Finance Career Development Guide_2023-2024 by Bentley University Pulsifer Career Development Center

FINANCE CAREER DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

Table of Contents IMPORTANT INFORMATION Welcome and Contact Information 4 Land Your Position: Search Overview ……………………………….………………… 5 Finance Recruiting Timeline ……………………………….………………… 6 DESIGNING YOUR CAREER TOOLKIT Designing Your Resume 8 ResumeAction Verbs ……………………………….………………… 10 Resume Checklist 12 Resume Templates 13 Designing Your Cover Letter ……………………………….………………… 17 Cover Letter Checklist ……………………………….………………… 18 Designing Your LinkedIn Profile 19 LinkedIn Profile Checklist ……………………………….………………… 20 Writing Sample Guidelines ……………………………….………………… 21 IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES How Bentley Students Land Positions ……………………………….………………… 23 Entry-Level Finance Roles: A Quick Glance 24 Researching Roles and Companies 31 BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS Networking 34 Informational Interviews ……………………………….………………… 35 ProfessionalAssociations ……………………………….………………… 37 1

Table of Contents (continued) APPLYING TO OPPORTUNITIES SubmittingApplications ……………………………….………………… 42 Creating Your Own Opportunities ……………………………….………………… 43 Identifying Target Companies 44 Effective Follow Up 45 ALL ABOUT INTERVIEWS Building a Strong Foundation ……………………………….………………….. 55 Interview Formats ……………………………….………………….. 56 Resume Based / Traditional Interviews ……………………………….………………….. 57 Behavioral Interviews ……………………………….………………….. 59 Technical Interviews 61 Case Interviews 62 Interview Prep Resources 63 Follow Up: Thank You Notes 65 ALL ABOUT OFFERS Navigating Offers 67 CALLING ALL INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Keys to Success and Resources 71 2

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Welcome and Contact Information

Dear Finance and Corporate Finance & Accounting Students:

Welcome to the 2023 – 2024 Academic Year!

I have designed this guide to help address the most common questions, issues, and concerns that students have when they connect with the Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center. I hope this will serve as a helpful resource for you, whether you are a junior exploring internship opportunities or a senior pursuing full-time positions.

As your Career Coach, I am here to motivate you, guide you, and provide you with the tools and resources to be successful with your internship and/or full-time job search, but it is important to remember that YOU OWN THE SEARCH. Please be proactive about engaging with our office and starting your search sooner rather than later.

Be sure to join the Finance Career Community in CareerEdge to receive email updates about key events, featured jobs/internships, and relevant career information.

All students are invited to schedule an appointment or drop-in with me. I am here to help you in any way that I can, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Thank you,

MaryEllen Ryan

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT OR DROP-IN

▪ Appointments: Handshake > Career Center > Appointments > Schedule a New Appointment

▪ Drop-ins: Refer to email sent at the beginning of each semester with schedule and sign-up instructions

▪ For further assistance: Email GA_UCD@bentley.edu

mryan@bentley.edu CONNECT

(781) 891-2165

@BentleyCareer

WITH US Bentley University Community careeredge.bentley.edu BentleyCareer Bentley University Pulsifer Career Development Center

Land Your Position An Overview of the Search Process

CONNECT

▪ Connecting with professionals during all stages of your internship or fulltime search (and beyond) is critical to your success!

PREPARE

▪ DO YOUR RESEARCH! Identify industries, companies and positions of interest

▪ Update your Career Toolkit (Resume, Cover Letter, LinkedIn Profile, Handshake Profile)

▪ Attend Career Education and Employer-Focused Events

APPLY

▪ Apply to positions of interest

▪ Proactively follow up on applications

▪ Continue submitting applications until you have accepted an offer

INTERVIEW

▪ Prepare for resume-based, behavioral, technical and case interviews, as appropriate

▪ You can never be too prepared for an interview – practice, practice, practice!

DECIDE

▪ Communicate professionally and proactively with employers to manage multiple interviews and/or offers

▪ Evaluate offers objectively

Finance Recruiting Timeline

Applications Due Interviews Conducted

Offers Extended

Larger firms, internships and full-time positions

Smaller firms, internships and full-time positions

GENERAL RULES OF THUMB:

▪ Larger firms tend to recruit students starting in the late summer / early fall

▪ Many larger firms seek to fill their full-time hire class from their summer internship class (recruit once, hire twice)

▪ Smaller companies tend to recruit students later in the year as positions become available

▪ Investment banking recruiting happens well over a year in advance of an anticipated internship (i.e. students can be recruited as early as the spring of their second year for an internship after their third year)

▪ There is a lot that you can do to be proactive prior to the start of recruiting season: update your application materials, identify companies and roles of interest, connect with professionals, and start to prepare for common interview questions

▪ Deadlines vary and are always subject to change, so it is best to start looking and be prepared as early as possible

AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY

DESIGNING YOUR CAREER TOOLKIT

Designing Your Resume

“The average recruiter or hiring manager spends 6 seconds reading a resume…That’s right. 6 seconds. You’ve got just moments to make a lasting impression and make sure your resume lands in the “Yes” pile as opposed to the “Rejected” stack…”

Source: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/scanning-resumes

COMMON RESUME SECTIONS

CONTACT INFORMATION (REQUIRED)

▪ Name – slightly larger font than the rest of the document and in bold

▪ Complete address – permanent, campus or both

o Street, City, State, Zip Code

o Include permanent address if looking for positions in that area

▪ Email address and cell phone number

EDUCATION (REQUIRED)

▪ University and city / state

▪ Degree and month / year of graduation

▪ Major(s), minor(s) and concentration(s)

▪ GPA, if above 3.0 (Cumulative and/or Major) –out to two decimals and do not round up!

▪ Academic Honors, if applicable

▪ Study abroad university or transfer university, if applicable

▪ May include high school with a strong alumni network and/or name recognition; otherwise, remove by junior year

RELEVANT COURSEWORK / PROJECTS (OPTIONAL)

▪ Add unique courses beyond general or introductory requirements of the major

▪ Choose courses that cover concepts / skills most relevant to the positions you are applying

▪ Detailed descriptions of specific courses / projects are helpful; laundry lists of courses are not!

EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED)

▪ Include the name of the organization, location, job title, and dates worked

▪ List in reverse chronological order (most recent on top)

▪ Describe the scope and context of a situation; explain the action you took and the results / impact

▪ Highlight what you learned and the skills you developed

▪ Incorporate your strengths! Think: communication, organization, teamwork, attention to detail, ability to multi-task / prioritize

▪

“Experience” is not necessarily limited to employment; clubs or project work can also be included if relevant

RESUME TIPS

▪ Tailor your resume for different roles / positions

▪ Organize resume strategically to emphasize key info

o Think about the names and order of sections, how content is organized within sections, and the order of bullets within each experience

▪ Add industry-specific technical skills, case competitions, certifications / licenses, planned exams

▪ Include results / accomplishments and quantify when possible; highlight leadership and initiative

▪ Utilize a variety of strong action verbs to start each bullet point (refer to pages 10-11 for suggestions)

▪ Use Microsoft Word, not Google Docs or Pages, and save as a PDF for submitting applications

▪ Format bullets, dates, and section headers consistently

▪ Proofread your resume several times to ensure correct grammar and spelling

▪ Do not include an objective statement or references on your resume

▪ One page, singled-spaced (this is not negotiable!)

▪ 10-11pt. font size; 0.5”-1” margins all around

LEADERSHIP, ACTIVITIES, VOLUNTEER WORK (OPTIONAL)

▪ Include extracurriculars, case competitions, athletics, and community involvement

▪ Name and organize headers strategically to highlight the most relevant content

▪ Include the organization, role / position title, date, and possibly bullets describing skills, responsibilities, and/or accomplishments

▪ Level of detail for each activity should be commensurate with your level of involvement

▪ Give yourself credit for leadership positions!

SKILLS (REQUIRED)

▪ Include computer, technical and language skills as applicable; indicate your level of proficiency if advanced, but don’t overstate!

▪ Do not list soft skills – instead, incorporate those skills into your experiences to demonstrate how they were developed

INTERESTS (OPTIONAL)

▪ Consider adding unique hobbies or interests

▪ “Interests” can be its own section or combined with “Skills” or “Activities”

▪ Be honest and specific when listing interests –you may be asked about them in an interview!

CAREER READINESS COMPETENCIES

The National Association of Colleges and Employers has identified eight career readiness competencies. Career readiness is a foundation from which to demonstrate requisite core competencies that broadly prepare the college educated for success in the workplace and lifelong career management. Conveying these competencies through your resume will demonstrate that you have the qualities needed to succeed.

▪ Career & Self-Development: Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.

▪ Communication: Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.

▪ Critical Thinking: Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.

▪ Equity & Inclusion: Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist practices that actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism.

VMock, a 24-7 online resume-review tool, analyzes your resume from EVERY possible angle, including presentation, impact and competencies. The new SMART Editor feature allows you to build a new resume or convert an existing resume into Bentley-recommended templates AND get instant feedback / suggestions for improvement. Click here to access VMock.

Before meeting with your Career Coach for a virtual or in-person resume review, upload your resume to VMock and incorporate the recommended feedback. Strive to reach a minimum overall score of 75. Note that you only have 10 attempts per academic year.

▪ Leadership: Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.

▪ Professionalism: Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.

▪ Teamwork: Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.

▪ Technology: Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

Resume Action Verbs

ANALYTICAL analyzed

ascertained assessed compared computed conceptualized concluded confirmed critiqued deciphered deliberated determined devised diagnosed estimated evaluated examined forecasted formulated integrated investigated justified measured negotiated prescribed prioritized projected questioned rated recommended researched scrutinized studied substantiated synthesized validated verified

COMMUNICATION addressed

apprised arbitrated attested authored clarified communicated composed convinced corresponded drafted edited explained informed interpreted lectured marketed persuaded presented promoted publicized queried reported spoke summarized translated wrote

CREATIVITY brainstormed constructed designed engineered envisioned fabricated illustrated produced

shaped visualized

FLEXIBILITY accommodated adapted adjusted accommodated adapted adjusted converted grew improvised tailored

INITIATIVE accelerated accomplished achieved acquired advanced bolstered boosted built coordinated created dedicated demonstrated enriched established expanded expedited implemented improved increased initiated innovated inspired

introduced launched minimized mobilized modernized modified multiplied overhauled pioneered revamped revised spearheaded stimulated suggested updated upgraded

LEADERSHIP administered advised allocated allowed appointed approved assigned authorized chaired coached delegated designated directed educated elicited employed empowered enabled encouraged endorsed

LEADERSHIP

(continued) enhanced facilitated fostered founded guided hired influenced instructed interviewed judged led moderated monitored motivated officiated recruited sanctioned supervised trained

ORGANIZATION

arranged assembled budgeted calculated catalogued centralized charted classified collected compiled consolidated correlated Indexed linked orchestrated organized oriented planned processed purchased

recorded regulated scheduled systematized tabulated

PROBLEM SOLVING aided alleviated augmented counseled customized debugged eased elevated enlarged extended extracted finalized fulfilled generated identified interceded invented lightened polished procured reconciled rectified reduced refined reformed rehabilitated reinforced rejuvenated relieved remedied remodeled repaired restored retrieved revitalized revived

settled solicited solved streamlined strengthened supplemented transformed TEAMWORK assisted collaborated contributed cooperated mediated participated partnered

MORE VERBS TO CONSIDER

acted activated added appraised approximated attained audited certified commissioned committed contracted disbursed displayed enlisted excelled executed exercised familiarized figured guaranteed indicated instituted involved issued

maintained operated performed prepared programmed realized related reviewed satisfied screened secured served set smoothed sought specified submitted surveyed sustained traced transacted transmitted valued

Resume Checklist

GENERAL FORMAT

Is the resume one page, single-spaced?

Is the name at the top of the page in bold? Are address, phone number, and email easy to read?

Does the ‘Education’ section follow directly after the contact information?

Conservative font style? Same font size throughout (except name slightly larger)?

Are top / bottom, left / right margins equal and between 0.5”-1.0”?

Size, shape, alignment of bullets consistent throughout?

Dates formatted and aligned consistently?

Are section headers in all CAPS, bold font?

Are verb tenses present tense for current experiences, past tense for past experiences?

Are there approximately 1-4 statements in bulleted format under each item in the “Experience” section?

CONTENT

Does the resume include the required sections (Education, Experience, Skills) and as many optional sections as applicable?

Does the Education section state official degree and graduation date? Is the cumulative GPA included if higher than 3.0? Is it accurate to two decimals and not rounded up?

Do the bulleted descriptions demonstrate major accomplishments rather than routine tasks / duties and are they quantified when possible?

Do the bulleted descriptions start with action verbs and demonstrate key skills?

Is the resume free of personal pronouns (e.g. no references to “I”, “we”, “me”, “us”, “my”)?

Is the resume completely free of spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors?

REVIEW

Have you uploaded your resume to VMock and achieved a minimum overall score of 75, including 25 for Competencies, 25 for Impact and 25 for Presentation?

Have you met with your Career Coach for a final review?

Resume Template #1

EDUCATION

Bentley University, Waltham,MA

Candidate for Bachelor of Science, Major, May 20XX

GPA: 3.XX

Academic Honors:

Study Abroad University, City, Country

Study Abroad Program, Spring 20XX

Brief description of program (subjects studied, travel)

RELEVANT COURSEWORK

Full Name of Course Fall 20XX

• Two – three detailed bullets to describe the key project / course content

• All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs)

• Avoid using the course descriptionfrom the syllabus

Full Name of Course

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

WORK EXPERIENCE

Name of Employer, City, State

Position Title

• Two or more bulletsto describe yourrole/ responsibilities

Spring 20XX

June 20XX – August 20XX

• All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs) and be quantitative where possible ($, #, %)

• All bullets should be results-oriented(i.e. how did youmake animpact? why were you doing thistask? for whom?)

