Recruiting Policies

Contact Us

Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have regarding our Recruiting Policies.

Trasi Watson
Associate Director, Industry Advising and Employer Development
703-993-2370

University Career Services at George Mason University is a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the national professional association to facilitate the employment of the college educated. As members, we abide by the Principles for Professional Practice, an ethics document that serves as the framework and foundation for practices within the career planning, placement, and recruitment processes. We expect all employers recruiting at Mason to follow these guidelines in addition to the ones listed below.

The following recruiting policies apply to all employers recruiting at George Mason University.

Alcohol & Cannabis

Alcohol

George Mason University abides by NACE's Principles for Professional Practice which states: "Serving alcohol should not be part of the recruitment process on or off campus. This includes receptions, dinners, company tours, etc."

Serving alcohol to job candidates is inappropriate and inadvisable. This includes having an open bar, a paid bar, or holding a recruiting event in a bar. Many college students are younger than the state's drinking age, therefore serving alcohol could also be in violation of state law.

Cannabis

Although marijuana (cannabis) is legal under certain conditions in select states, it is not legal under federal law. In order to remain compliant with federal law, George Mason University Career Services will not permit companies that may possess or come into contact with marijuana products to recruit through or post positions on Mason’s Handshake platform.  Additionally, George Mason University Career Services will not support internships for credit or non-credit where a student may come into contact with marijuana products (including work with a company’s clients, attendance at marijuana conventions, etc.)

The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act 1989 (DFSCA) provides, “as a condition of receiving funds or any form of financial assistance under any Federal program, an institution of Higher Education must certify that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol by students and employees.” Further, under the DFSCA, institutions of Higher Education must employ “standards of conduct that clearly prohibit, at a minimum, the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property or as part of its activities.”

Career Fair

Additional Representatives (On-Campus Only)
The career fair registration fee includes two representatives per table. Each additional representative will incur an additional charge.

Cancellation
Registrations cancelled before the payment deadline will receive a refund. If the fair is cancelled for weather-related or other reasons, a credit will be given to a future fair.

Display Area & Materials (On-Campus Only)
Each registration includes a 6' x 2' table and two chairs in the event space. Due to the popularity of the fair, space is limited. Please plan to bring a display that fit on the table. If you have requested access to electricity, you must bring your own extension cord. Balloons are not allowed in the event hall. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Organizations must be equal opportunity employers in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws. 

Event Attendance Cancellation

If you are unable to attend a scheduled career event, such as Resume Clinic or Career Panel, we ask that you send a qualified colleague in your stead. If this is not possible, please provide us with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice so that we may ask one of the employers on our wait list to take your place.

In the event of a private, employer-branded event cancellation, your Industry Advisor will help identify alternate dates and locations, when possible. The employer will communicate t.

Naturally, a last minute cancellation may leave some students disappointed; having an employer communicate with student and alumni participants helps to maintain the organization’s goodwill at Mason.

Handshake Accounts & Postings

Employers are eligible to recruit at George Mason University via Handshake if the position they are posting is a legitimate full-time or part-time position or an internship. Jobs for personal services (nannies, babysitters, personal care, etc.) will not be listed unless the employer is a company who provides these services.

To create an account in Handshake, all employers are required to use a company website, a company email address, and a company mailing address in their account registration. It is our policy not to approve ANY accounts that do not possess a valid website, that utilize non-company email addresses (e.g. Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, Live, etc.), or that use residential homes for business. Not only does a website assist us in verifying the legitimacy of companies who request an account, but it also gives students an additional resource in researching a potential employer.

Fees
Positions requiring candidates to pay an application fee or to purchase equipment, supplies, travel, or training are not eligible to be posted in Handshake or to be recruited for through University Career Services. Exceptions may be made for positions requiring federal and/or state licensing such as real estate, securities, etc.

Commission or Equity-Only Employment
All part-time and full-time employment opportunities posted in Handshake must provide a clear description of the pay. Commission or equity-only positions will not be approved for posting unless they provide the following language: “This position is commission only.”

Third-party agencies may post in Handshake but must follow the Third Party Agents & Agencies Policy listed below in order to do so.

Internships

All internship postings, whether paid or unpaid, are required to contain student learning objectives. Based on the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the Department of Labor's Fact Sheet # 71, which defines the criteria for legal internships, an internship must be an extension of learning outside of the classroom. Learning objectives must be established to ensure the protection of students. Review our Learning Objectives Guide (PDF) for guidelines on how to write learning objectives and for examples of learning objectives. 

NACE Recruiting Principles

Mason's University Career Services adheres to the Principles for Professional Practice set forth by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). We expect all employers recruiting at Mason to follow these guidelines as well. 

Virtual/On-Campus Interviews

Employers agree to use the program to actively recruit for open job opportunities or internship positions at their organization.

Employers agree to not solicit students in any manner. Opportunities cannot require that students make a financial investment or payment to secure employment or an internship.

The Employer Relations Team manages interview reservations and the electronic database for Virtual/On-Campus Interviewing. The employer agrees to manage student communication, supplies, and logistics.

Note: Third party agents or agencies are not eligible to participate in the Virtual/On-Campus Interviewing Program.

Third Party Agents & Agencies

Third party recruiters, executive search firms, and staffing/talent agencies may post positions in Handshake through George Mason University. Participation in Signature Events will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Individuals and agencies recruiting on behalf of other organizations must also comply with the additional recruiting policies listed below:

 

  • Third party agents/agencies and staffing firms agree to include the following (or similar) language in all postings: “We are a third party/staffing organization seeking candidates for employment opportunities on behalf of our client companies.”
  • The agency agrees to comply with University Career Services’ policies, which state that positions requiring Mason candidates to pay a fee will not be approved for posting on our Handshake account. To remain in good standing with and maintain a Handshake connection at George Mason University, employers must refrain from soliciting or charging students.
  • Third party agents may only advertise positions that are currently available; resumes may not be collected in anticipation of future openings nor to build a resume book. Third party agents’ job postings must be on behalf of their currently contracted clients. Resumes may not be collected and leveraged to secure a future contract. Job postings must be for a specific position and describe in detail the nature of the work, qualifications, roles, expectations, etc.
  • Disclose client names to University Career Services when posting a position, when requested
  • Third party organization will refrain from selling or sharing student information, to include resumes and personal details, with non-company representatives. Failure to comply with this policy is a violation of The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
  • Agree to follow the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) guidelines pertaining to Third Party Recruiters

 

Solicitation

Organizations are permitted to post positions on Handshake and to conduct recruitment events through University Career Services, however, students should not be solicited as clients explicitly or implicitly.  Nor should organizations involve students in the business of peer-to-peer solicitation. The purpose of recruiting via University Careers is to hire students and alumni as employees or your organization, not to prospect for new clients. University Career Services reserves the right to revoke Handshake and recruitment privileges if this policy is violated.