3 p.m. | Government, Education & Non-Profit Career Fair (Virtual)
February 28 & March 1 | 2–5 p.m. | SIS Career Fair (In-Person)
March 1 | 3:30–5:30 p.m. | Marketing & Communication Day 2023 (In-Person)
March 29 | 1–4 p.m. | Spring Job & Internship Fair
April 18 | 4:30–6:30 p.m. | Working for Justice Networking Reception (In-Person)
April 19 | 3:30–5:30 p.m. | Just in Time Hiring Fair w/ Management & Innovation Track
Employer Meet-up Sessions
These in-person, virtual or hybrid sessions are interactive meetings between employers and interested students and alumni. These sessions provide a chance learn more about an organization or area of interest, network with recruiters and gain an insider’s perspective on the recruiting process for a specific organization. Get tips on hiring trends, what job skills you should be honing and what it takes to be a successful candidate. See a list of upcoming information sessions on our homepage. Those interested should register for information sessions in Handshake to save a spot.
Employer-in-Residence Program
The Employer-in-Residence (EiR) program takes place in-person or virtually and brings together students and recruiters/representatives with partner organizations for pre-scheduled appointments. These sessions offer students the opportunity to meet with representatives in a one-on-one setting for learning and networking. All EiR & Recruiter Chat sessions will be posted in Handshake, and all degree-seeking students in CAS, SIS, SOC, SOE and SPA are eligible to participate. Appointments are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointment slots will open at 9:00 AM two weeks prior to the organization's visit. Details of when slots become available are posted in each event description. Remember to log in on the date and time that the slots open to select a slot. The Career Center recommends students meet with a peer advisor or schedule a meeting with with a Career Advisor to assist in preparing for this informational interview. Business casual dress is required.
See a list of upcoming EIR events on our homepage.
How to sign-up for an EiR time slot:
1. Log into your Handshake account. *Before you can sign up for a time slot, you must have an updated, default resume saved in your “My Documents” folder.
2. Click ‘Jobs’ tab at top of screen. In search bar, type ‘Employer-in-Residence.’ All upcoming EiR events will populate, listing the particular organization in the title.
3. Click to open the event that interests you. The bar at top identifies the date and time slots open and close.
4. Click on ‘Apply’ in top right of screen to apply. Attach your most recent resume and answer any application questions, if applicable. Then click ‘Submit Application’ button.
5. A screen will appear to allow you to select a time slot. Choose your preferred slot. You will receive a confirmation and reminders once you’ve secured a slot.
6. If you have any questions about how to sign up for an slot, contact the Employer Relations Coordinator, Darnise Samuel at dsamuel@american.edu or 202-885-1814.
Reminders & Tips:
- If all time slots are filled, your name will be added to a waitlist. You will be emailed if an opportunity arises for you to choose a time slot. Very popular organizations will fill up within the first few minutes of opening. Mark your calendar for the date and time registration opens!
- If you receive a message stating: “Your school has restricted your ability to apply to this job” please contact the Employer Relations Coordinator, Darnise Samuel, immediately at dsamuel@american.edu or call 202-885-1814 or the Career Center front desk at 202-885-1804 for instructions on how to proceed. (A reminder, EiR events are open only to current degree-seeking CAS, SIS, SOC, SOE & SPA students).
- These sessions are not recruiting in nature, rather they are a chance for those that are interested in applying to specific jobs, or interested in learning more about how their skill set might apply to the organization, to learn from the organization's representative.
- The system will repeat the word “interview” as a system word, as these are housed in On-Campus Interviews (OCI) to manage the event. However, these are not formal interviews.
- You will need to have an updated resume saved as a default document in your account under “My Documents” before you can sign up for a time slot. These resumes are sent to the employer ahead of their visit to prepare for your informational interview.
- Most organizations will allow all CAS, SIS, SOC, SOE, SPA students in the various majors and degree programs, but there are instances where restrictions apply. Those restrictions will be listed under the “Application Status.”
- We suggest business smart/business professional attire for your meeting. The general rule of thumb is to be more dressed up than the representative with whom you are meeting. Plan ahead, dress to impress, and make a great first impression.
