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For Students: How to Get Hired

Contents:

Phase 1: Complete required hiring paperwork

Even before securing a campus job, students who intend to work are strongly encouraged to complete the required employment forms as early as possible.

Why? Completing your paperwork in advance makes the hiring process faster and more efficient once you’re offered a position. Delays in paperwork can prevent you from starting work or being added to the payroll system on time.

By getting this step out of the way, you'll be ready to say “yes” to a job opportunity without waiting on processing or paperwork.

Employment Verification Policy

All student employees must complete required employment verification before beginning any work, and supervisors are responsible for ensuring compliance prior to the student's first day. To outline expectations and consequences for non-compliance, Augustana College has established an official Employment Verification Policy. This policy applies to all student employment positions and helps protect the college from legal and financial risk.

→ View the full Employment Verification Policy

Where to complete paperwork

Visit the Payroll Office on the second floor of Sorenson Hall. Complete and gather your required items before coming to the Payroll Office. Find location and hours for the Payroll Office.

Additional opportunities to complete your paperwork occur during Orientation & Registration (for incoming students).

Required documents & forms

For domestic students

Complete and gather your required items before coming to the Payroll Office. 

Bring these original documents (photocopies cannot be accepted):

  • Federal W-4 (located on irs.gov)
  • I-9 Employment Verification (pages 1 & 2)
  • State W-4
    • For Illinois residents: Illinois W-4 (located on tax.illinois.gov)
    • Students from outside Illinois will complete the Illinois W-4: Illinois W-4 (located on tax.illinois.gov)
    • For Iowa residents: Iowa W-4 (located on revenue.iowa.gov, look for IA W-4 Employee Withholding Allowance 44-019)
  • Bring original documents as photocopies cannot be accepted under federal law.
    • Valid photo ID (driver’s license or school ID)
      AND
    • One of the following: original Social Security card, original birth certificate, or valid U.S. passport

For international students

How to apply for a Social Security card and complete employment paperwork

Before you begin:

  • Complete and gather your required items before coming to the Payroll Office.

Social Security card requirement

  • If you plan to work on campus, you must apply for and receive a Social Security card.
  • You cannot be paid until you show your Social Security card to the Payroll Office in Sorensen Hall.
  • You’ll be able to begin the application process in Week 2 of the term.

Important notes

  • You can start applying for on-campus jobs while working on your Social Security card.
  • Be sure to tell your potential employer that it may take a few weeks before you’re authorized to start working.
  • Social Security card (or proof of application)

Step 1: Complete the Social Security card application (oSSNAP)

  • Go to: www.ssa.gov/ssncard-app
  • Complete the online application (called oSSNAP)
  • When you finish, save or take a screenshot of the green confirmation screen with your control number
  • This number is required when you go to the Social Security office to complete your application — you cannot get your card without it!

Step 2: Pick up employment letter for Social Security application

  • To apply for your Social Security card, you will need an employment letter.
  • As an international student, you are eligible to participate in Augustana’s Flexible Employment Program, which means you can receive an employment letter even if you haven’t been hired for a specific job yet.
  • These have been pre-printed and are available for pick-up at the CORE Commons front desk (1st floor, Olin Center), no later than the Monday of the third week of each academic semester. An email will be sent out when the letters are complete and ready for pick up.

Step 3: Visit the Social Security Office in Rock Island

  • The Social Security Office is located at: 2350 4th Avenue, Rock Island, IL (about 1 mile from campus)
  • It’s recommended you make an appointment ahead of time by calling (866) 414-9166
Bring these required original documents: 

YOU MUST BRING THESE ITEMS WITH YOU TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE. These items must be the original documents:

  • Letter of Employment: These have been pre-printed and are available for pick-up at the CORE Commons front desk (1st floor, Olin Center), no later than the Monday of the third week of each academic semester. An email will be sent out when the letters are complete and ready for pick up.
  • Valid Passport
  • Completed I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) or DS-2019
  • I-94: Find yours at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/recent-search
    • Click Consent and Continue
    • Enter your name, birthday, passport number, country of issuance, and click Next
  • Your oSSNAP control number

Step 4: Wait to receive your Social Security card

  • In 7-10 days, you will receive a letter in your student mailbox from the Social Security Administration.
  • Your card will be included. It is a small blue card.
  • DO NOT LOSE THIS — keep it in a safe place.
  • If someone gets this card, it is very easy to become a target of identity theft.
  • This number will be yours for life. If you return to the U.S. for graduate school or employment, you will need this number again.

