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WesRes Life

Student Staff Selection

Student staff members are an invaluable asset to the Office of Residential Life. Our student staff are crucial to building responsible and inclusive residential communities. We are excited that you interested in becoming a member of our team! All RAs, CAs, and HMs are a part of the Wesleyan Union of Student Employees (Union Local 153). 

All of our positions are posted in Handshake.

Timeline

The Student Staff Application process begins at the end of the fall semester each year. The interview process and candidate notification of job status occurs in the Spring semester. 

Academic and Judicial Standing 

Candidates are required to be in good academic standing. If a candidate applies and is not in good academic standing, they will not be allowed to participate in the selection process. If a student is issued academic discipline after being hired but before starting in the position, the offer may be revoked. Students found in poor academic standing after having served in the position for at least one semester will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with their respective class dean. 

Candidates can have no more than one judicial point at the time of their application submission. If a candidate receives point(s) after submitting an application, they may be removed from the process. A student who has an egregious judicial history, even if no longer on probation, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility in the process. 

Important Information for Students Studying on an F-1 Visa

As an international student in F-1 visa status, you are permitted to work on campus without any special authorization from OISA. However, there are specific rules and guidelines that you must follow when working on campus. For more information, please refer to the OISA website.

Late Applications
The application deadline is posted on all recruitment publicity, and noted in Handshake. Candidates can turn in their application at any time before the deadline, not just on the due date itself. Any application received after the deadline will not be accepted for the current selection process.

Incomplete Files
In order for your application file to be considered complete the following items must be submitted: Handshake Application and the supplemental Staff Hiring Microsoft Form. If a candidate does not have the necessary materials in their file (ex. incomplete application), the candidate may be removed from consideration. 

Historically, resume approval has been a place where candidates have been removed from consideration. As such, candidates are strongly encouraged to check in with Campus Employment at Gordon Career Center to ensure their resume is approved a week before the close of applications. 

Missed Interviews
If a candidate is able to make contact in advance, has sufficient cause, and time permits, the interview can be rescheduled. If the candidate simply fails to attend their interview and does not have sufficient cause, they will be eliminated from consideration.

Interview times are scheduled by the candidates themselves, in advance, so there is sufficient time to plan accordingly.

Determining Hireability 
The scores a candidate receives during the various activities of the selection process are averaged and that score is used to begin separating candidates in determining hireability. Candidates with low mean scores and overall recommendations "with reservations" or "do not hire" can, and should be deemed unhireable. These criteria are not rigid, but serve as benchmarks for determining candidates whose circumstances need further review.

Preparing for the Interview(s)
Although we do not require that candidates wear full business attire, candidates need to remember that it is a job interview. Personal presentation should be neat and demonstrate that the candidate is serious about the position.

Placements
In determining candidate's placement, supervisors strive to develop well-balanced staff groups. An ideal team consists of skills and traits that complement one another. Although a candidate may express a desire to work in a particular area or with a particular population, they may be needed in another location.

House manager candidates will be asked in their applications to rank their houses of interest, and should be prepared to answer questions about them in the interview. 

If a candidate is offered a position and turns it down, they are automatically removed from our pool of eligible candidates for that position. It is not possible to turn down an offer you do not like in hopes of receiving another assignment. 

Returning to Staff
Any RA, CA or HM candidate who has previously worked for the Office of Residential Life at Wesleyan University as either an RA, CA, or HM are required to submit an application through Handshake and complete the Staff Hiring Form. They do not need to interview, however, those interested in the Non-Duty CA position will need to follow the steps for that process.  

This does not apply to Head Resident applicants.  

Employment Notification
All candidates will receive notification of their status and offer letters via their Wesleyan email address. Anyone who wants a paper copy instead must notify the director in advance.

 Helpful Tips

  • Review the job description(s) and application requirements carefully so that you are familiar with the position(s) and requirements.
  • Ensure you have a quiet location, free from distractions, to participate in your virtual interview.
  • Spend time with students currently in the position, ask them about their job responsibilities and requirements. 
  • Practice asking the questions that you would like to pose to your interviewers.
  • Get a good night of sleep the night before your interview and eat balanced meals so that you aren't hungry while going through the process.
  • Come up with a list of questions that you think you might be asked, and have your friends help you practice.
  • Most importantly: BE YOURSELF! The purpose of the interview is so that you and the Office of Residential Life staff can get to know one another better. It is difficult to do that if you are pretending to be somebody who you are not.
  • Dress neatly and professionally for your interview.

 

If you have any additional questions regarding any of the staff selection processes, please email Jade Steinback (jsteinback@wesleyan.edu) or Dovonne Adams (dkadams@wesleyan.edu).