• Lead with the most impressivetasks, not necessarilythe tasks you spent the most time on

Name of Employer, City, State

Position Title

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

• Bullet #3

LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Name of Organization

Position Held

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

• Bullet #3

Name of Organization

Most Recent Position Held (January 20XX – May 20XX)

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

Older Position Held (September 20XX – December 20XX)

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

Name of Organization

Position Held

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

COMPUTER AND LANGUAGE SKILLS

Computer Skills: Program 1, Program 2, Program 3, etc.

September 20XX – December 20XX

September 20XX – Present

September 20XX – May 20XX

Language Skills: Fluent in [FIRST LANGUAGE] and English [onlyinclude if Englishis not first language]

Street Address, City, State Zip Code ● Phone Number ● Email Address

NAME

Resume Template #2 NAME

School Address: Permanent Address:

175 Forest Street, Box #XXXX Street Address Waltham, MA 02452 City, State Zip Code

Email Address Phone Number

EDUCATION:

Bentley University, Waltham, MA

Candidate for Bachelor of Science, Major, May 20XX

Liberal Studies Major in LSM Name

Study Abroad University, City, Country Study Abroad Program, Spring 20XX

Brief description of program (subjects studied, travel)

RELEVANT COURSEWORK:

Full Name of Course Fall 20XX

• Two – three detailed bullets to describe the key project / course content

• All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs)

• Avoid using the course description from the syllabus

Full Name of Course Spring 20XX

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:

Name of Employer, City, State

Position Title

• Two or more bullets to describe your role / responsibilities

05/20XX-08/20XX

• All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs) and be quantitative where possible ($, #, %)

• All bullets should be results-oriented (i.e. how did you make an impact? why were you doing this task? for whom?)

• Lead with the most impressive tasks, not necessarily the tasks you spent the most time on

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Name of Employer, City, State

12/20XX-04/20XX Position Title

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

• Bullet #3

Name of Employer, City, State 09/20XX-12/20XX Position Title

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

ACTIVITIES:

Name of Organization

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

Name of Organization 01/20XX-Present

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:

Name of Organization 09/20XX-Present

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

COMPUTER SKILLS:

09/20XX-Present

Program 1, Program 2, Program 3, etc. 14

Resume Template #3

175 Forest Street, Box #XXXX, Waltham, MA 02452 |

EDUCATION

Bentley University

Waltham, MA

Candidate for Bachelor of Science, Major May 20XX

Minor:

Major GPA: 3.XX; Cumulative GPA: 3.XX

Academic Honors:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Name of Employer City, State Position Title Summer 20XX

• Two or more bulletsto describe your role/ responsibilities

• All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs) and be quantitative where possible ($, #, %)

• All bullets should be results-oriented(i.e. how did youmake animpact? why were you doing thistask? for whom?)

• Lead with the most impressivetasks, not necessarilythe tasks you spent the most time on

Name of Employer City, State Position Title Summer 20XX

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

• Bullet #3

• Bullet #4

Name of Employer City, State Position Title Summer 20XX

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

• Bullet #3

• Bullet #4

RELEVANT PROJECT

Name of Project Fall 20XX

• Two – three detailed bullets to describe the key project / course content

• All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs)

• Avoid using the course descriptionfrom the syllabus

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE AND ACTIVITIES

Name of Organization Fall 20XX - Present

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

Name of Organization Spring 20XX - Present

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

Additional: List organizations here that you participate in, but are not a significant time commitment

ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Bentley University Men’s/ Women’s XXXX Team

Fall 20XX - Present Captain (20XX – 20XX Season)

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

SKILLS AND INTERESTS

Skills: Program 1 | Program 2 | Program 3 | Etc.

Interests: Interest 1 | Interest 2 | Interest 3 | Etc.

NAME

Email Address | Phone Number

Resume Template #4

Name

Phone: (XXX) XXX-XXXX Email: student@bentley.edu

EDUCATION

Address: Street City, State ZIP

Bentley University Waltham, MA

CandidateforBachelorofScience,Major May20XX

• Major GPA: 3.XX; Cumulative GPA: 3.XX

• Academic Honors:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Name of Employer City, State PositionTitle June20XX–August20XX

• Two or more bullets to describe your role / responsibilities

• All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs) and be quantitative where possible ($, #, %)

• All bullets should be results-oriented (i.e. how did you make an impact? why were you doing this task? for whom?)

• Lead with the most impressive tasks, not necessarily the tasks you spent the most time on

Name of Employer City, State PositionTitle January20XX–May20XX

• Bullet #1

• Selected Transaction Experience:

- Summary of deal (type, i.e. sale, majority buyout; $ value; type of company; indicate if active)

▪ Bullet #1 to describe YOUR contribution to the deal

▪ Bullet #2 to describe YOUR contribution to the deal

Name of Employer City, State PositionTitle September20XX– December20XX

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

• Bullet #3

Name of Employer City, State PositionTitle June20XX–August20XX

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

• Bullet #3

LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Name of Organization City, State PositionTitle September20XX-Present

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

• Bullet #3

Name of Organization City, State PositionTitle January20XX- Present

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

Name of Organization City, State PositionTitle September20XX–May20XX

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

CASE COMPETITION

Name of Competition City, State Captainof1stPlaceTeam February20XX

• Bullet #1

• Bullet #2

SKILLS AND INTERESTS

Designing Your Cover Letter

Cover letters serve as a bridge between your resume and the specific job to which you are applying. A well-written, organized cover letter directs the reader to key areas of your experience and background that specifically pertain to the open position. There is not a “one size fits all” cover letter. A cover letter is also a reflection of your writing skills, so take time and care to proofread and review your document.

GUIDELINES

SEND A COVER LETTER WHEN:

▪ Requested by the employer as part of the application

▪ Responding to a job posting via email

▪ Contacting a referral from a friend or acquaintance

A COVER LETTER SHOULD BE:

▪ Formal, polished, concise and confident

▪ ONE page, grammatically correct, and free of typos

▪ Formatted similarly to your resume (font style / size, margins)

▪ Written in the active voice

▪ Varied in sentence structure – don’t begin all sentences with “I”

▪ Targeted to the needs of the company and requirements of the position

ADDRESS COVER LETTERS TO A SPECIFIC PERSON WHEN POSSIBLE:

▪ Investigate the company website and other online resources for contacts and addresses

▪ Call the company and request the name of the person responsible for hiring interns / college graduates in your area

▪ If all efforts fail, use a proper salutation such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Campus Recruiting Team”

ADDITIONAL TIPS

▪ An effective cover letter is well-rounded; it highlights the hard skills and soft skills relevant to the position, and is supported by a variety of experiences (academic, professional, extracurricular)

▪ A good cover letter is not simply a repetition of the wording on your resume

CONTENT

FIRST PARAGRAPH: WHY THEM?

▪ State WHY you are writing

o Responding to an advertised opening

o Following up on a referral

o Inquiring about a possible opening

▪ State WHO you are

o Year at Bentley University and major / minor

▪ State WHY you are applying to, or are interested in, this employer / position

o Find something about the company that speaks to you, but not something generic…do your research!

SECOND & THIRD PARAGRAPHS: WHY YOU?

▪ State the qualifications you bring to the position

▪ Highlight experiences, activities and academic achievements that directly relate to the qualifications the employer is seeking

▪ Offer specific examples to demonstrate that you have the key skills required to succeed in the position – i.e., leadership, communication, analytical skills, etc.

▪ Close with a summary sentence of your qualifications and a confident statement that you can make a contribution to the organization

FOURTH PARAGRAPH: NEXT STEPS

▪ May reference your enclosed or attached resume

▪ State what you want – an interview or opportunity to further discuss your qualifications and potential opportunities

▪ Let the employer know how to reach you

▪ Thank the person and indicate that you look forward to speaking to or meeting with them

Cover Letter Checklist

GENERAL FORMAT

Is the cover letter one page, single-spaced?

Are top / bottom, left / right margins equal and between 0.5”-1.0”?

Does the font and formatting of your cover letter match the font and formatting of your resume?

Is the header properly formatted (your address, two blank lines, current date, two blank lines, company contact / address)?

Is the cover letter addressed to a specific person, if possible (“Dear Mr. / Ms. Last Name”)?

Does the cover letter follow a four paragraph format (introduction, two supporting paragraphs, conclusion)?

Does the cover letter include an appropriate sign off (“Sincerely,” a few blank lines, your full name)?

CONTENT

Does the first paragraph state WHY you are writing and WHO you are?

Does the first paragraph include a thoughtful, personalized statement about WHY you are interested in the company / position?

Do the second and third paragraphs highlight skills and accomplishments relevant to the role?

Are the second and third paragraphs well-rounded, i.e., do they include both hard and soft skills, supported by a variety of experiences?

Does the fourth paragraph clearly state what you want?

Does the fourth paragraph let the reader know how to reach you and thank them for their time?

Is the cover letter completely free from spelling, punctuation, abbreviations, and grammatical errors?

REVIEW

Have you met with your Career Coach for a final review?

Designing Your LinkedIn Profile

Employers use social media to target applicants and learn more about them. Make sure your social media presence is professional and targeted.

REQUIRED CONTENT

PHOTO

▪ It doesn't have to be fancy – just use your cellphone camera in front of a plain background

▪ Wear a nice shirt and don't forget to smile!

HEADLINE

▪ Short, memorable, professional phrase that highlights your skills, accomplishments or goals

SUMMARY (“ABOUT”)

▪ Describe what motivates you, what you're skilled at, and what's next

▪ Make it genuine and authentic to YOU

EXPERIENCE

▪ Add any job, internship, research or leadership experience that is relevant or significant

▪ Include the names of the organizations, job titles, dates, and locations

▪ Use bullet points to describe your accomplishments

▪ HINT: If you have done a great job on your resume, copy / paste the bullets directly into LinkedIn – work smarter, not harder!

EDUCATION

▪ List all of your institutions of higher education, including study abroad and transfer schools

▪ Include your Degree, Field of study, Dates attended, and Activities and Societies

SKILLS

▪ Include both hard and soft skills

▪ Research phrases most associated with certain industries and highlight key words

▪ Endorse people you know well or have worked with for their skills – they may return the favor

GROUPS AND COMPANIES OF INTEREST

▪ Join the Bentley University Community group

▪ Follow companies of interest to learn more about the company, stay up-to-date on company news, find jobs, and review connections at the company

OPTIONAL CONTENT

Take your LinkedIn profile to the next level by including any of the following sections that are applicable:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE & CAUSES

▪ Highlight your passions and how you like to give back

▪ Include the names of the organizations, position titles, dates and locations

▪ Use bullet points to describe your accomplishments

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

▪ Showcase your expertise with any relevant credentials you are pursuing or have earned

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

▪ Can include Publications, Courses, Projects, Honors & Awards, Languages, Organizations and more

RECOMMENDATIONS

▪ Ask managers, professors, or classmates who've worked with you closely to write a recommendation –this gives extra credibility to your strengths / skills

LET RECRUITERS KNOW YOU’RE OPEN TO WORK!

When editing your profile, just below your picture and headline, click on “Open to”, then “Finding a new job”. Add or update your job preferences, including titles, locations, etc. Then, “Choose who sees you’re open” and select between “recruiters only” or “all LinkedIn members”.

LinkedIn Profile Checklist

IS ALL REQUIRED CONTENT INCLUDED?

Photo (appropriate attire, non-distracting background)

Interesting headline, i.e., NOT “Student at Bentley University”

Engaging summary (3-6 sentences highlighting achievements and goals)

Experience (all past and present experience with bulleted descriptions)

Education (Bentley University, Study Abroad University, Degree, Field of study, Dates attended, and Activities and Societies)

Skills (include both hard and soft; endorse as appropriate)

Groups and Companies of Interest (join groups and follow companies relevant to career interests)

IS ALL APPLICABLE OPTIONAL CONTENT INCLUDED?

Volunteer Experience (all past and present volunteer experience with bulleted descriptions)

Licenses & Certifications (include any relevant credentials)

Accomplishments (Publications, Courses, Projects, Honors & Awards, Languages, Organizations and more)

Recommendations (ask a managers or colleagues who’ve worked with you closely for a recommendation!)

REVIEW

Is the LinkedIn profile completely free from spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors?

Have you reviewed the “Profile Strength” indicator to help you identify areas of improvement for your profile?

Have you met with your Career Coach for a final review?

Writing Sample Guidelines

Many opportunities that include analysis, research, or direct communication with clients will require a writing sample as part of the application process. Consider the following when preparing or sending a writing sample:

▪ 2-3 pages is generally an appropriate length.

▪ Writing samples must not contain confidential information, grammatical errors, or misspellings.

▪ Your writing sample must have been written solely by you. A group project paper is not acceptable and submitting one would be a misrepresentation.

▪ If you already have a well-written writing sample longer than the recommended 2-3 pages, write an abstract for the first page summarizing the hypothesis, main points, and conclusion. Let the reader know the following pages are an excerpt of the same document. Include page numbers, your name, and the title of the paper on each following page.

▪ If you expect to need writing samples as part of the application process, select one or two ahead of time and ask a faculty member to review and suggest improvements. Incorporate the edits and prepare the abstracts ahead of time; this will help you get an application out quickly if meeting a tight deadline.

▪ When considering what writing sample to send, look at the work of the employer. What are the underlying skills most needed in the internship or job for which you are applying (critical thinking, research, academic writing, persuasive writing, etc.)? Select a writing sample that best exemplifies the skills the employer is seeking.

▪ Provide a “roadmap” for your reader. The recruiter is reading a lot of writing samples. At the top of your document, include your name, date you wrote the document, why (for what class or project), and what you think it demonstrates about you; no more than three sentences.

▪ Most importantly, the paper must demonstrate your best writing abilities!

IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES

How Bentley Students Land Positions

LET’S LOOK AT THE PATH TO EMPLOYMENT FOR 2022 FINANCE GRADUATES:

SO…WHAT DOES THIS INFORMATION TELL US?

▪ Bentley students land their positions in a variety of ways; the most successful students utilize multiple strategies in their internship / job search.

▪ NETWORKING IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL! Some estimate that as much as 85% of jobs are filled through networking. When you do apply to positions that are listed, networking can help your resume land at the top of the pile. The Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center provides you with multiple opportunities to network throughout the year.

