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TIPS AND RESOURCES

Tips for Finding a Job
Lending Library
Great Tips for the Fall 2009 Student Job Seeker
On Campus Payroll Information
International Student Payroll Information

Tips for Finding a Job

The most important steps in getting a job take place before you even head out the door. You need to prepare for what you’re about to do. Make a list of your job skills and experiences. Look at our current job postings on our homepage. Also look at jobs that would use your academic knowledge and skills. Network with friends, family, and professors in starting your job search: it’s not only what you know but who you know in finding job opportunities. Put on your search list anywhere that you think would be fun to work, and a good educational and leadership experience. Apply for many jobs. Be patient and persistent in checking back about openings. Walking in and asking for a job shows the manager that you are interested and ambitious. Ask for a job when one isn’t even advertised. Plan ahead. WVU departments and Morgantown businesses have cycles for hiring because the population changes with the semesters during an academic year. Be prepared to look for jobs weeks before the semester start. Begin looking for summer employment in February and March.

Employers look for these first impressions through:

• Your Application—is it complete, has correct spelling and grammar, and is it honest? If you complete an on-site application, just like an interview, be prepared, print clearly, look sharp, and have your supporting information (resume and references) handy to fill in on the application so it is complete. Don’t write on the application “see resume”. Fill it out completely and neatly. Some employers may interview right on the spot! Be ready!
• Class Schedule—create a spreadsheet of your current or upcoming class schedule that includes your name, email, and phone number. Have a copy you can attach to your application or hand to potential employers with your resume.
• Your Resume—use an outline format with short phrases and descriptive action verbs. Be specific. Neatness counts! Proofread carefully for typos, spelling, and grammatical errors. List your present job first and work backward. Stress accomplishments and skills. Be factual and use concrete details. Include your home address, e-mail, and phone number. See Monster.com for sample formats and suggestions.
• Your Cover Letter—tailor each cover letter to emphasize matching the job requirements with your skill set. This is a chance to grab the employers’ attention before they scan your resume. You can show your enthusiasm for the job opportunity in your letter.
• List Three References—with phone numbers. Use teachers, professors, current and former employers, ministers, volunteer coordinators, etc. for your references. Make sure you politely request they serve as a reference for you in advance. Tell them about jobs you are seeking. Make sure you list references who can speak well of your work ethic and skills. Do not use friends and family members as references. Send your references thank you notes.
• Phone Voicemail—if you have music and an off-the-wall message on your phone voicemail, it’s time to change it to a polite and concise greeting. An employer will most likely call you to set up an interview. Remember, its all about first impressions!
• Personal Web Pages—if your personal web pages are something you would be proud to show your parents and grandparents, then you will not be embarrassed for a future employer to see them. Be very careful about what you post on Facebook. Otherwise, it’s time to make a new positive first impression and change your pages.
• Interviews—Be prepared. Practice role playing the interview beforehand with a career counselor, mentor, or friend. Do research on the company or department. Know why you want to work there. Prepare a few questions about the job responsibilities and expectations. Arrive early. Go alone. Look sharp. Be friendly. Conduct yourself in a professional manner. Greet everyone you meet. Thank them for their time and assistance. It’s best to dress conservatively when approaching potential employees for an application or an interview. Cover up tattoos, piercings, and refrain from exposing too much skin. Turn off your cell phone and take off any Bluetooth earpiece. Do not chew gum!
• Attitude—have a positive can-do attitude. The competition is fierce out there. Be prepared so you can stand out from the crowd. An employer would rather hire the student with a positive attitude and is willing to learn over the student who doesn’t exhibit energy, interest, and motivation.
• Thank you!—send a thank-you note a day or two later. It’s a way to “sell yourself” and include information not covered in the interview. You get a chance to have the last word and create a lasting positive impression!

Lending Library

WVU Students are invited to stop by our office and borrow books. Books may be checked out for one week. We are located above the WVU Bookstore in the Career Services Wing. We have a library includes books on resumes, cover letters, interview skills, business etiquette, internships, and career exploration. We are open Monday through Friday 8:15am-4:45pm.

