2025-2026 Purdue University Career Success Handbook

Ethical Job Search: Guidelines and Expectations

Professionalism, Honesty, and Ethics

Purdue University’s Commitment to Excellence.

Purdue University promotes a culture of excellence, expecting students to carry this into their job searches. This includes demonstrating integrity, resilience, accountability, and ethical behavior in all professional interactions.

Ethical Job Search Practices

The Purdue Center for Career Opportunities expects students to act professionally and ethically when interacting with employers and corporate partners. An ethical job search includes the following aspects:

False Information.

Providing accurate information on resumes, applications, and during interviews is crucial. Misrepresentation can lead to serious consequences including cancellation of interviews, withdrawal of job or internship offers, and release from employment.

Interview Cancellation.

If you need to cancel an interview, do so as early as possible and provide a valid reason. This shows respect for the employer’s time and maintains your professional reputation. It also provides the space for another student to gain the opportunity to interview.

Accepting a Job Offer.

Carefully consider job offers before accepting. Once accepted- verbally or in writing, it is expected that you honor your commitment. It is better to pass on an opportunity that is not the right fit, than to accept something and wait for something better.

Reneging on a Job Offer.

Reneging, or accepting a job or internship offer and then deciding not to take the job, is highly unethical. It will damage your reputation as well as the reputation of Purdue and our relationships with employers. Purdue does not accept this behavior and once an employer informs us that you have reneged on an offer, there are consequences that are supported by every college.

A notation in the student’s record

»

» Suspension of access to recruitment systems » Loss of Center for Career Opportunities services and privileges » Notification and referral to the applicable College Dean & Department Chair 58 Career Success OFFER, NEGOTIATION, ETHICS!