▪ Many companies subscribe to the “recruit once, hire twice” philosophy; they hire a student as an intern after junior year and then offer the student a full-time role after graduation. BUT, don’t get down if you don’t land that dream internship junior summer or if you decide to go in a different direction – about 70% of your peers will likely be on the hunt for a job come senior year.

CHECK OUT THE 2022 CAREER PROFILES!

Review the 2022 UNDERGRADUATE CAREER PROFILE, 2022 CORPORATE FINANCE & ACCOUNTING CAREER PROFILE, 2022 ECONOMICS-FINANCE CAREER PROFILE and 2022 FINANCE CAREER PROFILE on CareerEdge. Each profile includes the path to employment, compensation data and featured positions for that specific major. The Career Profiles are a great resource to help you identify companies / roles of interest.

1% 2% 3% 14% 21% 27% 32% Family Business/Self-Employed Other Career Fair Off campus job posting Campus Recruiting Internship to Full-Time Offer Personal Networking

Entry-Level Finance Roles A Quick Glance

ADVISORY (specifically, Financial Advisory)

Overview: In broad terms, advisory is the practice of offering information and advice to manage risks. It’s often a long-term relationship that helps a business to proactively prepare for change and uncertainty. Some of the disciplines that fall under financial advisory include:

▪ Transaction services: Includes a range of advisory services tackling questions related to acquisitions, mergers, and divestiture. May involve in due diligence, target screening, valuations, postmerger support and other services.

▪ Accounting Advisory: Making accounting processes more efficient, managing compliance, streamlining flow of financial reporting and improving its quality.

▪ Risk Management: Assessing relevant financial risks and establishing processes and governance structure to control and mitigate them. Covers compliance, IT risk and developing accurate warning systems.

▪ Forensics & Litigation: Range of services, including forensic accounting, auditing, anti-trust and money laundering advice to help clients win disputes and litigation.

BUSINESS ANALYSIS

Overview: Business Analysts help guide businesses in improving processes, products, services and software through data analysis. They identify the most impactful ways for data and analytics to drive decision making and may support both project-based work and

recurring tasks. These roles are available across all industries and there are many variations of this general role including allocation analysts, business intelligence analysts, customer experience analysts, data analysts, financial analysts, operations analysts, pricing analysts, product analysts, quantitative analysts, risk analysts, sales analysts, supply chain analysts and system analysts.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Overview: In the simplest terms, business development can be summarized as the ideas, initiatives, and activities that help make a business better. This includes increasing revenues, growth in terms of business expansion, increasing profitability by building strategic partnerships, and making strategic business decisions. The duties of a business development rep can vary tremendously, but those with strong communication & interpersonal skills, collaboration skills, project management skills, and analytical skills are poised to success in this type of role.

COMMERCIAL BANKING (also see Credit Analysis)

Overview: Commercial banking provides clients with credit products such as term loans, revolving lines of credit, cash management services, and other fixed income products. An undergrad typically starts as a credit analyst and is tasked with analyzing a client’s financial statements, competitive position, industry, and management team. The credit analyst prepares an “application for credit” that determines the structure and pricing of a financing request. As a credit analyst, you deliver financial advice and solutions that are tailored to your clients’ needs, such as growing their business, buying new equipment, funding working capital, and day-to-day banking.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Overview: There are several different areas of specialization in commercial real estate, including:

▪ Acquisitions: Acquisitions professionals are generally responsible for helping source, analyze, perform due diligence on, and negotiate the purchase of new equity investments for their real estate investment firms. It’s important to note that acquisitions professionals generally pursue existing properties (either stabilized or unstabilized properties) whereas real estate development professionals pursue new build opportunities.

▪ Asset Management: Asset managers make important investment decisions, ensure clients’ investments don’t depreciate, and mitigate clients’ exposure to risk. Real estate portfolios may include different types of properties in a variety of regions and markets. Asset managers also hire key personnel, work with leasing agents, communicate with investors, and negotiate contracts.

▪ Brokerage: Brokers conduct business on behalf of a firm and represent a buyer or seller in a transaction. They can conduct business with corporations, institutional buyers and sellers, foreign and domestic businesses, as well as various other investment entities. A commercial broker will usually focus on a single type of property such as industrial, retail, office, lodging, or apartments.

▪ Development: Developers buy land, finance real estate deals, build or have builders build projects, create, imagine, control, and orchestrate the process of development from the beginning to end. Typically, developers purchase a tract of land, determine the marketing of the property, develop the building program and design, obtain the necessary public approval and financing, build the structures, and rent out, manage, and ultimately sell it.

▪ Investment: Institutional real estate investment refers to real estate investment at a large scale by an institution. The institution is usually a real estate investment trust (REIT), insurance company, or pension fund. Institutional investors employ their own brokers and analysts, among many other roles. An analyst can be responsible for monitoring markets, tax law, regional market changes, geographical economic trends, local and global market trends, as well as micro trends

Liberty Mutual Investments | Marcus Partners |

Newmark Knight Frank | TA Realty | Walker & Dunlop

CONSULTING

Overview: Consulting is a big, one-size-fits-all term that includes virtually any form of advice-giving. Many people think first of management / strategy consulting, but there are many other types of consulting, including Financial Consulting, HR/Staffing Consulting, and IT Consulting. (Note that Financial Consulting and IT Consulting may also be referred to as “Advisory”).

Financial Consulting firms provide advice on:

▪ Capital budgeting, project valuation and financial information integrity

▪ Risk management, insurance engagements, financial control and compliance

▪ Global finance operations, tax and treasury optimization

▪ Corporate restructuring

HR / Staffing Consulting firms help clients to:

▪ Manage compensation and benefits programs

▪ Analyze staffing needs, advise firms on personnel policies and diversity issues

▪ Recruit, hire and train workers

IT Consulting firms help clients to:

▪ Design and implement IT systems or develop better IT practices

▪ Train staff members in IT areas such as hardware/software design setup

▪ Provide strategic advice on social media, search engine marketing and IT issues

CREDIT ANALYSIS (also see Commercial Banking)

Overview: A credit analyst is a financial professional who assesses the creditworthiness of securities, individuals, or companies. Credit analysts determine the likelihood that a borrower can repay their financial obligations by reviewing the borrower's financial and credit history and determining whether the state of the subject's financial health and the economic conditions are favorable to repayment. After evaluating the level of risk of an investment, the analyst will determine the interest rate and credit limit or loan terms for a borrower. Credit analysts are typically employed by commercial and investment banks, credit card issuing institutions, credit rating agencies, and investment companies.

EQUITY RESEARCH

Overview: Equity Research primarily means analyzing a company’s financials, performing ratio analysis, forecasting the financials in Excel (financial modeling) and exploring scenarios with an objective of making BUY/SELL investment recommendation.

Management / Strategy Consulting firms help to:

▪ Improve an organization’s structure, management, efficiency and profits

▪ Develop and recommend short-term and long-term strategies for their clients

Sell-side equity research analysts are typically part of an investment bank and focus on a universe of stocks within one or two industries in order to provide insightful investment ideas and recommendations:

▪ Directly to institutional investors;

▪ Directly to the investment bank’s salesforce and traders, who in turn communicate those ideas with institutional investors;

▪ To the finance community at large through financial data service providers such as Capital IQ, FactSet, Thomson and Bloomberg, who resell the data.

▪ Notable end users are investment banks M&A and advisory services groups, which use sell-side equity research to help forecast company performance in presentations and pitch books.

Sell side equity research analysts communicate formally through research reports and notes that place buy, sell and hold ratings on companies they cover as well as through less formal direct phone, email and inperson communication with institutional investors.

Buy-side equity research analysts, on the other hand, analyze companies in order to make an actual investment in line with their firm's investment strategy and portfolio. Also, unlike sell-side research, buy-side research is not published. Buy-side analysts work for a variety of investment firms:

▪ Mutual funds

▪ Hedge funds

▪ Private equity

▪ Other (insurance, endowment and pension funds)

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for equity research roles: Bank of America | Bloomberg | BMO Capital Markets | BNY Mellon | Canaccord

Genuity | Citi | Eaton Vance | Fidelity | Franklin

Wellington Management

FINANCIAL ADVISING / PLANNING

Overview: A financial advisor / planner is a professional who provides financial guidance to clients based on their needs and goals. Typically, they provide clients with financial products, services, planning or advice related to investing, retirement, insurance, mortgages, college savings, estate planning, taxes and more. There are several credentials that financial advisors can obtain, and the most common is the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. An

advisor must pass the CFP test, have an appropriate level of prior education, sign a code of ethics, and have several years of actual planning experience before obtaining the right to use the CFP designation.

Northwestern Mutual | Raymond James | Wells Fargo Advisors | UBS

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

Overview: Being a financial analyst is one of the most popular career paths in finance. This is largely because analysts can work in a range of industries. A financial analyst is a professional who is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting financial data as well as preparing reports, models, presentations and recommendations for leaders of a business or clients. Analysts must be good with numbers, have a strong understanding of accounting, and be able to manage large data sets.

Because the role can be quite different depending on where an analyst works, the industry an analyst chooses to go into defines their day-to-day responsibilities. Overall, however, analysts play a significant part in providing decision-makers with the information they need to make informed decisions.

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for financial analysis roles: Akamai Technologies |

American Express | athenahealth, Inc. | B. Riley

Technologies | Takeda Pharmaceuticals | Teradyne |

Thomson Reuters | Tiger Capital Group | Time Warner

TJX Companies | VMware

EQUITY RESEARCH (continued)

FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

(FLDPs)

Overview: FLDPs are rotational programs that allow participants to rotate between different roles, such as Financial Planning & Analysis, Financial Reporting, Internal Audit, Corporate Accounting, Operations, Treasury and more. In addition, most programs offer structured training & development on both hard and soft skills, formal mentorship, and networking opportunities. FLDPs are typically 2-3 years in duration, with the length of each rotation varying by program; rotations may be available in different locations, including international. Companies make significant investment in FLDPs and use them to identify future financial leaders for the firm. FLDPs are great options for students who know they are interested in Corporate Finance roles but would like to explore different functions.

INVESTMENT BANKING

Overview: Investment bankers are responsible for a wide range of duties including raising capital, providing advisory services for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and other corporate transactions, completing valuation work, and marketing the value of the bank’s expertise to client companies. Investment banking analysts are the workhorses of an investment banking team. Generally, the role of an analyst is to perform the bulk of the analytic work needed to facilitate these corporate transactions, and this typically involves a lot of work with presentations (pitch books) and models.

▪ Pitch Books are marketing materials for the bankers to present to their corporate clients; they show the bank’s qualifications, recent industry data, sample transaction and analysis information, and advisory recommendations.

▪ The analytical work consists of building and perfecting financial models for any given corporate situation. This work will typically include Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis, Comparable Companies and Comparable Transactions (Comps), M&A models, and/or LBO models.

▪ Analysts spend substantial time repeatedly building and evaluating different financial alternatives for the client. One example might be running M&A models and showing the accretion/dilution effects to earnings based on different allocation scenarios for debt and equity in the proposed transaction.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Overview: Investment management (also referred to as asset management) is the business of investing other people’s money. It is the “buy side” of the broader financial industry. Investment managers put their clients’ money to work in common stocks (equities), bonds and other fixed-income securities, commodities, alternative investments, or a combination of any of these. Their clients may be companies, pension funds, endowments, insurance companies, private banks, nonprofits, and

(continued) and individuals. There are a wide variety of roles within investment management, including research, compliance, trading, operations, client service, performance analysis, and more.

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for investment management roles: Acadian Asset Management | AllianceBernstein | BlackRock | BNY

Mellon | Cambridge Associates | Columbia

SALES & TRADING

Overview: Sales and Trading (S&T) is a group at an investment bank that consists of salespeople, who call institutional investors with ideas and opportunities, and traders, who execute orders and advise clients on entering and exiting financial positions.

A firm’s sales force is responsible for conveying information about particular securities to institutional investors. The sales force also are in constant communication with the firm's traders and research analysts to provide timely, relevant market information and liquidity to the firm’s clients.

Traders buy and sell securities on behalf of these institutional clients and for their own firm in anticipation of changing market conditions and upon any customer request. They oversee positions in various sectors and buy and sell securities to improve those positions. Traders trade with other traders at commercial banks, investment banks and large institutional investors. Trading responsibilities include: position trading, risk management, sector analysis & capital management.

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for sales & trading analysis roles: Bank of America | BMO Capital Markets | BNP Paribas | Cantor

UNDERWRITING

Overview: Underwriting is the process through which an individual or institution takes on financial risk for a fee. Underwriting involves conducting research and assessing the degree of risk each applicant or entity brings to the table before assuming that risk. This check helps to set fair borrowing rates for loans, establish appropriate premiums to adequately cover the true cost of insuring policyholders, and create a market for securities by accurately pricing investment risk. If the risk is deemed too high, an underwriter may refuse coverage.

There are basically three different types of underwriting: loans, insurance, and securities. Risk is the underlying factor in all underwriting. In the case of a loan, the risk has to do with whether the borrower will repay the loan as agreed or will default. With insurance, the risk involves the likelihood that too many policyholders will file claims at once. With securities, the risk is that the underwritten investments will not be profitable.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Overview: Wealth management provides a holistic suite of services that encompasses all parts of an individual or family’s financial life, including investment management, as well as legal and estate planning, accounting and tax services, retirement planning, trust services, philanthropic planning, risk management, and more. A wealth manager may serve as the central point of contact for a client’s financial affairs, coordinating communications and relationships with financial experts and a client’s other advisors, such as an attorney, accountant, or insurance agent. The overall goal of wealth management is to grow and preserve wealth over the long term. Both big banks and independent firms offer wealth management services.

There are a wide variety of roles within wealth management, including investment research (for both proprietary strategies and outside manager due diligence), compliance, trading, operations, client service, performance analysis, and more.

