Prospective Student Employees FAQs
Where do I find/How do I apply to on campus jobs?
All currently available on campus positions can be found on our Handshake website. To locate on campus positions, search results can be filtered to feature only “on campus student employment” jobs or jobs posted under the employer name of “Roosevelt University On Campus Student Employment”.
What is Handshake?
Handshake is our online campus job board and system in which all vacant student positions are posted for students to view and apply to.
How do I login to Handshake?
Proceed to the Handshake website and use your RU NetID credentials to login. If you are still having trouble logging in, please contact the Office of Career Development (career@roosevelt.edu).
Why can’t I apply to jobs on Handshake?
Please be sure you have uploaded at least a resume to your Handshake account as a resume is always required to apply to any of our on campus positions. Once you have uploaded a resume, it needs to be reviewed and approved by a career counselor. This may take anywhere from 1-3 business days as resumes are reviewed in the order that they are received. If you resume was not approved, you should be contacted by a career counselor who will inform you of why it was not approved. If you are still experiencing problems with applying to jobs on Handshake, please contact the Office of Career Development (studentjobs@roosevelt.edu).
I am an International student, what on campus jobs can I apply to?
As an International student, you can still apply to most on campus jobs, if your student visa allows you to work while studying at the university. Read the details of every job you are applying to so you may understand if you are eligible. If you are unsure, you may contact the hiring manager of the job for clarity.
What is a resume and how I do make one?
A resume is a document that states your professional experiences, skills, and accomplishments. Resumes are used to locate new employment and are submitted to employers as a part of a job application. For help on creating a resume or tips on improving your resume, visit the Office of Career Development webpage for resources. You may also schedule individual appointments to meet with a career counselor who can review your resume or assist you in creating one!
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a brief letter that expresses your interest in a job and introduces who you are. This letter is often requested to be sent to the hiring manager/company with your resume to help start conversations about you and the job that you are applying for. For help on creating cover letters or tips on improving your cover letters, visit the Office of Career Development webpage for resources. You may also schedule individual appointments to meet with a career counselor who can review your cover letter or assist you in creating one!
I never heard back from a hiring supervisor after I submitted my job application, what do I do?
Hiring managers may sometimes forget or be unable to quickly respond to your submitted job application. If you would like to know what the status of your job application is, then you may send them a short, friendly, and professional email asking what the status is of your job application. This is usually known as a “Follow Up” email and can sometimes help get attention on your job application. It is usually polite to only follow up with someone 5-7 business days after submitting your application. If you still have not heard back, you can attempt to follow up once more 2-3 business days after your first initial follow up email. Be careful to not email someone too often as it can come off as impolite or rude.
I was not offered the job, what now?
“Finding a job is a job in itself”. Getting a job is a lot of work and takes a lot of time! But people rarely get the first job they apply to and others may apply to 10 jobs before they are offered one. Keep your head up and keep on applying and interviewing. We recommend that you apply to as many jobs as you can as the job search is highly competitive due to the large number of students who are also searching for an on campus job. Ensure your resume is up to date and your interviewing skills are great. It is always a good idea to have someone review your resume so feel free to schedule an appointment with one of our career counselors. We love meeting and helping students! We also provide interview practice to help coach you on job interviews and answering common interview questions!
Federal Work Study FAQs
I have been awarded the Federal Work Study (FWS) award, where do I find a job for that?
As a FWS award recipient, you can apply to any of our on campus positions! You will have the same eligibility as any other student to apply to on campus jobs since all on campus jobs are typically FWS approved. You will still go through the same hiring procedure as any other student employee and upon accepting an offered job, you will need to inform your hiring manager that you are an FWS award recipient.
How do I know if I have been awarded the Federal Work Study (FWS) award?
The FWS award is granted to students based on their financial status as submitted on the FAFSA. Students who are awarded the FWS award have the choice to accept it while reviewing their financial aid award letter at the start of every school year. International students are not eligible to receive the FWS award. For additional help or to see whether you have been awarded the FWS award, please see a Financial Aid counselor in the Office of Financial Aid.
Timesheet FAQs
Where/how do I report my hours?
If you are an hourly student employee, you will report your hours via online timesheet on RU ACCESS. Timesheets must be submitted before 11:59pm on Saturday at the end of each pay period so that your supervisor may review and approve it. Stipend student employees do not need to report their hours or complete a timesheet. Instructions on how to complete and submit online timesheets are in the Student Employment Handbook.
What if I forgot to submit my online timesheet on RU ACCESS on time?
You will need to request a “paper timesheet” by emailing studentjobs@roosevelt.edu. You will then need to print and fill out the paper timesheet with the hours that you have forgotten to submit on the online timesheet. Once the paper timesheet is filled out, your supervisor will need to review and sign it. The paper timesheet can then be emailed to the Payroll Office (payroll@roosevelt.edu) for processing and so a paycheck can be generated. Submitting paper timesheets may result in receiving your paycheck 1 to 2 paydays later than normally scheduled.
What if I can not see my online timesheet on RU ACCESS?
If you are a stipend student employee, you will not need to report your hours or complete a timesheet. If you are an hourly student employee, please make sure you have received your work authorization email from the Office of Career Development which states you may begin working. If you still do not see your online timesheet, please notify your supervisor immediately.
