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Cornell University

Career Services

On-Campus Recruiting

Background and Eligibility

The on-campus recruiting program offers currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to interview on campus for summer internships and positions following graduation. Organizations covering the fields of nonprofit, government, education, financial/banking, consulting, consumer products, hospitality, engineering, human resources, retail, manufacturing, agriculture, scientific, and environmental typically come to campus. They are seeking students who can offer abilities beyond academic success—such as interpersonal and leadership skills, a strong work ethic, teamwork and initiative, flexibility, analytical skills, basic computer literacy, and strong communication skills.

While a diverse group of organizations do visit campus, about 20% of students find jobs through this tool. Career Services strongly advises students to pursue a strategic job search that includes other job-search tools in conjunction with on-campus recruiting. We use the Jobs and Internships component of Handshake to manage recruiting activities.
  
Typically, on-campus recruiting occurs in the fall, from approximately the first week of October until the first week of December, and in the spring, from the first week of February through April. To be eligible to participate in on-campus recruiting, students must complete an online tutorial, which takes about 15 minutes to complete. It takes about two business days after completion for your eligibility status to be updated; while you will not be notified of this change, you will see an "ocr eligible" label in the left-hand column of your profile, indicating that you can now participate in on-campus recruiting. You will then be able to view and apply for interviews.

When you choose to use the On-Campus Recruiting service, you also agree to read and follow CCS's Student Rights and Responsibilities. Note particularly that the information you provide to employers must be completely accurate. Falsifying any information you submit for on-campus recruiting is grounds for disqualification from access to Cornell University services, including on-campus recruiting. Additionally, companies have called us to let us know that offers were rescinded because of false documentation.

Tips and Hints

  • Your login information is case-sensitive.   
  • Check the system regularly to see if you have been chosen as a pre-select or alternate when you're applying for campus interviews. Employers do not always notify students of their status.   
  • Read the employer description and follow directions carefully. Often employers direct you to complete an on-line application or other form(s) to be submitted via the employer site or on Cornell Handshake system.    
  • If you have any questions regarding on-campus recruiting, you should contact a career services office for assistance.

Uploading Your Transcript

Employers may ask you to submit your transcript as part of the screening process for on-campus interviews. To do this:

  • Log into the Student Center.   
  • In the Academics section, select “My Academics... Request Official Transcript.”   
  • Submit a request to have your transcript sent to yourself via email.   
  • Select the “Official Electronic Transcript” option and follow the prompts.   
  • After you receive your transcript, rename it, log into Cornell Handshake and upload, and then submit it as instructed.