Researching Roles & Companies

Researching roles and companies of interest is a critical step in the internship / job search, and it should not be overlooked. Many students who jump straight into the applying phase of the search wind up applying to roles and companies that they are not truly interested in. While researching roles and companies certainly requires a great deal of effort, it ultimately leads to a more targeted and successful search. There’s no shortage of resources available to help you gather the information you need!

VAULT / FIRSTHAND provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work within an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to launch and build the career of your dreams. Vault is best known for its influential rankings, ratings, and reviews on thousands of top employers and hundreds of internship programs. Vault also publishes detailed guidebooks; below is a sample that may be of interest:

▪ Vault Career Guide to Commercial Banking

▪ Vault Career Guide to Investment Banking

▪ Vault Career Guide to Investment Management

▪ Vault Career Guide to Real Estate

▪ Vault Career Guide to Sales & Trading

▪ Vault Career Guide to Wealth Management

▪ Vault Guide to Top Internships

CORPORATE FINANCE INSTITUTE offers a number of free resources to help you prepare for your career in finance.

I highly recommend exploring the interactive Career Map. The Career Map divides the industry into four types of employers: Sell-Side Banks, Buy-Side Institutions, Corporates and Professional Services Firms. Within each of the four types of employers, there are several sub-categories. Each area is evaluated in terms of compensation, workload, competition, quant skills and soft skills. You can also get information on the key personality traits that lead to success in that role, compensation, and exit opportunities.

MAKE CONNECTIONS AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS (AKA NETWORK)! Speaking with professionals is one of the best ways to get insight into roles, career paths, companies, industries and more. Not to mention, it’s a critical part of a successful internship / job search. Remember the “Path to Employment for 2021 Finance Graduates” on page 23? Refer to the “Building Relationships” section beginning on page 31 for more information on networking and conducting informational meetings.

GLASSDOOR offers and extensive and constantly expanding database of company reviews, CEO approval ratings, salary reports, interview reviews and questions, benefits reviews, office photos and more. Unlike other jobs sites, all of this information is entirely shared by those who know a company best – the employees.

ATTEND ON-CAMPUS AND VIRTUAL EVENTS! The Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center plans and hosts many events that allow students to connect with professionals and learn more about their current roles, career paths, and companies, such as:

▪ Finance & Economics Virtual Career Fair (Mid-September): A mini Career Fair for students majoring in Finance, Economics-Finance and Corporate Finance & Accounting! Learn about open opportunities and network with company representatives to find out what roles might be a good fit for you.

▪ University Career Fair (Late September | Mid-February): Students should not miss the Career Fairs held in the Fall and Spring semesters! Each semester, 110-140 companies come to campus to recruit for open internship and/or full-time positions.

▪ Specialized Programming (Throughout the year): Connect with employers during 1:1 Coffee Chats, Information Sessions, and more.

In addition, many employers offer their own in-person and virtual event opportunities through Handshake or their own channels (company website, social media).

Actively monitor Handshake and CareerEdge for complete, up-to-date information about events hosted or facilitated by the Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center.

THE BENTLEY LIBRARY is a wealth of information when it comes to company and industry research! Below are several helpful databases to utilize or consult with an experienced Bentley librarian for additional suggestions.

▪ S&P Capital IQ NetAdvantage provides access to S&P's Company and Industry Surveys, Stock Guides, Dividend Records, Mutual Fund Ratings, Corporation Records and much more. Industry surveys are updated twice yearly and provide key data on more than 50 industries from Health Care to Telecommunications.

▪ Investext from Mergent provides investment research reports written by analysts at leading investment banks, brokerage houses and consulting firms. Search for analysis on companies and industries around the globe by company name, ticker, contributor, industry code and country. Data is available for download in PDF and Excel formats.

▪ PrivCo provides private company financial data including M&A activity, investor information, private equity and venture capital data. It covers over 225,000 private companies, 11,000 investors, and over 80,000 private market M&A deals and funding rounds. Database strengths include the ability to search by niche industry for private companies, and to find specific investors for targeted industries.

LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?

GOOGLE IT! There’s not much that Google can’t answer, so be proactive and resourceful by searching for “entry level investment management roles”, “credit analyst responsibilities”, “what is advisory”, etc. Specific searches turn up lots of helpful information!

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

Networking

Networking is simply the process of building relationships, either by making a connection with someone in-person or virtually. It involves speaking with professionals in your field(s) of interest in order to explore careers and gather information. While some people have an easier time making new connections than others, it is important to remember that everyone is capable of networking.

WHY SHOULD I NETWORK?

▪ EXPLORE CAREERS AND INDUSTRIES : If you’re unsure about your field of interest, you can explore options by identifying people who majored in Finance or Corporate Finance & Accounting and are now using those majors in different ways. Then reach out for a conversation.

▪ FIND CONTACTS: If you’re more certain about your career path, you can network to establish contacts in that field. These people can become great sources of knowledge or potentially mentors. If you have an interview coming up, you can find someone at the organization to get their insight before the interview.

▪ LEARN ABOUT JOB / INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Networking is a critical component of any job or internship search. Some estimate that as much as 85% of jobs are filled through networking, so it’s to your benefit to build and activate your network.

HOW SHOULD I NETWORK?

Utilize these resources to locate and network with alumni and other professionals:

▪ LinkedIn: Build and engage your network with 900+ million professionals globally, including 65,000+ Bentley alumni. See pages 43-50 for suggestions on navigating LinkedIn.

▪ Bentley University Alumni Chapters: Explore contacts and events occurring in a particular geographic region for those alumni clubs in order to network and connect with alumni in that area.

▪ Professional Associations: Joining a professional association is a great way to boost your networking efforts! Many professional organizations offer a free or reduced membership cost for students. See pages 35-38 for a list of relevant professional associations to consider.

WHO IS ALREADY IN MY NETWORK?

YOU Family Friends Professors

Coworkers & Managers Neighbors

Coaches Bentley Staff

Informational Interviews

Conducting informational interviews is one of the most common ways to network and gives you the opportunity to connect meaningfully with a professional. It’s all about learning – not asking for a job or internship.

PRIMARY GOALS

▪ Investigate a specific career field and learn about important issues / current trends in that field

▪ Narrow down career options or uncover options you never knew existed

▪ Get advice on where your skills might be applied

▪ Broaden your network of contacts for future reference

WHO SHOULD I INTERVIEW?

You can contact a wide range of professionals from a variety of fields and companies. It helps to ask people you know to introduce you to people they know who work in your desired field.

People you know:

▪ Family & Friends

▪ Neighbors

▪ Co-workers

▪ Professors

People you may not know:

▪ Alumni

▪ Prof. Org. Members

▪ Employers

▪ Social Media Contacts

HOW DO I PREPARE?

Preparing for informational interviews allows you to be more confident, make a positive impression, and ensures you get your questions answered. It also helps you to respond to questions about yourself more effectively. To prepare, you should:

▪ Identify what you want to get out of the meeting

▪ Research the professional, company, and industry

▪ Practice your introduction

▪ Develop a list of questions

▪ Review your experiences, interests, and skills

If the meeting is in person, arrive a few minutes early and dress appropriately. If the meeting is virtual or over the phone, identify a quiet space you can use in advance that has a strong internet connection.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK

▪ How did you get started in this job / career?

▪ What do you do in a typical day / week? Is there a set routine, or is there variety on a day-to-day basis?

▪ Do you work independently or as part of a team?

▪ What aspects of the job do you find most rewarding and most frustrating?

▪ How would you recommend breaking into this field?

▪ What kind of educational background is required?

▪ What kind of person would be best suited for this career in terms of personality, interests, and skills?

▪ What kind of experience or internship would help in this field?

▪ Are there specific courses a student might take that would be particularly beneficial in this field?

▪ What are the typical hours? Is travel required?

▪ What type of training is provided to entry-level employees?

▪ What technologies are critical for success?

▪ How do you see the jobs in the field changing over the next five years?

▪ What professional organizations are active and responsive in this career field? Which industry publications do you read?

▪ What are some job titles of entry-level positions in the career field? What is the career trajectory?

▪ What is a typical salary range in this field?

▪ What advice would you give on locating opportunities, the time frame for applying, and the interview process?

▪ What special advice would you give to a young person entering this field?

▪ Are there any other individuals you recommend I speak with to learn more about this career?

WHAT DO I DO AFTER THE MEETING?

SEND A THANK YOU EMAIL

Within 24 hours, send a thank you email highlighting the value of the meeting and referencing something specific the professional mentioned. Keep the door open for future exchanges.

REFLECT ON WHAT YOU LEARNED

Take the time to reflect upon what you learned and how that relates to your own values, interests, personality, and skills. You might find that your interest in an industry or role has increased, or that it isn’t as appealing as you thought. It’s helpful to have conversations with multiple people to get a full picture.

DEVELOP A PLAN TO STAY IN TOUCH

Since networking is relationship building, it’s important to stay in touch with your contacts. It may be a simple email filling them in on something new in your professional life, sending an article that could be of interest to them, or sharing a seasonal greeting. It is appropriate to follow up every few months, but only if you have something substantial to say. Not everyone will find time to reciprocate, so don’t take offense if you don’t get a reply. Also create a database to track contact information – name, company, title, date of conversation, notes and follow-up tasks.

FINAL TIPS / KEYS TO NETWORKING

▪ Adopt a positive, proactive attitude about networking

▪ Create a list of everyone you know and identify how they could help you gather career information

▪ Define what you hope to learn and accomplish

▪ Prepare and practice your elevator pitch

▪ Start each in-person encounter with a firm handshake, good eye contact, and a smile

▪ Be professional, courteous and authentic

▪ Send communications at least a week apart and no more than three times; if no response, move on

▪ Get organized – create a database of contacts with notes and follow up items

▪ Focus on quality of interactions, not quantity

▪ Be patient – you may start slowly but you will build momentum

Dear Mr. / Ms. Alum,

Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to speak with me yesterday afternoon about your career. Your advice and insight was very beneficial.

(Include a point or two about advice they gave you that really resonated.)

I hope you enjoy the holidays! Again, thank you for your time. I will keep you posted on my internship search process, and I look forward to staying in touch.

Regards,

Mary Johnson

mjohnson@bentley.edu (617) 123-4567

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS

One in three employers have rejected candidates based on something on their social media. The tips below will help guide you before reaching out to potential networking contacts or future employers.

▪ Adjust your privacy settings; be aware of what is public across all social media platforms

▪ Proactively tag or un-tag yourself in photos and events

▪ Always proof before you post

▪ Never complain about your job / boss or broadcast confidential employer information

▪ Utilize social media sites to research organizations and professionals

▪ Follow companies of interest and engage in career related groups

▪ Use Bentley University’s Alumni feature on LinkedIn to search for alums

▪ Always customize the invitation to connect on LinkedIn

THANK YOU NOTE EXAMPLE

Professional Associations

Joining a professional association is a great way to boost your networking efforts! Many professional organizations offer a free or reduced membership cost for students. Membership in a professional organization may include access to the following benefits: ▪

▪

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW STUDENT MEMBERSHIP

CFA SOCIETY BOSTON

CFA Society Boston is New England’s largest membership organization for investment professionals with over 6,000 members. The membership represents over 650 investment firms and 96 percent of CFA Society Boston members hold the Chartered Financial Analyst designation from CFA Institute.

Complimentary for each year you remain eligible

THE RISK MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (RMA)

For more than 100 years, RMA has been laser focused on one thing: helping its members in the world's financial institutions better understand and address risk. As a trusted partner, RMA has weathered the many economic ups and downs of the last century alongside its members, which now number 1,600+ financial institutions of all sizes, from multi-nationals to local community banks. These institutions are represented by over 35,000 individual RMA members located throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

SOCIETY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES PROFESSIONALS

The Society of Financial Service Professionals is a multidisciplinary community of accomplished professionals whose common purpose is to deliver the highest level of ethical service to their clients. In an environment promoting professional development and ethical conduct we welcome as regular members qualified professionals who hold one of the following credentials: AEP®, CASL®, CEBS®, CFA, CFP®, ChFC®, CIMA, CLF®, CLU®, CPA, CPCU®, CTFA®, Enrolled Actuary, JD, MBA, MSFS, MSM, Masters/PhD in Financial Services, REBC®, RHU®, RICP®.

$50 National Dues (National Dues provide for web benefits only)

Additional Chapter Dues may apply

Career Resources

Networking Events

Educational Events

Scholarship Programs

▪

Mentorship Programs

Membership Directory

Job Opportunities

▪

Private LinkedIn Groups

Newsletters / Other Publications

FREE

FINANCIAL PLANNING ASSOCIATION ®

(FPA®)

FPA® is the principal professional organization for CFP® professionals. We are the community that works together to elevate individual financial planners, regardless of compensation model or practice type, and the financial planning profession as a whole. We believe true financial planners provide an invaluable, critical service to society, and that CFP® professionals lead the way in the commitment to raise the bar for the clients they serve from transaction to transformation.

$50 annually

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PERSONAL FINANCIAL ADVISORS (NAPFA)

NAPFA is the country’s leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve. We provide networking opportunities, education, business development, and advocacy to promote the professional success of fee-only, comprehensive financial advisors.

$35 annually for full-time students

$150 annually for parttime students

INSTITUTE OF REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT

(IREM)

IREM is an international force of nearly 20,000 individuals united to advance the profession of real estate management. Through training, professional development, and collaboration, IREM supports its members and others in the industry through every stage of their career.

NAIOP –COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

NAIOP is the leading organization for developers, owners and investors of office, industrial, retail and mixed-use real estate. NAIOP comprises 19,000+ members and provides strong advocacy, education and business opportunities through a powerful North American network.

Not specified on website

THE REAL ESTATE FINANCE ASSOCIATION (REFA)

REFA, a division of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB), is a commercial real estate business association providing members with high quality networking and educational opportunities. REFA strives to maintain its reputation for excellence by promoting the exchange of information between professionals in the real estate finance community, and fostering a platform for growth and development for its Emerging Leader membership.

$75 annually

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW STUDENT MEMBERSHIP

FREE

FINANCIAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

FWA connects a vibrant community of dynamic professionals and proactive institutions focused on development and empowerment to advance leadership growth and accelerate the success of all women in finance.

