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FAQs

The following questions and answers are provided only as a guide. If you are unable to find the answer you are looking for please contact our office ( or (812) 855-2172).

Basics

Disability

Employment Office

"How tos" about OLA

OLA Error Messages

Pay/Salary

Position Listings

Service Maintenance

Tests

Basics

How do I apply for a position?

Application procedures depend on the type of position for which you apply.

Professional and Support Staff (clerical, technical, and computer support) positions require that you submit an online application. In most cases, a department will ask for a resume and/or cover letter. These must be electronically attached when you apply for specific positions.

Many Support Staff positions require that you take a typing and Microsoft Word test. These tests can be taken at the Employment Office. Call (812) 855-2172 to schedule an appointment.

Applicants for Service Maintenance (food service, apprentice trades, maintenance, custodial, etc.) positions must submit a Position Interest Form to the Employment area of University Human Resource Services. Applicants for Service Maintenance positions must complete a new application when 1) requested by the department in the position vacancy posting; 2) information on the most recent application on file has changed; or 3) more than one year has elapsed since the last completed application. Your application will be kept on file, copied, and forwarded to the hiring department of each position for which you have applied.

For additional information please see "How to apply".

To whom can I address my cover letter?

Because more than one individual will be reading your cover letter, it is perfectly fine to address cover letters, "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Search and Screen Committee."

How do I enhance my job chances?

To enhance your chances for consideration and selection:

  • Verify that you meet the qualifications of the position before applying.
  • Provide all requested information, such as cover letter, resume, letters of reference, etc.
  • Complete the Skills Certification form, in your Applicant Folder, if specific computer skills are not noted on your resume.
  • Enhance your skills, education, and experience when possible and update your application materials as changes occur.
  • Do apply for all positions of interest to you, for which you are qualified.
  • If called for an interview, dress your best. Impressions do count.

How many applications for a specific position will be referred to the department?

All qualified applicants are normally referred.

I applied for a position and was able to view my confirmation page. When can I expect to hear about the status of my application?

Human Resources consultants will review your application and begin referring applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the job as soon as the position has been posted for one week. If the position has been posted for more than one week, referrals are made within seven days after the application has been submitted. Once an applicant has been referred, the individual department will decide which applicants to contact and when interviews will be conducted.

How can I find out when a job has been filled?

To find out which Support Staff positions have been filled, go to the Support Staff Positions Accepted page. This information is updated on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

I saw a position online and did not apply for it. Now it is no longer online. Can I still apply?

If a position is no longer listed, it is too late to apply. Positions are posted from 12:01 a.m. Friday to Thursday and close at midnight. At the department's request, positions are often removed at this time. They are also removed when a department has a sufficient number of qualified applicants or when they have selected an applicant to hire. If a department cannot fill the position with one of the current applicants, they will relist the position and you may apply for it at that time. Occasionally, second position listings may be removed in the middle of the week. This happens if the department has already hired a candidate and the position becomes filled while the listing is still online.

Why does Indiana University no longer accept paper applications for Support Staff and Professional Staff positions?

We did not feel that the interests of IU and our departments would be well served expending resources to maintain a paper process. Below are some of the reasons for why we no longer accept paper applications:

  1. Yahoo! Internet Life magazine's annual survey of America's "most wired" universities has consistently ranked Indiana University Bloomington among the highest ranked state schools. The way we work and the systems that we use are all highly computerized. IU wants employees that are comfortable in a cyber environment.
  2. Ease of use and convenience. After applicants become familiar with our system they find it extremely convenient, because it is normally available 24/7, with no office hour restrictions. Once the application forms have been completed, applicants can apply for a number of positions with just a few mouse clicks. No copying. No postage.
  3. Speed. The online process has considerably shortened the application review and referral time (from 5 to 10 days to 1 to 2 days). Now the process is often completed in a day. This has shortened our typical "time to hire" by weeks.
  4. Retention and access of applications are automatically performed by the system.
  5. Expanded applicant pools. Our applicant pools for IU positions broadened and enlarged with the online application process. More people from diverse geographic and ethnic backgrounds apply.
  6. More efficient use of resources. We use less paper and employee time using online resources.

Employment Office

Where is the Employment Office located?

The Employment Office is located in University Human Resource Services in Room E165 of the Poplars Building, 400 E. Seventh St., Bloomington.
> Campus map

When is the Employment Office open? *Testing is by appointment only

We are open M-F, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Microsoft Word and typing assessments are conducted by appointment, M-F 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the hour. Call (812) 855-2172 to schedule an appointment.

