Have Questions?

You can schedule advising appointments through I-Link Business. When you log in, you should see a button under the "Shortcuts" menu on the right side that is labeled, "Request a Career Advising Appointment." Please note that you can only make appointments through the system 24 hours in advance. If you have a more urgent need, please call our office at (217) 333-2840 to ask for a same-day appointment.

Once you schedule and appointment, you can view or cancel existing appointments in the "Calendar" tab of your I-Link Business account.

Yes, as long as it is not for a mock interview. Scheduled walk-in times this semester are Monday-Friday from 1-4pm. Other times will vary based on adviser availability.

All graduate students other than MAS students have assigned advisers. If you were not informed of who your adviser is, please call (217) 265-0864.

It is preferred that you meet with your assigned adviser. However, you are free to meet with another adviser or one of our graduate assistants if you are looking for a second opinion. These appointments must be made over the phone. If for some reason, you would like to request a different adviser, you will need to meet with Pnina Steiner, Senior Director of Business Career Services, before doing so.

No, we only serve students that are majoring in the College of Business. Business minors can receive career services through their respective colleges or through the campus Career Center on Wright Street.

Résumé critiques normally take around 15-20 minutes but allow 30 minutes just in case. Mock interviews typically take 30-45 minutes with an additional 15 minutes for feedback and debriefing. How do I schedule a mock interview?

You can schedule a mock interview through I-Link Business. You will need to do this at least 24 hours in advance and provide the company name and job title (if you are preparing for a specific interview) in the "notes" section when scheduling the appointment.

If you complete a placement survey by graduation and mark that you are still seeking employment, you will have limited I-Link Business access for an additional semester and are welcome to attend the Business Career Fair. After that time, alumni are served by the Alumni Career Center.

In order to protect our relationships with employers, we do not give out recruiter contact information unless we are specifically given permission to do so. However, some recruiters opt to have their contact information listed in I-Link Business.

Read the "Interviews" section of the Career Search Guide, research the company using our resources, and schedule a mock interview with your adviser or any of our graduate assistants.

It depends on the company as every company has its own timeline for recruiting. Typically, you will want to ask your interviewer at the end of your first round interview when you can expect a decision.

Generally, office visits will consist of a series of interviews, meetings, and social events (usually a lunch or dinner with company representatives). Depending on the company, interviews may be individual and/or group, behavioral and/or case. You will typically be given an itinerary when invited for a second round interview or an office visit. Your BCS adviser can give you additional insights on how to prepare for these opportunities.

In general, you should not have this problem for first round interviews since you are typically able to select your interview time. For second round interviews and/or office visits, you should check to see if there are any alternative dates offered by the company. BCS can provide recruiter contact information as needed. If rescheduling the second round interview proves impossible, make an appointment with a BCS adviser to discuss options specific to your situation.

If you scheduled the interview through I-Link Business and the sign-up period has not closed yet, you can cancel the interview by going to the "My Interviews" section of I-Link. If the sign-up period has closed, you will need to speak to your adviser before you cancel. Please be aware of our I-Link Business Agreement (located in the Document Library of your I-Link Business account) and be sure to follow all suggested guidelines.

If you have an interview in BIF, you will always want to check in at 1041 BIF. Most interviews are held in the 1041 suite, but other rooms around the building are occasionally used. Check your I-Link account to verify the location of your interview.

2017 BIF

1041 BIF

Only College of Business students can use our interview rooms for phone/video interviews. You must reserve a room in advance by calling us at (217) 265-0864. Interview rooms CANNOT be reserved for group projects or team meetings.

There are several possible reasons for this:

1. Your account has been blocked or disabled. This could be because you have accepted a job offer, violated terms of the I-Link Business Agreement, or have not met résumé and/or mock interview requirements. Speak to your adviser regarding your particular situation.
2. Your account has been "soft blocked." This happens when you have not used your account for an extended period of time. All you need to do in this case is use the "Forgot Password" button on the login page.
3. You are not on the right site. There are several career services offices on campus that use the same system as we do and you may have accidentally ended up at one of their sites. Make sure you are on I-Link Business.

If none of the above applies to you, make note of the error message you receive and contact us.

While we do our best to monitor and verify the jobs posted on our system, it is impossible to be 100% accurate since we share the job board with other campus offices. If you come across a posting that seems illegitimate in any way, please notify our office right away and we will investigate.

Your graduation date in I-Link should be the date you are eligible for full-time employment. For example, if you are receiving your bachelors degree in May 2012, but are planning to stay for the MAS degree, you should list May 2013 as your graduation date in your I-Link profile. This should also be noted on your résumé.

BCS strongly recommends business professional attire when attending the Business Career Fair.

Your I-Card, a portfolio/padfolio with multiple copies of your résumé, pen and paper for taking notes, and your best elevator pitch!

Speak with your adviser or visit the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office.

Yes. All paid positions in the US require a social security number. To find out how to apply for one, speak with your adviser or visit the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office.

No, you may indicate other locations as your preference. However, you are responsible for any travel and accommodation expenses incurred.

BCS will only provide one job shadow and you are obligated to fulfill any matches made through our system. You are free to pursue additional job shadows but must arrange them on your own.

The matching process is competitive and applying to 15 postings maximizes your chances of getting one of the companies you want.

A posting without a date probably means the company is flexible and will work with you to find a date that is best. You should go ahead and apply.

You can begin applying through I-Link Business from October 24 – November 2.

No, but you will want to make sure your résumé has been reviewed before you begin applying.

For job interviews, mock interviews with BCS and/or employers, and résumé critiques with employers, business professional attire is appropriate. Business casual is fine for employer information sessions and workshops/events hosted by employers.

Congratulations! First, stop in and complete a placement survey. Include all information about any offers that you have received. We keep your information completely confidential and use it for statistical purposes only. Second, make an appointment with your adviser to evaluate the offer and if applicable, discuss negotiation strategies. If you accept the offer, make sure you decline/cancel any pending interviews and come in to our office so we can take your picture!

If you are an international student, you may need to apply for the appropriate work visa. H1B applications are handled by your employer, but OPT and CPT applications must be submitted through the university. Speak with your adviser for more details.

Make sure you do not provide the company with any personal information and notify your adviser as soon as possible.

You can view an unofficial transcript via a DARS report or order and official one through the Office of the Registrar.

Stop by our office and ask for Lori Rushing.

You can request one of these after you have completed a mock interview.

The Facilities & Services Printing Department on campus provides this service for a fee.

Deb Montgomery is the BCS adviser to contact. You can stop by 1033 BIF during walk-in hours and ask for her.

Yes, you can view our full Employment Profile in the "Statistics" section of our website.

A proper cover letter should be tailored specifically to each company and position you apply to.