$50 annually

ACCOUNTING & FINANCIAL WOMEN’S ALLIANCE (AFWA)

AFWA promotes the professional growth of women in all facets of accounting and finance. Members increase their career potential by connecting with colleagues, receiving education and mentorship to advance their careers, and developing leadership skills. For more than 75 years, members have tapped into a network of successful, motivated, and influential professionals who understand the unique position of being a woman in the industry and who, together, contribute to the future development of their profession.

$45 annually

BOSTON WOMEN IN FINANCE

Boston Women in Finance is a professional women's group dedicated to bringing together a diverse community of accomplished women with financial backgrounds, experience, and industry interests, to network, collaborate, and inspire. Our membership is a powerful community of women leaders, innovators, and influencers who meet monthly to delve into a wide range of topics including economic and financial trends, technological advancements, evolving leadership roles, professional development, and much more.

Not specified on website

100 WOMEN IN FINANCE

100 Women in Finance is a global organization committed to gender equity in finance by promoting diversity, raising visibility, and empowering women to find their personal path to success. We connect women at every career stage, including pre-career, to a global network of people and resources. Our mission is to strengthen the global finance industry by empowering women to achieve their professional potential at each career stage. We operate under a guiding principle that we call Vision 30/40. It is the goal for women to occupy 30% of investment team and executive leadership roles by 2040.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW STUDENT MEMBERSHIP

FREE 39

ALPFA (ASSOCIATION OF LATINO PROFESSIONALS FOR AMERICA)

ALPFA’s mission is to empower and develop Latino men and women as leaders of character for the nation, in every sector of the global economy. ALPFA currently serves more than 100,000 professional and student members across the country. In addition to networking and professional leadership development opportunities, our members have access to 50,000 paid summer internships through hundreds of Fortune 1000 corporate partners. We aspire to be the business partner of choice for companies seeking to hire and develop Latino talent.

Basic Membership: FREE

Premium Membership: $30 annually

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS –BOSTON METROPOLITAN CHAPTER (NABA)

The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA, Inc.), is dedicated to bridging the opportunity gap for people of color in the Accounting, Finance, Consulting, Information Technology and other related business professions. Representing more than 200,000 people of color in these fields, NABA, Inc. advances people, advances careers and advances the mission by providing education, resources and meaningful career connections to both professional and student members, fulfilling the principle of our motto: Lifting As We Climb.

Not specified on website

There is a NABA Chapter here at Bentley!

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ASIAN AMERICAN PROFESSIONALS (NAAAP)

As the largest and fastest growing Asian & Pacific Islander professionals association, NAAAP provides its members with the tools and resources to further career advancement and to empower them to be great leaders as well as valuable employees. In order to achieve our goals, NAAAP offers a diverse range of professional development programs on the local and national level, engages its membership in community service and organizes professional networking events.

$35 annually

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW STUDENT MEMBERSHIP

APPLYING TO OPPORTUNITIES

Submitting Applications

Once you have perfected your Career Toolkit and done your research to identify roles / companies of interest, it is time to start applying! There’s no magic number of opportunities to apply to. Only apply to opportunities that you would have a legitimate interest in. Continue submitting applications until you have accepted an offer.

PLEASE NOTE: While applying to positions is key step in the internship / job search process, applying alone will likely not lead to success. The internship / job market is competitive…and think about how many people can view and apply to a position when it is posted publicly! Making connections at companies of interest greatly increases your chances of landing an interview. See pages 45-53 for tips on effective follow-up.

highly recommended by Bentley students

HANDSHAKE

INDEED

GLASSDOOR

COMPANY WEBSITES

Bentley’s official career platform, with current postings for internships and full-time job opportunities.

Search internships and entry-level jobs by company, industry or location and apply with one click.

The #1 job site in the world, giving job seekers free access to search for jobs, post resumes, and research companies.

Search jobs and get the inside scoop on companies with employee reviews, personalized salary tools, and more.

For organizations that you’re interested in, go directly to their websites to browse open positions.

GOOGLE ALERTS

Create Google Alerts for different search parameters, i.e. ‘Summer 20XX investment management internships’, ‘Entry-Level financial analyst roles’, etc. Have results delivered to your inbox daily!

ADDITIONAL SITES TO EXPLORE

EFINANCIALCAREERS

CHEGG INTERNSHIPS

MONSTER

SUITED

VAULT / FIRSTHAND

Offers thousands of global open positions in financial services, investment banking, fintech and more. Browse news and career advice from the finance industry.

The world’s largest student-focused internship marketplace, bringing students, employers and higher education institutions together in one centralized location.

Search for jobs, read career advice from Monster's job experts, and find hiring and recruiting advice.

Connects exceptional candidates with top-tier investment banks.

Search thousands of new jobs posted daily. Sign up for job alerts to have the latest jobs that match your search sent to you directly.

AND MANY MORE…! Find what works for you!

Creating Your Own Opportunities

So, what do you do when you’ve applied to all the open positions that you’re interested in that you’ve found on job boards? Or if you’re not finding the types of opportunities that you’re ideally seeking on job boards? It’s time to take matters into your own hands and create your own opportunities! Let’s get started…

FIRST, BUILD A LIST OF TARGET COMPANIES.

Click here for suggestions on how to build your list.

NEXT, CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR TARGET COMPANIES HAVE ANY OPEN POSITIONS POSTED ON THEIR COMPANY WEBSITE OR LINKEDIN PAGE.

IF YOU FIND OPEN POSITIONS, APPLY…BUT DON’T STOP THERE!

There may be hundreds of candidates applying for the same position. That’s where making connections comes in – it’s a CRITICAL step in a successful search.

IF YOU DO NOT FIND OPEN POSITIONS, DON’T GIVE UP!

Many companies never “officially” post open positions. Hiring happens on an as needed basis, and positions are filled through networking. It’s all about knowing the right people and being in the right place at the right time.

Reach out to professionals working in roles of interest.

Click here to learn more.

Reach out to professionals within Human Resources.

Click here to learn more.

Reach out to professionals working in roles of interest.

Click here to learn more.

Reach out to professionals within Human Resources.

Click here to learn more.

Contact companies directly regarding hiring needs.

Click here to learn more.

Identifying Target Companies

Consider the following suggestions to help build a list of companies where you’d be interested in working. Remember that every company has a finance function! Maybe you’re interested in “traditional” opportunities within financial services…or maybe you’d like to combine your finance knowledge and skills with your passion for sustainability. Think creatively when building your list!

▪ Search for companies that meet your criteria, by industry and/or geography. Here are a few examples:

o Investment management firms in New York City | Wealth management in Massachusetts | Boutique investment banks in Chicago | Tech companies in Silicon Valley

▪ Where do Bentley alumni with similar majors / career interests work?

▪ Where do your 1st degree connections work?

▪ Look at your connections’ connections – where do they work?

▪ Helpful Hint: For companies that you’re interested in, check out their LinkedIn pages. On the right-hand side of a company’s ‘Home Page’, you will see a ‘Similar pages’ section – use this to generate additional ideas!

▪ Utilize the Vault Rankings. Here are a few examples:

o Vault Banking 50

o Best Banking Firms to Work For

o The 100 Best Internships

o Best Financial Services Internships

o Vault Consulting 50

o …and many more!

▪ Utilize the ‘Research Companies’ feature.

o Browse companies by industry. Again, think beyond the obvious categories –remember, every company has a finance function! If you’re interested in ‘Travel and Leisure’, ‘Fashion and Apparel’ or ‘Health Care Management’, for example, explore finance related roles within those companies. You are not limited to financial services!

▪ The Career Development Center has built databases of: Financial Services Firms in MA, Financial Services Firms in NY, and Leadership Development & Rotational Programs. Email your Career Coach for a copy of any of these spreadsheets!

▪ Always had a few dream companies in mind? Add them to the list!

▪ What companies are you familiar with based on personal experience?

▪ Ask family, friends, and your career coach for suggestions.

Effective Follow-Up

Connecting with Professionals in Roles of Interest

After you’ve submitted job applications and/or identified target companies, an important next step is to connect with professionals at those companies. Having a conversation can give you great insight into the day-to-day responsibilities, skills required for success, company culture, and more – and may even lead to a referral!

IDENTIFYING BENTLEY ALUMNI VIA LINKEDIN

▪ Go to Bentley’s LinkedIn page and click on “Alumni” on the list in the middle of the page. This will bring up an interactive bar chart with six categories: Where they live, Where they work, What they do, What they studied, What they are skilled at, and How you are connected (click “Next >” to display the last four categories).

▪ Search by company name. If your search returns any results, you’ll see that company name under the ‘Where they work’ column. Click on the company name. You will notice that the other categories will update accordingly.

o If there are a large number of results, further narrow your search by ‘”Where they Live” (very helpful if multiple offices) and/or “What they do” (Finance).

▪ Scroll down to review the profiles of the alumni that meet your search criteria and determine who you would like to connect with.

o Alumni who have graduated within the past few years are a great place to start, as they are close enough to the recruiting experience to remember what it’s like to be in your shoes.

o Try to find a common interest, such as being a student-athlete or participating in the same student organization.

o Look for 2nd degree connections. Ask your mutual connection for an introduction.

o What if you can only identify one alumni working in a finance-related role, and that person is very senior? That’s OK! Feel free to reach out. You have nothing to lose as long as your message is professional and polite.

o What if you can only identify one alumni working at the target company, and they’re in a very different role than what you’re interested in? You can still reach out to learn more about the company in general. If the conversation goes well, ask if they would be willing to make an introduction to a colleague on the finance team.

▪ Now that you’ve identified professionals working in roles of interest, click here for tips on how to reach out.

LINKED

IN FUN FACTS AS OF SUMMER 2023! 65,000+ Bentley Alumni on LinkedIn, including 9,000+ in the Finance field

35,000+

Bentley Alumni in the Greater Boston Area, including 5,000+ in the Finance field

5,000+

Bentley Alumni in the Greater NYC area, including 1,000+ in the finance Field

1. Click on Alumni to view interactive bar chart.

2. Search by company name, ex: Liberty Mutual.

5. Click ‘Next’ to display additional categories and narrow search by ‘Finance’ in ‘What they do’ column.

3. Click on company name.

4. Narrow search by your target location.

6. Scroll down to review profiles!

IDENTIFYING NON-BENTLEY ALUMNI VIA LINKEDIN

▪ If there are no Bentley alumni currently working at the firm, look for someone else to contact!

▪ From your home page in LinkedIn, use the search bar to search for your target company. Make sure you click on the company’s home page (you will see “Company • Industry” next to the correct selection).

▪ From the company’s home page click on “People”. This will bring up an interactive bar chart with six categories: Where they live, Where they studied, What they do, What they studied, What they are skilled at, and How you are connected (click “Next >” to display the last four categories).

▪ You can search for a specific job title (example: Investment Banking Analyst) or filter based on your search criteria (example: “What they do” > Finance and “Where they live” > Greater New York City area).

▪ Scroll down to review the profiles of the professionals that meet your search criteria and determine who you would like to connect with.

o Look for a professional in a role most comparable to the role you’ve applied to, and who graduated from college within the past few years.

o Try to find a common interest, such as being a student-athlete or participating in the same types of student organizations.

o Look for 2nd degree connections. Ask your mutual connection for an introduction.

o If you can’t identify someone with a common interest or a 2nd degree connection, don’t let that stop you from reaching out. You have nothing to lose as long as your message is polite and professional.

▪ Now that you’ve identified professionals working in roles of interest, click here for tips on how to reach out.

SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT COLD NETWORKING…

From an article published by the NACE Journal, August 2020

Students who engaged in cold networking were twice as likely to earn an internship as students who only engaged in warm networking

Those who found their internship through warm networking were less likely to report that the internship turned into a job offer

70% of the students whose internship resulted in a job offer found the internship through cold networking, while only 40% found the internship through warm networking

1. Navigate to company of interest’s home page.

2. Click on People to view interactive bar chart.

3. Search for role/title of interest, ex: “Investment Banking Analyst”

5. Continue to filter as helpful by additional categories. Click on “Next” to display more.

4. Narrow search by your target location.

6. Scroll down to review profiles!

TIPS FOR REACHING OUT TO PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN ROLES OF INTEREST VIA LINKEDIN

▪ Always personalize your connection request – the generic “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn” will not get results! Introduce yourself and ask to learn more about their career path, role, or experience with the company. Do not ask about internships / full-time positions or for a referral in your introductory message! It takes time to build relationships.

Hi [contact name]: I’m a [class year] at Bentley, studying [major]. I’m interested in learning about your role as a [position name] at [company name]. I know your time is valuable and would like to ask if you have 15 minutes, at your convenience, to speak with me. Thank you in advance, [your name]

▪ If people are willing to speak with you, you must BE PREPARED so you can make a great impression. Be ready to answer “Tell me a little bit about yourself”, then have a list of questions ready so you can drive the conversation. Refer to pages 33-34 for tips on conducting informational meetings.

▪ If there’s an open position and the conversation goes well…

o Consider closing with: I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today. I recently applied to [role title], so learning more about your day-in-the-life will be very valuable if I am fortunate enough to be offered an interview.

o Best case response: That’s great! I really enjoyed our conversation and happen to know the hiring manager. I’d be happy to put in a good word for you!

o Worst case response: OK…Well it’s been nice talking to you…good luck.

▪ If there’s not an open position, but the conversation goes well…

o Consider closing with: I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today. Learning more about your daily responsibilities and the culture at [company name] solidified my interest in the company. I hope we can stay in touch. If you hear of any open opportunities, would you mind letting me know?

o Best case response: Absolutely! Why don’t you send me a copy of your resume so I can have it on file should a position open up. I look forward to staying in touch.

o Worst case response: I’m not sure what our future hiring needs will be but keep your eyes on our company website.

▪ If the conversation was mediocre, it may be best to just politely thank the person for their time and note something valuable that you learned.