• 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview [Book] / auth. Kador John. – [s.l.] : McGraw-Hill, 2002.
  2500 Keywords to Get You Hired [Book] / auth. Block Jay A. and Betrus, Michael. – [s.l.] : McGraw-Hill, 2003.
• 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions [Book] / auth. Oliver Vicky. – [s.l.] : Sourcebooks, Inc., 2005.
• Beyond the Resume [Book] / auth. Gray Peter and Carroll, John. – [s.l.] : Career Press, 2006.
• Business Etiquette for Dummies [Book] / auth. Fox Sue. – [s.l.] : Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2008.
• Cool Jobs for College [Book] / auth. Stafford David A.. – [s.l.] : ePlanet Publishing, Inc., 2007.
• Cover Letters for Dummies [Book] / auth. Kennedy Joyce Lain. – [s.l.] : Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2000.
• Dressing Smart for Men [Book] / auth. Nicholson JoAnna. – [s.l.] : Impact Publications, 2004.
• Dressing Smart for Women [Book] / auth. Nicholson JoAnna. – [s.l.] : Impact Publications, 2004.
• Employing Generation Why [Book] / auth. Chester Eric. – [s.l.] : Tucker House Books, 2002.
• Gallery of Best Resumes [Book] / auth. Noble David F.. – [s.l.] : Jist Works, 2007.
• Guide to Top Internships [Book] / auth. Vault Inc. (staff). – [s.l.] : Vault Inc., 2007.
• Hello Real World [Book] / auth. Liang Jengyee. – 2005.
• Human Relations for Career and Personal Success [Book] / auth. DuBrin Andrew J.. – Upper Saddle River, New Jersey : Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008.
• Job Interviews for Dummies [Book] / auth. Kennedy Joyce Lain. – [s.l.] : Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2008.
• Managing Generation Y [Book] / auth. Martin Carolyn A. and Tulgan, Bruce. – [s.l.] : HRD Press, 2001.
• Military to Civilian Resumes and Letters [Book] / auth. Savino Carl S. and Krannich, Ronald L.. – [s.l.] : Impact Publications, 2007.
• Resume Magic [Book] / auth. Whitcomb Susan Britton. – [s.l.] : Jist Works, 2007.
• The Adventures of Johnny Bunko [Book] / auth. Pink Daniel H.. – [s.l.] : Riverhead Books.
• The Career Portfolio Workbook [Book] / auth. D’Orsi Gary and Satterthwaite, Frank. – [s.l.] : McGraw-Hill, 2003.
• The Etiquette Edge [Book] / auth. Langford Beverly. – [s.l.] : AMACOM, 2005.
• The Insider’s Guide to Political Internships [Book] / auth. Reeher Grant and Mariani, Mack. – [s.l.] : Westview Press, 2002.
• The Successful Internship [Book] / auth. Sweitzer H. Frederick and King, Mary A.. – [s.l.] : Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2004.
• What Color Is Your Parachute? [Book] / auth. Bolles Richard Nelson. – [s.l.] : Ten Speed Press, 2008.

Great Tips for the Fall 2010 Student Job Seeker

• Ask permission of at least three teachers, past employers and/or supervisors of volunteer activities to list then as a reference. Each reference should be able to speak to your character and/or skills. Secure their name, address, email and phone numbers.
• Prepare a typed list of references and their contact information you can give to a prospective employer. Be sure to include your name and campus contact information on the document.
• Prepare an electronic version of a one-page resume that reflects your education, work experience, skills, and volunteer activities.
• Sign up for the WVU Student Jobs List through our website.
• Check out Tips for Getting a Job and other helpful resources on the Office of Student Employment website.
• Collect the required original documents for proof of identity and proof of employment eligibility. All documents must be originals. Copies will not be accepted. (See page 2 of this document for an official list.) Many students choose to use a Social Security Card and their driver’s license. If you choose to do so, Do Not Laminate the Social Security Card.
• Develop a plan to keep your original documents in a safe place.
• Open a checking account in your name for Direct Deposit. Many students do this while they are in Morgantown for WVU Summer Orientation. You will need a real check and write void on the front. If you do not have checks, you will need the name on the account and bank account routing number on official bank letterhead. The letter must be signed by a bank official.

• An electronic copy of a one-page resume. The job counselors in the Office of Student Employment can assist you with resume writing, feedback, and job interviewing skills.
• A list of at least three references with their contact information.
• Original documents for proof of employment eligibility and proof of identity. See page 2 for a list of acceptable documents.
• Take one check from your checking account and write “VOID” across the check in ink and in large letters. This is required for direct deposit and in order to be processed for payroll for a job at WVU.
• A business casual outfit for interviews. (Example: dark or khaki slacks, button-up shirt or sweater and shoes.)

• Stop by the Office of Student Employment when you arrive on campus.
• Talk with a student job counselor about your preferences.

• The office is located in the Mountainlair above the Bookstore.
• Check-in at the Mountainlair Information Desk for directions.

• All registered full-time and part-time students at WVU may receive services. This program is not based upon financial need.
• There is no fee for services from the Office of Student Employment.

On Campus Payroll Information

WVU STUDENT EMPLOYEE PAYROLL PROCESSING for On Campus Jobs
Please note: ALL students to be employed by WVU MUST complete payroll processing with
Payroll Processing/Employee Data Services before they can begin work on campus.

