OT: Full-time Campus Jobs

[pDigital32Dawg]

I'm looking for advice about getting an interview for an administrative, full-time positions on campus. As a candidate is it worth one's time to apply if they do not have an on-campus connection? I have heard a bit of feedback about the attempt being fruitless without knowing someone in the department. Anyone with some pointers and willing to help a bulldog out, please PM me.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

What are your plans for Dorman?*

 

[TheStateUofMS]

P, when I worked on campus in MAFES, I had a connection. When I worked at Aiken Village I had a connection. I do think it's important, otherwise you were just walking into random departments and dropping off your resume, which I felt was a waste of time while doing it.

If they have an on campus job career site, I'd suggest that.

Reach out to people you know on campus and find out if they know of anything. Chances are they will email the entire department. Might get a bite.

 

[Digging dog]

Shitters usually full. Just sayin****

 

[RivaDawg]

Aren't all positions on campus posted? Find the site, see if there are openings in places you know people. If not, do the people you know, know people in department with available positions....

 

[Requiem For A Dawg]

All campus jobs are posted on MSU's job site.

However, good luck even getting an interview if you do not know someone. Jobs in education more specifically higher education are all about who you know. Use any connections you have with the university.

 

[LawDawg97]

Just about any job is easier to land if you know someone

As a candidate is it worth one's time to apply if they do not have an on-campus connection? I have heard a bit of feedback about the attempt being fruitless without knowing someone in the department,

However, don't ever not try because you think it will be fruitless. It's so easy to apply, my advice is to submit the application and resume. Find out who heads the department you want to work for and send them a simple letter introducing yourself and just let them know you've applied and how much you would appreciate any consideration for the opening. It's worth the effort and goes a long way - especially with the right person.

 

[jdbulldog]

If you do not know somebody you have no prayer. It is mostly political.

 

[dickiedawg]

I don't agree with this. Most of the jobs are selected by committees, which lends less to politics. You may get an interview by knowing someone, but you're going to have to interview well to get the job.
Now promotions, raises, that's often 100% politics.

 

[Crucifictorious]

Agreed, every job is selected by a committee. If you meet the minimum qualifications you should at least get a phone interview. If you exceed those qualifications and stick the phone interview you will get an in person interview. Then its up to you to wow the committee. I have been on both sides of this process and who you know is rarely important to the committee.

 

[dogwhisperer]

This is right.

I don't agree with this. Most of the jobs are selected by committees, which lends less to politics. You may get an interview by knowing someone, but you're going to have to interview well to get the job.
Now promotions, raises, that's often 100% politics.

Getting the job will be just like anything else, experience and being the best candidate. MSU (in most departments) is hiring less and less from within and looking for new fresh ideas to bring to the table. Not as much "ol' boys club" any more.

 

[aTotal360]

Not really. But they do hire internally A LOT. By law the jobs have to be posted and applicants have to be interviewed. Most of the time the candidate is selected before the job is even posted.

 

[pDigital32Dawg]

Not really. But they do hire internally A LOT. By law the jobs have to be posted and applicants have to be interviewed. Most of the time the candidate is selected before the job is even posted.

This is the message I have been receiving. The application has been sent in for the time being, but this would be an outside hire for MSU if it were to gain any traction.

 

[FQDawg]

I just got a job on campus earlier this year...

It was my second try in 18 months. This idea of reaching out to the department head when you apply is a good one. I didn't know anyone in the department I'm currently in so when I applied, I sent a note to the head of the department and another note to the contact listed on the job description. They both mentioned it when I came in for my in-person interview.

The other bit in this thread that's really good advice is to reach out to anyone you know on campus, even if they aren't in the department you're applying to. It's still a relatively small campus and you never know who knows who or who has worked on a committee with someone across campus. Or who goes to church with someone in the department you're applying to. Or who's kid plays soccer with who else's kid.

Another thing to do is look up the leadership in the department (dean, department head, committee members, etc...) on Facebook and LinkedIn to see if you have any connections in common. I once got an in on a job in DC because the department head was friends on Facebook with a guy I had worked with 10 years earlier. I might have still gotten the interview but it certainly didn't hurt that we had a mutual connection.