Connect with students and build brand awareness by holding virtual Company Conversations in fall 2020. Request dates on our recruiting platform.

Company Conversations

Company Conversations provide a platform for organizations to connect with students 1:1 or in a small group. Engage in conversations with students about your company culture, a “day in the life” at your company, career paths, and internship and full-time opportunities. Company Conversations can be “Open Signups” for any student to attend or “By Invitation” for only those students you reached out to directly.

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Event Format

Hold Company Conversations using your preferred video conference tool or by phone. Consider using Zoom, as all HBS students have accounts with that platform.

We encourage companies to provide materials in advance (slides, videos, links) so that students can review beforehand. If needed, a brief (less than 15 minutes) overview of the company and available roles may be included at the beginning of Company Conversations while reserving the majority of the time for discussion.

Each company can hold multiple Company Conversation sessions at one time with different representatives, or on different days throughout the semester.

Event Time

Company Conversations for second-year students can be held around class time throughout the day between 9am and 9pm ET. Company Conversations for first-year students can be organized between 4pm and 9pm ET after classes have completed for the day.

As many students and companies will be located outside of the Eastern Time Zone, students and companies should work together to arrange additional times that work for both parties.

Managing Sign Ups

Open Sign Ups: Make your Company Conversations open for any student to sign up. CPD will manage student sign ups and you can schedule timeslots in 20, 30, or 45 minute increments. Up to 15 students will be permitted per timeslot. You can view your schedule in our recruiting platform.

By Invitation: Use the Resume Database to invite individual students to attend your Company Conversations. Companies will manage their own sign ups and schedule.

Preparing for Company Conversations

When preparing for your Company Conversations, keep in mind that students are looking for:

• A conversation, not an interview.
• Interaction with someone who is knowledgeable and passionate about the organization (MBA alum when possible) and can speak to the organization's culture.
• Diverse company representation and discussion around your company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Opportunities for international students and visa sponsorship. Keep in mind that 37% of HBS students are international.
• A perspective on a "day in the life." Students want to hear what they could expect from a role at your organization as well as the growth potential.
• Information about the interview process and what the organization is looking for in a candidate.

COMPANY PRESENTATIONS

Due to changes in the academic calendar and student feedback regarding most effective recruiting event types, we will not be hosting recruiting presentations or industry education presentations in 2020-2021.

Instead, recruiters are encouraged to hold Company Conversations (multiple Company Conversations are permitted) as their primary recruiting event. Recorded presentations, videos, or slide decks can be attached to Company Conversations in our recruiting platform for students to review in advance. Links can also be shared within job postings or on the employer profile.

DINNERS AND RECEPTIONS

Due to the remote nature of recruiting in fall 2020, dinners and receptions will not be permitted. As an alternative, companies are encouraged to hold invite-only Company Conversations with small groups of students.