  {"id":306,"date":"2022-05-25T15:41:58","date_gmt":"2022-05-25T15:41:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/student-employment\/?page_id=306"},"modified":"2026-09-08T16:24:46","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T16:24:46","slug":"best-practices-for-student-employees","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/student-employment\/employeers\/best-practices-for-student-employees\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Practices for Employers"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Creating a job description<\/h2>\n<p>The first step to finding the right students is creating a good job description. An effective job description gives applicants a deeper understanding of the position, setting clear expectations for their potential employment.<\/p>\n<p>A job description should include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0The general purpose: This provides a concise, high-level overview of the role, level, and scope of responsibility consisting of 3-4 sentences.\u00a0 It provides a basic understanding of the job and a concise summary of why the job exists and how it makes an impact.<\/li>\n<li>Duties and responsibilities: What does the job entail? Be sure to include as many details as possible about each task.<\/li>\n<li>Qualifications: Provide a detailed list of skills, knowledge, course work\/classes, experience, etc. required to do the job. Be sure to note if the qualifications are required or preferred.<\/li>\n<li>Learning outcomes: Tell students what they will learn while working in this job. Just a quick summary of the hard skills like public speaking, note taking, using different software or lab supplies, creating promotional materials, etc. are all helpful for students to know. Defining what students will learn will attract the best candidates for the job.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve posted a job on JobLink, you\u2019ll be emailed every time a student applies. Please review each resume and plan to interview students who meet the qualifications of the job. While selecting the right candidate is the primary purpose behind the interview, keep in mind that the interview process is an important learning opportunity for your student candidates. It will provide them with experience, confidence, and will be an important step in obtaining post-graduate employment.<\/p>\n<p>Once hired, students are now\u00a0employees for the University. Many of the same policies and procedures apply. See our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/student-employment\/policies\/\">policies page<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<h2>Preparation<\/h2>\n<p>Create a list of questions to ask candidates. Choose open-ended behavioral questions (\u201cTell me about a time when\u2026\u201d) or closed questions which require just a \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d answer (\u201cCan you edit photos for web publication?\u201d).<\/p>\n<p>Be specific with your questions and don\u2019t make assumptions about a student\u2019s ability or skills.<\/p>\n<p>Ask questions that will gauge how well a student will fit in the organizational culture. For example, \u201cDo you prefer working independently or in a team?\u201d and \u201cWhat did you like most\/least about your last position?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that some students will have no work experience. In these instances, ask questions that will give you work-related information based on the student\u2019s extracurricular activities. For example, ask about a time when they had to take a leadership role on the science bowl team or about a time when they had to deal with a challenging customer volunteering at the school theater on the weekends.<\/p>\n<p>Remember that employers are legally prohibited from asking questions related to any\u00a0<em>protected class<\/em>\u00a0(e.g., race\/ethnicity\/nationality, sex\/gender\/sexual orientation, marital\/family status, disability, or religion). A seemingly innocent question like \u201cTell me about your name\u201d can be construed as discriminatory, so be sure to keep your questions job-related.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Creating a job description The first step to finding the right students is creating a good job description. An effective job description gives applicants a deeper understanding of the position,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":46,"featured_media":0,"parent":426,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-306","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"lead_in":"","display_title":"","subtitle":"","call_to_action":"","hero_image_placement":"no_image","hero_media":"images","hero_pattern_option":"","hero_video":"","hero_image_landing":"","hero_image_landing_two":"","hero_image_landing_three":"","content_modules":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","anchor_id":"","classes":"","title":"<h2>The Interview<\/h2>","description":"","layout":"center","width":"width-medium","background_color":"#FFFFFF","style":"row_simple","row_bg_color":"","row_text_color":"#252525","row_bg_color_hover":"#252525","row_text_color_hover":"","row_border_color":"#252525","row_border_weight":"normal-border","animation":"slide","icon":"chevron-icon","icon_location":"right-icon","accordions":[{"title":"Break the ice","row_content":"Many students are nervous when interviewing for a position. Devote a few moments at the beginning to put the applicant at ease with some small talk. Questions like \u201cWhat year are you?