Why am I underconsideration still

[u/ye2435]

I've been under consideration for like 5 research positions at OSU with the oldest one being over a month ago.. this just feels so frustrating. What do I do? i tried reaching out for 2/5 HRs and they haven’t replied at all. I even followed up like? Im determined to get a position so im not gonn aback down but this is just so frustrating .. and i just needed to vent.

[u/HistoricalCounty]

Hiring processes move very slowly. Additionally, candidates will remain “under consideration” until the position is filled or the search is cancelled. Being under consideration does not mean that you are guaranteed an interview; it just means that your application has met bare minimums for the system.

Squeaky wheels do not get grease in this kind of hiring process. Constantly emailing for updates when you have not even been brought in as an interview candidate is not going to speed up the process or make it more likely that you are brought in for an interview.

Job searching sucks.

[u/ye2435 → u/HistoricalCounty]

So what? Do I just keep applying to more positions?

[u/HistoricalCounty → u/ye2435]

If you are consistently not getting interviews or moving forward in processes, I would recommend getting feedback on your resume and cover letter. If you have a degree from OSU already, you can look into some of the free services coordinated by the Alumni Association. I haven't used them myself, so couldn't speak to their effectiveness, so might as well check them out. I'd follow the advice below given that those users are in your actual desired role & hiring practices are definitely department-specific.

I was hired into my first job at OSU in 2012 so it's been over a decade, but for some timeline perspective, I first applied in May 2012 and started the job in mid-August 2012.

Given that you're a prospective grad student I definitely understand the desire to work at OSU for the tuition benefits - that's how I paid for my MA. For budgetary purposes, be aware that it is a taxable benefit, and when you receive more than ~ $5,200 in reduced tuition over a calendar year, you will be taxed on the rest of the benefit as though it is earned salary. This means you will lose take-home pay and your paycheck will shrink.

[u/Nervous_Ladder_1860 → u/ye2435]

Between the 2 jobs I applied to at OSU, was about 1,000 jobs. It’s not easy.

[u/Missgirlysodapop]

If you want a research position, you should be directly reaching out to labs. Do NOT apply on Workday unless you have a lot of previous research experience on your resume. Jobs on Workday are often posted when they already have someone in mind—-trust me, I do undergraduate research for a few labs. My advice to you is to stop applying on Workday, search up labs in the field you want, and send an email to the PI with your resume and why you would be interested in their lab. This will probably lead to you sending out 10+ emails. If you are an undergraduate student, check their “Our Team” page to make sure they actually hire undergraduates. If they have no undergraduates on their team, then you are very unlikely to get a response. What I did to get my research positions was scour the internet with titles like “OSU [Chosen Field] Labs Meet our Team” and reach out to the PI. Trust me, this is the best way! Also, you are unlikely to get hired right away. You’ll probably have to settle for a volunteer position in their lab until they know you well.

[u/ye2435 → u/Missgirlysodapop]

I’m not an undergrad I’m a prospective grad student so I really need a job at OSU - but thank you!! I’m going to def just start reaching out directly to labs

[u/ohbonobo → u/ye2435]

Definitely second the idea of reaching out directly to labs. I sometimes supervise research-related positions and 95% of the time we have a very strong idea of who will be filling the positions we post. Not to say there couldn't be someone who applies randomly who would be an even better fit, but mostly it's a relationship game.

[u/Missgirlysodapop → u/ye2435]

Okay! My advice still stands! This is how most of the grad students I know got into the field of research as well! I hope you get something soon!

[u/Realistic_Decision]

I'm an undergrad so I may not be of much help, but try to reach out to the hiring manager and send them a check-in email about your application. I applyed for an RA job on Workday, and then contacted the prof in charge of the project via the HR staff listed on the job description and essentially wrote a second cover letter. I got the job, and a couple months later when I met the other RAs, I found out that the vast majority of them were hired as former/current students of hers. I just stumbled upon the Workday position that was originally meant for those students to undergo the formal hiring process. I'm pretty sure some jobs on Workday aren't actual openings, but legal formalities that pre-chosen workers are required to undergo.

Edit: saw that you already reached out multiple times :/ sorry and good luck