-USC Career Services- 

Trojan Accountability Expectations 

As a member of the Trojan community, your actions are bigger than you as an individual. They represent and impact the way other current and future Trojans will be viewed by employers. All USC students are responsible for the expectations outlined below, conducting themselves in a way that positively represents the Trojan community. Trojans are exceptional and it is expected that you be exceptional when interfacing with employers and members of the career services community.  

• Always Provide Truthful Information – using false or plagiarized information in Handshake, on your resume or other application materials, in any career portal, on social media, verbally during an interview, or any other professional venue is unacceptable.   

• Always Show Up – if you schedule an interview, phone introduction, advising appointment, employer office hours, RSVP for an event, etc., you must show up. Many of our programs, including On-Campus Interviewing, are highly regarded and competitive, it is not acceptable to no-show. This wastes the employer’s and/or staff member’s time and takes a spot away from another student.  

• Communicate Early – If you are unable to attend something you have committed to, you should communicate as soon as possible. At least 24 hours is appropriate to cancel an advising appointment or workshop attendance. When working with a prospective employer, it is critical to communicate even earlier. At least 72 hours is appropriate to cancel an interview and provide the employer with a respectful explanation. 

• Treat a Job Offer Carefully – get your offer in writing before you accept and be sure to fully review and understand your entire employment offer package, including benefits and non-disclosure agreements. Only negotiate with an employer if you plan to accept the employer’s offer if the negotiation goes well. If you reach an acceptable compromise, it is assumed you will accept the position. Finally, when you accept an offer, that constitutes your commitment to join the organization, cancel future interviews, and withdraw any pending applications. 

• Decline an Offer Respectfully – if you do decline an offer, inform the recruiter verbally as soon as your decision has been made, and follow up with a thank you email. While an uncomfortable conversation, letting the recruit know as soon as possible with help maintain a positive relationship and allow them to pursue other applicants.  

• Never Reneg on a Job Offer – reneging means declining a job offer after accepting it and also includes ending an internship early. You should avoid this at all costs and never do it without a discussion with a career services team member. Reneging can damage your reputation, USC’s reputation, and limit future opportunities for you and other Trojans because the job market is tightly knit, and recruiters share information.  

These expectations apply to all USC students and are critical in allowing us to maintain positive relationships with the many organizations that partner with us for their talent needs. Failure to meet these expectations may result in a mandatory meeting with a career services team member to discuss your actions and could result in loss of access to career services resources and events.   

Please note that engaging in dishonesty or any other misconduct related to utilizing resources provided by Career Services may constitute a violation of the USC Student Handbook and disciplinary outcomes may result. 

The team members in the central Career Center and all school-based offices are here to support you, talk through any questions, and help you navigate any employment situations. Please remember to ask questions about any of the above expectations as soon as possible.