"How tos" about OLA

How will I know if my online application went through successfully?

After you apply for a position, the system may take a few seconds to process the form. You should then see a page show up on your screen that looks like this:

Confirmation!

Success!!

We have received your application(s) for the job(s) listed below. Thank you for your interest in becoming part of the Indiana University team, we wish you the best of luck. Feel free to contact our Employment office if you have questions or comments at (812) 855-2172 or .

***PRINT THIS PAGE FOR YOUR RECORD***

Apply Date: 04/30/06

Applicant Name: Your Name
Position Number: 00001234
Position Title: POSITION TITLE
Department: Department Name

OLA Error Messages

When I tried to apply online, I got an error saying, "A skill certification is not on file." What do I do?

If you get this message, go to OLA!, click "Update your existing Applicant Folder", logon to your applicant folder and click on the link, "Skill Certification." When finished, click "Submit." Now you may apply for positions.

When I tried to apply online, I got an error saying, "Invalid Personal Password." What do I do?

Call 812-855-2172 to retrieve your password information or use the online Password Retrieval Form.

When I tried to apply online, I got an error saying, "An Employment Application is not on file." What do I do?

Please do not create a new online application. You will get this message if you mistyped your applicant ID or password, or if you have never created an online application. If you have never created an online application, please go to OLA! and click on the link called "How to apply". If you have created an online application in the past, please call 812-855-2172 for assistance.

Pay/Salary

How much do positions pay?

Position advertisements do not specify a pay rate; however, they do indicate the position rank. For information on position ranks, current pay policies, and the current pay schedule visit the salary schedules.

Departments determine the starting pay rate for a new employee based on guidelines set by the university.

If I apply for a transfer to a different position that has the same rank as my current position, can I receive a salary increase?

Support Staff and Service Maintenance employees do not receive a salary increase with a lateral transfer. Professional employees may receive a salary increase at the new department's discretion.

Position Listings

How long are positions listed?

There is no maximum time a position is listed. Professional positions are normally listed for a minimum of ten working days. Support Staff and Service Maintenance positions are normally listed for a minimum of five working days.

Once a position has been listed for the minimum required time, interviews may be conducted and an offer made. It is possible a second listing of the position opening may appear after an offer has been extended. As a result, applicants who apply for the second listing might not be considered.

If there is a second listing, do I need to apply again?

No. If the position has not yet been filled, your application is being considered. The department wants to see if there are additional qualified applicants who might still apply.

Does a position have to be listed, even though the department wants to hire an hourly worker who has been doing the work?

Yes. It is the policy of Indiana University to provide all qualified persons the opportunity to apply and be considered for open positions.

Service Maintenance

How do I apply for apprenticeship positions?

When apprenticeship positions in the Physical Plant are advertised, the advertisement will instruct interested applicants to attend on a specific evening where the program will be thoroughly explained and applications distributed. After submitting the apprenticeship application, along with a high school diploma or GED test and proof of being at least 18 years old, applicants will be scheduled to take an aptitude test. The strongest applicants will be offered an interview with the Joint Apprenticeship Committee. Interviewees will be ranked and the top-ranked applicant will be considered when a position becomes available.

How long is my Service Maintenance (hard copy) application kept on file in your office?

It depends on your status (current employee, former employee, or new applicant). Please visit the How to Apply page for Service Maintenance positions for more information.

Tests

Are typing and Microsoft Word tests required to apply for clerical positions?

If a department determines that typing and/or Microsoft Word tests are required, the position announcement will indicate this. Usually, both the typing and Microsoft Word tests are required. Call (812) 855-2172 to schedule a testing time.

When can I take the typing and Microsoft Word tests?
*Tests are given by appointment.

These tests are given at the Employment Office. Tests are conducted by appointment, M-F 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the hour. Call (812) 855-2172 to schedule an appointment.

I already took the typing and Microsoft Word test once. Can I retake it to improve my score?

Applicants desiring to improve their test scores after the initial test may retake the tests one additional time. The highest scores will be kept and used. Applicants may retake the tests after 90 days; the most recent score will be kept. Scores do not expire, however, if scores are over one year old, or software packages have been updated, applicants may be asked to retake the tests.

 

Contact

This FAQ is provided only as a guide. If you were unable to find the answer you are looking for please contact our office ( or (812) 855-2172).

 

Page updated: 9 July 2008

University Human Resource Services
Contact Employment:

Indiana University is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and a provider of ADA services.