Career Services - Western Illinois University

About Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you can find some of the most frequently asked questions of our office. However, if you cannot find the answer to your particular question, please do not hesitate to contact us – we are here to help! Call or e-mail: 309/298-1838 or careers@wiu.edu

eRecruiting

Q: What is eRecruiting?
A: eRecruiting is a registration system that will allow individuals to go online and create a profile (degree, major/minor, career interests, identifying information, etc.), upload their own personal resume, search for jobs nationwide, schedule on-campus interviews, publish their resume into "resume books" and additional options.
Q: Do I need to come into the Career Services office to register?
A: No. All you need to do is visit the eRecruiting site to begin the process.
Q: By registering with eRecruiting, will employers be able to view my online documents?
A: Yes. Once your documents are published, employers nationwide are very familiar with the eRecruiting system and know how to navigate it to locate qualified job candidates.
Q: By registering with eRecruiting, will this guarantee any employment opportunities?
A: No. There are no guarantees of employment. However this system will enable candidates to have greater exposure to employers and greater access to employer information.

The Vault

Q: What is "The Vault?"
A: The Vault is an ultimate career resource center with career/job information, a company database (with contact information, insider insights, etc), a job/internship resource, and additional career information.
Q: How do I get into "The Vault" system?
A: Visit the Vault log-in page and simply log-on with your WIU ECOM account and password.
Q: Can alumni use "The Vault" system?
A: Unfortunately no, because you must have a current active ecom account and password.

General Questions

Q: Does the Career Services office "place" or "get" people jobs?
A: No. The office does not serve as an employment agency. The office helps individuals develop the "tools" (resumes, letters, job-searching, interviewing, etc) so that each person can go out and find suitable employment.
Q: What are some of the services provided by Career Services?
A: We assist individuals with writing resumes and application letters, job search techniques, mock-interviewing, 5 on-campus career fairs throughout the school year, on-campus interviews with employers, and additional career services/information.
Q: Do I have to register with the Career Services office to take advantage of the services?
A: No. Registering with the office is voluntary. You have access to all of the services provided by the office whether or not you are registered.
Q: I am nervous about going on a job interview, can the office help?
A: Yes. We can conduct a mock interview. We like the students to dress professionally, have a completed resume, and an idea of the type of job they are interested in interviewing for.
Q: Does the office have a "list" of employers that I contact?
A: No. However, we have over 300 links to jobs and internships that individuals can utilize in their job search.
Q: I'm not sure what I want to do when I graduate. Does the office provide any "tests" that might help me to decide?
A: No. The Career Services Office does not provide any sort of standardized testing. However, the University Counseling Center does provide various tests.
Q: Is there a university course that covers career service issues and related topics?
A: Yes. The course is University 390 and is open to all juniors and seniors. The class is an 8 week course that is offered 6 times per semester.
Q: What is the "best" way to secure employment?
A: Utilize all of your resources. Register with eRecruiting in the Career Services office, sign-up for on-campus interviews, begin networking with professional people, go to campus career fairs, start using the Internet job resources, and initiate contact with employers that you wish to work for.
Q: When should I start looking for a job?
A: Probably the best time would be the semester before you graduate. However, if you are a mid-year (December) graduate you probably should start looking during the preceding summer and most definitely the moment you return to campus for your final (fall) term.
Q: Is it necessary to have an internship even though my major does not require one?
A: While it is not necessary, having an internship (or two) can only increase your chances of marketing yourself to employers. It has become increasingly advised that students have "experiential" learning before they graduate.
Q: Can my organization schedule a workshop on the services that Career Services provides?
A: Yes. One of the professional staff members can speak to organizations on all areas pertaining to career services. Call 298-1838 to inquire.