Getting a job because of Greek ties?
 

Does anyone think they have ever gotten a job because of their membership in a fraternity or sorority? I was recently lucky enough to get a job thanks to a woman who is in another sorority who I serve on a board with. She actually told me she prefers to hire people who were in the Greek system.

Has anyone experienced this? I know that many of you have other co-workers who are Greek.

I've never gotten a job through my Greek ties - however I've been able to connect with some Kappa Sigs in my field (attorneys) who have given me some good career advice.

No.

And while I am very proud of my Greek affiliation and involvement, I am even more proud that every job that I have ever had was offered to me based on merit.

One of my sisters got an internship because she was in the Greek system. They said it was because being Greek meant more outgoing which was needed as she was in advertising.

My son has made many contacts through his membership in his fraternity.

I don't think it has to do with the greek affiliation, more through friendships and meeting the parents of members who happen to be in his field.

I helped a sister get a job by telling her the position was going to open and would be closed when X number of applicants were reached, but she was hired on her own merits.

Due to one of our alumni being one of the VP's for a Fortune 500 company, I got an internship there.

No, but a good portion of my chapter was placed on a database that Nationals made for Engineering companies to contact us through. I don't expect anything out of it, though.

I know some alumni that have gotten jobs or interviews thanks to other alumni, though.

I would hope that an eventual job offer would be made based on merit. But, in today's economic climate, having contacts, whether through family or friendships, including fraternity or sorority members, can be invaluable to get your foot in the door.

My saying is always, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth!" and take advantage of every contact you can!!

When my son says something like, "I met so and so's dad, he is a partner at blah di blah." I advise him to keep up with him because he might be looking for a job there one day.

^^^all good advice.

Admittedly the last time that I had to apply for a job was in 2004 and by then I had a pretty thorough resume. In addition, my field is in health care and has not been negatively impacted by the economy.

You are correct that things are different now than they were in 2004 and for many fields having as many contacts as possible is certainly beneficial.

Over the years as an advisor I've written numerous letters of recommendation for members for scholarships, grad/law/med school, jobs, even state's Bar Associations. I've gotten many reference check phone calls too.

1 of our alumni gives internships to our brothers yearly

I've gotten my foot in the door at previous jobs because of my affiliation, but it was my experience/merit that actually got me hired.

I think this is the most common experience you'll find. The advantage the greek system gives you is the contacts, not the job.

One of my alumnae friends looked up the lady that was interviewing her. The interviewer was not an Alpha Gam, but was an ASA and very active in her alumnae chapter. My friend brought up her involvement in the sorority as an adviser and Area Coordinator, and that led to them really hitting it off. She got the job.

While I'm sure the position was actually offered based on merit, I think connecting through something similar helped her push the right buttons.

Well, I'd like to think that my merit actually got me the job as well--I'm very proud of my resume and know that I wasn't hired simply because I was in a sorority. I didn't mean to imply that people weren't hired on their merit. I also think that these days every little thing counts.

Getting a job because of Greek ties?
 

Like this?

http://www.coastaltradition.com/tie_...lassic_red.jpg

Yep! Exactly what I meant. :) My grandfather was a Sigma Chi.

One of my brothers from another chapter told me a pretty cool story. He in an interview for a competitive internship. Of course he goes to shake the interviewer's hand before he takes a seat. While he is doing that, he noticed that the interviewer was giving him the grip. Turns out he was an alumnus from another chapter.

My first job which is also the job I currently have was because I'm Greek.

Nope

In my job interview today, I mentioned my affiliation with Theta Phi Alpha and it turned out the man who interviewed me was a Sigma Chi! We spent about twenty minutes talking about our fraternities. He was telling me about Hell Week and when I mentioned how we're not allowed to do hazing anymore, he denied it happened back then--until I elaborated on what would be considered modern examples of hazing. He was shocked!

He was very impressed with me for a number of reasons not related to Greek life, obviously, but the Greek ties gave us something to bond over. Couldn't have hurt!