Employment at UNC - Secret?? (Star, Tar Heel: public schools, university, salaries)

[jmsimmons2]

Hi everyone,

I relocated here almost 2 months ago, and have been applying for jobs in the area for almost 7 months. Seriously. Though I've applied all over, I really want to work at UNC. In all, I've applied for over 30 positions at UNC on their online HR site. However, it seems like if you didnt either go to school there or know someone who works there, it's VERY difficult to even get an interview.

I am almost finished with my master's degree, have experience in higher education, and taught in the K12 system for 4 years. I AM qualified for something at UNC, surely.

So my question, does anyone have a suggestion, idea, or contact at UNC that I might be able to make my search more fruitful??

Thanks!

[Tar Heel Smitty]

What do you want to do?

[mellie06]

I have been dealing with the same situation. I have been applying since May. I even had an "interview" with Tar Heel Temps. He seemed positive and said he was sure he could find something for me. I called and emailed to follow up and never got a response.
I tried the Temp route on top of applying for about 20 jobs through the HR website. And my husband works at the university and still....NOTHING.

So I know how you feel. It is hard, discouraging, frustrating...

[Tar Heel Smitty]

Keep trying and dont give up. They get 100's of applications for some of those jobs. Have you tried UNC Hospitals, too? They have a seperate website.

[welovedurham]

Yes, what do you do?

I was going to say Tar Heel Temps, but I see that didn't work out for the PP.

[jmsimmons2]

Well, I'm pretty flexible, really. I have experience in student services, admissions, event planning, administrative work... My master's is in leadership and I'm focusing it on the educational sector. Long term, I'd like to be in administration, but for now, I'd settle for handling the scheduling for someone else...

I did get a position with Tar Heel Temps... and I'm super grateful for that... but my understanding is that those positions are also very competative, and rarely turn into full time positions. And let's face it, I'm not eager to be a career temp worker...

I cant believe that with your husband working there you still havent been able to get something! I thought for sure that was the key... ug... you're right, discouraging and frustrating...

[Citizen Matt]

The last several persons hired in this unc department came in because they knew the hiring manager or another manager. Very little doubt that those people would have been picked for the position if not for their family member knowing a manager or they go to the same church and live in the same community or attend the same gym, etc., etc... lots of connections here, definitely helps those people with their salaries and advancement, once they're in, too.

[welovedurham]

IME, Tar Heel Temps often turns into a permanent job, BUT only when the university is hiring. They go through hiring freezes for budgetary reasons, and I do not know if they are in one or out now. The economy would make me think they are limiting hiring, but the fact the employees did get a raise this year makes me think they're not in a freeze.

It is hard to get promoted upwards several levels at one time, so be careful about starting as an admin asst and hoping to get an admin position anytime soon. HR will keep you from doing that. Start at the highest level you can.

What about the public schools? That is state employment as well.

[Tar Heel Smitty]

Also, check www.higheredjobs.com

[Tar Heel Smitty]

Originally Posted by jmsimmons2

Well, I'm pretty flexible, really. I have experience in student services, admissions, event planning, administrative work... My master's is in leadership and I'm focusing it on the educational sector. Long term, I'd like to be in administration, but for now, I'd settle for handling the scheduling for someone else...

I did get a position with Tar Heel Temps... and I'm super grateful for that... but my understanding is that those positions are also very competative, and rarely turn into full time positions. And let's face it, I'm not eager to be a career temp worker...

I cant believe that with your husband working there you still havent been able to get something! I thought for sure that was the key... ug... you're right, discouraging and frustrating...

Keep trying, I looked on the website and there is not a lot out there right now at UNC.