Complete the employment verification process

All student employees must complete required employment verification before beginning any work, and supervisors are responsible for ensuring compliance prior to the student's first day. To outline expectations and consequences for non-compliance, Augustana College has established an official Employment Verification Policy. This policy applies to all student employment positions and helps protect the college from legal and financial risk.

→ View the full Employment Verification Policy

Visit the Payroll Office on the second floor of Sorenson Hall. Complete and gather your required items before coming to the Payroll Office. Find location and hours for the Payroll Office.

Required hiring documents by student type

All students must complete employment verification before beginning work. The documents and forms required depend on whether you are a domestic or international student.

Required for all students

  • I-9 Employment Verification (pages 1 & 2): Download from USCIS.gov
  • Direct Deposit Setup: Completed through Paycor after your I-9 is processed

Required for domestic students

  • Federal W-4 (located on irs.gov
  • I-9 Employment Verification (pages 1 & 2)
  • State W-4
    • For Illinois residents: Illinois W-4 (located on tax.illinois.gov)
    • Students from outside Illinois will complete the Illinois W-4: Illinois W-4 (located on tax.illinois.gov)
    • For Iowa residents: Iowa W-4 (located on revenue.iowa.gov, look for IA W-4 Employee Withholding Allowance 44-019)
  • Bring original documents as photocopies cannot be accepted under federal law.
    • Valid photo ID (driver’s license or school ID)
      AND
    • One of the following: original Social Security card, original birth certificate, or valid U.S. passport

Required for international students

Phase 2: Set up Paycor account

Once your I-9 is processed by Payroll, you’ll receive an email invitation to Paycor, the college’s payroll system.

In Paycor, you must complete remaining employment forms and set up direct deposit. Paycor is also where you will  be able to view and print pay stubs.

For assistance, contact the Payroll Office.

Phase 3: Explore job opportunities

All on-campus jobs are posted in Handshake, Augustana’s career platform. Every student has an account automatically created for them.

Access Handshake

  • Go to augustana.joinhandshake.com
  • Log in to Handshake using your Augustana email address. (For example, janedoe18@augustana.edu.) When prompted, continue the log-in process using your email and email password.
  • Follow the prompts to complete personalization of your profile.
  • Once you build your profile, you will be able to search and apply for jobs, including on-campus student employment positions.

Search for openings:

  • Click Jobs in the top menu bar of Handshake
  • Note: All on-campus jobs are posted under “Student Employment at Augustana College.”
  • Fill out desired information: location, job type, employment type, employer industry
  • Select Show Advanced Options to view more search options
  • Click on a position’s title to view more about position
  • Apply directly using Handshake by clicking the green Apply Now button.

Best practices for applying, interviewing, and working on campus

Working on campus is a great way to build experience, strengthen your resume, and become more connected to the campus community. Use the steps and tools below to confidently navigate the hiring process and succeed in your role.

Career Development & Vocation curates key resources and tools for you to use throughout your college experience (and beyond!).  Visit careers.augustana.edu for access to valuable resources.

Applying for campus jobs

  • Update your resume: Use our resume writing guide to create a polished, professional document
  • Need a template or example? Visit our resume & cover letter samples
  • Follow instructions carefully: Incomplete applications or missing documents may delay the hiring process

Interviewing on campus

  • Be prepared: Treat interviews like any other professional opportunity, punctuality and preparation matter
  • Not sure what to say:  Learn Interviewing Strategies and Practice Interviewing using tips on answering behavioral questions and telling your story

Succeeding in your on-campus job

Your student job is more than just a paycheck, it’s your chance to grow, connect, and shine. Show up with a positive attitude, smile, and ask, “How can I help?” Treat everyone with kindness and put yourself in their shoes.

  • Take the job seriously: Ask questions if you’re unsure, your supervisor is there to help. Learn as much as you can about your workplace and take initiative to go above and beyond.
  • Communicate clearly: Keep your supervisor updated on schedule changes or challenges
  • Be dependable: Show up on time, meet deadlines, and follow through on responsibilities
  • Ask for support: Student employment is a learning experience and supervisors expect questions and growth
  • Make an impression: Get to know the staff, dress the part, and think about the recommendation letter you’d want from this role. Be the student they talk about (in a good way!) even after you graduate.
  • Be a role model: The way you work sets the tone for others, and shapes your future.

If you’re looking to build long-term skills through student employment, consider tracking your development in the Viking Score.