Recruiting and Negotiation
Recruiting for internships and full-time roles happens year-round, but most employers follow a predictable college recruiting cycle. Understanding this cycle – along with how to evaluate and negotiate job offers and your responsibilities throughout the process – will help you make informed, ethical, and professional decisions throughout your job search.
The College Recruiting Cycle
Employers plan their campus recruiting strategies well in advance, often beginning in the summer for the upcoming academic year.
Fall Semester Recruiting
- Employers begin campus engagement when classes resume
- Activities include career fairs, employer info sessions, networking events, and on-campus interviews
- The Fall Business Career Fair (September) marks the official start of the recruiting season
- Interviews often occur in the weeks following the fair
- Most fall recruiting activity concludes before finals
Spring Semester Recruiting
- Recruiting continues with Employer Showcases, the HireIllini Career Fair, employer info sessions, and networking events
- Employers typically focus on spring graduates for full-time roles and summer and fall internships
- Some industries and roles continue recruiting well into the spring
Important: New opportunities are posted in Handshake every week of the year. Students should check regularly.
Student Responsibilities and Expectations
Recruiting Policies, Rights & Expectations
Whether you participate in On-Campus Recruiting or not, you are expected to understand and follow university recruiting policies:
- Students should be given reasonable time to consider offers
- Employers are encouraged to set fair deadlines
If you encounter a difficult situation or have questions, Career Advisors can help you create a strategy.
Student Responsibilities During Recruitment
Provide accurate and truthful information. Ethical behavior begins with honesty.
Do not misrepresent:
- GPA
- Experience
- Skills
- Project outcomes
Misrepresentation can result in:
- Rescinded offers
- Damaged professional reputation
Best practice: Report your credentials accurately on all application materials.
Interview Only for Roles You Are Willing to Accept
- Apply broadly—but thoughtfully
- Review job descriptions before applying
- Use interviews to learn more about roles and teams
- If you know a role is not a fit, do not apply or interview
Interviewing without intent wastes time and may take opportunities from other students.
Do Not Ghost Employers
When you commit to an interview, honor that commitment.
No shows and last-minute cancellations harm:
- Your reputation
- The College’s reputation
If you are ill or have an emergency:
- Contact the employer as soon as possible
- Notify the Office of Career & Professional Development if the interview is on campus
Policy reminder: No show interviews may result in your Handshake account being blocked.
Accepting, Declining & Responding to Offers
If you are unsure how to handle an offer, meet with a career advisor.
Managing Multiple Offers
It is common to have overlapping recruiting processes.
- Confirm interest in existing offers in writing
- Ask for extensions when needed
- Inform other employers if you have received an offer
- Ask employers about their decision timelines
Acknowledging an Offer
Always respond in writing to acknowledge an offer, even if you need time to decide.
Sample acknowledgement: Thank you for the offer of [position title] at your organization. This is an important decision, and I will respond by the stated deadline.
Requesting a Deadline Extension
If you need more time, request an extension 3–4 business days before the deadline.
Sample request: Thank you for the offer of [position title]. I would like to request an extension of the deadline to allow sufficient time to consider the offer. Would this be possible?
Accepting an Offer
- Accept the offer in writing
- Receive confirmation before withdrawing from other processes
Sample acceptance: Thank you for the offer of [position title]. I am excited to accept and look forward to joining your organization on [start date].
Declining an Offer
If you decide not to accept an offer, notify the employer promptly.
Sample decline: Thank you for the opportunity to join your organization. After careful consideration, I am unable to accept the offer. I appreciate your time and wish you continued success.
Exiting the Recruiting Process
Once you accept an offer:
- Withdraw from other applications
- Cancel upcoming interviews
- Notify employers promptly and professionally
This allows employers to move forward with other candidates.
Offer Negotiation
Negotiation is a professional conversation—not a confrontation.
Preparing to Negotiate
- Determine your priorities: salary, bonus, flexibility (remote or hybrid work), relocation support, start date, or vacation time
- Research: Gies salary data, market salary calculators, industry standards
Conducting the Negotiation
- Communicate professionally and confidently
- Be polite and clear
- Respond to offers by stated deadlines
- Request updated offers in writing before accepting
Negotiation Considerations
- Note if compensation is stated as non negotiable
- If you choose to ask once and the request is denied, respect the response
- You may decline the offer—avoid pushing aggressively
Salary Research Tools
Key Principles of Offer Negotiation
- Wait until you receive an offer before discussing compensation
- Avoid giving a salary number too early
- Base requests on market data, not personal need
- Use salary ranges, not a single number
- Take time to review the offer before responding
Reneging on an Offer Has Consequences
What Is Reneging? Reneging occurs when a student accepts an offer and later backs out.
Potential Consequences
- Loss of future opportunities with that employer
- Damage to relationships within small industries
- Harm to the Gies College of Business reputation
- Reduced recruiting opportunities for future students
- Handshake access blocked for at least one semester
Reneging has impacts on employers, fellow students, and the University of Illinois and Gies College of Business.
Once you say “yes,” honor your commitment.
Need Help Navigating the Recruiting Process?
The Office of Career & Professional Development can help you understand recruiting timelines, prepare for interviews, evaluate offers, communicate professionally with employers, and build a personalized job search strategy.