Frequently Asked Questions for Job Applicants

You have questions, and we have answers! Is your question not here? Send us an email at uocareers@uoregon.edu.

If you're looking for general advice on applying at the UO, check out our Advice From Recruiters.

Considering Jobs at the UO

Why should I consider applying for a position at the University of Oregon?

We think UO is a great place to work, and encourage you to consider finding your next opportunity here! Our positions reflect a robust array of disciplines and services for the UO community, our benefits are excellent, and we think Oregon is a pretty great place to live and work. We invite you to learn more about specific departments through the search/interview process, to read about our values, and to check out our benefits and well-being services.

What kinds of jobs does the UO offer?

There are a wide variety of jobs at the UO! We offer faculty positions focused on instruction, research, and creative endeavors; classified staff positions (represented by SEIU) include skilled trades, office administration, custodial, hospitality and food service, communications, IT, and budget/finance; and officer of administration positions in most fields. We have jobs in a range of departments, from athletics to academic departments to student services, research institutes, dining services, and more. We also offer temporary positions through our temporary employment pool. Positions can be 9-month (academic year) or 12-month, full-time or part-time, ongoing, or limited duration.

The UO is similar to a small city, and we have a wide variety of administrative, operational, research, academic, and creative needs.

The header of any job posting will tell you more about the type of work offered (full vs. part-time, etc.). The department and position summary of each posting will tell you more about the hiring department and the job.  

UO also offers graduate employee and student employee positions – please connect with the University Career Center or Division of Graduate Studies for more information.  

How do I find jobs that that interest me?

Filters on our careers page let you see positions by job type, department, and/or functional area. You can also use “position keyword search.” However you navigate, in addition to browsing by title, we recommend you review the position summary and minimum qualifications of each job to better assess if it’s a match for your experience and interests. Position titles can vary by department. and won’t necessarily align to titles in other industries, so look beyond the titles to see which jobs match your skills and interests.

I don’t see what I’m looking for. Should I give up? How can I stay in the loop as new jobs are posted?

Don’t give up—check back later! New positions are posted nearly daily, and some are posted at certain intervals during the academic year or as vacancies arise. The most recently posted jobs will appear at the top of the careers page if you don’t have filters applied. 

If you’re interested in particular fields, or want to receive job posting notifications in your inbox, subscribe to our notifications, and learn right away when something interesting pops up! 

I'm interested in part-time jobs. What should I know?

We often have part-time openings! Postings for staff and officer of administration positions include the full-time or part-time status. Or you can use the keyword search if you’re looking for something specific such as “.5” (half-time, 20 hours/week) or “.75” FTE, or search the words “part-time”-- but note that keyword searches will be case-sensitive. 

You are welcome to apply to our temporary employment pool. Many temp positions are part-time and provide a great opportunity to get to know more about the many departments on campus.

How can I find jobs that are hybrid or remote?

We encourage departments to state in the posting whether a position is eligible for hybrid or fully remote work, and to mention when the position will require work on site in Eugene (or other UO location). You can use the keyword search field to filter for jobs that mention the words "remote" or "hybrid." 

If the posting doesn't clearly state that it is remote or hybrid, it is likely that the position will require in-person work. We are a residential campus, and many of our employees work on campus to support the mission of the university. However, if you are interested in the position, we encourage you to apply and to follow up with the hiring department during the search process to verify the remote or in-person status.

Do you have employment opportunities for retirees? 

Yes! Retirees are welcome and encouraged to apply to positions at the UO. If you’re not a PERS retiree (not retired from a state institution in Oregon), there are no special considerations. If you are a PERS retiree, please consult PERS for any stipulations that might affect your employment as a retiree. Regardless of your retirement status, we encourage you to apply to any positions that interest you.  

Do you accept applications from international candidates? 

Gladly! We accept applications from candidates in all countries and encourage you to apply. Not all jobs are eligible for visa sponsorship, but there is a section in the application to indicate whether you require sponsorship to be eligible to work in the United States. 

Does the UO provide immigration/visa sponsorship or other paths to U.S. work authorization?

We encourage you to apply for any position you're interested in, regardless of your immigration status. Whether or not visa sponsorship is available is dependent on each position and hiring department, who work in consultation with our colleagues in International Student and Scholar Services to provide support for eligible employees. 

There is a section in the application to indicate whether you require visa sponsorship to be eligible to work in the United States. Hiring committees will follow up with candidates advancing in a search process to confirm whether sponsorship is feasible. For more information, visit International Student and Scholar Services.   

Can you offer me personalized career or job search advice, or feedback on my job application?

Unfortunately, these are not services we're able to offer. (If you are a UO student, you have access to career coaching through the University Career Center.)

 

Applying for jobs

How do I apply for a position?

