Frequently Asked Questions
Employment-Related Questions
- 1. What are the different categories of positions at Wesleyan University?
There are four categories of positions at Wesleyan:
- Faculty positions
- Staff positions (both unionized and non-unionized)
- Student employment positions
- Temporary positions
- 2. What are the unions at Wesleyan University?
The two unions and three separate contracts at Wesleyan are the:
- United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers for public safety officers and
- Office and Professional Employees International Union for secretarial and clerical staff as well as physical plant staff, through separate contracts.
- 3. Who facilitates the recruitment for each category of positions at Wesleyan University?
- The Human Resources office facilitates the recruitment process for staff and temporary positions.
- The Office of Academic Affairs facilitates the recruitment process for faculty positions.
- The Campus Employment team at the Gordon Career Center facilitates the job posting process for student employees. The hiring process for each opening is managed directly by the department for which the student employee will work. For assistance in finding a campus job or posting a campus job, email campusemployment@wesleyan.edu. To see campus jobs that are currently hiring, visit Handshake via this link.
- 4. I am a current Wesleyan employee. How do I find out about opportunities or apply as an internal applicant?
- All of our open positions are posted on the Careers website.
- Occasionally, positions may be posted for “internal applicants only.” This is a competitive process that occurs when the University has committed to filling the position from within. The date by which internal applicants should apply will be posted in the “Special Instruction to Applicants” section of the posting. The position may be opened for external recruitment if internal recruitment does not yield a suitable candidate.
- Qualified internal applicants are invited to apply using the same process as an external applicant.
- 5. How do I apply to a position at Wesleyan? Can I email an application to Human Resources or drop one off at the HR office?
- To apply to a position at Wesleyan, you must create a profile in our employment portal. Then you will upload a cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae, and any documents or information as instructed.
- The use of the online system for applications is required, as the search committees only review applications through the online system. If you have not applied online, your application may not be available for review.
- 6. The position asks for a writing sample. What kind of sample should I submit?
If a hiring manager is looking for a specific kind of writing sample, details will be outlined in the “Special Instructions” section of the job posting. If not specified, upload a writing sample that showcases your best talent as it relates to the position.
- 7. I need accommodation to complete the application. and/or for interviews.
Please contact the Human Resources office at 860-685-2100 with your accommodation request.
- 8. How should I address my cover letter?
It doesn’t matter to whom the cover letter is addressed. The important thing is that the letter shows your interest in the specific position to which you are applying.
- 9. I am uploading my cover letter and resume. Do I need to fill out the online application?
Yes, you do need to fill out the online application; it is an opportunity to include information that may not be in your resume.
- 10. How can I find the salary for a position?
Position salaries are discussed during the interview process.
- 11. Can I contact the hiring manager?
We ask that you contact Human Resources for any search-related questions.
- 12. I applied a long time ago and haven’t heard back.
The hiring manager/search committee reviews all submissions and will contact candidates to schedule an interview. Candidates who are no longer under consideration will be notified. Once a search is completed, all applicants who haven't already been notified will be notified.
- 13. If a job was posted a few months ago and remains on the website, is it still open?
Yes. If a job is listed on the website, it is still open. Most jobs have an application close date. Occasionally, a position may be posted without an application close date. Such postings continue to accept applications until the position is filled.
- 14. My status in Careers still shows “Review in Progress.”
“Review in Progress” means that your application is still under consideration. If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email letting you know of your status.
- 15. I seem to have forgotten my username/password.
- DO NOT create a new account.
- Click on the link below the login button and follow instructions to reset the password.
- 16. Pages are not opening correctly—I can’t see anything on the page; I just get a blank screen.
The cause of this may be the browser/security settings. Try using a different browser, or adjust the settings on the current browser.
- 17. My upload did not work, or the browser timed out.
This could be due to the file type or settings on the document you are trying to upload. We accept the following document types: .doc, .docx, .rtf, .rtx, .pdf, .txt, .xls, .xlsx, .tiff, .tif, .jpeg, .jpg, .jpe, .png, .flv, .mov. Make sure the document does not have a watermark or password-protected content.
- 18. I made a mistake in my application materials. What should I do?
For staff or temporary positions, email a request to careers@wesleyan.edu to reactivate your application. For faculty positions, email a request to lsacks@wesleyan.edu. Once the application has been reactivated, you will receive an email allowing you to update your application.
- 19. I would like to review or revise my application.
- You can always review the applications you have started or submitted. You can find all of your applications by clicking on the “Your Applications” link.
- 20. I would like to withdraw my application.
