Columbia Business School’s code of student conduct requires that students act in an honest and considerate manner at all times and respect the rights of others, whether engaged in activities on- or off-campus. Failure to do so can result in students being subject to the sanctions as noted below and a required appearance before the Dean’s Disciplinary Committee. While every subtlety of proper behavior cannot be detailed, students must adhere to the following policies during the recruiting process.

Failure to adhere to acceptable interview practices can seriously damage a student’s reputation among hiring companies, fellow students, alumni, faculty, and administration.

Scheduling Interviews

• Schedule your interviews and call backs only during non-class times. Students must not miss class due to interviews or recruiting-related events.
• Address scheduling conflicts as soon as they arise; there is little that can be done when the issue is raised the day before the interview.

Canceling Interviews

• Cancel an on-campus interview through COIN by 9:00 a.m. three business days before the interview.
• Cancel after this time [only in extreme circumstances] by contacting the recruiting company directly and to notify the Career Management Center via phone (212-854-5471). No show penalties apply.
• Never interview after you have accepted an offer.

Interview No Shows

• Cancellation after 9:00 am three business days before the interview is considered a no show unless you have an emergency. The consequences for "no-shows" are as follows:
  • You will be required to write a formal letter of apology to the recruiter, with a copy to Regina Resnick, Associate Dean and Managing Director of the Career Management Center and cc Tricia Baione and Dan Gabriel, Directors.
  • If you are a “no-show” for two interviews, you may lose on-campus interviewing privileges.
• If an extreme emergency arises and you cannot attend a scheduled interview, you must immediately notify the Career Management Center (212-854-5471) as well as the company by both phone and e-mail.

Offers, Acceptances, and Job Commitments

Responding to Offers: Professional communication with firms is required. This includes prompt return of phone calls and emails and honest communication of intentions. Turning down offers should be done in a live conversation with the person at the firm with whom you have the strongest relationship; email is not an acceptable way of turning down an offer. Verbal acceptances are binding.

Student Multiple Offer Guideline: Students should hold no more than three formal job offers at any time. If a student subsequently receives a fourth or any additional offers, one or more should be released within two business days.

Reneging on a Job Offer

Students who renege on an accepted offer are subject to disciplinary action including the suspension of recruiting privileges, and will be required to undergo the Dean's Disciplinary Process. Deciding to leave a job shortly after you begin working can also be considered reneging on your commitment. We are aware that students' life circumstances sometimes change, necessitating a reopening of the conversation with the employer; if you find yourself in such a situation, speak with one of the Directors of Career Management before you take any action with the employer.

Corporate Events

• If you RSVP to an event, you are obligated to attend.
• If last minute circumstances prevent your attendance, call the contact person at the company immediately to inform them and express your regrets.
• Arrive on time and stay for the entire presentation. If you must leave early, ask permission of a company representative before the start of the session and sit near an exit.
• Never sign in friends who are not in attendance. Doing so is a form of lying and is a violation of the School’s Honor Code.
• Students are expected to behave professionally at all times at corporate events.