OFFICE AVAILABLE DAILY:
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Payroll, Tax and Employee Data Service is located at One Waterfront Place, Don Knotts Blvd. (the office entrance is on the 2nd floor opposite the entrance to Human Resources.)
Questions can be directed to (304) 293-3379.

REMOTE LOCATIONS FOR PROCESSING:
Mondays 1:00 to 3:00 Mountainlair, Financial Aid Office
Wednesdays 8:30 to 9:30 Health Sciences Center, Human Resources
Wednesdays 2:00 to 4:00 Evansdale Library, G-14 Computer Lab (ground floor entrance)

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR PAYROLL PROCESSING:
1. Banking documents that can be used for direct deposit:
Checking Account:
Voided check OR
Typed letter from the bank on letterhead with routing and account information . If letter is handwritten by a bank representative, it must be signed by that representative OR
Copy of bank statement with routing/account information OR
Counter checks are acceptable but the name/address must be written at the top of the check OR
ORSavings Account:
Savings deposit slip OR
Copy of passbook savings with routing/account information

2. Documents that establish both identity and employment eligibility.
The List of Acceptable Documents is available in the explanation of the I-9 (Rev.02/02/09) on the website at:
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf

International Student Payroll Information

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EMPLOYEE PAYROLL PROCESSING
ALL students to be employed by WVU MUST complete payroll processing with
Payroll and Tax Services before they can begin work on campus.

SECTION I:
International Students who already have a Social Security Number can process for payroll by calling and scheduling an appointment with:
Marie E. Jackson, Senior Accountant
Payroll and Tax Services
One Waterfront Place
Don Knotts Blvd.
Phone: (304) 293-0468
Email: marie.jackson@mail.wvu.edu

This office is on the 2nd floor of One Waterfront Place. The office entrance is opposite the entrance for Human Resources.
This appointment will last 20 – 30 minutes. Payroll Processing information for International Student Employees is available at http://payrolltaxeds.wvu.edu/tax/international_employees_and_students
Walk-ins without an appointment will not be interviewed.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR PAYROLL PROCESSING
1. Passport/VISA
2. I-94 card
3. I-20 or DS-2019 form
4. Social Security Card OR receipt from the Social Security
Administration
5. Banking documents (US bank) that can be used for direct deposit:
Checking Account:
�· Voided check
�· Typed letter from the bank on letterhead with routing and account information
�· If letter is handwritten by a bank representative, it must be signed by that representative
�· Copy of bank statement with routing/account information
�· Counter checks are acceptable but the name/address must be written at the top of the check
Savings Account:
�· Savings deposit slip
�· Copy of passbook savings with routing/account information

After all the documents are processed, Marie Jackson will give the student an
“Authorization to Work” form. Make an extra copy of this form if you will be applying to more than one on-campus job. The student must present this form to the hiring manager in the department he/she will be employed in.

SECTION 2:
For International students without a social security number, follow these steps:
1. Before processing for payroll (described in Section I),
International Students must receive a job offer from a campus
department.
You must ask the department for an Employment Letter. The hiring manager can:
�· Download the Employment Letter at
http://oiss.wvu.edu/f_1_students/social_security_card
�· Complete the letter and print it on the letterhead of the hiring department.
�· Sign the letter.
�· Give the letter to the International student to be hired.
2. The International Student must submit the signed letter to the
Office of International Students and Scholars in E. Moore Hall. They will certify the letter.
3. Take the certified letter to the Social Security Administration Office in the Mountaineer Mall on the Greenbag Road.
4. The Social Security Office will process your application and provide you with a receipt.
5. Follow the directions in Section I to process for payroll.

Driving Directions to the Social Security Administration Office:

The office is located in the Mountaineer Mall (the “old mall”) on the Greenbag Road.
-From the Mountainlair, follow University Avenue to Beechurst Avenue/Route 7 East.
-Travel 2 blocks to the light where Beechurst Avenue becomes the Don Knotts Blvd/ US 119 South. (Pleasants Street is on your left and the Westover Bridge is on your right.)
-Continue through the light. Pass the Waterfront Place Hotel on the right.
-Travel straight ahead approximately �½ mile and turn left at the light onto the Greenbag Road/US 857 North.
-Travel to the first stop light and turn right onto the entrance driveway to the mall (Giant Eagle
is on the left).
-The Social Security Administration Office is located in
the center of the mall.

Bus transportation is also available to the mall. For details call the Mountainline at
(304) 291-7433 or visit the Welcome desk at the Mountainlair.

For additional information contact a job counselor at:
The Office of Student Employment
Division of Human Resources
West Virginia University
Phone: (304) 293-9270 Email: studentjobs.mail.wvu.edu
Website: studentjobs.wvu.edu

West Virginia University is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative
action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of
age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, or veteran status. Minorities, persons with disabilities,
females, and other protected class members are encouraged to apply.