All Programs: March CDO Updates

New & Recommended Resources

  • TOP RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FOR SPRING BREAK:
    • Company Research and List-Building:
      • CB Insights: real-time information about global start-up companies and investors
      • CDO Website: Build Career Skills > Plan Your Job Search has Yale University, CDO, and other resources for setting goals and finding new companies of interest
    • Interview Prep and Skill-building:
      • CDO Website: Build Career Skills > Prepare for Your Interview has interview guides, prep behavioral questions, and access to technical prep platforms
      • WSP, Exponent, Rocketblocks: For finance, consulting, or data-heavy roles: Practice cases, market sizing, financial modeling, or industry-specific questions. For marketing, strategy, or general management roles: Prepare for strategic thinking and problem-solving scenarios
    • Connect with Alumni in the cities you’ll be visiting
    • Behavioral Interviewing Prep

CMS Reminders

  • REMINDER: Offer reporting in CMS is open (on your dashboard, scroll down to the Job and Job Offers tile and click “Report Status”), and we encourage you to report all offers, not just the one you accept. This helps build out the database of anonymized information that you can find in Research Tools!

Make the Most of Your Spring Break

Spring break presents a valuable opportunity to advance your job search, especially if you’re targeting a specific geographic region. Here’s a strategy to maximize your time:

Leading into the Break: Preparation & Outreach

  1. Identify Target Cities & Companies – Determine geographics areas of interest and create a list of key employers in that area.
  2. Leverage Your Network – Reach out to alumni, former colleagues, and personal contacts who work in your target geography to let them know you’ll be in the area.
  3. Schedule Informational Meetings – Use LinkedIn and employer sites (About Us, Leadership, Team) to identify professionals you’d like to meet. Send concise, professional outreach messages requesting coffee chats (or Zoom calls).
  4. Coordinate In-Person Meetings – If you plan to travel, set up meetings in advance to make the most of your time in the city. Aim for a mix of formal meetings (company visits, interviews) and informal ones (coffee chats, networking events).
  5. Research Local Events – Look for industry meetups, other school events, professional association gatherings, or alumni events that might align with your schedule.

During the Break: Active Engagement

  1. Attend Meetings & Events – Be proactive in meeting professionals, asking thoughtful questions, and demonstrating your enthusiasm for opportunities in the region.
  2. Explore the Market – Use your time to understand the business landscape, office locations, and industry culture of your target city.
  3. Stay Flexible – Keep room in your schedule for last-minute opportunities, whether in-person meetings or virtual calls.
  4. Take Notes & Gather Insights – Document key takeaways from conversations, company visits, and industry trends you observe.

After the Break: Follow-Up & Next Steps

  1. Send Thank-You Notes – Send personalized messages expressing gratitude and referencing your conversation.
  2. Stay Connected – Engage with your new contacts by following up periodically, sharing relevant articles, or commenting on their LinkedIn updates.
  3. Turn Conversations into Opportunities – If a meeting led to a potential job or internship, follow up with next steps, whether that’s sending a resume, applying, or scheduling another conversation.
  4. Reflect & Refine Your Approach – Assess what worked well and what could be improved for future geographic job searches.

By taking a strategic approach, your spring break can become a pivotal moment in securing opportunities and deepening connections in your target location.

Questions? Email us at som.cdo@yale.edu

By Audrey Hupp
Audrey Hupp Associate Director of Operations and Program Manager, Career Education & Coaching
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