Classes plus homework is about the same as a full-time job for many students at Western Oregon University.

For students looking for a job to help pay for tuition, living expenses, transportation or other things, the best option is an on-campus job because the work hours are arranged to meet the students’ class schedules.

On-campus jobs can vary from working in the library to assisting a professor’s research to filing documents to writing stories. Regardless if the on-campus job is directly related to a major, all jobs provide students with résumé building skills including time management, communications, problem solving and more to prepare them for careers after graduating from WOU.

Two advantages of having an on-campus job are you can walk to work and your employer works around your schedule. Walking to work saves you both time and transportation costs. On-campus employers know your first priority is being a student so they schedule your work hours around your academic needs.

WOU students should begin their search by visiting the Service Learning and Career Development (SLCD) office in the Werner University Center.

SLCD Career Development Coordinator Jennifer Hansen said there are more than 1,000 available at WOU. If a student is looking for work, there is a job for them, she said.

Here are a few tips to find an on-campus job:

Get organized

1. Start with your resume. If you need assistance or tips to write a resume, the SLCD has resources. Hansen can review your resume and provide tips to highlight your skills and experiences.
2. Gather references. If you had a job in high school or during the summer, ask the employer for a letter of recommendation or if you can use their name as a reference.
3. Create a Handshake Students should go to their Portal account, click on the icon labeled “WolfLink,” and this will take their to the website to create their account. Learn more about Handshake from a recent story we did.
4. Talk with friends. The old saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know” definitely applies when looking for work. Tell your friends you are looking for a job and ask friends working on campus for tips on how they got their job.

Apply for jobs

1. Check Handshake for available jobs or visit places where you would like to work to ask if they have job openings and if they don’t to keep you in mind. Know how many hours you can work with school commitments, what you would like to do and if it’s a job that will build your skills.
2. Be prepared. Have all the necessary information you will need to complete an application, including names of previous employers, references and Social Security number.
3. Review application before sending. After filling out the application, save it and return to it a few hours later to review for any typos or other mistakes.

Interviews

1. Nervous about being interviewed? Stop by the SLCD for advice or to schedule mock interview. Have a friend ask you some questions. The more you practice, the easier it gets.
2. Have answers. The most common questions in a job interview are: Tell me about yourself? Why do you want this job? What are your strengths? Weaknesses? What kind of work environment do you like best? Tell me how other people would describe you? Tell me about a moment you failed and how you handled it?
3. Do your homework. Know the job requirements, information about the place you will be working and more.
4. Dress professionally for the interview.
5. Arrive at least 10 minutes early.
6. Have fun and be confident during the interview.
7. Send a thank you note. A thank you note could be the difference between you and someone else getting the job.

Job offer

Congratulations! Every job you have in your lifetime prepares you for the next. Take every opportunity to learn new skills, ask for help when you need it and take pride in a job well done.

To learn how the Service Learning and Career Development can assist you, stop by the Werner University Center and visit SLCD in room 119. The SLCD is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and provides times from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for anyone to drop in and have resumes or cover letters reviewed.