On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) - Frequently Asked Questions

Last year over 350 employers, primarily from business and industry, visited campus to interview UC Berkeley students for full-time positions and a limited number of summer internships. Using the CalJobs system, OCR is the completely web-based on-campus interview service, featuring online resume submission and interview signups. OCR is a subset of jobs listed on the CalJobs system.

You may preview OCR opportunities on CalJobs to make sure that OCR really matches your job search interests. Since OCR only represents certain segments of the job market (typically "high demand" industries or positions and/or larger employers with established human resources departments or college recruiting programs), we suggest you browse OCR listings on CalJobs first. You can then determine if you find the types of opportunities you're seeking. If you're still not sure, then meet with a Career Counselor to discuss your job search plans.

If you are participating in a UC-sponsored Study Abroad program and still paying reg. fees through UC Berkeley, you will continue to have access to CalJobs.  We encourage you to continue to research job prospects through CalJobs and OCR listings.

However, you will need to be explicit in all your application materials about your current student status and availability to avoid any confusion by employers.  Clearly state your Study Abroad status at the top of your resume and in your cover letters (if required), including your location, dates of study, and any special contact info. during that time.   Also make sure that you have an international phone number!

While you will be able to submit your resumes to employers who will be interviewing on campus, we don't expect you or any student who is studying abroad to appear in Berkeley for an interview. Therefore, you are not to sign up for any campus interviews during this time.  If an employer is interested in your qualifications, it will be their responsibility to arrange an alternative and mutually convenient interview appointment with you directly.

Before you leave campus, you may want to meet with a Career Center counselor to discuss job search strategies while you are overseas.

Dates posted on interview schedules for resume submission and interview signup periods open at 12:01 am and close at 11:59 pm.

For a preselect schedule, you must submit your resume to be considered for an interview. If you are chosen, or "preselected", you can then sign up for the interview. On an open schedule, you can sign up directly for an interview. In both cases, however, you must meet the employer's specific interview requirements: degree level, major, work authorization, and graduation date.

CalJobs allows you to add up to 10 different documents, including resumes, cover letters, writing samples and unofficial transcripts. Once you reach your quota of 10, deleting a document has no negative implications.

No. You should not create a separate resume for each job you apply to, but rather, you may want to designate a resume for different types of jobs or industries. For example, one for SW Engineering and one for HW Engineering; or one for Finance and one for Consulting.

Once you submit a cover letter, it stays in the employer's electronic mailbox. So, if you need to submit another one, simply delete one and upload a new cover letter.

You'll need to update them in CalJobs. Select the My Documents tab and then click on the existing document title from the main documents page to upload the latest version of an existing document. Any applications will not be updated, so you'll need to withdraw and resubmit your materials.

If you've submitted the wrong document(s), e.g., wrong resume or cover letter, you must withdraw your original application materials and re-submit new ones before the deadline.

As a rule, always doublecheck that you have submitted the correct documents because employers have access to your application materials as soon as they are submitted. Therefore, even if you update/change your documents, it is possible that the employer may have already seen your original submission.

When listing their employment opportunities, each employer will specify the materials required for interview consideration. All employers will require a resume. Some may also request an unofficial transcript or a cover letter. You can maintain copies of your application materials in CalJobs under My Documents.

Find your grade report in BearFacts. Copy and paste it from the BearFacts website to your word processing application. Upload that file to the My Documents section of CalJobs. Be sure to add your name to the top of your unofficial transcript.

If you are an alumnus and do not have access to BearFacts, you will have to create a new document with this information.

The PDF resume that the employer will receive corresponds to the file copy you submit.  Realize, however, that some employers utilize electronic tracking systems and will download the resume information in their preferred format (text, GIF or PDF).

Screening criteria will vary from employer to employer.  Employers have the option to screen candidates based on degree, graduation date, academic major(s) and work authorization and may identify specific screening criteria in their jobs. We advise them to state these requirements clearly in their job descriptions. If you notice discrepancies, please notify the Recruiting Office immediately at (510) 642-0464 or by email.

Some employers will also indicate a preferred GPA in "Job Qualifications." Although posted, CalJobs will not screen out any candidates based on GPA. Based on your complete qualifications, you will determine whether you meet the GPA requirement listed.  Contact your Career Center Counselor if you have questions.

You will only be able to apply for a job if 1) you meet the employer's interview requirements as listed in the job details page and 2) the resume submission period is open.

