Student Frequently Asked Questions

Internship Offers and Recruiting Procedures

Q: When can I expect to receive an internship offer?

A: Each student’s offer timeline is now highly personalized, just like your future career path! The timing of your offer is contingent upon two main factors, 1) the extent of your involvement in the recruiting process, and 2) the interview process of the firms you recruit with for an internship. Naturally, students who get involved in the recruiting process early (no later than when enrolled in Intermediate Accounting I) will build strong relationships with employers. Typically, the students with strong relationships with employers will receive offers sooner. Each employer has a unique process/timeline for making offers. The AU Recruiting Honor Code & Best Practices document that governs recruiting and offers is available for review here.

Q: How do I know what each employer’s interview process looks like?

A: Students should have open conversations with employers to understand what to expect while engaging in their recruiting process. Each employer has different procedures related to interviews, summer leadership programs, and offers. We expect students to collect details about these procedures from employers of interest so you can be an informed recruit and organize your decision process.

Q: What if I am unable to participate in Summer Leadership Programs (SLPs) or other summer recruiting events?

A: The summer months provide various opportunities for interactions between potential employers and students; however, student schedules are not always conducive to recruiting activities (because of taking classes, completing internships, or studying abroad). Students who receive an invitation to an SLP (or comparable event) but are unable to attend should work with employers to schedule a substitution office visit.

If you anticipate a summer conflict, you should participate in as many employer-hosted recruiting events as possible during the regular school year, including spring interviews. A pre-existing relationship with an employer increases your chances of receiving an offer prior to senior year.

Q: What happens if I don’t receive any offers before my senior year?

A: Any student who did not receive or accept an offer during the summer before senior year should attend Meet the Firms/the HCOB Career Fair and use Handshake to apply for interviews conducted during fall Accounting Interview Week.

Q: What happens if I receive an offer before I hear from other employers I like?

A: If you receive an offer mid-process, you may politely tell the employer that you need more time to complete the recruiting process. If you receive offers you know you will not accept, you should decline them as soon as possible so other students have the chance to receive an offer from that employer.

If you have plans to attend SLPs that occur after you have received one or more offers, do not cancel your attendance at these programs. It is unlikely that you will have another opportunity in your career to evaluate such a large group of employers, and an in-office experience tends to weigh heavily into your final decision.

Q: How should I approach Meet the Firms, the HCOB Career Fair & campus interviews?

A: Until you accept an offer, you should participate in ALL of these events! Once you accept an offer, there is no longer a need to participate in recruiting. Thus, if you are inclined to continue in the recruiting process, you should not accept an offer until you are comfortable with picking one employer for your senior year internship. Any student who has not accepted an offer should attend Meet the Firms/the HCOB Career Fair and use Handshake to apply for interviews conducted on campus.

Q: If I receive an offer, how long do I have to make a decision?

A: In the AU Recruiting Honor Code, we ask all employers to leave offers open for a reasonable period of time. We also ask them to grant reasonable deadline extensions, where possible. Do not hesitate to seek guidance from Mrs. Lakas about managing deadlines.

Q: What do I do after accepting an offer?

A: Communicate your offer acceptance to Mrs. Lakas via a personalized survey link (email her if you cannot locate your link). If the offer you accept is for the spring or summer of your senior year, this signals the end of your recruiting process and you should discontinue attendance at recruiting events hosted by Auburn University or employers. Further, continue involvement in your school and extracurricular activities. Accepting an internship offer is the beginning of the full-time interview process. If you do not maintain your grades and level of involvement (e.g. Beta Alpha Psi), these factors may affect your ability to obtain full-time employment or graduate school prospects.

Q: What is the best way to respond to an offer if I am going to take some time to consider my options?

A: Most importantly, show your gratitude. Make sure that you know your decision deadline with that employer and commit to responding by that date even if you need to ask for an extension at that time.  If you receive an offer you do not intend to accept, you should graciously decline the offer. Some employers may make offers to other Auburn students only after learning of your decline.

Saying “no” in the recruiting process is difficult for students and employers, too. However, employers know that, statistically, they will not likely have a 100% acceptance rate. Hearing “no” is part of doing business! Do not “burn bridges” in this process. Handle your declines in a professional way. The accounting world is very small, and you may encounter these contacts down the road in your career. Ensure they remember you fondly!

Q: I am looking for a full-time job and not an internship; what can I expect?

A: Since most public accounting employers use their internships to source full-time hiring needs, they will typically wait until after their interns return to campus to fill remaining spots. You should contact employers in late spring the year before you want to start full-time. Be cautioned that there may not be open positions (or very few) if all interns convert to full-time hires.

Corporate hiring looks much different from public accounting, and you will often find open positions closer to your anticipated start date.