The Employer-in-Residence (EiR) program brings together students and recruiters/representatives with partner organizations for pre-scheduled appointments. These sessions offer students the opportunity to meet with representatives in a one-on-one setting for learning and networking. These are not recruiting events or interviews, however they are professional business meetings and a great first impression is important and lasting.
- The Employer-in-Residence program is open to all current degree-seeking students of CAS, SOC, SOE, SIS and SPA.
- In advance of the meeting, students will prepare by conducting further research about the current events of the organization, positions in which they are interested, and consider the different questions and topics they would like to address.
- Students will dress in business or professional attire.
- All appointments are held on a virtual platform or by phone. Students will arrive on-time to their appointment. A student arriving five or more minutes past their appointment time, may forfeit their ability to meet with the employer, and will be considered a no show.
- Resumes are sent ahead to the representatives so that they can review their appointment schedules in advance. If a student needs to cancel their appointment, they will give the Career Center as much notice as possible to allow us to move a student from the waitlist into their slot and maximize the time and resources of the professionals taking the time to visit campus. Students will give at least 24 hours’ notice. If you must remove yourself from your slot in Handshake, you must also contact the Career Center to give notice that you have removed yourself from the schedule.
- Failure to cancel without any notice and/or cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice will be marked as a “no show” and the student will be blocked from participating in Employer-in-Residence appointments and On-Campus Interviews (OCI) until they attend a meeting with a Career Center advisor to discuss their actions. A student may be permitted back into the program if they make and attend their appointment, and the advisor grants them access again.
- Repeated cancellations (3 or more) and repeated no-shows will result in a block from accessing the program completely.
- Students will only sign up for one appointment, per organization, per semester. If there are extenuating circumstances in which a second appointment in one semester is mutually agreed upon by the representative and the student, the student will inform the Employer Relations Coordinator well in advance.
On-Campus Interviews (OCI)
The On-Campus Interviews program (OCI) will be held virtually or in-person. OCI brings a variety of employers from all different types of industries and sizes to interview AU candidates on-campus throughout the fall and spring semesters. Interviews take place on a virtual platform or by phone. Students and alumni who qualify for positions are eligible to apply in Handshake. The Career Center recommends candidates have their resume reviewed with a peer advisor before applying for positions and consider scheduling a mock interview with a Career Advisor, if selected as a candidate. All candidates should be aware of the OCI Program Policies outline below to understand the expectations of participating in the program.
1. Log into your Handshake account.
2. Click ‘Jobs’ tab and then click ‘On-Campus Interviews’ tab at top of screen. In search bar, search for the OCI employer you are interested in.
3. Click to open the OCI employer that interests you. The bar at top identifies the date and time slots open and close.
4. Click on ‘Apply’ in top right of screen. Attach the required documents (resume, cover letter etc) and answer any other application questions required. Then click ‘Submit Application’ button.
5. You will receive a confirmation that your application has been submitted.
6. If you are selected as a primary candidate, you will receive an email from Handshake to sign up for an interview time slot. Primary candidates are usually given 2-3 days to sign up for an interview slot before the slots are opened to alternate candidates. Once open to alternate candidates, time slots are available on a first come, first served basis. Be on the lookout for emails from Handshake! The ability to sign up for an OCI time slot lasts only a few days before the job will close in Handshake.
7. If you are selected as an alternate candidate, you will receive an email from Handshake to sign up for an interview time slot, after primary candidates have had an opportunity to sign up. Alternate time slots are offered on a first come, first served basis. Be on the lookout for emails from Handshake! The ability to sign up for an OCI time slot lasts only a few days before the job will close in Handshake.
8. If you have any questions about how to apply to an OCI job in Handshake, please call 202-885-1804 or contact the Employer Relations Coordinator, Darnise Samuel at dsamuel@american.edu or 202-885-1814.
Reminders & Tips:
- You must meet all requirements outlined by the employer in order qualify and apply. If you believe you do qualify, but are told in Handshake you do not, please contact the Employer Relations Coordinator, Darnise Samuel, immediately at dsamuel@american.edu or 202-885-1814 or contact the Career Center front desk at 202-885-1804 for instructions on how to proceed.
