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Employment FAQ's

How do I find a job?

Please know that each department has different application procedures and job opportunities throughout the year. While SEO can advise you about on-campus employment opportunities, you know your interests, schedule, and skills best and you must find your own job. Campus employers do not generally contact SEO about openings.

Many campus employers (including the libraries, Admissions, & Athletics Offices) hire students early and the positions fill up quickly.  We urge you to look for positions now during orientation.  If you are a work-aided student, you should have received an email granting you hiring priority until Friday, September 8, 2017.

First year students, you can approach the job search in the following ways:

  • Attend the job fair on Thursday, August 31st from 2:30 pm to 4 pm in Sharples Dining Hall. Many campus employers will be there to answer questions, interview, and provide you with more information. You will also be able to complete your required paperwork at the job fair, so bring your documents.
  • Visit/contact the individual departments and learn about their open positions and application procedures directly. Included with this handout is a list of some of Swarthmore’s larger employers and their contact information. Remember that this is not a listing of all jobs. Please feel free to contact departments not on this list as well.
  • Visit the Swarthmore Dash and find the “Classifieds/ Student Job Opportunities” section in the bottom right corner. Updated regularly, this is a great place to look throughout the year for new or different positions.
  • Watch the Reserved Student Digest or RSD for opportunities.
  • The Student Employment Office maintains a bulletin board outside of room 154 in Parrish. Visit here for various tips and information. 
  • If you need further guidance, email or stop in during our office hours and we will be glad to help you in your search. We are also available by appointment.

Some helpful hints in your job search:

  • Do not hesitate to apply for positions outside your academic interests or experience. Many positions such as Office Assistant require no previous experience with the department. So broaden your horizons and apply anywhere!
  • Talk to the professors that teach your classes, RAs, coaches or Orientation Leaders for ideas about open positions
  • Apply now. Jobs are readily available now. If you wait to apply, you may find it more difficult to find a job that fits your schedule and interests.
  • Be creative. Look outside areas that you are familiar with. Try academic departments that you may not have any classes in. Remember, you can work anywhere!

Work limits:

  • The College suggests that you work no more than 7 or 8 hours per week since you should keep enough time for academics, social life and other extracurricular activities. New students will quickly learn what other students know--social life is not costly on campus so you won’t need much spending money.
  • International students may not work more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session and no more than 40 hours per week during school breaks. Doing so may jeopardize your visa status.​

What are the current hourly rates?

  • For the 2017-18 academic year, (Beginning July 1, 2017) the pay rates are as follows
    • Pay level 1: $9.50/hour
    • Pay level 2: $9.84/hour
    • Pay level 3: $10.19/hour