\u201d and \u201cWhat are your aspirations after graduation?\u201d are good ways to break the ice. Some students will arrive dressed professionally while others will wear more casual clothing. Don\u2019t let this deter you from hiring the candidate that will be the best fit. Give students the benefit of the doubt when it comes to their attire.","accordion_anchor":""},{"title":"Provide basic information","row_content":"After some small talk, provide some information on the department, essential job functions, dress code, your supervisory style, and any other factors you deem important. Be clear about expectations and confirm the student\u2019s understanding. Some typically discussed factors are:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Work schedule<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Rate of pay<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Training to be provided<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Employment period, anticipated start and end dates<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Federal work study program eligibility<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Personal conduct<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Description of job responsibilities (beyond the ad)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Hiring decision timeline<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""},{"title":"Ask your questions","row_content":"Ask your interview questions and try to make it a conversation. Listening to their responses and following up with a relevant question is an easy way to guide the interview toward a conversation. After you have obtained basic information, you might need to ask further questions to ascertain specific skill levels (e.g., beginner or intermediate Excel level; advanced Photoshop or just the basics?).\r\n\r\nBe sure to avoid discriminatory questions such as \u201cDo you think a skinny guy like you can lift 75 pounds?\u201d or \u201cWill your disability prevent you from doing a key part of the job?\u201d Think about your intent and rephrase your question in a legal way, like \u201cThis job requires the ability to regularly lift boxes of up to 75 pounds. Are you able to do this?\u201d And finally, keep politics and religion out of the interview. If a student is wearing a political button or piece of clothing that is not appropriate for the workplace, bring it up in relation to the job dress code.\r\n\r\nFinish off by asking the student if they have any questions. Thank the student for their time and reconfirm the hiring decision timeline.","accordion_anchor":""}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"","title":"<h2>Hiring<\/h2>","content":"When you decide which student(s) to hire, you can report the hire in JobLink. You must let the student know they are required to complete their I-9, WTPA, and Missed Meal Period Acknowledgment.\r\n\r\nIt is also the department\u2019s responsibility to train the student how to use UKG for time entry. Remember that student employees are University employees; all the same labor laws apply.\r\n\r\nLastly, it is good practice to notify the students who have not been selected.","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","anchor_id":"","classes":"","title":"<h2>Compliance<\/h2>","description":"You must help your student employee(s) meet all compliance requirements at the federal, state, and University levels before they can begin work.","layout":"center","width":"width-medium","background_color":"#FFFFFF","style":"row_simple","row_bg_color":"","row_text_color":"#252525","row_bg_color_hover":"#252525","row_text_color_hover":"","row_border_color":"#252525","row_border_weight":"normal-border","animation":"slide","icon":"chevron-icon","icon_location":"right-icon","accordions":[{"title":"I-9 (Federal requirement)","row_content":"The I-9 form is a federal requirement for employment eligibility and is completed in two parts. The student can complete Part I of the I-9 on their own. Part II requires the student to present their documents to verify identity either with the HR Service Center (Brooks Landing).","accordion_anchor":""},{"title":"Wage Theft Prevention Act (State requirement)","row_content":"Students must\u00a0acknowledge their wage and sign\u00a0the Wage Theft Prevention Act (WTPA).","accordion_anchor":""},{"title":"New Hire Orientation (University post hire requirement)","row_content":"The University requires that all student employees complete the new hire orientation in MyPath. The training is compensable and must be completed upon hire during the department on-boarding process.","accordion_anchor":""},{"title":"Compliance Resources","row_content":"The human resource <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/working\/hr\/compliance\/\">compliance page<\/a> has a series of resources for employers, including:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/human-resources\/benefits\/compensation\/\">Timekeeping<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/working\/hr\/policies\/pdfpolicies\/413.pdf\">Time management<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/working\/hr\/policies\/pdfpolicies\/172_misp.pdf\">Missed or interrupted meal period procedures<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/working\/hr\/policies\/pdfpolicies\/172_exception_log.pdf\">University exception log<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/working\/hr\/policies\/pdfpolicies\/172.pdf\">Meal