To apply for most positions, click the “Apply Now” button on the top right corner of the job posting. If you have never applied in our system, you will be prompted to create an applicant profile in the applicant portal. If you have previously applied, you can return to your applicant profile by clicking “Sign In” on the right hand side of the Current Opportunities webpage and entering the email address and password you used to set up your account. Once your profile is set up, you will use the same email address and password to log in to the applicant portal and apply for positions, manage applications, withdraw an application, and view the status of your applications.

Once you’ve set up an applicant profile, future applications will be easier.

Some postings may direct applicants to other online application systems or external search firms. In these cases, the “Special Instructions to Applicants” will describe the correct method for applying to these jobs.

What if there is no “apply now” button on the job I’m interested in? 

Specific instructions can be found in the job advertisement under “Special Instructions to Applicants."

Can I submit a paper application, or email my resume for consideration? 

No. Applications are submitted online; the University of Oregon does not accept paper or emailed applications or resumes.

Why do I have to enter my work history on a long-form application if I’m already uploading a resume? Do I really have to do that?

Some positions require you to enter employment history in a long-form application, instead of or in addition to uploading a resume or CV. Refer to the posting's “special instructions to applicants” for the requirements of that posting.

While this may feel like an extra step, please help the search committee see your full relevant work history by entering employment history in the form; this assists with providing information often left out of resumes, such as start/end dates for previous employment, full-time/part-time/intermittent status of previous work history, and more. The information will be used in combination with your resume to determine if you meet minimum qualifications for consideration and, should you advance, to quantify your transferable experience to determine an appropriate salary offer.

I need to enter employment history in the long-form application, but it won’t accept my employer’s name. What do I do?

The “Company name” field is a lookup field. Click the binocular icon to open a search window. If your employer is not found, use the prompts in the pop-up window to add your company name to the directory. If you don't see a pop-up window, check your browser to see if your pop-up blocker is on.

How should I format my resume or cover letter? What file types does your system allow?

Our system accepts most file formats, although most applicants upload their documents as PDFs and Microsoft Word documents. There are no requirements for how you format your materials, but we recommend that they be clear, complete, and accessible. See Advice From Recruiters for tips on how to present your experience in your resume and/or cover letter.

Who should I address my cover letter to? 

You may address cover letters to the either the “Search Committee” or the “Hiring Manager.”  It's okay not to address them to a specific person.

Is there a required naming convention for uploaded documents?

No. We recommend keeping file names simple and clearly labeled with your name.

Should I provide materials that weren't requested?

No. Hiring committees will evaluate candidates based on their submitted, requested materials as listed in the “special instructions to applicants” section. Additional or unsolicited materials are not guaranteed consideration. 

I submitted my application, and now I want to replace a document or add more materials. What should I do?

Applications and application materials are not editable after they have been submitted, so if you wish to make changes, you need to withdraw your application and reapply with the updated materials. If applications are still being accepted for the position, log in to the applicant portal, then click the red “Withdraw” button next to the application you’d like to withdraw, and reapply with updated materials. Your previous application and materials will not be saved, so you will need to complete all parts of the application again, and your application will carry the updated date of your reapplication. Make sure to consult the job posting about the application review date; re-applying after the posted date means you will not be guaranteed consideration. Allowing updated materials to be submitted after the close of the deadline is at the discretion of the posting department. 

 

Job Postings

What does the "review of applications begins" date mean?

The date listed in the posting means that applications received through that date will be considered. Applications completed and fully submitted by 11:55 PM Pacific Time on the date listed on the posting will be considered to meet the review deadline, unless an alternate specific time is listed in the job posting.

What does "position open until filled" mean?

The department will beging by reviewing candidates who apply by the posted application review date. The hiring committee may decide to consider applications received after the "review begins" date but they are not required to do so.

A limited number of positions are not posted “open until filled,” and will instead list “position closes Month, Date, Year.” If this is the case, applications must be received by 11:55 pm on the closing date listed, in order to be considered, and will no longer be accepted after that date.

The "review of application begins" date has passed. Should I still apply?

Positions are posted until they are filled, so if you see a post with a review date in the past, it is still accepting applications. Late applications are not guaranteed consideration, so it is up to you whether to apply knowing that your candidacy may or may not be considered; the job could fill tomorrow, or remain open waiting for just the right applicant, but there’s only one way to be in line for review, and that is to apply if you’re interested!

What is an "open pool," and what can I expect if I apply?

Open pools for faculty positions are intended to build a pool of candidates for limited duration instructional or research work in a department, to be reviewed as needs arise. These positions can vary in hours and rank. If you are interested and meet the requirements, we encourage you to apply! Please be aware that applications will be reviewed only if a vacancy arises, so it is possible you will not be contacted at all. Most pools are open for one year at a time, so you will need to reapply each year to ensure consideration.

 

Veterans

I am a veteran/eligible for veteran's preference in the state of Oregon. How do I indicate this in my application, and what should I expect?