- Most organizations will allow all CAS, SIS, SOC, SOE, SPA & KSB students in the various majors and degree programs, but there are instances where restrictions apply.
We suggest business smart/business professional attire for your meeting. The general rule of thumb is to be more dressed up than the representative with whom you are meeting. For virtual interviews, plan ahead! Consider your background and find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed during your virtual interview. Reach out to your career advisor for more tips about interviewing virtually.
Resume Submission Policy
Candidates will apply only for positions in which they have a genuine interest. Once the resume withdraw deadline has passed in Handshake, candidates who are chosen for an interview are required to sign up for an interview time slot. Candidates who must withdraw their resume after the resume withdraw deadline will contact employer relations staff in the Career Center immediately.
Cancellation Policy
Candidates are strongly discouraged from cancelling interviews for any reason. If a candidate must cancel an interview due to illness, emergency, or acceptance of another job offer, they must notify the employer relations staff in the Career Center at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled interview. Failure to do so will result in the candidate’s Handshake account being “blocked,” from participating in interview schedules - prohibiting the candidate from further participation in the OCI program. Students are permitted two (2) cancellations with less than 48 hours notice per interview season before being “blocked.” Again, candidates are strongly discouraged from cancelling interviews for any reason. Chronic offenders risk the chance of being “blocked” completely from the program.
No-Show Policy
Candidates who do keep a scheduled interview (“no-show”) and do not inform the OCI staff of such will be blocked from participating in interview schedules sponsored by the Career Center, thereby prohibiting further participation in the OCI program. To appeal a “block” in Handshake, a student must meet with their Career Center advisor to discuss their actions. A student may be permitted back into the program if they make and attend their appointment, and the advisor grants them access again.
Offer/Acceptance Policy
Candidates will communicate acceptance or refusal of a job offer to employers as promptly as possible, so the employer can notify other candidates that they are still being considered or that the position is filled. When accepting an offer, the candidate should have every intention of honoring that commitment. Accepting an offer only as a precautionary measure is misleading to the employer and may restrict opportunities for others who are genuinely interested in that employer. Candidates have a responsibility to withdraw from the recruiting process after accepting an offer of employment. Candidates will notify the employer relations staff in the Career Center of an acceptance of an offer from an employer so they can be withdrawn from the program. Students will share all offers with the employer relations staff, even if offers were not accepted.
Student Honor Code
Candidates will provide up-to-date, accurate, and truthful information about themselves in their resumes, cover letters, transcripts, and Handshake profile page. Falsifying information is a violation of the University’s Code of Academic Integrity. Candidates who falsify their information and misrepresent themselves will lose access to Handshake.
Dress Code
Candidates are required to wear professional business attire for all on-campus interviews. For questions regarding professional business attire, please contact the employer relations staff at the Career Center.
Your Rights as a Job Candidate
As a candidate you have the right to fair and equitable treatment from every potential employer. Therefore all employers are expected to:
· Use professionally accepted recruiting, interviewing, and selection techniques.
· Supply accurate information about their organization and employment opportunities.
· Recruit, interview and hire individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or ability.
· Provide reasonable accommodations for a disability upon request.
· Communicate hiring decisions to candidates within the agreed-upon time frame.
· Refrain from any practice that improperly influences job acceptances.
· Notify candidates promptly if a job offer must be revoked due to funding changes.
Career Intensives
Designed for career exploration and networking, the New York and L.A. Career Intensives are annual, experiential learning programs organized by the Career Center, the School of Communication, and the Office of Alumni Relations.
These trips provide students exclusive access and connections to AU alumni, parents, and professionals working in media and entertainment. During these trips, students will attend site visits, panel discussions, networking events, and workshops intended to launch their careers in communication.
New York Career Intensive
The NY Career Intensive offers students exposure to career paths in marketing and communication fields, industry trends, and alumni networking. Past participating organizations include CNN, MWWPR, and AMC Network.
The 2022 NY Career Intensive will take place March 6 - 8. Apply to the program and learn more.
L.A. Career Intensive
This competitive program is open to juniors, seniors, and recent alumni looking to begin careers in L.A. The 2022 L.A. Career Intensive will take place May 18 - 25. Learn more about the program.