What Recruiters Look for in On-Campus Interviews

"Insider Information" from Representatives of Seven Major Employers Hiring this Season

By Mike Wilson

The fall recruiting season is upon us, and it appears the market will favor 2006 and 2007 graduates who are properly prepared to enter their chosen professions. Based on all indications, the high demand for entry level talent will require a proactive approach on the part of employers to meet their hiring targets both quantitatively and qualitatively.

 To take a closer look at what employers will be looking for and how students might optimize their opportunities, we have asked a select group of employers to give us their input on four key points:

1. Specific skills, traits, and qualities they look for in on-campus interviews

2. Advice on how students should prepare for on-campus interviews

3. The challenges or obstacles employers face in reaching their on-campus recruitment goal

4. Their individual comments and observations to help students prepare to enter the job market

Collectively, it appears that most organizations look for candidates who demonstrate strong character traits, particularly integrity, leadership, flexibility and a strong work ethic. They also seek applicants who have business acumen and specific skills to multi-task, problem- solve and complete projects.

Recruiters say they expect candidates at interviews to know the company, know themselves and to know where they want to go.

Prospective candidates should research the company so that they are knowledgeable about its functions. Recruiters also suggest that candidates be able to articulate their own attributes and their long-term and short-term goals.

The "Insiders"

	Bank of America Angela Haney MBA Recruiter Charlotte, NC Expects a robust year for campus recruiting: U.G. hiring forecast is 1,000+; MBA graduate forecast is 150 hires.		BASF Chemical Catharina King Recruitment Specialist Florham Park, NJ Looking for 40 graduates this recruiting season primarily in technical disciplines.
	Enterprise Rent-A-Car Marie Artim Assistant VP Recruiting St. Louis, MO Annual college recruiting requirements will be 7,000 new hires for its Management Training Program.		FedEx Corporation John Leech Manager of Recruitment Memphis, TN Will be recruiting several recent graduates from a number of schools around the country.
	Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Nikki Soares College Recruiter Boston, MA Looking to hire 600+ recent grads during the 2006/2007 recruiting season.		Nationwide Insurance Mark Meador, Sr. Corporate Recruiter Columbus, OH Looking for approximately 200 hires, including interns, IT, Management Trainees, and other disciplines for various locations.
	Sodexho John Lee Director of College & External Relations Recruiting forecast is approximately 300 recent graduates, including dietitians and hospitality and facilities management professionals.

• Continue: "What skills, traits and qualities do you look for when evaluating students you interview on campus?"

Michael Wilson is Director of Diversity, Diversity Services for Recruitment Enhancement Services (mwilson@resjobs.com), a division of Bernard Hodes Group.