Placement Data

Staff Auditor at John Hancock

The Story:
In Fall 2008 semester, I took the Internal Audit Course with Professor Burnaby. The course had a team project whose requirements were to perform a Q&A audit of an Internal Audit department of a company and was assigned John Hancock as our company. We organized a day-visit to the organization and met with many employees and interviewed them as part of our project requirement. I also met with the AVP of Internal Audit department, Keri Rogers and kept in touch even after the project was over. I contacted her in February to inquire if there were any opportunities in the Department and landed an interview. Audra Boni, Lucy Amello and Ilana Kaufman helped me prepare for the interview which successfully resulted in a formal offer of employment.

Advice:
I would advise students to talk to as many contacts as they have in various organizations when they start their job search. Companies prefer to hire more through employee referrals than through any job sites or recruiters.  The networking events organized by Graduate Career Services are an excellent platform to meet employers and build up contacts. But it is also important to maintain these contacts by keeping in touch.

Business Analyst at Morgan Stanley

The Story:
Networking and the informational interview process played a strong role in landing the Business Analyst position with Morgan Stanley. During Fall 2008 and my first semester at Bentley, I attended the GSA whale watch event where I met another student also pursuing the MSF who recently completed an internship with Morgan Stanley. Coincidentally, 10 days later, I received an interview call from the firm! Immediately, I contacted my colleague from the whale watch who proceeded to provide me with an understanding of the interview process. Proactively, I contacted my Career Advisor, Audra Boni, who also connected me with an alum currently working at Morgan Stanley in the same role. Due to a clear understanding of the interview process and more, I was able to succeed in both first and second round interviews resulting in a formal offer of employment in December.

Advice:
I found the following steps improved the chances of being recruited. I hope others find them helpful as well: 1) Find a 'hand-in-glove' opportunity – Find a job opening which is well-aligned to the academic work and/or work experience you may have had in the past, since these are difficult times for career changers. 2) Attract an interview call with a customized resume and cover letter – Build customized resumes and cover letters, mirroring the job skills sought by the company. Highlight relevant competencies developed from academic projects and internships/job experiences. 3) Impress them during the interview with your preparation – Conduct informational interviews with those in your network. Anticipate and prepare for behavioral interview questions. GCCS can help you to practice and has lists of questions to review and consider. Research the company, your division and your profile. Importantly, during the interview make the connection for the employer regarding how well-aligned your skills and goals are to what they seek and offer. 4) Always be professional, courteous, and proactive – Send thank you notes to all interviewers within a day or two. Good Luck!

Application Developer with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

The Story:
I was fortunate to be selected for a 2008 Summer internship at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The Recruiting Office at Bentley was how I first learned about the opportunity. During the internship, I did my best to stand out technically, at the same time as an effective team player. Before I completed my internship in August, I managed to persuade my supervisor to continue me as a part-time employee through the end of the year with hopes that they would offer me a permanent position and they did three months later!

Advice:
First, I would suggest that students do their "homework" by polishing their resumes, networking with recruiters, and practicing their interview skills. I would also suggest starting the job search early and being involved on campus. Participating in numerous career services and other events helped me to better my networking skills and more. In addition, I became a Board member of the Graduate Management Association, another great experience. With current economic conditions being challenging and as an international student, more patience is needed for the job search. This means continuing to try and always being optimistic and positive. In my case, job search success can be connected to a focus on developing relationships, good follow through (sending thank you letters), and proactively asking for feedback.

Tax Associate, Ernst & Young

The Story:
My actual job search started in Spring 2008 at the career fair and meeting with career services to determine a plan of action to be employed after I graduate in May 2009. I found that all the major firms look for positions at the very beginning of Fall 2008. I continuously checked eRecruiting for the newest postings and sure enough even before classes started accounting positions were listed. Beginning in October, I attended 20+ recruiting events, which included career fairs, informational sessions, networking nights, interviews, and office visits. There were highs and lows throughout the whole process. I had fantastic interviews and I had awkward ones. I made mistakes and even the recruiting teams had made mistakes. But in the end I knew I only needed one offer. I received my offer on Halloween and sure enough the company that offered was the one that I had the best relationship with. Throughout the process I made sure to send thank you emails to all those that I had met. I always made sure to talk to the recruiting coordinators, hosts, and interviewers when I saw them on campus. I referenced previous conversations in emails. I reviewed business cards to remember names and positions. Every little bit helped. I truly believe that it was the resume and grades that got me in the door but personal interaction that got me the job.

Advice:
First, set a goal for yourself. Once you have some sort of goal then you can formulate a plan to reach that goal. Go to your career counselor, explain your goal and then find out what you need to do to reach that goal. If you are having a hard time identifying that goal then use the GCCS workshops (Job Search Skills and Focus your Career). Next, find ways to differentiate from the pack. Identify what is unique about you or go out and create that unique resume blurb. Once you have differentiated yourself make sure you communicate to the employer why that makes you a special candidate for the position. Oh yeah, make sure you are wearing the correct pair of socks. A recruiting coordinator told me a story about an interviewer had already made his decision on an applicant when he noticed the interviewee’s socks did not match. It seems petty but it makes a difference and does matter. GCCS offers a “Dress for Success” event that will help you not make those mistakes.

Technical Analyst at Boston Scientific Corporation

The Story:
I specifically applied for positions on the Bentley eRecruiting website that I found interesting. As my Career Advisor Ilana Kaufman suggested, I proactively matched the job description with my skills. Also would make my position clear with regards to my interest. A part of my interview preparation, I researched the company and the industry in general to prepare questions to ask them. At my interview with Boston Scientific, I was honest regarding my ambitions and career goals. I had applied for another position at Boston Scientific and I was interviewed for this position based on my technical background.

Advice:
A few suggestions I have are:

• Do your research. It takes significant time.
• Prepare potential questions and how you will answer them. One shouldn’t be at a loss of words.
• Come up with a few situations that show your skills.
• Listen to your interviewer. It is extremely crucial to listen to what they have to say.
• Appear confident. Your confidence shows through your conversation.”

Treasury Analyst at Aspen Technology

The Story:
After being invited for the second on-site interview, I sent emails to my mentors who I knew from networking events for their opinion. They gave me insightful advice regarding how to prepare myself. My career advisor, Audra, was especially helpful. Audra introduced me to someone who interned in the company last year, who coincidentally is my friend. I received insights about the company, the projects she worked on, and the important skills for the position. Later on she ended up recommending me to the manager. Speaking to them made me more confident and better prepared. In addition, the training I received from the case interview workshop helped me to do well. I also feel as though sending a personal letter to the company demonstrated my strong interest in the position after that. So it is really a result of the combination of efforts from my friends, advisors, mentors and myself that secured the position I received.

Advice:

• Be persistent and patient
• Don’t give up
• Be prepared academically and professionally
• Know more people, "network"