On and off-campus Job Search Resources
Check out our Career Guide for career exploration strategies, resume and cover letter guidelines, interview preparation advice, and our various resources. Consider following our 4-year Bridge to your Future plan. Take a moment to look over the key skills that employers look for in hiring, in our Professionalism Manual and Workbook.
On Campus and Work Study Jobs Frequently Asked Questions
What are the student employment eligibility guidelines at FSU?
What is a Federal work-study? Federal Work-Study is money granted by the federal government through the FSU Financial Aid Department that is included in your financial aid package. You can redeem these funds by part time work at an on-campus job.
Where/How do I find out if I have a work-study or not? Log in to myframingham.com and click accounts. Search for the box titled Financial Aid Information. Click the hyperlink that says Review Account Details of Financial Aid Transactions. Once you are redirected to your financial aid information, click the tab that is labeled Awards. There, you should find a breakdown of all the financial aid granted to you for the school year.
An example would be: Federal Work-Study yes X__ No___ $1800
If you have a Federal Work-study what should you do to find a job?
The best way to look for a work-study job is to create your profile on Handshake (the FSU online job, work study and internship database) and look through the work study postings there. Or, make an appointment with the Career Services Office, 412 McCarthy Center, for help with finding a work study, on-campus job. Call the CSER Office at 508-626-4625, or make an appointment via starfish.framingham.edu. The CSER Office does not “give out” work study jobs. We are a resource to help you find one. Additionally, the CSER team will help you write a resume and cover letter, polish your interview skills, and help you with your internship and career plan.
To create your Handshake Profile, go to:
- https://framingham.joinhandshake.com/
- Select “Framingham State University” as your school
- Enter your Framingham State email address (@student.framingham.edu)
- If prompted to enter a password, use your FSU password
- Follow any on screen instructions
- You may need to verify your email address in your email inbox
Here is a sampling of the on campus departments that hire work study students:
- Peer Mentor or Office Assistants at CASA
- Office Assistant at the Registrar’s Office
- Game room Attendants at SILD
- Circulation Desk Assistant at the Whittemore Library
- Set-up Crew for Campus Events
- Office Assistants at the CSER Office
- Grounds crew for Facilities
- Desk Attendants at the Campus Police
- Facility Manager at the Athletics Department
- Lab Assistant in Biology/Chemistry Department
- Check HANDSHAKE for more openings
What should you do if you feel you should have received work study funding but didn’t? There is an appeal procedure. Visit the Students Services Center, McCarthy Center Room 515 and request an appeal form. Often, your appeal will be successful as some students do not accept their work study which opens up spots for other students.
What should you do if you have not been awarded Federal Work Study funding but still need a job?
Sodexo is the largest non-work study employer on campus, hiring more than 100 students each year. In addition, there are 100’s of local jobs within a 5-mile radius of campus, many are listed on Handshake. You can also look for a non-work-study position on campus through Handshake.
Examples of non-work-study positions are:
- Front Desk Receptionist in the Admissions Office
- Cashiers at the Campus Bookstore
- Set up or Tech Crew for Campus Events
- Tutors in CASA
- Student Shuttle Drivers for Facilities
- Student Support Technician for ITS
- On-Campus Internships
- Staff Photographer for the Comm. Department
- Security Desk Attendant for Residence Life
Resume and Cover Letters
Look at our Career Guide for resume and cover letter examples and how to write them effectively. The sample resumes present suggested formats describing your education, work and volunteer experience and the cover letters examples will emphasize how to stress how your specific skills match the job description. Meet with a Career Counselor to review your resume and/or cover letter. To schedule an appointment, call 508-626-4625 or stop in room 412 in the McCarthy Center. Please refer to the list of helpful resources below!
Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS)
The Hispanic Educational Technology Services https://hets.org/ is the first bilingual consortium dedicated to serving the higher education needs of the fast-growing Hispanic communities. Framingham State University has exclusive access to innumerous services through the HETS Plaza Virtual. One of the most powerful tools among students is at the Student Placita. The most popular is the Testing and Education Reference Center in which an exclusive account has been created for the use of the community at FSU. The password to access the database is state315 (case sensitive).
