As Northeastern students on the “B” division prepare for their next semester on co-op, experts in the division of cooperative education offer some helpful hints for surviving the grueling process.

1* Adhere to all deadlines. There is a process for co-op and students should be as involved in the process as they can while meeting deadlines.

2* Be early for all interviews. If you are 15 minutes early, you are early. If you are 10 minutes early, you are on time. If you are five minutes early, you are late.

3* Look professional. Even if a company says it is more casual, always wear a suit to any kind of interview.

4* Know your skills and how to verbalize them. There are self assessments Career Services can help students use to attain a better dialougue about their own skills when discussing previous work experience.

5* Know about the company with whom you are interviewing. Career Services can teach students how to use Northeastern search engines to research a company. If it is a small, privately held company, it is important to call and ask for a packet of information.

6* Be confident. Remember you are already a skilled worker. Students need to understand they are vastly skilled already even if this is their first co-op.

7* Be prepared for competition and rejection. Students may feel hurt because their first choice employer does not hire them the first time around.

8* Work out and do not break routine. If a student has a tendency to be anxious in these environments, he or she should work out the morning before. Do not break routine. Do not drink an enormously large cup of coffee to appear wide awake.

Tips offered by Associate Director of Career Services John Smith and Communications Manager for the Division of Cooperative Education Rochelle Rosen. Information compiled by correspondent Marlena Spurr.