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Back to Hiring Overview

• Administrative Recruitment & Hiring Guide
  • Introduction
  • Managing Job Searches
  • Planning Staffing Needs
  • Salary Considerations
  • Hiring Steps
  • Job Postings
  • Policy
  • Procedures
  • Applicants
  • Interviewing Applicants
  • Finalist Selection & Applicant Pool Reporting
  • New Employee Orientation

• Applying for Jobs
• Assistance for Current and Former Employees
• The JAC System: Key Features for Applicants

Applying for Jobs

All external and internal applicants must apply online through the JAC System for positions at any Columbia University locations.  This includes those who:

• want to apply for transfers or promotions;

• want to sign up for positions represented by bargaining units; and

• apply through executive search firms.

• Applicants without access to a computer with internet access have several options:

• Employees may access personal computers (kiosks) throughout the University community. Employees and the general public may apply at other public locations including local public libraries and New York State Unemployment Offices, including the NYC Workforce1 Career Centers.

• Employees and the general public may complete the online employment application at the Columbia University Employment Information Center, located at 3180 Broadway near the corner of 125th Street.

Assistance for Current and
Former Employees

Current employees and former employees laid off within the prior twelve months may continue to contact one of the Human Resources offices to make an appointment for assistance or additional information.  They should call the Morningside Campus HR Office at (212) 870-2425, the Columbia Medical Center Campus office at (212) 305-3819, or the Harlem Hospital office at (212) 939-1720.

Note: Seniority is generally protected for up to 12 months or the length of the employee’s continuous service, whichever is less.

The JAC System: Key Features for Applicants

• Applicants submit basic application information only one time, though they may change this information on the master application at any time going forward.

• Applicants can search postings and apply online anytime from any location with internet access.  Postings for jobs at Morningside, the Medical Center, Harlem Hospital, the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and Nevis Laboratories are all on one site.

• Based on answers to job-related questions, applicants can receive an immediate response indicating whether or not they meet the minimum requirements for a specific position. 

• When applying for a position, an applicant can attach files (resumés, samples of work, cover letters) that retain the exact formatting they prefer.

• At any time, applicants can check on changes to the status of their job search to determine if a posting has been closed, filled, or put on hold. 

• Each application can be immediately viewed by hiring managers.  This access is restricted to those hiring managers in the department to which the applicant applies.

• Bargaining unit members may sign up electronically for positions within their bargaining unit.  They will receive a confirmation number.