▪ Always demonstrate your professionalism by sending a thank you note within 24 hours. Perhaps you wound up with a valuable connection that you plan to stay in touch with, or perhaps the conversation was one and done. At the very least, you gained insight that will help you stand out if you are offered an interview or will help you determine if you’re a good fit for the role / company when positions do open up. In some cases, you may learn that a role / company is not the best fit for you, and that’s OK too.

Effective Follow-Up Connecting with Human Resources Professionals

▪ Why is connecting with Human Resources important?

o If there’s an open position: Let’s assume 100 students apply for a position. If 10 of them connect with the recruiter, the recruiter is likely to pull those 10 resumes from the pile to at least look at them. If you don’t reach out, and your resume happens to be near the bottom of the pile, the recruiter may find enough great candidates to interview before even looking at your resume. Contacting a recruiter doesn’t guarantee an interview, but it definitely increases the chances of your resume being reviewed.

o If there’s not an open position: If you have a great conversation with a recruiter, you’ll likely be on their short list when a position does open up, giving you an advantage over other candidates. The recruiter will appreciate the initiative that you took to connect and your interest in the company.

▪ From the company’s home page, click on “People”. This will bring up an interactive bar chart with six categories: Where they live, Where they studied, What they do, What they studied, What they are skilled at, and How you are connected (click “Next >” to display the last four categories). Look for “Human Resources” in the “What they do” column.

o Depending on the number of search results, you may choose to scroll through all the profiles to determine the best person to contact.

o If there are too many results to scroll through, try searching by title, for example: “Campus Recruiter”, “Recruiter”, “University Relations”, or “Talent Acquisition”.

o You can narrow your search by “Where they live” to target Human Resources professionals in your preferred location.

o If “Human Resources” is not one of the choices in the “What they do” column, search by title, starting with the examples noted above.

▪ Sometimes it will be VERY obvious who the best person to contact is. At a large company, you may find someone with a title of “Campus Recruiter”, and their profile notes the specific positions/programs they recruit for. At a smaller company, there may only be one person with “Recruiter” or “Talent Acquisition” in their title.

▪ Sometimes it will be LESS obvious who the best person to contact is. In this case, you will have to make an educated guess. If you contact the wrong person, they may be willing to point you in the right direction. As long as your message is polite and professional, you have nothing to lose.

▪ Now that you’ve identified professionals within Human Resources, click here for tips on how to reach out.

1. Navigate to company of interest’s home page.

2. Click on People to view interactive bar chart.

5. Search for “Campus Recruiter” or similar titles.

3. Click on “Next” to display “What they do” and select “Human Resources”.

4. Narrow search by your target location.

6. Scroll down to review profiles!

TIPS FOR REACHING OUT TO HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONALS VIA LINKEDIN

▪ Always personalize your connection request – the generic “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn” will not get results! Introduce yourself and express your interest in current and/or future opportunities with the company. It is perfectly fine to be direct with Human Resources professionals, as it is their job to source qualified candidates!

▪ If there’s an open position…

Hi [contact name]: I’m a [class year] at Bentley, studying [major]. I recently applied to [position name] and wanted to introduce myself and express my interest in the position. I’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you or someone on your team. Thanks for your consideration, [your name]

▪ If there’s not an open position…

Hi [contact name]: I’m a [class year] at Bentley, studying [major]. I’m interested in [types of roles] at [name of firm]. I understand there are no current openings, but I’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you or someone on your team about future opportunities. Thanks for your consideration, [your name]

▪ If a Human Resources professional is willing to speak with you, you must BE PREPARED so you can make a great impression.

o If you’re speaking about an open position, prepare for the conversation as you would for a first-round interview.

o If you’re having a general conversation, prepare for the conversation to feel like either an informational interview or a first-round interview.

▪ Ask about potential next steps at the end of the conversation, whether there is an open position or not.

▪ Always demonstrate your professionalism by sending a thank you note within 24 hours.

A 2022 survey by Joblist of recent college graduates found that lack of networking was one of the top regrets regarding the job search process.

According to HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking. In fact, according to CNBC, 70% of jobs are never published publicly.

These jobs are either posted internally or are created specifically for candidates that recruiters meet through networking.

Effective Follow-Up Conducting Direct Outreach

Contacting companies directly regarding hiring needs is a strategy that tends to work best with small / mid-sized companies or companies that do not have a “Careers” section on their website. For some, this may feel like too aggressive of an approach or may be outside of your comfort zone, which is perfectly fine. But, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!

▪ Call the company’s main line; introduce yourself and explain why you are reaching out.

Good morning. I’m a rising junior at Bentley University, outside of Boston, MA, studying Finance. I’m originally from upstate New York and plan on spending the summer in the area. I’m calling to ask whether your company offers summer internships.

OR

Hello. I’m a senior at Bentley University, studying Corporate Finance & Accounting. I’m very interested in your company and noticed that there is not a careers page on the website. I’m calling to ask whether you currently have any openings or anticipate having any in the near future.

• If the company has a generic email address for career opportunities or general inquiries, feel free to reach out that way. If you are sending an email, you will have flexibility to include more information (but don’t go overboard in the initial email!).

Good afternoon,

I am a senior at Bentley University, outside of Boston, MA, majoring in Finance with a concentration in Financial Planning. I grew up in Portland, ME, and I am looking forward to returning to the area after graduation. While researching boutique wealth management firms near Portland, I learned about your firm and was immediately impressed by your ‘clients first’ attitude and holistic approach to helping clients achieve their financial goals. I’m writing to ask whether you anticipate having any entry-level hiring needs soon. If so, I would welcome the opportunity to have a conversation with a member of your team. I have attached my resume, should you be interested in learning more about my background. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Beth Bentley

▪ If the company IS hiring…great! Ask for details on how and when to apply.

▪ If the company MIGHT BE hiring in the future…ask about an appropriate time to follow up and add a note to your calendar as a reminder.

▪ If the company IS NOT hiring…that’s OK. Move on for now, but if you’re really interested in the company, keep it on your radar for future opportunities.

ALL ABOUT INTERVIEWS

Building a Strong Foundation

DURING AN INTERVIEW, YOUR GOALS ARE TO:

▪ Showcase your skills and interpersonal qualities

▪ Demonstrate that you are a match for the position through specific examples of past experiences

▪ Determine if the position / organization are a good fit for you

THE INTERVIEWER’S GOALS ARE TO SEE:

▪ If you have the skills to do the job

▪ If you are motivated to do the job

▪ If you are a fit with the organization’s culture

Preparation is the most important part of your job or internship interview. Lay the foundation and follow these steps to maximize success.

Conduct thorough research on the organization and industry. Employers view knowledge of their organization as a critical factor in applicant evaluation because it demonstrates the candidate’s interest, enthusiasm, and seriousness about the position.

INTERVIEW SUCCESS PRACTICE INTERVIEW RESPONSES

Tailor interview responses to describe experiences in relation to the skills and qualifications the organization is seeking. Conduct a mock interview with a Career Coach, recruiter, former employer or Bentley alumni.

RESEARCH THE ORGANIZATION AND THE INDUSTRY

ANALYZE THE POSITION

Know the qualifications and responsibilities outlined in the job description. Identify the key skills the position requires and describe a time you have used each of the skills using the STAR technique.

THE FOUNDATION – KNOW YOURSELF

Know your values, interests, personality and skills. Practice communicating these concisely and clearly as they relate to the position, organization and industry. Review your experiences. Analyze your academic training, leadership experiences, critical thinking skills and non-academic activities in relation to the position.

Interview Formats

PHONE INTERVIEWS

▪ Often the first-round interview for companies that do not participate in oncampus recruiting

▪ Yes, they are real, and they do count!

▪ Interview in a quiet place with guaranteed cell coverage

▪ Listen carefully – don’t ‘step’ on the interviewer when they are talking

▪ Smile – it’s the best way to convey your energy and enthusiasm

▪ Can refer to notes during the interview

▪ May be a one-way interview or a face-to-face interview

▪ Check your technology in advance of the interview

▪ Be sure to sit level with the computer, maintain eye contact and be mindful of your body language

▪ Make sure there is good lighting, and the interviewer can see you clearly

▪ Use a basic virtual background if your setting is not interview appropriate

▪ Wear professional attire (from head to toe!)

▪ Avoid looking at notes and minimize distractions, such as your cell phone

IN-PERSON INTERVIEWS

INTERVIEWS

▪ Allow yourself plenty of time to commute, go through security, check in with the reception desk, etc.

▪ Arrive 10-15 minutes early – the interview begins when you walk into the building

▪ Turn your cell phone off

▪ Offer a firm handshake (when it feels safe and appropriate)

▪ Maintain eye contact and be mindful of your body language

▪ Wear professional attire

▪ Follow all suggestions for ‘In-Person Interviews’, plus…

▪ Keep an eye out for an email from Handshake with all interview details (date, time, etc.)

▪ Interviews are held in LaCava 205

▪ Be professional in the waiting room; companies often send greeters to observe / chat with candidates prior to the interview

▪ Write down the interviewer(s)’ contact information at the front desk so you have it for the thank you note

ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWS

VIRTUAL (They’re here to stay!)

Resume Based / Traditional Interviews

This type of interview is very common, with questions that focus on your education, prior work experience, and activities. You must know your resume inside and out! Anything that you have included on your resume – even the smallest detail – is fair game. Highlight the skills that you developed or enhanced through your experiences and connect your responses back to the desired skills / qualifications of the role.

COMMON QUESTIONS

▪ Tell me about yourself.

▪ Walk me through your resume.

▪ Why are you interested in this company / industry? (see page 56 for tips!)

▪ Why are you interested in this position? (see page 56 for tips!)

▪ Why did you choose to attend Bentley University and how did you select your major?

▪ Tell me about your most recent summer internship and what you liked / disliked about the experience.

▪ What work experience has been the most valuable to you and why?

▪ What challenges are you looking for in a position?

▪ Why do you feel you will be successful in this program?

▪ What is your greatest strength / weakness, and how will it affect your performance in this program?

▪ What characteristics do you think are important for this position?

▪ How has your education at Bentley prepared you for a position?

▪ Where do you see yourself in five years?

▪ What has been the biggest accomplishment in your life and why?

▪ Why should I hire you?

▪ What questions do you have for me? (see page 56 for tips!)

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF…

The vast majority of interviews start with this question, or some variation of it…so make sure you knock it out of the park! This question is NOT the same as ‘Walk me through your resume’.

In addition to emphasizing your relevant experience and skills, the interviewer wants you to show your personality and share some information that isn’t on your resume. Consider including where you’re from, where you decided to come to Bentley, why you selected your major, hobbies outside of the classroom, or any fun fact(s) that might set you apart.

BIG INTERVIEW TIPS

Log into Big Interview and watch the video on how to master this question:

▪ Click on the ‘Fast Track’ option within the Learn tab

▪ Select ‘Acing Common Questions’ in the righthand toolbar

▪ Watch ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ video

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

▪ Speak for two minutes or less

▪ Know your audience

▪ Highlight relevant skills and qualifications

▪ Transition smoothly between topics

▪ Show your personality

▪ Be excited about the opportunity!

WHY THIS COMPANY / INDUSTRY? WHY THIS POSITION?

Always be prepared to answer these two common –and very important – questions during an interview. Doing your research will help you craft thoughtful responses that demonstrate your interest in the company / position and will help set you apart from your peers. Do your best to gather as much of the following information as possible. Refer to pages 29-30 for suggested resources.

COMPANY / INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE

Key products / services

Headquarters and other locations

Public, private or non-profit

Number of employees

Annual revenue

Stock price

Company leaders

Company culture / core values

Community involvement

Employee resource groups

Industry trends / current events

Key competitors

What else is important to you?

POSITION KNOWLEDGE

General responsibilities

Skills required for success

Independent vs. team-based work

Repetitive tasks vs. longer-term projects

Client-facing or back-office role

Work-life balance

Training and development opportunities

Work modality (in-office, remote, hybrid)

Travel requirements

What else is important to you?

WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR ME?

Interviewers typically give you the opportunity to ask questions at the end of an interview. Make the most of this opportunity – it can be a red flag to employers if you don’t ask any questions. The questions you ask will help you gain information to aid in your decisionmaking process. Your questions should focus on the company, industry and position and should demonstrate that you have done your research.

COMPANY / INDUSTRY QUESTIONS

▪ In what ways has this organization been most successful in terms of products / services over the past several years compared to competitors?

▪ What kind of changes do you expect to see in this industry over the next two to three years? What will drive these changes?

▪ How do you see this company evolving in the next 5-10 years?

▪ How would you describe the culture of your organization?

▪ What kind of professional development programs does the company offer?

▪ What values do you see in your company’s leadership that have contributed to the organization’s success?

▪ How do you celebrate accomplishments and achievements here?

POSITION QUESTIONS

▪ Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?

▪ What are your expectations for this role during the first 30 days, 60 days, year?

▪ Which part of the position has the steepest learning curve? How can I get up to speed quickly?

▪ What are the most successful team members doing differently from the average team members?

▪ How is job performance evaluated?

▪ Describe the top three challenges that I’ll face in this job.

▪ Could you tell me about the team I would be working with?

Behavioral Interviews

If an interviewer starts a question with ‘Tell me about a time when…’ or ‘Give me an example of a situation when...’, a little bell should go off in your head to alert you that a behavioral question is coming! Behavioral questions are some of the most common interview questions, based on the principle that the best way to predict future behavior is by understanding past behavior. These types of questions evaluate your skills, abilities and personality in relation to the position you’re interviewing for. Follow these tips for success:

PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE!

Knowing what skills employers are looking for, anticipate the types of questions that will be asked. Start to build and plan answers in advance.

SHARE A VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES

Highlight a variety of experience areas: jobs / internships, coursework, volunteer work and activities. Demonstrate that you’re a well-rounded candidate.

ALWAYS BE POSITIVE

Even if faced with a question about a challenging situation or difficult colleague, avoid speaking negatively. Present the situation as a learning opportunity.

SKILLS FOR SUCCESS SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Quantitative and analytical skills

Technical skills

Problem-solving skills

Verbal and communication skills

Demonstrated leadership experience

Ability to work well within a team setting and independently

Organizational, multi-tasking and prioritization skills

Strong attention to detail

USE THE STAR FRAMEWORK

Build concise, thorough responses to behavioral questions. See page 58 for an explanation and example of the STAR framework.

