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Job Seekers

How To Apply

young woman smiling at interviewer

Step-by-step instructions and what to expect when applying for a job at Cornell.

Application Instructions

  1. Before You Apply

    • Take a look at these tips for putting together a great resume and cover letter.
    • Have your resume, cover letter, and any certifications or other documents ready to upload. PDFs are strongly recommended.

  2. Select A Job

    Browse Staff Job Openings*  

    *including librarian, union, Cornell Tech (NYC), part-time, and temp positions

    • When you've found a job you'd like to apply for, click on the blue "Apply" button at the top of the webpage.

    Other Job Opportunities 

    Application instructions for these positions vary; click on links for more information

  3. Create An Account

    • If this is your first application, select "Apply Manually," and click the "Create Account" link at bottom of sign-in block.
    • An account will allow you to view all submitted applications and their status, as well as display similar job openings.
    • Once you've created an account, data you've entered will repopulate new job applications.
    • When you get the "Account Created" message, sign in.

  4. Complete Application Data

    If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can click the "Apply with LinkedIn" button to import your contact information, experience, education, and skills, which you can then edit as needed for your Cornell job application.

    Complete each section

    My Information: Add or update your contact information and where you heard about Cornell University Jobs;

    My Experience: Add or update related information in each of the following sections: Work Experience; Education; Skills. Note: You may wish to upload either a resume, cover letter or both. The job posting should also indicate if attaching a resume and/or cover letter would be required. Use the Select Files button to search for files or use the Drop Files Here box to drag documents into your application. If you plan to upload more than one document, click the Upload icon for each additional document. 

    Application Questions: Read each question carefully and then share your response.

    Voluntary Disclosures: To achieve our goal of a diverse and inclusive workforce, as well as to comply with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) reporting and other legal requirements, we request that you read and voluntarily share data including your race, gender and veteran status. Completion of these questions is completely voluntary and refusal to disclose this information will not affect consideration of your application.

    Self-Identification: Voluntarily share any self-identification of disabilities;

    Review: Carefully review your application and as needed, click the Back button to navigate to the applicable section(s) to make an edit. When you are ready, click Submit.

Next Steps

You’ve clicked the “Submit” button – now what? The steps below outline the general process, however, you may experience variations in details or timeline. If you have questions about your application, contact Workforce Recruitment and Retention, (607)255-3936.

General Hiring Process Timeline

  • Confirmation: Watch for an email confirmation of your application within 24 hours of your submission.
  • Track Application: Log in to your account to track your application through the process. Your application may show as “Under Consideration” for 4-6 weeks.
  • Phone Screen: Following the initial resume review, selected candidates may be invited to participate in a 30-60 minute phone interview. It may take 1-3 weeks before hearing back; if you are not selected to participate in an in-person interview, you will be notified by email or phone.Tip: As part of your interview preparation, we recommend you take time to research Cornell University, and in particular, the department housing the position for which you’re applying.
  • First Interview: If selected for an in-person interview you will be contacted directly by phone or email to schedule a time. During the in-person interview you’ll meet with the hiring manager and search committee members. This interview is both an opportunity for the hiring team to get to know you better and understand your experience and how it relates to the position; as well as an opportunity for you to get to know the manager, department culture, and gain more insight into the specifics of the position. Click here for some general interview tips.
  • Second and/or Additional Interviews: In some cases a second-round interview will occur, which generally involves meeting with additional members of the department and other stakeholders.
  • Background Check & References: Our final step in the evaluation process involves checking references and in some cases completing a background check. We ask that all finalists provide three professional references, including your current or most recent supervisor. For positions requiring it, background checks will be completed by an outside vendor.
  • Job Offer: If you are the selected candidate, you will receive a verbal offer from either the hiring manager or a human resources representative. We will then send you an official offer letter outlining the terms and conditions of the offer and will include information for the next steps to becoming part of the Cornell University community.

Job Application FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I need to add or change my application after it has been submitted?

Please direct your questions or changes to the “Contact Name” listed in the job posting.

Can I update my experience and provide different attachments for different position(s)?

Yes, each application you supply is unique to the position.

Do I need to fill in my experience AND attach my resume? It seems redundant?

It is your choice, however, it is recommended that you supply both. The job posting should also indicate if attaching a resume and/or cover letter would be required. If data is missing, Recruiters, Search Committee Members, Hiring Managers, and Interviewers may scan over or miss your application during the screening process.

What can I do if I forgot my password?

Go to the Cornell Careers portal and click the =  "Sign In" button; select the "Forgot Password" option on bottom right of pop-up.  You'll need to use the same email that you used to create your account.

Who can I contact if I am having problems or have questions about my online application?

Please call the HR Services & Transitions Center, 607-255-3936, TTY 711 or mycareer@cornell.edu

How do I withdraw my application if needed? 

If you would like to withdraw your job application, you may do so from the Candidate home page, using the Withdraw button.  If you are later in the job application process, and the Withdraw button no longer displays, please work directly with your recruiter or contact mycareer@cornell.edu.

Disabilities Accommodations

If you require an accommodation for a disability so that you may participate in the selection process, you are encouraged to contact the Cornell Office of Civil Rights at (607) 255-2242 or via email at accommodations@cornell.edu.