Veteran’s preference is applied on a job-by-job basis, which allows you to decide for each job you apply for whether or not to request preference. As part of the application process, you will be prompted to complete a voluntary self-identification form, which includes information and definitions to assist you in determining your eligibility. Please read and complete this section; indicating veteran status on this form will notify us to follow up so you can upload your eligibility documentation after application.

Please do not upload confidential veteran documentation with your initial application; you will receive instructions to upload confidentially within a few business days of your application. UO will review and ensure appropriate application of veteran’s preference from there.

What documentation do you accept for proof of veteran status?

Typically, a DD-214 is required. In some cases, a benefit letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs will document disabled veteran status eligibility. UO will provide you with a secure method to upload this documentation after you have completed your application and designated on the voluntary form that you are a veteran. This allows us to review your sensitive documents confidentially and separately from your application materials. If you do not have a DD-214 or have questions about your application, please contact uocareers@uoregon.edu.

I’ve already submitted my DD-214 to document my eligibility for veterans’ preference for a previous application. Why am I being asked to submit it again?

Veteran’s preference is applied on a job-by-job basis, which allows you to decide whether or not to request preference on every job for which you apply. You will need to upload your DD-214 or other accepted eligibility documentation every time you apply for a job and designate that you are a veteran or disabled veteran under the Oregon Veteran's Preference statute.

 

The Hiring process

How long does it take departments to review applications? When will I know if I got an interview?

Review time will vary depending upon the number of applicants, complexity of the position, and availability of the search committee members. We make every effort to notify candidates as quickly as possible, typically via email, as decisions are made at each stage of the process, but there can be delays. You can check the status of your application in the applicant portal at any time.

How can I check the status of my application?

Log in to the applicant portal, where you can check the “Current Status” listed under the name of the position.

Why didn't I get an interview?

In most cases, it is simply a matter of having many highly qualified candidates for each job. We’re not able to provide specific feedback about candidates’ outcomes in individual searches, but here are some common issues that create obstacles:

  1. Applying after the "review of applications begins" date. For positions marked as "open until filled," you are welcome to apply after the deadline. However, late applications are not guaranteed consideration.
  2. Not providing complete or clear application materials. Make sure to read the "special instructions to applicants" section of the job posting and follow it. If you do not provide all the requested materials, or if your materials do not clearly show how you meet the qualifications for a position, you may not advance in the search.
  3. Applying for a position for which you do not meet the minimum requirements. Make it easy for reviewers to see how you meet the posted minimum requirements. If you don't meet them, or if your materials don't make it clear that you do, the hiring committee will not be able to consider your application.

If the above do not apply to your situation, know that we regularly see applicants who've applied to multiple jobs and eventually end up finding a job at the UO! Regardless of the outcome, we are grateful for the time and energy you dedicate to applying, and we encourage you to keep considering our opportunities. We post more positions nearly daily. Applicants are not penalized for applying for multiple positions. 

Subscribe to our job posting email notifications to make sure you don't miss jobs you're interested in!

What does the background check process entail?

The university contracts with a third-party vendor to conduct job-related background checks prior to hire, in order to ensure a safe and secure work environment in which university faculty, staff, students, resources, and assets are protected, while protecting the integrity and confidentiality of information gathered during the evaluation.

Background checks are normally conducted only after you've received a contingent offer of employment. You will receive an email asking you to authorize the university to conduct the background check. You will be provided with online authorization and disclosure forms that require identifying information, including other names used, your Social Security number and birthdate, current address, and contact information. 

 

Technical Support

How do I log in to my applicant portal?

You may log in to the applicant portal from the Current Opportunities page by clicking “Sign In - Applicant Portal,” and entering your email address and password. If you can’t remember your password, click on the “Forgotten your password?” link on the Current Opportunities webpage. If you can’t remember the email address you used to create your account, please email uocareers@uoregon.edu for assistance.

The system won't accept my email and/or password. What should I do?

If you can’t remember your password, you can follow system prompts to reset it. If you can’t remember the email address you used to create your account, please email uocareers@uoregon.edu for assistance.

I clicked “forgotten your password?” but I didn’t get an email. What should I do?

Check your junk folder to see if the email is there; if not, please wait 15 minutes and look in your email again. The only way to reset your password is via email, so if you’re continuing to have problems, please contact uocareers@uoregon.edu to request assistance.

I started an application but did not submit it. Can I still apply? How do I go back and finish it?

Log in to the applicant portal, find your incomplete application and click “complete application.” If you do not complete that final step, your application does not count as received.

Incomplete applications are deleted from the system within 15 days. If your application has been deleted and applications are still being accepted for the position, you will need to complete all parts of the application again in order to apply. If applications are no longer being accepted for the position, you will not be able to complete an application, even if you started one before the deadline.