Select “Your Applications,” and locate the appropriate application. Follow the link to “Withdraw Application.” A confirmation page will open. On the confirmation page, select “Yes, withdraw this application.” You will no longer be considered for this job.
Travel-Related Questions
- 21. Does Wesleyan reimburse for interview travel?
Wesleyan reimburses for mileage or other interview-related travel expenses when a candidate travels a distance greater than 50 miles to interview. Discuss specifics with the primary contact on your search before planning any travel.
- 22. How do I get reimbursed for travel expenses?
- Complete an Individual W-9 form for out-of-pocket interview travel reimbursement.
- Along with the form, include an itemized statement of expenses and scanned receipts.
- Email the completed form to your primary contact on the search (not Accounts Payable).
- 23. What are the airports or train stations close to campus?
- The nearest airport to Middletown is Bradley International Airport (BDL), which is about 34 miles from our campus.
- Other area airports include Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport (HVN), about 30 miles from campus; LaGuardia Airport (LGA), about 96 miles from campus; John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), about 102 miles from campus; Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), 117 miles from campus; Westchester County Airport (HPN), 72 miles from campus; Green Airport (PVD), 88 miles from campus, and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 120 miles from campus.
- The nearest local train station is the Meriden train station, which is about 9 miles from campus. The nearest major train stations are Hartford Amtrak Train Station, which is about 21 miles from campus, and New Haven Union Train Station, which is about 29 miles from campus.
- 24. Where can I find a campus map?
Here is our campus map.
- 25. Driving Directions
- Driving directions to our campus
- Driving directions to the Wesleyan Admission Office, located at 70 Wyllys Ave., Middletown, CT
- Driving directions to Wesleyan Human Resources, located at 237 High St., Middletown, CT
- Driving directions to Exley Science Center, located at 265 Church St., Middletown, CT
- Driving directions to Freeman Athletic Center, located at 161 Cross St., Middletown, CT
- Driving directions to the Center for Arts, located at 283 Washington Terrace, Middletown, CT
- Driving directions to the Center for Film Studies, located at 301 Washington Terrace, Middletown, CT
- 26. Parking Directions
- General information about visitor parking on campus
- Parking near Exley: Use Lawn Street or one of the streets off Lawn Street.
- Parking near the Admission Office: Use Lot E or park on Mt. Vernon St.
- Parking near Freeman Athletic Center: Use Lots Q, R, or U, or park on Cross St.
- Parking elsewhere on campus: Use the ample roadside parking available around campus.
Our campus map
- 27. What is the process for interviewing for a Wesleyan staff or temporary position?
- The search committee narrows down the applicant pool to the list of candidates best qualified based on the position requirements.
- The hiring manager/search committee chair then contacts the shortlisted candidates to schedule the first round of screening via phone, video, or in-person interview.
- After the first screening interview, a smaller group of candidates will be invited to campus for a more extensive in-person interview.
- Some searches may require a third round of interviews before a finalist is identified.
- The timeline for search processes varies from a few weeks to several months.
- Itineraries for campus interviews are provided. Campus interviews could be in different buildings and may involve walking from one location to another. Candidates are encouraged to pay attention to the interview location for each interview meeting.
- The on-campus interview process could take from half a day to a full day.
- 28. What is the pre-offer process for finalists or semi-finalists after interviewing for a staff or temporary position?
- Occasionally there may be further follow-up interviews.
- The finalist/semi-finalist will be asked to provide three professional references, including a current supervisor, previous supervisor, and additional professional reference.
- 29. What is the post-offer pre-employment process?
Our offers are extended contingent upon a satisfactory background check. All positions at the University require these checks. Additional testing may also be required. Human Resources will be in touch to initiate the various components of the pre-employment process. For details on what to expect, please visit the background check policy.
To start a background check, you will be sent a link to our online system with our vendor, where you will enter your information. In addition to the online material, you will also need to fill out a signed release.
- 30. I was in a temporary role, so why do I need a background check again?
Since the background check for the temporary role was limited, we need to run a more thorough background check including education and employment.
- 31. I was employed 12 months ago. Why do I need a background check again?
Under our guidelines, if it has been more than 12 months since your last employment with Wesleyan, we require a new background check.
- 32. How long does it take to complete a background check?
Our typical background check takes about 48 hours. However, depending on other circumstances it could take a few weeks. Wesleyan will enlist the help of the candidate to complete the background check if it takes too long.
- 33. I still have questions. Where can I direct them?
- For questions related to staff or temporary positions, email careers@wesleyan.edu.
- For questions related to faculty positions, email lsacks@wesleyan.edu.