I am given an error when I try to open my online timesheet, what do I do?
Please contact studentjobs@roosevelt.edu for assistance with any online timesheet errors you are experiencing. Include your RU ID number in your email so we may identify you. You may be asked to provide screenshots of the error for troubleshooting purposes.
Paychecks & Direct Deposit FAQs
When/how do I get paid?
Payday occurs every other Thursday for the preceding two weeks. If you enrolled in direct deposit, your paycheck will be deposited into your bank account by the end of payday. If you did not enroll in direct deposit, your paycheck will be mailed to your current mailing address and will be shipped out of the university on payday. Allow 1-3 weeks for the check to arrive. Please be sure your current mailing address and contact information is up to date with the university. Paychecks are NOT available to be picked up in person at the university, due to COVID-19.
Why is my paycheck less than I thought I was receiving?
Federal and state taxes, and possibly other taxes, are deducted from paychecks which makes your net pay (“take home pay” or “after tax earnings”) less than your gross pay (“pretax earnings”). Typically, when an employer talks about salaries and wages that an employee will earn, they are referring to the gross amount (pretax amount) that the employee would be paid while the actual amount of the employee’s paycheck will be less once taxes are deducted (net amount). If the gross amount listed on your paystub appears incorrect, please contact either the Payroll Office (payroll@roosevelt.edu) or the Office of Career Development (studentjobs@roosevelt.edu).
What is a paystub and where do I find mine?
Paystubs are documents that outline the exact pay details of each paycheck you receive. It will document how many hours of work the paycheck is paying you for, for which pay period it concerns, and what amounts are being deducted from your gross pay because of taxes and other fees. Paystubs can be found on RU ACCESS. Log in and click on the Employee Services Tab, click on Pay Information, then click on Pay Stub.
Where/how do I update my current mailing address and other contact information?
You can review and update your current mailing address and other contact information on RU ACCESS.
Can paychecks be mailed outside the U.S?
No, paychecks can only be mailed to U.S. addresses.
How do I know if I am enrolled for direct deposit?
You can check to see if you are currently enrolled for direct deposit on RU ACCESS. Log in and click on the Employee Services Tab, click on Pay Information, then click on Direct Deposit Allocation. If you are currently enrolled, you should see your bank account(s) displayed as that is where your paycheck is currently being deposited to. If no bank accounts are visible then you are currently not enrolled.
How do I enroll in direct deposit?
You will need to complete and submit a direct deposit enrollment form. You may request a form from the Office of Career Development (studentjobs@roosevelt.edu). You must also provide a copy of a blank voided check with your enrollment form so that we may verify your bank account and routing numbers.
How do I unenroll from direct deposit? What if I want to send my paychecks to a different bank account?
To make changes to any existing direct deposit enrollments, you will need to submit an updated direct deposit enrollment form. This form may be requested from the Office of Career Development (studentjobs@roosevelt.edu). When you complete your form, you must list the old bank account’s information and specify the “type of change” that you would like to make to it. If you are adding a new bank account, you must provide a copy of a blank voided check with your enrollment form so that we may verify your bank account and routing numbers. Completed forms can be emailed back to the Office of Career Development.
Are foreign bank accounts (Non-American) eligible for direct deposit?
No, we are currently unable to deposit paychecks into foreign bank accounts. You must have an American bank account to have your paychecks directly deposited.
What if I was paid incorrectly?
Please contact the Office of Career Development (studentjobs@roosevelt.edu). In your email, please specify which paycheck you are referring to and for which pay period it may concern.
Tax and Tax Filing FAQs
How do I view current tax withholding (W-4) information and update my tax withholdings?
You can view your current tax withholding information on RU ACCESS. Log in and click on the Employee Services Tab, click on Tax Information, and then click on W-4 Tax Exemptions or Allowances. To make changes to any existing tax withholding information, you will need to submit updated tax withholding forms (Federal & State). These forms may be requested from the Office of Career Development (studentjobs@roosevelt.edu). Completed forms can be emailed back to the Office of Career Development.
How do I get my W-2 so I can file my taxes?
By law, the W-2 must be mailed out by employers and to their employees no later than January 31. Employees can expect to receive the W-2 form within the mail a few weeks after they have been shipped (mid to late February, or earlier). Employees can also request to receive their W-2 electronically on RU ACCESS. You must first consent to receiving it electronically before it is made available to you. To do this, log into RU ACCESS and click on the Employee Services Tab, then click on Tax Forms.
I did not receive a W-2 in the mail, and it is not available online, what do I do?
Please contact the Payroll Office (payroll@roosevelt.edu).
How do I file taxes? Do I need to file taxes?
Please consult a tax consultant or specialist for help on filing taxes and to understand whether you need to file your taxes or not. Visit the IRS Homepage for resources and help on filing taxes.
Other FAQs
What if I am late or can not make it to work today?
Ask your supervisor about their office’s procedures and conditions for being late or absent and how to communicate to them when you are late or believe you may be absent. In general, you should always notify your supervisor when you will be late or absent with as much notice as possible.
What if I need/want to stop working?
You should always notify your supervisor if you must resign from your student position, and you should do so professionally and with as much notice as possible. When talking to your supervisor about resigning, you should both agree on what day will be your last day of employment.