▪ Tell me about a project or assignment that required you to analyze a large amount of information and develop conclusions.

▪ Tell me about a project or assignment that required you to use Trading Room resources and/or advanced features of Excel.

▪ Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventative measures.

▪ Describe a time when you had to persuade someone else to see your point of view.

▪ Discuss ways you have coached or mentored others or helped others to accomplish their goals.

▪ Give me an example of a time when you faced a conflict while working on a team. How did you handle that?

▪ Describe a time when you had a heavy workload and competing deadlines. How did you set priorities?

▪ Tell me about how you check your work for quality and accuracy, especially when you must meet tight deadlines.

STAR FRAMEWORK

The STAR framework provides a concise, thorough framework for organizing responses to behavioral interview questions. Describing specific experiences adds credibility to responses about your skills and qualifications. Begin by analyzing themes within the job description to identify what the employer is looking for. Also, consider what you have learned from your own research and informational interviews. Then reflect on your experiences to identify situations when you demonstrated the skills, qualities, and knowledge required for the position. Draw from a variety of experiences to showcase that you are a well-rounded candidate.

SITUATION Set the scene and give the necessary details of your example.

TASK Describe what your responsibility was in that situation.

ACTION Explain exactly what steps you took to address it.

RESULT Share what outcomes your actions achieved.

REFLECT Take your answer a step further. Describe what you learned from the situation. Is there anything you might do differently in the future if you encountered a similar situation?

STAR FRAMEWORK IN ACTION

TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU WORKED WITH A DIFFICULT CUSTOMER.

SITUATION: This past summer, I worked as a bank teller in York, ME. One day, an older couple came in very upset that they hadn’t received their monthly statement in the mail.

TASK: As a front-line employee at the bank, I knew it was important to listen carefully to their needs and reassure them I would do everything possible to resolve their issue.

ACTION: I started by apologizing for the frustration this issue caused and printed a hard copy of their latest statement. Next, I identified that they had recently been switched to e-statements rather than paper statements, so I re-confirmed their interest in receiving monthly paper statements and updated their settings in our system. Finally, I communicated the issue and resolution to them and ensured them I would share the issue with my supervisor to proactively correct other customers this may have impacted.

RESULT: As a result, this couple left with a paper copy of their statement and will receive copies in the mail each month moving forward. They thanked me for my assistance and left the bank much happier than when they arrived. By working with my supervisor, we discovered that a customer with the same last name requested estatements, but the change was made to the wrong customer account. So, we were also able to change the correct customer’s status to e-statements and proactively prevent a second issue.

REFLECT: This situation reinforced for me the importance of actively listening to customers and always communicating professionally. It also demonstrated the importance of getting to the root cause of an issue and correcting that, instead of just solving the immediate problem. I think these are valuable lessons that will benefit me in my next role.

Technical Interviews

Technical interviews are becoming more common for finance-related roles. Technical interview questions test your knowledge of relevant concepts, calculations and programs. You could be asked 1-2 technical questions within an interview or an entire interview could consist of technical questions. All technical interviews are not created equally – they can vary significantly across different areas of finance. Follow these tips for success:

PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE!

Knowing what the tasks and responsibilities of the position are, anticipate the types of questions that will be asked. Start to build and plan answers in advance.

TAKE YOUR TIME AND USE A STRUCTURED APPROACH

Pause and collect your thoughts before jumping straight into your answer. Deliver your answer in an organized manner. For example, if the interviewer asks you to walk them through the three main financial statements, start out with “The three main financial statements are the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows, and I’ll walk you through them in that order…”

INVESTMENT BANKING

▪ How do the 3 financial statements link together?

▪ How do you value a company?

▪ What is typically higher – the cost of debt or the cost of equity?

▪ How do you calculate the cost of equity?

▪ How would you calculate beta for a company?

▪ How do you calculate unlevered free cash flows for DCF analysis?

ASSET MANAGEMENT

▪ Where do you see the market heading?

▪ What do you think of the latest economic data?

▪ What is value investing and how is it different from growth investing?

▪ Which investors do you admire?

▪ If you had $1 million to invest, what would you do with it?

▪ What are the most common multiples used to value a company?

BE HONEST IF YOU DON’T KNOW

State what you do know that is relevant, and how you would proactively go about figuring out the answer. Don’t talk yourself into a corner or try to fool the interviewer – you won’t be able to!

COMMERCIAL BANKING

▪ How would you determine the creditworthiness of a company?

▪ If you were asked to analyze a set of financial statements, what would you do?

▪ Name some important credit metrics.

▪ Where do you think interest rates are headed?

▪ What’s more important, the income statement, balance sheet, or cash flow statement?

SALES & TRADING

▪ Tell me about a recent news story related to the financial markets and your opinion of it.

▪ Pitch me a stock (or FX, option, bond, or other trade ideas).

▪ If you had $1 million to invest, what would you do with it?

▪ What’s the S&P 500 / Dow Jones / other index at? How has it trended over the past year?

▪ What is the sum of the numbers 1 to 100?

Case Interviews

While case interviews used to be predominantly used by management consulting firms, they are now being used more broadly across a variety of industries and roles. Just like technical interviews, all case interviews are not created equally. The case interview question is generally either a business problem, estimating exercise, arithmetic or logic problem. Case interviews are designed to make you think on your toes and use reason and common sense. Most cases don’t have a specific answer that you are expected to give; instead, the interviewer is looking for you to demonstrate a thought process that is both analytical and creative.

BUSINESS CASE

A scenario to gauge the general business knowledge of candidates and their ability to logically apply this knowledge. It could focus on profit/loss, organizational structure, pricing or growth strategy, or marketing.

▪ Example 1: “An airline finds that, while its revenues are high, the company is still operating at a loss. What is going on?”

▪ Example 2: "What would customers be willing to pay if Facebook shifted to a subscription model?"

▪ Example 3: "Our client is thinking of acquiring a company that makes a certain type of medical device; what do they need to consider in making their decision?“

MARKET SIZING

Estimation questions that require the use of logical deduction and general statistical information to estimate some number or size.

▪ Example 1: "How many airplanes leave from Boston's Logan Airport on Monday?"

▪ Example 2: "How many lightbulbs are there in Manhattan?"

▪ Example 3: "Are there more iPhones in operation in the U.S. or in China?"

QUANTITATIVE QUESTIONS AND BRAIN TEASERS

These serve to see how well you think on your feet and gauge creativity and problem-solving skills.

▪ Example 1: "You have a 3-gallon bucket and a 5-gallon bucket. How do you measure out exactly four gallons?

▪ Example 2: "How much does the Starbucks in Times Square bring in, in annual revenue?"

▪ Example 3: "Why are manhole covers round?"

WHAT INTERVIEWERS ARE LOOKING FOR

▪ Logical and analytical reasoning

▪ Conceptual problem-solving

▪ Clear and influential communication

▪ Creativity / flexibility

▪ Poise and confidence under pressure

▪ Positive attitude

WHAT CASE INTERVIEWS

ARE NOT

▪ Not meant to intimidate students

▪ Not a math test

▪ Not only about getting the ‘right’ answer

▪ Not easy…practice is a MUST

▪ Not impossible

Interview Prep Resources

FEATURED RESOURCE: BIG INTERVIEW

BIG INTERVIEW offers interview advice and allows you to get hands-on practice with mock interviews.

THE ‘LEARN’ AREA

▪ The Fast Track will get you up to speed quickly; the Mastery Track covers advanced content for more competitive / difficult interviews

▪ Both tracks have videos lessons, practice questions, and quizzes to help you retain your knowledge

▪ Feel free to skip around and watch the lessons that are most relevant to you

THE ‘PRACTICE’ AREA

▪ The ‘Practice Interviews’ component allows you to get hands-on practice with mock interviews

o Enable the AI feature to receive invaluable feedback on: Pace of Speech, Filler Words, Vocabulary, Um Counter, Power Word Score, Negative Tone, Pause Counter, Eye Contact and Posture

▪ The ‘Question Library’ component includes hundreds of common interview questions, with insights about what employers are looking for and sample answers

o Browse General Questions, By Industry or By Competency

MOCK INTERVIEWS

Schedule a Mock Interview with your Career Coach! We’ll focus on resume and behavioral based questions and will point you towards the best resources for technical and case interviews. Ask a mentor, colleague, recruiter, professional you’ve met through your networking efforts, or student who has interned at your dream company to conduct a mock interview with you.

CORPORATE FINANCE INSTITUTE

Review lists of common interview questions and sample answers that are likely to give you an edge over other job candidates.

▪ Behavioral Interview Questions

▪ Most Common Finance Interview Questions

▪ Investment Banking Interview Questions

▪ Equity Research Interview Questions

VAULT / FIRSTHAND

▪ FP&A Interview Questions

▪

Credit Analyst Interview Questions

Commercial Banking Interview Questions

▪ AND MANY MORE…!

View sample questions, watch informative videos, get expert advice and access in-depth interview guides. Vault’s Career Guides include industry-specific interview tips, or check out these popular guides:

▪ Vault Guide to Behavioral Interviews

▪ Vault Guide to Finance Interviews

GLASSDOOR

Always check Glassdoor for interview feedback! Glassdoor has a growing database of interview reviews, posted by current employees and/or candidates who have interviewed with that company. You may get lucky and find interview feedback specific for the role you’re interviewing. If you can’t find feedback for the specific role, it’s still extremely helpful to read interview reviews for other roles, as companies tend to ask similar resume / behavioral based questions for a variety of roles.

SOME FUN GOOGLE SEARCH RESULTS…

▪ THE INTERVIEW GUYS: Comprehensive articles covering job interview questions, career advice, job interview prep, job search and more.

▪ THE MUSE: Browse the ‘Career Advice’ section for helpful articles such as ‘Your 2023 Guide to the Most Common Interview Questions and Answers’, ‘The STAR Method: The Secret to Acing Your Next Job Interview’, and more.

▪ Find SAMPLE FINANCE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS on Wall Street Prep, Wall Street Mojo, Wall Street Oasis, and Mergers and Inquisitions

CASE INTERVIEW PREP

VAULT

▪ The Vault Guide to Case Interviews, Ninth Edition provides key business frameworks, sample cases, guesstimates, and brainteasers likely to come up in an interview

CASE IN POINT, 11TH EDITION, by Marc P. Cosentino

▪ “When in doubt, MBAs turn to ‘Bible’. Case in Point has become the biggest business book you never heard of…” – Wall Street Journal

▪ This book takes you inside a typical interview by exploring the various types of case questions, and shares with you a system that will help you answer today’s most sophisticated case questions

THE CASE ONE PROGRAM

▪ Register with your Bentley email address for FREE access to this program designed by Marc P. Cosentino, the author of Case in Point

▪ Check out the Video Vault for access to fifteen videos, ten case starts and five full-length interviews with Marc and the Case Questions Interactive video case interview workshop

COMPANY WEBSITES

▪ Many companies that conduct case interviews offer preparation tips and sample cases with answers on their websites

JUST GOOGLE IT!

▪ Proactively search Google (‘case interview prep’, ‘sample case interview questions’, etc.); your search results will yield great information and free resources from sites such as Caseinterview.com, PrepLounge, Pass the Case, and many more!

Follow Up: Thank You Notes

Writing a thank you note is an extremely important way to bring closure to the interview process. It is another opportunity to sell yourself, and it may be the last impression the employer will have of you before making their final decision. A well-crafted thank you note can help you stand out from other candidates.

THANK YOU NOTE TIPS

▪ Timeliness is everything! As a rule of thumb, set a goal of sending a thank you note within 24 hours of your interview.

▪ Always send a thank you note to individuals with whom you have interviewed. If more than one person interviewed you, send a personalized note to each individual. Interviewers may share your thank you note, so don’t simply copy / paste the same text.

▪ Keep it brief. Your note should be no more than 2-3 short paragraphs.

▪ Ask for a business card at the end of the interview. It is difficult to send a thank you note if you do not have the interviewer’s contact information.

▪ Proofread your note before sending. Correct spelling and proper grammar are a must.

EMAIL OR HANDWRITTEN NOTE?

▪ Is your penmanship neat and legible? If not, opt for an email thank you note.

▪ Do you realistically have time to buy notecards, write the note, buy stamps, and drop the note in the mail? How long will it take for the note(s) to reach the interviewer(s)? Remember, timeliness is everything!

o HINT: Bring notecards with you to the interview. After the interview, step out of the office, write the note(s), then hand deliver to the office receptionist.

o HINT: Send an email thank you note within 24 hours to ensure timely delivery, and then follow up with a handwritten note.

▪ If you send a handwritten note, use a plain, lightcolored note card.

▪ If you send an email note, include a relevant subject line (i.e. ‘Thank you from Sarah Smith’).

THANK YOU NOTE GUIDELINES

▪ Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you (politeness goes a long way)!

▪ Remind the individual when the interview took place and for what position you interviewed.

▪ Reiterate your interest in the position and mention some specific details about the company or the position that were discussed during the interview (this will also highlight your listening skills).

▪ Tie your qualifications and interests back to the position.

▪ Reiterate your interest in follow-up and/or next steps

THANK YOU NOTE EXAMPLE

Dear Ms. Jones:

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday to discuss the Equity Research Internship.

My interest in the position has grown after our discussion about the intensive two-week training period and collaborative culture at the company. I am confident that my finance coursework at Bentley and my experience as an analyst in the Bentley Investment Group have prepared me well for this role. I am also particularly impressed by the formal mentorship program that the company recently launched and would take full advantage of the opportunity to be mentored by a Senior Research Associate.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding next steps. Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Sarah Smith

ALL ABOUT OFFERS

Navigating Offers

Receiving an offer is exciting but can also be stressful. When you receive an offer, you may have several questions: Should I take it? How do I decide between multiple offers? How can I ask for more time? How do I accept or decline the offer? Offers should be handled with careful consideration, and the Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center is here to help support and guide your decision-making process.

