Student Positions

Ferrum College utilizes the Handshake application to post jobs for our students. This year, we are posting all of our work-study positions in the Handshake system. All current students have been uploaded into the Handshake system. Please use the following instructions:

Activating your Handshake account:

• Go to www.ferrum.edu.
• Click on the Sign In link in the upper right-hand corner.
• Click on the Handshake icon.
• You will need to use your Ferrum College credentials to sign in.
• You will be prompted to answer some demographic emails and to complete your profile. You will also be asked to upload your resume, but that is not required to complete your profile.
• Here is an article that can help you through this process: Getting Started with Handshake.
• At this point, you are ready to apply for jobs.

Searching for Work-Study positions:

• Click on the “Jobs” link at the top left-hand corner of the page.
• In the search box, enter “Ferrum”.
• You will receive a list of all the open work-study positions that have been posted. Keep checking back for new postings.

Applying for a position:

• Once you find a position you are interested in, click the “Apply Externally” button (red).
• You will be taken to the Ferrum College Work Study Application form.
• Please make sure that you note the following information from the role description because you will need it to complete your application: position title and department.
• If you are applying for more than one position, you will need to fill out an application for each.

What to expect after you apply:

• You will be contacted by the position supervisor for an interview (usually via phone).
• If you are applying for more than one position, please let the person interviewing you know—it will not hurt your chances of getting the job, but is helpful to the supervisor.
• If you are offered a position, please let the supervisor know if you are accepting the position or declining the position.
• Once you accept a position, please do not interview for or accept a position from another department. The original person who hired you has most likely made plans based on the students who accepted their positions.

NOTE: There is a Handshake app you can download after you activate your account. You can find further information by reading this article: About Handshake Mobile for iOS and Android

Please contact Leslie Holden, director of Career Services, at lholden@ferrum.edu for assistance.

Hiring Process, once your application has been submitted:

1. The supervisor will review all applications received for the job.
2. Supervisors will select applicants of interest, contact them, and schedule interviews.
3. Supervisors will notify the applicant they are interested in hiring.
4. If you accept a job offer, you are committed to that position for the academic year. Supervisors will notify Human Resources about hiring you; you will go to Human Resources at 109 Pine House (see building location photos above) to fill out paperwork discussed below. If other supervisors contact you after you have accepted a position, please respond to those supervisors that you have already accepted another position.
5. Human Resources/Student Employment will follow up with you by forwarding you an employment letter. This letter will outline your award amount and include details of your employment prior to you starting your job
6. If you do not receive a job offer, you may go back and apply for other positions until you are offered a position.

If you have not previously worked at Ferrum College, you must complete the following prior to beginning work:

• Complete a direct deposit form and provide a bank routing slip with your account and routing number (or a voided check). No handwritten information will be accepted; must be an official bank document.
• Complete an I-9 form. Be prepared to provide ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. Examples include an unexpired passport. If you do not have a passport, you will need to provide driver’s license or DMV-issued identification card and a Social Security card or birth certificate. Below is a link to is a complete list of acceptable documents.
• Complete Virginia and federal W-4 tax forms.

*It is a federal requirement for employment that you provide original UNEXPIRED documents to verify your identity and your authorization to work in the United States. You will not be permitted to work until you submit the required original documents.

Students who qualify for work study will see this information on their financial aid award letter. To view your award letter online,

• Go to ferrum.edu
• Click on the Sign In link in the upper right-hand corner
• Click on the Self-Service icon

You will be taken to a new tab that will display your financial aid checklist. To view your award letter, click on the Financial Aid tab to open a drop-down menu, from which you can select Award Letter. Your award letter will show any grants/scholarships, loans, and work study if it has been awarded. The letter will show you how much you have been awarded and how it is split up for each semester. The work-study award amounts per academic year vary based on each student’s financial aid need. For example, if your award is $2600.00 for the year, you need to work 179 hours per semester, which is an average of 13 hours per week. The supervisor will schedule your work hours around your class schedule.