Many aspects of business and society are changing on a daily basis. UVA Darden’s Career Center team has created this list of frequently asked questions in order to best serve all of our students during these challenging times.
If you have a question that is not covered, please know that the Career Center team warmly welcomes all concerns and feedback. We are working harder than ever to ensure that all of our students receive a great employment experience.
Feel free to contact your preferred coach, email coaching@darden.virginia or recruiting@darden.virginia.
Coaching Appointments
Can I still meet with a career coach?
Yes! Coaching sessions will be held virtually and can be booked via Darden Career Link (DCL). Career Development Center staff may also be reached by phone (found via the Outlook directory), email, Skype for Business or Zoom. Please pay close attention to any coaching appointment instructions you receive in DCL.
Hiring Plans
What do I do if I do not have an offer for a summer internship or post-MBA employment?
We strongly encourage you to follow these steps:
- Meet with a career coach as soon as possible.
- Go to Employment Data System (EDS) and indicate that you are seeking.
- Go to DCL and revisit your profile settings and preferences. Make sure your default resume (starred) is the resume you want to be included in any resume book or employer referral.
- Update your LinkedIn profile. Go to your LinkedIn homepage, click the “Me” drop-down in the upper right-hand corner, then click “Settings & Privacy”. In the left-hand menu, click “Job seeking preferences” and make sure the “Let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities” and “Signal your interest to recruiters at companies you have created job alerts for” options are set to “Yes”.
- Join a CDSearch Group facilitated by a career coach.
I have a full-time or internship offer that I have not accepted. What should I do now?
We strongly encourage you to follow these steps:
- Consider accepting the offer. Contact a career coach you wish to discuss.
- Propose a start date. Remember a 10-week internship needs to start by 15 June if you are to be back in class on time.
- Maintain open communication with your employer.
Keep in mind that your internship or full-time opportunity may look and feel a little different than what you had in mind. Be agile and know employers seek to give you a great experience under these changing business conditions. Remain flexible and reply to employer requests as soon as possible.
I have a full-time or internship offer that I have accepted. What should I do next?
Congratulations! Please be sure to follow these instructions:
- Enter your offer into EDS. Make sure that you set the offer to “Accepted,” rather than just “Received”.
- Contact your employer for an update on your full-time role or internship (if you have not already heard from your employer).
- Verify that your employer has the followings ways to reach you:
- Cell phone
- Darden email
- Personal email
I have a full-time job/internship that I have accepted, and a new company has contacted me regarding a potential internship/full-time role. What should I do?
Use this as an opportunity to refer classmates who are seeking. Here is our suggested response:
- Share that you are happy to hear that they are still hiring.
- Thank them for their interest in you.
- Tell them you have accepted another opportunity.
- Offer to connect them with the Career Development Center for a resume book of students that are still seeking – recruiting@darden.virginia.edu.
- Let the Career Development Center know.
I’m worried my internship/job offer is going to get rescinded. Should I check-in with employers to make sure my internship/job is still going on as we planned?
The large majority of our employers report that internship and full-time hiring has not changed, at this time. The Career Development Center is keeping a close pulse on the market and using that information to inform conversations with students and employers.
The Career Development Center is proactively reaching out to our network of employers to understand if and how these companies’ hiring programs have shifted. The Center is also keeping in close weekly communication with 27 of the top business schools to learn of any additional MBA hiring developments of which we might not yet be aware.
On a daily basis, changes are emerging to internship programs in the hospitality, media/entertainment, and transportation sectors. These three sectors, as you know, are facing the most challenging of times. At this time, the market is fluid and you should be doing your best to stay informed.
If you are concerned or have not heard from your employer, we encourage you to make direct contact with your primary recruiter.
If you have heard from your future employer regarding the status of your offer, please forward that information to your coach or coaching@darden.virginia.edu.
What do I do if my full-time job/internship is cancelled?
Employer needs and decisions are shifting on a day-to-day basis. If you learn that your offer/job has been cancelled, we strongly urge you to contact your preferred coach or coaching@darden.virginia.edu to determine next steps.
Are employers still hiring?
Yes, employers are still hiring and you can continue to find new opportunities via DCL, LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job search sites.
However, recognize that due to the situation, many employers are instituting policies that limit external parties from visiting their offices. As a result, the interviewing process may be deferred.
Additionally, many employers may have to re-prioritize business functions and onboarding and hiring may be delayed until offices are back to normal operating procedures.
How might a recession impact my internship or job search?
At this time, it’s unknown as to how quickly the market may or may not decline. We encourage you to be broad and adaptable in your search, and consider new opportunities that you may not have initially considered. Be open and flexible.
I have a job or internship in a COVID-19 location. What should I do?
Reach out to your employer directly to ask about the next steps. See sample templates on how to contact employers.
Spring Recruiting
Are employers still hiring?
Yes, employers are still hiring and you can continue to find new opportunities via DCL, LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job search sites. However, recognize that due to the situation, many employers are instituting policies that limit external parties from visiting their offices. As a result, the interviewing process may be deferred. Additionally, many employers may have to re-prioritize business functions and onboarding and hiring may be delayed until offices are back to normal operating procedures.
How can I continue the recruiting process this spring without being able to attend in-person recruiting events and interviews?
The Career Development Center is expanding recruiting opportunities, including the upcoming MBA Virtual Career Fair. It’s also a great time to set up informational interviews and networking calls, as many people will be near their laptops and cell phones working from home.
Career coaching availability has not changed; all of our coaches are ready to engage with you virtually to make sure you’re moving forward in the recruiting process, whether via Zoom, Skype, email or phone call.
What virtual resources can I use for my job search?
We are continuing to source and post new opportunities via DCL. We also encourage you to look into new postings via Handshake, LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job search sites.
Know that you are always welcome to revisit the Career Development WhyFinding course to participate in a variety of self-assessment exercises.
You can also make a phone or virtual appointment with a career coach via DCL.
Sample Employer Communication Templates
Inquiring about status of job/internship:
To Whom It May Concern, (Address to an individual if you have a contact)
Given the current situation with COVID-19, I write to inquire about the status of my position with {name of organization}. Has {name of organization} made any changes to the normal operating schedule? Will this affect my status and/or start date? I am excited to start as an {intern/full-time employee} and want to follow any guidelines put in place.
Thank you for any information you can provide; I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
{your name}
Inquiring about status of interview:
To Whom It May Concern, (Address to an individual if you have a contact)
Given the current situation with COVID-19, I write to inquire about the status of my interview with {name of organization}. Will this take place as scheduled in-person, or is there an option for a virtual interview? I am excited for the opportunity to speak with you, but want to follow any organizational guidelines put in place.
Thank you for any information you can provide; I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
{your name}
Requesting alternative options:
To Whom It May Concern, (Address to an individual if you have a contact)
Given the current situation with COVID-19, I write to inquire about options for remote work for my {internship/full-time position} beginning on {date}. In my personal situation, I have health concerns (for myself/for family members) and need to follow more strict guidelines when exposing myself to potential risks.
I am very excited at the opportunity to work for {name of organization} and hope we can mutually agree on a plan of action.
Thank you for any information you can provide; I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
{your name}