EVALUATING AN OFFER

Evaluate your offer in terms of TOTAL COMPENSATION (salary + benefits). A generous benefits package equals extra dollars in your pocket!

OFFER LETTER AND SALARY

The offer letter outlines basic information, such as your position title and location, expected start date, conditions of employment (i.e. completion of a successful background check and drug test) and salary. In your offer letter, your salary may be stated as an annual, monthly or hourly figure. But there’s so much more to know, which may not be clearly noted in your offer letter. Make sure you understand the following:

▪ Is the company offering a one-time signing or relocation bonus?

▪ What is the timing of salary adjustments?

▪ Are you eligible for an annual bonus? What is the bonus based on – individual performance, divisional performance, firm-wide performance, a combination?

▪ Are you eligible for overtime pay if you work more than a specified number of hours per week? If so, what is your overtime rate – time and a half?

▪ Are you eligible to earn commission? This is most common in sales roles. If so, ask the employer to provide the details of the commission plan, and make sure you understand it.

RETIREMENT PLANS

▪ What type of plan is offered?

▪ How soon can you begin contributing and when are you fully vested?

▪ Does the employer match a percentage of the employee contribution?

HEALTH, DENTAL, VISION

▪ What types of plans does the employer offer? Through which providers?

▪ How much does the employer contribute to the cost of each plan vs. how much is the employee responsible for?

▪ Can you contribute to a Health Savings Account or a Flexible Spending Account?

VACATION TIME / SICK TIME / HOLIDAYS

▪ How many days or weeks of vacation / sick time do you have each year? Does this increase over time? (Vacation / Sick Time may be grouped together and referred to as Paid Time Off or “PTO”).

▪ How long until you can use it? Can it be rolled over, or is it on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis?

▪ Does the company follow a standard holiday schedule?

TUITION ASSISTANCE / REIMBURSEMENT

▪ Under what circumstances might this apply?

▪ Are there dollar limits or limits on the number of courses per year?

▪ Is reimbursement grade dependent (i.e. you must earn a B or better to be fully reimbursed)?

LIFE INSURANCE

▪ Many employers provide basic life insurance coverage free of charge, with the option to purchase more.

OTHER PERKS

▪ Does the company offer other perks, such as free lunch? On-site gym or fitness reimbursement? Parking or transportation reimbursement?

NEGOTIATING AN OFFER

The degree to which a salary is negotiable depends on the company and position. If you do decide to negotiate, here is what you need to know…

▪ Understand the market and have a number in mind. Don’t be surprised if the employer responds with: “What salary did you have in mind?” Do your research! What did last year’s Bentley graduates earn (on average)? What are competitors paying for comparable roles? See your Career Coach, network with current and past employees in the company, and review salary data online to determine a reasonable salary range.

▪ Be able to concisely articulate why you deserve more. Cite market figures, prior work experience, advanced degrees or certifications, competitive offers, cost of living, etc. Having a good GPA or being a hard worker is just not enough.

▪ Be confident, not arrogant. Reasonably articulate your concerns regarding the salary. For example: “Thank you so much for the offer of employment. I am very appreciative of the opportunity. As you know, I spent two summers interning at a direct competitor, which I believe is an advantage over other entry-level candidates. Also, the average starting salary for Bentley students who accepted similar positions last year was $XX, so I was expecting something in the range of $XX - $XX+. Is salary something that we could spend a moment discussing?”

Or:

“I am so pleased to have received an offer and am strongly considering joining your firm. However, I have received an offer from a competitor that is for $3,000 more. I funded a great deal of my education on my own and being able to pay back my student loans while also comfortably managing the cost of living in New York is something that is weighing on my mind. I was wondering if there is any room for negotiation regarding the offer you extended.”

▪ Don’t play hardball. The last thing you want is to leave a bad taste in the employer’s mouth. Remember, you may wind up working with this person in the future. If you do not get what you asked for, remain polite and professional. Thank the employer for their consideration and let them know that you will get back to them once you have made your final decision.

REQUESTING MORE TIME

When faced with a decision to accept an offer that you feel you can’t make in the time allotted, you can consider requesting more time from the employer.

Here’s a typical scenario that students encounter: You have been given an offer by Company X and they have asked you to respond by the end of the week. You are also interviewing with Company Y and their final round interviews are not until the following week. You are most interested in Company Y but certainly don’t want to decline Company X and run the risk of having no offers on the table.

One course of action is to call Company Y and see if there is any way they can expedite their recruiting process. Some firms will be flexible (to a point) if they can. It is important to note that, if you have asked a company to see you early, you must be available on whatever alternative date and time they suggest.

But what if Company Y says there is no way they can see you early? Another course of action is to call Company X and ask for an extension: “I am calling in hopes that you might grant me an extension on my offer”. If they say yes, thank them and offer a reasonable timeframe for when they can expect to hear from you. If they say no, thank them and let them know they can expect to hear from you prior to the original deadline. If they ask why you need an extension (and many will), simply explain that you are currently interviewing with one other organization and that you would like to see the process through to completion. Again, this is not an easy conversation to have, but rest assured, you will not be the first student who has made this request.

ACCEPTING AN OFFER

Once you have thoroughly evaluated and decided to accept an offer, convey that decision to the employer as soon as possible. Calling the person who extended the offer to you is the preferred form of communication; if, however, you have most frequently communicated by email, it is appropriate to confirm your offer via email. Thank the employer again for the opportunity and express your excitement about joining the team.

The Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center strongly recommends that you notify all other organizations with whom you have interviewed that you have accepted an offer and wish to withdraw your name from further consideration. You may also consider notifying and thanking all those who have helped you in your job search, including those who served as references, provided leads, and gave advice.

WITHDRAWING / DECLINING AN OFFER

Sending an email when withdrawing from the interview process or declining an offer is important to assure good relations with the organization.

▪ Withdraw from the interview process / decline an offer as soon as you know you are no longer interested, or immediately after accepting an offer from another organization.

▪ Withdrawing / declining tactfully in a timey manner will not offend the organization.

▪ Be positive – let them know it was a difficult decision, express your appreciation, and thank them for the opportunity.

RENEGING AN OFFER

You accepted an offer with Company A. Weeks later, Company B calls and extends you an offer. You are torn. You accepted with Company A but Company B is your “dream job”, what do you do? While you are not legally required to join an organization after accepting an offer (nor are they legally obligated to fulfill their offer of employment), it is very unprofessional to renege on an offer and, if you do, you will most likely sever all future relationships with that organization and perhaps other organizations as well. In the end, the decision is yours to make and is a very difficult one.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Think very carefully about the offer and don’t accept until you are ready, as an acceptance must be made in good faith with the intention of honoring the commitment. Some questions to ask yourself include:

▪ Are the organization’s values and culture in sync with mine? Did I connect with the people I met?

▪ Is the work challenging? Do they provide me with professional development opportunities?

▪ Even if it isn’t the exact position I was hoping for, will I gain skills that will positively influence my career / professional development?

▪ Does the compensation package (salary, benefits, vacation, health and retirement plans) meet my needs?

▪ Is it in a geographic location that interests me?

▪ How do I feel about the required level of travel?

▪ How do I feel about the work modality, i.e. inperson, remote, hybrid?

Use the matrix below to help with your evaluation. If you would like to discuss your situation, please make an appointment with your Career Coach.

JOB OFFER EVALUATION MATRIX

Create a list of factors that matter to you and list them in order of importance, with the most important on top. Rate the features of each offer on a scale of one to five (1=poor; 5 = excellent). This is one way to compare multiple job offers.

FACTORS

COMPANY 1 COMPANY 2

development

culture

modality TOTAL RATING 69

Salary Prof.

Company

Work

CALLING ALL INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Keys to Success and Resources

KEYS TO SUCCESS

The job / internship search process for international students is challenging and complicated, but it can be navigated successfully!

▪ Take ownership of your search; Undergraduate Career Development (UCD) is here to provide you with the tools, resources, and confidence to conduct a successful search, but the office is not a placement service and does not guarantee internships or full-time positions

▪ Understand and fully utilize the specialized resources that Bentley offers to support international students

▪ Target companies that have a history of hiring international candidates and be prepared to explain your work authorization status

▪ Don’t limit your search to the U.S. market; keep your options open in your home country or other countries where you are legally able to work

H-1B VISA FACTS

▪ Despite a decline in recent years, there are approximately 1,000,000 international students in the U.S. each year

▪ The U.S. government has limited the number of H1Bs made available each year

o The current annual cap is 65,000 visas, with 20,000 additional visas for professionals who graduate with a master’s degree or doctorate

▪ Some employers simply do not have the resources to hire international talent; others are not willing to risk training and investing in talent that they may not be able to retain

▪ About 30% of employers indicate that they are willing to hire international students (NACE Job Outlook 2020)

▪ Again, don’t limit your search to the U.S. market!

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS (CISS)

The Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) provides resources for international students and promotes interactions between domestic and international students. Check out CISS’ comprehensive Employment Information for International Students. Below are a few highlights:

▪ CISS offers information sessions each semester to help students understand F-1 regulations related to work authorization

o Check CISS’ website or CareerEdge for details

▪ Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is the authorization an F-1 student requires to do an internship in the United States while studying at Bentley

o Explore the site to understand CPT Eligibility, Applying for CPT, FAQs, and more

▪ Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit of your F-1 status that allows 12 months of offcampus employment in the US for the purpose of practical experience in your major field of study

o Explore the site to understand OPT Eligibility, When to Apply, Choosing your OPT Start Date, and more

▪ All questions regarding CPT and OPT should be directed to the experts at CISS!

o Click here for virtual and in-person advising hours

o (781) 891-2829 | ga_ciss@bentley.edu

CAMPUS PARTNERS AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

In addition to the Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS), Bentley offers a multitude of resources and student organizations that are designed to enhance the experience of international students.

MULTICULTURAL CENTER

The Multicultural Center (MCC) is the campus hub for diversity and inclusion activities.

STUDENT EQUITY & INCLUSION

The Student Equity & Inclusion Team supports gender equity, students of color, faith-based students, international students, and LGBTQ+ identified students through outreach, resources and advising.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION

ISA is a student organization that merges the different cultures that are represented by the Bentley community. ISA aims to create strong, diverse relationships and achieve cultural appreciation through different events and activities throughout the academic year.

BENTLEY ASIAN STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

BASA strives to promote Asian culture and cultural understanding within the Bentley community. BASA’s mission is to provide a network of support and a safe space for Asian, Asian-American, and non-Asian students alike at Bentley by creating awareness and understanding of culture, heritage, and identity within the community at large.

KOREAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The Korean Student Association aims to introduce Korean culture through community events, such as exciting performances, beloved food, as well as folk games. KSA also intends to put Bentley University on the map by connecting with other organizations within the Boston area, as well as stretching all the way to South Korea.

PHILIPPINE UNITED STUDENT ORGANIZATION

PUSO was created to bring together the Filipinos on campus and share their culture with the Bentley community in fun and exciting ways! PUSO’s mission is to celebrate, educate, and promote Filipino culture to provide Filipino students with proper representation as well as a supportive environment and community.

AFRICANA STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The purpose of ASA is to give club members an opportunity to bring cultural awareness of the African culture onto the Bentley campus and help promote the diversity that the school is working towards. ASA strives to create a comfortable space for African students, current students on campus, and potential students looking to attend Bentley.

CARIBBEAN ANCESTRY STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The purpose of CASA is to promote awareness about the various Caribbean cultures on campus through events, meetings and social gatherings. CASA allows its members an opportunity to have a safe space in which they are able to openly discuss and share their culture on campus, while also providing a safe space for students of other cultural backgrounds to learn more about Caribbean culture.

CHECK OUT CAMPUS GROUPS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE ABOVE OR TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING:

▪ Bentley Association of Chinese Students

▪ Bentley Indonesian Students Association

▪ Brazilian Students Association

▪ Cape Verdean Student Association

▪ Chinese Young Professionals Association

▪ La Cultura Latina

▪ South Asian Student Association

▪ Vietnamese Student Association

CAREEREDGE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS COMMUNITY

YOUR SOURCE for keeping up with Undergraduate Career Development! Update your Preferences and Alerts and Emails to ensure you receive relevant and timely content from the International Students Community Check out the resources specifically designed for international students!

INTERSTRIDE

Interstride is an interactive career platform that enhances the career exploration and job search process for international students. It’s a one-stopshop for career resources, from navigating the visa process and searching for jobs to building one’s professional network. Let’s take a closer look…

GOINGLOBAL

GoinGlobal is the market leader in helping job seekers of all nationalities fast track their career explorations both at home and abroad. Created by country experts, GoinGlobal features worldwide job and internship resources. Let’s take a closer look…

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CAREER SEARCH GUIDE

A comprehensive guide designed by PCDC, including cultural differences in the job search process, US job/internship search tips, networking tips, and more.

EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development)

EFMD’s global career portal connects you with thousands of opportunities from companies around the world.

INTERSTRIDE KEY FEATURES Jobs

▪ Search Jobs: Filter for domestic and international opportunities

▪ U.S. Visa Insights: U.S. employers’ past sponsorship record of hiring international candidates

▪ Country Insights: Guide to traveling and working internationally

LEARN

▪ Webinars: Register for live webinars and watch past recordings

▪ Resources: Resource library of career readiness and immigration resources

TOOLS

▪ Career Gameplan: Test your career readiness

▪ Checklist: To prepare for your job search, interviews, and negotiations

GOINGLOBAL KEY FEATURES

Career Guides for 120+ Locations: Proprietary country and city guides, all written by local employment experts and constantly updated

16-million plus Internship and Job Listings: Access to 16 million job and internship postings. Updated daily, these opportunities can be searched in the local language, as well as in English

GULFTALENT

GulfTalent is the leading online recruitment portal in the Middle East – the primary source of both local and expatriate talent to over 10,000 of the largest employers and recruitment agencies across the region.

Key Employer Directory: Provides profiles and key contact information for more than 450,000 local and multinational companies throughout 196 countries.

H-1B Visa Database: This powerful tool quickly identifies US employers that have submitted H1B visa applications to employ international talent.