Career Services Resources

General
Career Services Forms
University Resources
Boston University Center for Career Development
Professional Clothing Closet
Handshake is Boston University’s new multi-school Career Services website! It is a one-stop, fully functional online service that is designed to assist you with all of your career-related needs across BU’s entire campus.
Student accounts on the system will be automatically generated by the University. Your email address will be your user name and you will receive a password via your BU email account. If you need a new password, please contact the SHA Marriott Career Center.
Resumes, Cover Letters & Other Correspondence
Interviewing
On-Campus Recruitment Policies & Expectations
Eligibility
All SHA students are eligible to participate in on-campus recruitment, however, specific criteria (such as year of graduation, GPA, work authorization, etc.) are set by individual employers and the SHA Marriott Career Center does not have the ability to alter that criteria. In the event that you find yourself not eligible to participate and you have questions or concerns, please speak with the employer directly during their on-campus employer info session.
General Marriott Career Center Guidelines
The way in which each student interacts with alumni, employers, and other professionals is a reflection not only on that student but also on fellow students, the Marriott Career Center and Boston University School of Hospitality.Marriott Career Center is committed to helping you succeed by helping you to develop the skills you will need to foster professional connections and provide you with opportunities to meet your professional goals. In order to maintain the relationships we have established and continue to develop for your benefit, each student needs to adhere to the policies and guidelines outlined below.Each student is expected to follow these standards in all of their on campus and of campus interactions with alumni, employers, community partners, others students, faculty and staff as well as industry professionals.All students are expected to adhere to the following values: respect, honesty, humility and integrity in all of their interactions.
Recruiting and Networking Policy
- All students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner in all face-to-face, written, phone and online communication.
- All students are expected to acknowledge calls, emails, interview invitations, appointments, events and informational meetings and respond in a timely manner. If you are invited to an event, you may decline politely but if you decide to attend you will be expected to be there.
- Each student is expected to show up on time to all previously scheduled events, meetings, appointments.
- Students may ask for advice, information and referrals but MAY NOT ask directly for a job or internship.
- Students will follow up with a thank you to the individual/individuals with whom they interacted but will NOT spam the person or persons with multiple calls, emails, LinkedIn requests.
- Students will not ask their contact to mass distribute their resume and will not share the contacts’ information without permission.
How to participate in On-Campus Recruiting
- Have your resume reviewed and approved by the SHA Office of Career Services.
- Upload your resume to BU Handshake soon as it’s approved, so you can be considered by all companies participating in on-campus interviews.
- It is strongly recommended that you participate in a mock interview prior to your first interview.
It is your responsibility to keep track of application deadlines posted by each company on BU Handshake, deadlines cannot be extended for any reason.If you are selected for an interview, you will be notified via your account in BU Handshake and e-mail. There is a deadline to sign-up for each interview, therefore, it is essential that you check your e-mail on a regular basis (at least once a day).
Prior to Interview
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- If you will be interviewing with a company who is hosting an Information Session prior to the interview, you are REQUIRED TO ATTEND the session. Attendance will be taken and failure to attend the presentation may result in loss of interview with that employer, this decision is up to each individual employer.
- Research employers. If a company has a web site, they generally prefer that you use this medium to obtain company information.
Day of Interview
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- The on-campus interviews are held at SHA, 928 Commonwealth Ave. Check in at the Marriott Career Center on the 1st floor.
- Most interviews will be 30-45 minutes in length and will occur between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. There are some exceptions, however, and you will be held responsible for verifying your interview times.
- You should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled interview time.
- Dress professionally.
- Always bring a few copies of your resume to the interview! Even if you know that the recruiter has a copy of your resume, make sure you have it too. Recruiters will often ask for it as a way to gauge your professionalism. Also, there may be more than one interviewer and they will need a copy for their reference.
- Remember to obtain the interviewer’s contact information (name address and telephone number) before the end of your interview for thank you letters and follow-up telephone calls. DO NOT rely on SHA Office of Career Services to provide this information.
Day After Interview
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- Send a thank you letter to the recruiter.
Cancellation Policy
All students must attend all previously scheduled interactions with employers, alumni, Marriott Career Center staff, other industry professionals (including interviews, info sessions, workshops, panels, appointments, etc.).If an employer cancels or alters the interview schedule, we will make every effort to reach you prior to your scheduled interview.To cancel an interview, you must notify SHA Office of Career Services at least 24 business hours (Monday-Friday) before the date of the interview. All cancelations must be done via phone ONLY to 617-358-6377.If an emergency arises on the day of your event and you are unable to make your scheduled time, you must advise the Marriott Career Center as soon as possible to explain the situation. (An emergency is defined as a hospitalization, accident, death, etc. and NOT as “I need more time to study” or “I got called into work.”)Certain emergencies may excuse you from an interview; however, a letter of explanation to the recruiter is still encouraged.
Failure to make your scheduled interview time for an unexcused reason will result in the following actions:
First Offense: A “no show” will result in the suspension of all privileges until you have meet with the SHA Career Services Director, who decides if your privileges will continue.
Second Offense: A second “no show” will automatically eliminate all further interviewing privileges and any previously scheduled interviews will be canceled. THE POLICY IS TOUGH. Employer representatives have left their job responsibilities for the day and, in some cases, have spent considerable travel time and expense to interview at Boston University. They have every right to expect that people will keep their appointments. In addition, your behavior is a direct reflection on Boston University and could affect future recruiting visits.
When you accept an offer
- Notify the Marriott Career Center of your plans.
- Withdraw from all other internship/job search activities.
- Complete the Post-Graduation Survey or the Internship Survey (whichever is appropriate) sent out by the Director of Career Services and update us regularly with changes.
Inappropriate behavior or failure to adhere to these guidelines and policies may result in:
- Blocked access to Handshake
- Removal from BU SHA LinkedIn group
- Suspension of access to all Marriott Career Center activities
- Referral to the Dean
Networking
- How To Network
- Seven Tricks to Remembering Names (PDF)
- Join the SHA LinkedIn group. Begin networking with SHA alumni, students, faculty and industry friends today!
- Career Fairs (PDF)
- Jodi Smith Painless Networking (PDF)
- Professional Associations
- Professional/Business Etiquette (PDF)
- Business Cards: Students can order BU-branded business cards through Artcraft. Please follow the directions below to place your order:
- Go to www.artcraft.com/BUStudent/login.aspx
- Create user ID and password on Login Page
- Enter name/email/address on Profile Page to create account
- Enter your information
- Purchase your cards
- Cards ship directly to the student
Mentorship
BU SHA Mentoring Program
Do you wish to have a mentor who is an established professional in the industry? Let us know here.
Job/Internship Search
General Hospitality
Hcareers’s solid reputation for results is growing rapidly through partnerships with the most influential associations representing the hospitality industry. Hcareers is the recommended job board of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA), and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), along with many others.
NEWH, the Network of the Hospitality Industry, is the premier networking resource for the hospitality industry, providing scholarships, education, leadership development, recognition of excellence, and business development opportunities.
Job Searching Tips (PDF)
Etiquette and Ethics In Your Job Search (PDF)
Internship Guide (PDF)
Boston Area Hotels–Human Resources Guide – Updated August 2017 (PDF)
Hotels & Lodging
Food & Beverage
Boston Area Restaurant HR Guide (PDF)
Restaurants
Wine Industry
Napa Valley Vintners Association
Event Management
Cruise Lines
Gaming & Casinos
Career opportunities are available in accounting & finance, sales & marketing, information systems, engineering, human resources, hospitality, culinary, security, gaming, electronics, facilities, food & beverage, and many other departments.