This document provides guidance on conducting an effective job search over an extended period of time, as well as expectations for maintaining ethical conduct throughout the search process. It recommends spending 4+ months searching, dedicating regular time each week, prioritizing interests, learning what employers seek, practicing self-presentation skills, getting feedback, and tracking progress. Regarding ethics, it emphasizes being honest on resumes and in interviews, communicating in a timely manner, considering offers as binding, and ending the search upon accepting a position to avoid damaging professional reputations or employer relationships.

1. Top Search Strategies Ethical Conduct in Your Search
Before you jump into your search, consider While you are keeping track of all the elements of your search, be sure
a few recommendations that will help you your ethical conduct remains a constant the whole way through. Should
to search smart, manage your time, and you have questions about the ethical thing to do in a given situation,
implement an effective plan. please contact the Career Center. We are here to help clarify and
A search is a long-term process. Longer explain whatever may seem muddy. If you are in a pinch for time, always
than many people anticipate. Plan to err on the side of caution.
spend four or more months gearing up and The following are expectations for how to conduct yourself in a way that
implementing a search for a full-time or is ethical so as to prevent situations that could result in a permanent
highly competitive internship opportunity. scar on your professional reputation within an industry as well as
Many students have compared this damage to the reputation of Duke students as a whole:
commitment to taking an additional class.
Set aside time on a regular basis. Unlike Be 100 percent truthful and accurate on your resume.
a paper or project that can be postponed Embellishments and exaggerations are considered lying. Employers
or worked on in surges, the best searches often look beyond candidates’ resumes to verify information that
are spread over time. Put time on your candidates have provided. Don’t falsify, stretch, or bend information
calendar each week—an hour or so for such as your GPA, SAT scores, involvement in activities, leadership roles
downtime and a few hours during peak you have held, or results in competitions in which you have participated.
periods. On-Campus Recruiting Policy: Falsifying your resume may result in
Prioritize your interests. Spend time being reported to Duke’s Office of Student Conduct and subject to
exploring to effectively target your sanctions, being banned from the Career Center’s on-campus recruiting
search to your interests. Three fantastic program permanently, and forfeiting employment opportunities.
applications to great-fit opportunities tend
to reap more rewards than 100 scattershot Attend interviews to which you have committed. By
applications. agreeing to an interview (whether through eRecruiting, email, or phone),
Learn what an optimal candidate profile you are making a commitment. Should you need or desire to withdraw
from an interview, timely notification is a must.
includes. The better picture you have of
On-Campus Recruiting Policy: You may remove yourself from an
the person who would be selected for your
interview schedule no less than two business days prior to your
desired role, the more effective you will be
interview. Students who withdraw any later or do not show up will be
at presenting your own experiences. Utilize
barred from the On-Campus Recruiting program. Reinstatement will
the three exploration methods discussed
require a letter of apology to the recruiter and a meeting with a Career
earlier in this guide to get a well-rounded
Center staff member.
view.
Practice presenting yourself in writing
Communicate in a timely manner with employers. Don’t
and in conversation. Your ability to ignore phone calls and emails from employers as you go through the
articulate what you want and why comes
process of accepting or declining interviews or job offers. If you need
only through reflection and practice. Create
more time when determining details such as start dates, relocation
opportunities to rehearse before you find
information, etc., it is best to be in touch, be straightforward about the
yourself in an interview for that coveted
reason for delay or uncertainty, and request more time.
position.
Get feedback. Have others read your resume Consider your verbal or written acceptance of an offer
and guess what kind of position you are
seeking. Practice introducing yourself and
a binding contract. Reneging on an offer is when you accept an
offer then turn it down. This behavior typically ends any chances of
expressing your professional interests to
employment with that organization in the future.
family or friends. Ask your roommate to
On-Campus Recruiting Policy: Students that renege on a job offer will
role-play an interview with you.
have their eRecruiting account inactivated and will have to meet with
Track your progress. Keep records so that Career Center staff to discuss the particular situation as well as take
you know what applications and documents
steps to repair the relationship with the employer.
have gone where and when. Track whom
you have talked to, when, how you have
followed up, and whether more follow up
End your search upon accepting a position. Once you have
accepted a job or internship, whether verbally or in writing, you must
is expected. This helps you when preparing
terminate any other recruiting-related activity with other employers.
for an interview or actively managing
This includes contacting employers with whom you are scheduled to
your conversations and professional
interview and removing yourself from candidate pools.
relationships. It also gives you a record of
On-Campus Recruiting Policy: Continuing to pursue other
your progress for days that feel stalled.
opportunities once you have accepted a position is a violation of
the Career Center’s on-campus recruiting policies. Your account in
eRecruiting will be deactivated and you will be expected to meet with
a Career Center staff member to discuss the situation and to work on
26 repairing the relationship with the organization.