and rest periods<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/working\/hr\/compliance\/\">Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","anchor_id":"","classes":"","title":"<h2>Performance Management<\/h2>","description":"Performance management is a continuous process of assessing progress, providing ongoing coaching, feedback, and setting goals. Student employees should receive annual written performance assessments at the end of the academic year","layout":"center","width":"width-medium","background_color":"#FFFFFF","style":"row_simple","row_bg_color":"","row_text_color":"#252525","row_bg_color_hover":"#252525","row_text_color_hover":"","row_border_color":"#252525","row_border_weight":"normal-border","animation":"slide","icon":"chevron-icon","icon_location":"right-icon","accordions":[{"title":"Performance expectations","row_content":"Student employees are required to demonstrate the competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, appropriate behavior, etc.) necessary to perform their specific job as outlined in their job description.","accordion_anchor":""},{"title":"Performance gaps","row_content":"If a student employee is not meeting the expectations of their position, it is important for supervisors to take actions that help the student succeed by:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Connecting directly with the student employee and describe the unacceptable performance, behavior, etc., using specific work examples.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Identifying the desired performance, behavior, etc. necessary to allow the student to succeed in the position.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Following the discussion with a confirming email that captures the conversation and outlines the agreed-upon acceptable performance, behavior, etc. that will allow the student to succeed along with the time frame allowed for improvement.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIf improvement has not occurred within the time frame allowed, connect directly with the student and create a formal written action plan that identifies the specific performance issue, the expectation\/competency, etc. that must be demonstrated, the action that the student must take to address the performance gap, the assessment method (observation, etc.) used, the frequency of discussing progress to date, and the timeline expected for improvement.\r\n\r\nA student may be terminated if they are not able to meet the expectations of the role within the time frame outlined.","accordion_anchor":""},{"title":"Corrective discipline","row_content":"Some types of misconduct may warrant efforts at corrective discipline, while others are severe enough to warrant immediate termination.\r\n\r\nSome workplace behaviors may violate the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/college\/cscm\/conduct.html\">University\u2019s Standard of Student Conduct<\/a>.\r\n\r\nContact the Office of the Dean of Students at (585) 275-4085 to learn more about the judicial process for students.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/working\/hr\/policies\/pdfpolicies\/154.pdf\"><em>ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½, Personnel Policy &amp; Procedure Manual, Policy 154<\/em><\/a>","accordion_anchor":""}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"","title":"<h2>Timekeeping<\/h2>","content":"Student employees are considered hourly, non-benefited employees and are required to enter time minute-to-minute. Each department handles time entry and management differently and it is the department\u2019s responsibility to train students on how to clock in and out.\r\n\r\nStudents often hold multiple positions with the University. Teaching students how to clock in and out in correctly will help eliminate timekeeping and approval errors. Ask your students about their other positions to ensure there are no scheduling conflicts, or possible accruals of overtime pay.\r\n\r\nStudents who work more than six consecutive hours must receive a 30 minute meal period. Meal periods are automatically deducted.\r\n\r\nSupervisors should be aware of a student\u2019s class schedule. Working during class time is not permitted, even if class is canceled.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/human-resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Timekeeping_Rules_Summary_For_Hourly_Paid_Employees.pdf\">Learn more about\u00a0timekeeping rules and policies for hourly staff.<\/a>","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"","title":"<h2>Terminations<\/h2>","content":"When a program is complete or a student has graduated, taken a leave of absence, or resigned, you must terminate them in Workday. Submitting this request will remove the student\u2019s record from UKG and provide an accurate employment history.","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"}]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Best Practices for Employers - Student Employment Office<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/student-employment\/employeers\/best-practices-for-student-employees\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Best Practices for Employers - Student Employment Office\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Creating a job description The first step to finding the right students is creating a good job description. 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