Student Employment: Hiring Process
Reviewing applications
Start by reviewing applications based on the minimum qualifications listed in your job description. Not every candidate will meet all the requirements, but focus on those who align with the most important ones. Use this first step to identify candidates who could be a good fit for the role.
Once you’ve done the initial review, take a closer look at the candidates’ resumes, cover letters and other materials to evaluate their experience and how they might contribute to the position. Be fair and consider all applications before deciding who to interview or hire.
If you are no longer considering new candidates and your job posting has not yet expired, be sure to close the job on Handshake.
Conducting interviews
Conducting interviews is an important step in hiring student employees, and it’s essential to approach the process with care and professionalism. Many students are new to job interviews, so your interaction can leave a lasting impression and set their expectations for future experiences.
Here are some tips to help campus departments conduct effective and meaningful interviews.
- Welcome the candidate with a friendly introduction and brief overview of the position.
- Explain expectations: Clearly describe the role, work schedule and other requirements.
- Use this rubric to evaluate answers to your questions.
- Allow time for candidates to ask questions about the role, your department or any other concerns they may have.
- Provide constructive feedback: If a candidate asks for feedback or if you notice areas for improvement, share it in a supportive way. This can help students grow and develop for future opportunities.
- Respect the candidate’s time by starting and ending the interview promptly.
- Review this interviewing advice on how to conduct a productive interview.
Ultimately, conducting interviews with careful planning and professionalism not only helps you find the right fit for your team but also fosters a positive experience for student candidates as they take their first steps into the workforce.
Communicating with candidates
Keep your candidates informed throughout the hiring process. Many students apply for jobs and never receive follow-up, leaving them feeling “ghosted” or stressed.
Although it’s not required, we encourage you to send a job offer letter via email to each candidate you’re hiring. Please also follow up with students who were not selected—review examples of rejection letters.
You can also take the following actions on Handshake once you’ve made a hiring decision.
- Update each applicant’s status to “Hired” or “Rejected.”
- Message applicants using Handshake's messaging platform. You can filter all applicants marked as "Rejected" or “Hired” to send personalized communications.
- Email candidates using Outlook. You can “download applicant data (CSV)”—which includes their email addresses—in an Excel file.