Please note, your school or unit may have additional requirements or guidelines that you will need to consider. Contact your student hire representative for more information.
Posting a Position
While not required, posting a student job can help with recruitment. Speak with your student hire representative about suitable job boards.
Employers are encouraged to post on-campus job vacancies on Handshake to ensure equity and access to qualified candidates. To post a job, your office needs an employer account. Refer to the Getting Started with Handshake guide for registration details.
NOTE: Please be sure to search for your USC office/department before creating a new one. If you do not see your office listed, please name your account “University of South Carolina- name of office” (ex: University of South Carolina- Career Center).
Interviewing Students
Interviews are recommended but not required unless hiring for a work-study position. Interviews help ensure a good match between the job and the student.
Developing Interview Questions: Before interviewing a student, create a list of questions to assess their skills and fit for your department. Include a mix of open-ended and yes/no questions. Examples include:
- Do you prefer working independently or in a team?
- What did you like most or least about your last job?
- Can you perform [specific task relevant to the job]?
- Tell me about a time when [specific experience or qualification relevant to the job].
Notify the student in advance if you need additional information or a resume.
Legal Considerations: Avoid questions related to protected classes (e.g., race, gender, religion). Do not ask about date of birth, children, childcare arrangements, transportation, financial commitments, or arrest records. You may ask about their ability to work the specified schedule, career objectives, GPA, and estimated graduation timeframe. If unsure about a question, contact the Division of Human Resources.
For more information on protected classes, visit the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX.
Putting the Student at Ease: It might be the student's first interview, and they could be nervous. Start with small talk to help them relax. Questions like “Tell me about yourself” or “What year are you and what are your aspirations after graduation?” are good icebreakers.
Providing Job Information: Before asking your questions, explain the department, job duties, expectations, supervisory style, and other relevant details. Be clear about your expectations and invite the student to ask questions or provide comments. Discuss:
- Work schedule and availability
- Job duties
- Pay rate
- Conduct and dress code
- Required experience
- Training provided
- Employment duration, start, and end dates
- Hiring decision timeline
Asking Interview Questions: Ask your prepared questions and listen carefully to the student's responses about their education, training, and experience. Encourage them to elaborate. For more information regarding interviewing questions, please review the interview guide [pdf].
Concluding the Interview: Thank the student and inform them when and how they can expect to hear about your decision.
Selecting a Candidate & Background Screenings
Selecting a Candidate: The process for selecting a candidate and extending an offer varies across USC. Contact your student hire representative for specific details and considerations in your department.
Background Checks: Some jobs may require a background check, especially those involving minors or residential programs. If needed, the student will be notified by your student hire representative.
For more information on background checks, visit the Division of Human Resources.
Extending an Offer
Offers can be verbal or written, depending on your department’s process. Once the hire is processed in HCM PeopleSoft, the student will receive an email confirmation with job details, including the specifics of the start and end date, pay rate, hours per week, supervisor, and other pertinent information at their USC email address.
Inform the other interviewed students if they were not selected.
Hiring a Student Employee
After the student accepts the offer, your student hire representative will complete the hiring process and ensure all required forms are completed.
Review the Supervisor Checklist for more information on what to expect leading up to the student’s first day and throughout their first week.