PILC Fair 2016 Forum

[Anonymous User]

Didn't see a topic for this yet.

Does anyone know if employers are allowed to extend offers at the end of interviews for summer gigs? Hoping the answer is no...

[LionelHutzJD]

Absolutely they are. Heard a story yesterday of employers making offers at 5:10pm, ten minutes after the fair.

[stoopkid13]

Are table talk and free sign up actual things? As in do people actually get offers outside of the actual interviews?

[Anonymous User]

Absolutely they are. Heard a story yesterday of employers making offers at 5:10pm, ten minutes after the fair.

I've heard that in years past they were required to give 2 weeks to accept. Is that true? Concerned about getting pressured into accepting something on the spot.

[LionelHutzJD]

re Table Talk and Free sign up: Yes, they are real things. People have gotten interviews/jobs via table talk. Find out ahead of time which organizations will be at the table talk. Bring a tailored cover letter and resume (as well as references and writing samples) and hand it to the person at the table talk. I don't recommend just walking over and giving it right away - make nice first. Engage the table talkers in conversation and let them know how interested you are. I don't know how lucky you will be in regards to free sign up - but it is a real thing.

re Accepting positions: When you say "they" remember there will be over 300 organizations attending. Each organization will be different when it comes how soon they want you to accept an offer. This question came up at a panel I recently attending re the PILC fair and the panelist pretty much said if you ask kindly, an organization may grant an extension.

[Anonymous User]

Absolutely they are. Heard a story yesterday of employers making offers at 5:10pm, ten minutes after the fair.

I've heard that in years past they were required to give 2 weeks to accept. Is that true? Concerned about getting pressured into accepting something on the spot.

Employers at PILC are told they need to abide by NALP guidelines saying that all offers must remain open for 2 weeks. If you are asked to accept an offer sooner, you can always ask if you can have some more time to confirm funding or make arrangements for housing or whatever. There's not much that you can do if they say no, but it shouldn't hurt just to ask.