101 Neptune East
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: (815) 753-1525
housingdining@niu.edu
CA APPLICATION
Residential Administration is no longer accepting applications for the 2013-2014 year.
If you have your references completed now, please upload them with your application. This will allow staff to have access to your completed candidate file. If you are still waiting on references, you or your reference may submit the REFERENCE FORM to:
Tam Klavenga
Housing & Dining
Neptune East 145
DeKalb, IL 60115
Tips for Applying
How Can You Stand Out?
So, you're interested in becoming a Community Advisor (CA) or Community Development Assistant (CDA)? Here are some pointers to assist you in the application process.
Being a CA or CDA is not only a job, but also a leadership position and way of life. An excellent candidate should be able to demonstrate having the following qualities:
- Time management skills
- Actively contributing to their current residential community
- Ability to communicate well with others
- Understand and execute policies outlined within the Guidepost
- An inclusive outlook to diversity
- Promote student success through academics and co-curricular activities
It is important that you have a "realistic" understanding of what it means to be a Community Advisor and the overall expectations. Please review the following document: (Insert Link to Expectations PDF etc)
Selling yourself on paper - Putting together a Cover Letter / Resume
As you are putting together your cover letter and resume, Make sure that you highlight experiences that demonstrate your qualifications. Your cover letter and resume should summarize all of your relevant experiences and express your enthusiasm and interest in the position. Also make sure you include the following, if possible:
- Skills you have obtained from your current or previous work experience
- How you are involved with the NIU Community (Student Organizations, RHA, Hall Council, Student Conduct Board, etc)
- Experience in working with current Community Advisor to plan programs for your community
- How you define and create community
- Examples of how you work as part of a team and are a team player
For information on creating a cover letter and resume, visit the Career Services web site:http://www.niu.edu/careerservices/index.shtml
Put in a Good Word - Letters of Recommendation
For your letters of recommendation, you should seek out your current Community Advisor, Hall Director, supervisor, member of Housing & Dining or a faculty/staff member from NIU. You should make sure that the person you ask to write on your behalf knows you well and can explain why you should be selected to be a Community Advisor. References should not be family members or significant others.
What if my references do not meet the application deadline?
As long as you have notified your references and turned in their names, Housing & Dining will contact them and you will not be penalized if your references don't meet the deadline.
The Big Day - The Interview
Once your application has been reviewed by the Selection Committee, you will take part in an interview process. During this time you participate in interviews and activities where Housing & Dining staff members will assess your ability to interact with others and discuss your skills and abilities to determine if the CA position will be a good fit for you. During this process it is important to make sure you are being your TRUE self. You can stand out by letting your personality come through while being interactive with other participants. BE THE REAL YOU.
What should I wear for interviews?
This is a formal interview process, so you will want to dress professionally in no less than business casual, meaning no jeans or sweats. Khakis or dress pants are preferred.
What does the Interview Process look like?
You will interview with current staff to talk about leadership experience, and job responsibilities. This will also be a group process activity where your group must work together to solve a problem.
How long does the interview process take?
There are three components to the CA/CDA interview process. There are two individual interviews lasting 30 minutes and a group process interview that lasts 30 minutes. After all three components are finished there is a 10 to 15 minute wrap up session at the end.
What does it mean to be placed in the alternate pool?
If you are placed in the alternate pool that means you are a hirable candidate but there is just not a CA/CDA position currently open to place you in.
Should you have any further questions about becoming a Community Advisor or Community Development Assistant, contact Debbie Gettemy at 815-753-1963 or communityadvisor@niu.edu