Bizarro Hell Week
Corey Hajim (MBA ’01) Special Contributor
Issue date: 2/3/03 Section: Recruiting Special
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When I returned to school after Hell Week last year, I was surprised to find out that some of my classmates actually have summer jobs secured. I guess I didn't expect that. I thought we were all on the same page, you know, just checking things out. After comparing notes, I realized that scouting a job in San Francisco is almost the opposite of Hell Week at HBS. I'll admit I wasn't on a high-powered hunt since it is a little soon for the high-tech crowd to be thinking about the summer. I had some interesting meetings, plus lunches and drinks with various old colleagues, contacts and friends. I never donned a suit and was never asked to crack a case. I went to parties at live/work warehouse spaces and danced with pierced, dyed and leather clad people. It was a ball.
Sorry, I don't mean to rub it in, I mean, the weather was terrible and I never make as much money as many of my classmates in this summer or out of school, but I won't have to wear pantyhose. Considering the high-pressured prep courses being offered to aid those who are seeking jobs with big consulting companies and investment banks, I thought it might be helpful to provide a few pointers for those who might pursue the west coast Internet scene. My advice, for whatever it is worth, should not be followed when you are interviewing with any of the older, established companies like Microsoft or Excite, my knowledge stems from experience at small, you barely-have-a-desk, companies. Dresscode Be casual. Don't be a slob, but I've never felt that a suit was necessary. A suit is a sign of stifled individualism and lack of innovation. If you are thinking about the typical MBA career, business development, there is a uniform: biz dev blue shirt (that fine cotton twill shirt in varying shades of blue that almost every guy on earth has) and khakis. This is what they all wear.
Otherwise, be yourself. NDA, Non-Disclosure Agreement I had four meetings in SF in which my contacts dropped the NDA. Be prepared to sign one or at least give a verbal. Soon enough you'll be able to beam it from Palm Pilot to Palm Pilot, but for now don't be insulted if someone slaps one down in front of you. It has become so commonplace that I hardly had a conversation when it didn't come up. In fact, if someone asks you what you did at your last job, you might even be able to get away with, "I'm sorry, I'm under an NDA." Know Your Favorite Color One time I was asked by a potential employer how I would figure out the number of gas stations in the United States. This is not a question you will be asked in an Internet interview. More qualitative and curious questions may arise however. An interviewer asked my friend about her favorite color as well as her exercise habits. Of course, not all interviews will be that demanding, but it helps to be prepared. Industry Knowledge I've never been asked to prove my knowledge of the Internet industry, but enter with some idea of what strategy the company is pursuing and some suggestions.
Sorry, I don't mean to rub it in, I mean, the weather was terrible and I never make as much money as many of my classmates in this summer or out of school, but I won't have to wear pantyhose. Considering the high-pressured prep courses being offered to aid those who are seeking jobs with big consulting companies and investment banks, I thought it might be helpful to provide a few pointers for those who might pursue the west coast Internet scene. My advice, for whatever it is worth, should not be followed when you are interviewing with any of the older, established companies like Microsoft or Excite, my knowledge stems from experience at small, you barely-have-a-desk, companies. Dresscode Be casual. Don't be a slob, but I've never felt that a suit was necessary. A suit is a sign of stifled individualism and lack of innovation. If you are thinking about the typical MBA career, business development, there is a uniform: biz dev blue shirt (that fine cotton twill shirt in varying shades of blue that almost every guy on earth has) and khakis. This is what they all wear.
Otherwise, be yourself. NDA, Non-Disclosure Agreement I had four meetings in SF in which my contacts dropped the NDA. Be prepared to sign one or at least give a verbal. Soon enough you'll be able to beam it from Palm Pilot to Palm Pilot, but for now don't be insulted if someone slaps one down in front of you. It has become so commonplace that I hardly had a conversation when it didn't come up. In fact, if someone asks you what you did at your last job, you might even be able to get away with, "I'm sorry, I'm under an NDA." Know Your Favorite Color One time I was asked by a potential employer how I would figure out the number of gas stations in the United States. This is not a question you will be asked in an Internet interview. More qualitative and curious questions may arise however. An interviewer asked my friend about her favorite color as well as her exercise habits. Of course, not all interviews will be that demanding, but it helps to be prepared. Industry Knowledge I've never been asked to prove my knowledge of the Internet industry, but enter with some idea of what strategy the company is pursuing and some suggestions.