MBA CM on managing EIS season
Chris Higgins, MBA Career Management
Issue date: 10/16/06 Section: Perspectives
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Do you have to go to every EIS?
Close to 160 employers are holding Employer Information Sessions during the first semester at Wharton. This is a great sign of the vast number of opportunities available, but for many students, this can also be a source of stress if they feel pressed to attend too many. Several students attended the Career Management industry chats during pre-term and have conducted a self assessment through the CareerLeader and MBTI. These are great ways to think about career options and narrow down to a more defined career focus.
If you have a career focus, it will be easier to choose between EISs, but you also have to be willing to resist the temptation to attend a bulge-bracket investment bank or management consulting EIS, if that was never part of your plan.
Some companies, especially investment banks and consulting firms will have more than one event on campus through the clubs or by invitation. You shouldn't feel compelled to go to every event that a company has. There are many ways to make a connection with a company that do not involve an EIS. Conversely, companies in areas such as tech, manufacturing and media and entertainment will often have just one EIS per year and these EISs often have smaller attendance. In this case, it's often a great advantage to be one of a few students who gets to connect with the company at the EIS.
EISs are principally for learning about a company and possibly connecting with employers and less about simply being seen or just signing in to be counted. This means that you can often find other ways to connect with 2nd years, recent alumni and company representatives to learn more about a company if you are not able to attend an EIS.
Before you go...
How much should you know about these companies before attending the EIS? While you are going to an EIS to learn about the company, you should know some basic information about the company before you go. If you don't know what business the company is in or where they are based, you have not done enough research. Take a few minutes and research the company's recent new coverage in Factiva (through the Lippincott Website) or browse the Wet Feet or Vault Guides on the MBACM website to get a little insight.
The EIS environment is one of those few places, where you should avoid asking "stupid questions." You are going to embarrass yourself and your classmates if you ask where the company is based during the Q&A. Additionally, if the company sends their CEO to talk during the EIS, you should avoid asking him or her logistical questions about the company's interview process, etc. Someone closer to the process is going to be more helpful in that regard. This writer has seen students do this and he always has an urge to hide under a table.
Finally, arrive on time and dress well. Business casual is perfect, suits may be a little over the top. Just don't wear your gym clothes; even if you are going to see a tech company where shorts and flip flops are the norm. This writer saw someone wearing a tank top and running shorts at an EIS; a great example of what not to wear.
If you go; learn something and make a connection
Most EIS's include an overview presentation, Q&A and a little bit of networking time. The presentation information can be really helpful when you are composing a cover letter and even in an interview. So, take notes! Additionally, attending an EIS can help you learn about an industry landscape even if you are not targeting that particular company because it's located in Kansas. Look at the big picture.
If there is time for networking at the end, pick out 1 or 2 people to meet with. In addition to your 30 second pitch about your background and what you want to do career-wise, you should have three intelligent questions that you can use in your conversation.
Remember, EISs are just one way to connect with a company. Don't forget about conferences, treks and individual outreach. On the MBACM website, you can use the "Peer Network" within the industry websites (accessed through the "Explore Industry Areas" pulldown) or the WAVE alumni database to find the names of Wharton MBA's who have interned or work full time in various companies and industries of interest. Reaching out this way is also one of the most effective approaches for connecting with companies that do not hold EISs.
As in the case of EIS interactions, second years and alumni can be valuable sources of information, but keep in mind that they may often be asked to provide feedback on applicants to their company. So make sure you do your research and make a positive impression.
Close to 160 employers are holding Employer Information Sessions during the first semester at Wharton. This is a great sign of the vast number of opportunities available, but for many students, this can also be a source of stress if they feel pressed to attend too many. Several students attended the Career Management industry chats during pre-term and have conducted a self assessment through the CareerLeader and MBTI. These are great ways to think about career options and narrow down to a more defined career focus.
If you have a career focus, it will be easier to choose between EISs, but you also have to be willing to resist the temptation to attend a bulge-bracket investment bank or management consulting EIS, if that was never part of your plan.
Some companies, especially investment banks and consulting firms will have more than one event on campus through the clubs or by invitation. You shouldn't feel compelled to go to every event that a company has. There are many ways to make a connection with a company that do not involve an EIS. Conversely, companies in areas such as tech, manufacturing and media and entertainment will often have just one EIS per year and these EISs often have smaller attendance. In this case, it's often a great advantage to be one of a few students who gets to connect with the company at the EIS.
EISs are principally for learning about a company and possibly connecting with employers and less about simply being seen or just signing in to be counted. This means that you can often find other ways to connect with 2nd years, recent alumni and company representatives to learn more about a company if you are not able to attend an EIS.
Before you go...
How much should you know about these companies before attending the EIS? While you are going to an EIS to learn about the company, you should know some basic information about the company before you go. If you don't know what business the company is in or where they are based, you have not done enough research. Take a few minutes and research the company's recent new coverage in Factiva (through the Lippincott Website) or browse the Wet Feet or Vault Guides on the MBACM website to get a little insight.
The EIS environment is one of those few places, where you should avoid asking "stupid questions." You are going to embarrass yourself and your classmates if you ask where the company is based during the Q&A. Additionally, if the company sends their CEO to talk during the EIS, you should avoid asking him or her logistical questions about the company's interview process, etc. Someone closer to the process is going to be more helpful in that regard. This writer has seen students do this and he always has an urge to hide under a table.
Finally, arrive on time and dress well. Business casual is perfect, suits may be a little over the top. Just don't wear your gym clothes; even if you are going to see a tech company where shorts and flip flops are the norm. This writer saw someone wearing a tank top and running shorts at an EIS; a great example of what not to wear.
If you go; learn something and make a connection
Most EIS's include an overview presentation, Q&A and a little bit of networking time. The presentation information can be really helpful when you are composing a cover letter and even in an interview. So, take notes! Additionally, attending an EIS can help you learn about an industry landscape even if you are not targeting that particular company because it's located in Kansas. Look at the big picture.
If there is time for networking at the end, pick out 1 or 2 people to meet with. In addition to your 30 second pitch about your background and what you want to do career-wise, you should have three intelligent questions that you can use in your conversation.
Remember, EISs are just one way to connect with a company. Don't forget about conferences, treks and individual outreach. On the MBACM website, you can use the "Peer Network" within the industry websites (accessed through the "Explore Industry Areas" pulldown) or the WAVE alumni database to find the names of Wharton MBA's who have interned or work full time in various companies and industries of interest. Reaching out this way is also one of the most effective approaches for connecting with companies that do not hold EISs.
As in the case of EIS interactions, second years and alumni can be valuable sources of information, but keep in mind that they may often be asked to provide feedback on applicants to their company. So make sure you do your research and make a positive impression.
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