Employers - not the Career Center or the CalJobs system - determine the screening criteria for OCR jobs: degree level, major, graduation date, and work authorization. We encourage employers to broaden these requirements to be as inclusive as possible (e.g., list all comparable majors for Business, Economics, and Computer Science). However, they make the final decision. First, check your CalJobs profile to make sure that you have entered correct information. If you do notice a discrepancy in the job description and interview requirements, please send us an email and we will research further. Include the employer name, job title, and schedule number.

If you have missed the resume submission deadline, you can submit your application materials directly to the employer if contact information is provided in the job description. If not, try checking our Events Calendar to find out if the employer is attending a career fair. Also check CalJobs for information about upcoming Employer Information Sessions that you can attend. If the employer wants to interview you, they can easily add your name to their preselect list.

You can withdraw your application materials online anytime prior to the Resume Submission End Date stated in the job description. Select the My OCR Interviews tab, then the Interview Requests tab on the next page. Find the correct job, then select Withdraw Application.

You will receive emails from CalJobs and notices to sign up for interviews under Alerts when you are pre-selected. Regularly check CalJobs under Alerts to check your application status. Employers post their pre-selection and alternate choices directly to CalJobs. Employers may also send email notices to you.

When you have been pre-selected, be sure to note the dates of the sign-up period. In some cases, you may have to wait a day or two before the sign-ups are open and you can select a time slot. If the sign-up period has closed, contact the Recruiting Office at (510) 642-0464 to see if any slots are still available.

Yes, but you may have lost your slot to an alternate candidate. You must call the Recruiting Office at (510) 642-0464 to check for openings.

Employers may select you as an alternate for some interviews (in other words, you are on a waiting list). In this case, you will receive an email from CalJobs and a notice will appear under Alerts. As an alternate, you can try to sign up for an interview during the online alternate sign-up period, but only if there are still interview slots available. If openings are available, there will be a sign-up link under Alerts. Remember, dates posted open at 12:01am and close at 11:59pm.

If you are an alternate and cannot schedule an interview online, don't give up! Call the Recruiting Office directly at 642-0464 after the sign-up deadline and we will check for cancellations. You can also call the Receptionist on the interview day at (510) 642-6379 to check for same day cancellations. Identify yourself as an alternate and have the company name, job title and ID# ready.

If you need to change your interview time, you may do so before the Sign-Up End Date by logging in and selecting Scheduled OCR Interviews. Find the appropriate interview under the Scheduled Interviews tab and select Reschedule. You will only be able to change this if there are other open slots.

If the sign-up deadline has passed, you must contact the Recruiting Office for assistance at (510) 642-0464 or by email.

If the online Sign-Up End Date has not passed, simply login to CalJobs and cancel yourself from the schedule via Scheduled OCR Interviews. Find the correct job, then select Withdraw Application.

Otherwise, contact the Recruiting Office at (510) 642-0464 or by email to cancel your interview. This courtesy will permit us to contact a student on the alternate list. Refer to the Interview Cancellation Policy for penalty information if you are cancelling with less than 2 business days' notice.

If you must cancel the interview for some unforeseen reason the day of the interview, please contact the Interview Area directly at (510) 642-6379.

Many employers will indicate the appropriate attire in the OCR job description. You can also find out what is appropriate by researching the industry and company, or asking a representative at a campus event such as a career fair or information session. However, if you are not sure, always err on the side of caution and dress professionally. The Career Center provides suggestions for professional, business casual, and casual interview attire.

95% of all interviews are conducted in the Career Center, 2111 Bancroft Way, Room 344. A few interviews will be held in other nearby locations such as the Hotel Durant, Faculty Club, or S-330 Haas. The location will be listed on the sign-up screen for each employer.

No! The Career Center does not allow "crashing" of interviews. If you do not have a scheduled appointment or are not a preselect/alternate checking for last minute openings, you cannot wait in the interview area to talk to a Recruiter or ask to be added to an interview schedule. Failure to adhere to this policy could result in suspension from OCR.

This is a good idea and can really make a difference in the way you are perceived by the employer. It lets employers know that you appreciate their time and helps you to stand out from the crowd. The note should be brief and should be sent the same day as your interview, the day following at the latest. Be sure that you note the interviewer's name and title before leaving the interview. Asking for a business card is a good way to ensure you have all of the necessary information. See our Sample Letters (PDF) for ideas.

Generally, within 1-2 weeks after the interview or according to the timeframe identified by the employer during the interview. It is appropriate to email the Interviewer after this time to check on your status. Include your resume and ask for a specific time when you will be notified for a 2nd round interview

Review our detailed Job Offer Policies for more information. If you are accepting an offer, you should notify the employer immediately and withdraw from the interviewing process.