The password will provide access to:
- Online practice tests and access to over 300 admission exams with real time response
- Free eBooks to prepare them for the online practice tests
- Scholarship search featuring $8 billion in available scholarships ·Internship opportunities and more
Under the Career Transitions section students will find all the necessary help to prepare them for job search.
- Prepare for job search; write resumes, cover letters, etc.
- Prepare for interviews with online simulators
Testing and Education Reference Center
Interviewing
Review our Career Guide for interview preparation strategies. Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor. Prior to a job interview you can practice answering typical interview questions by scheduling a mock interview with a career counselor. You also will receive advice on how to make a good first impression with employers including guidance on proper interview attire, good body language and how to avoid common interview mistakes. The interview is truly the "make or break" moment. This is your opportunity to stand out from the competition. Interviews allow you to prove how you provide value to the organization plus you learn if the organization is a good fit for you. Please refer to the list of helpful resources below!
Mock Interview Assistance
In addition to meeting with a career counselor in the CSER office, please consider practicing for interviews on these two free practice sites:
Interview4 offers job candidates a FREE online video tool to hone interviewing skills, as well as practice video interviewing and your elevator pitch. As more employers adopt video interviewing, expect to be asked to interview online. You need to use your tablet, phone, or stop by the office (MC 412) to use our web cam.
My Interview Simulator, this free program is designed to simulate a mock interview. Before you go to an actual job interview, one should practice and rehearse potential questions that can be asked. This will lead to a successful interview.
- Be Prepared for Phone Interviews. Employers often use the phone interview to save time and quickly screen potential candidates during the first phase of the interviewing process. As a job seeker, you want to be prepared as if it was an in-person interview.
- Anticipate questions. You can probably anticipate 90% of all questions that will be asked. For starters, tell me about yourself. What do you know about our organization? Why do you want to work for our organization? What interests you about the position? Behavior-based questions are very popular with employers so you want to use the Situation-Task-Action-Result (STAR) approach to give very detailed answers stressing your specific skills and past experiences. The career counselors can help you identify your unique abilities to describe during an interview.
- Dress for the part. You don't have to purchase an expensive suit, but you should have a suit. Wear minimal jewelry and use minimal amounts of perfume/aftershave (if possible, avoid altogether).
- Treat everyone you meet with respect. From the moment you get on the property to the moment you are leaving, you are on your interview. You never know if the person you didn't hold the door for at the elevator is the person who will be interviewing you.
- Follow-up after the interview. Sending a "thank you" has become a lost art. Whether it's by email, a handwritten note or a typed letter, thank everyone you meet for their time and consideration. Too many people don't send a thank note so you'll be remembered for following up professionally.
Dressing For Your Interview
The Framingham State University Suitable Solutions fund offers support for students who, because of financial hardships, are not able to purchase professional interview attire. The goal of the Suitable Solutions Program is to enable eligible students an opportunity to receive a “clothing stipend” of $50 in order to acquire professional attire for internship opportunities and job interviews. Please refer to the list of helpful resources below!
Disabilities
There are different possibilities and options and our goal is to help you reach your goal. We strive to always be supportive in helping you navigate your career search. Contact us to meet with a career counselor to discuss your career planning questions.
Get connected and stay connected with the Center for Academic Success and Advising (CASA)
View additional resources about Massachusetts Agency programs and divisions and Work Without Limits.
LGBT Considerations
When preparing for work or graduate school after Framingham State University, as a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) student, you may find yourself faced with career planning challenges related to your sexual orientation. We strive to always be supportive in helping you navigate your career search. Contact us to meet with a career counselor to discuss your career planning questions.
Resources for Veterans
Veterans have the opportunity and the skill sets to enter a variety of industries. You bring experience from both inside and beyond the classroom. Contact us to meet with a career counselor to discuss your career planning questions.
Be sure to connect with the Office of Veterans Services
Resources for International Students
Here is a document with some information about employment for international students. Stop by the Office of International Education for more information.
Director: Jane Decatur
E-mail: jdecatur@framingham.edu
Phone: 1-508-626-4585
Location: Dwight Hall 302.
You can find these resources and more in the Career Services office:
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