Frequently Asked Questions

What types of jobs are available at OPE?

You will find mostly residence hall positions at OPE, but a number of schools are also looking for people to work with Student Activities, Greek Affairs, and Leadership Development. There is always a mix of bachelor level, graduate assistantships and post-masters positions. We hope to add to the variety of positions available.

When should I register?

While you can register during the conference, it is highly recommended to register early. This gives employers the opportunity to look over your information, which will be listed on the web and updated daily. Once you are registered, you will have access to the job listings as well so you can begin searching for that perfect position. Registering before the deadline also saves you some money and gives you a better chance of finding a hotel room.

What should I do to prepare myself for OPE?

It is very important to come to OPE prepared. What does prepared mean?

Read through all the information OPE sends you and go through the whole web page.
Start making a list of things to pack from what you want to wear each day to the office supplies you want to bring.
Make a plan for how you will organize your correspondence with employers so you can keep track of where you are in their process.
Start thinking about questions you want to ask employers to make sure they are a good fit for you.
Prepare yourself for the different questions employers will ask you.
Research the employers you are most interested in interviewing with and contact them to pre-schedule an interview.

What is “Pre-Scheduling” and how do I do it?

Many candidates and employers, but not all, contact each other prior to OPE and schedule interviews which take place during the conference. This saves time and makes it a little easier to manage schedules. The information you need if you wish to pre-schedule an interview will be listed on the web page with the position listing (who to contact, phone number, and e-mail address.) Don’t worry if an employer says no thanks to your offer. Ask them to keep your name in mind and drop them a note during the conference to let them know you are still interested, along with a resume. Some schools do not pre-schedule.

How many interviews should I plan on doing during OPE?

69This number is mostly up to you. Start making yourself a schedule of possible interview times. (Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 11 a.m.) Then cross off times for meals and a few breaks each day. Factor in time to travel between interviews and you should have an idea of how many time slots you have available. Don’t feel you need to fill all of these times. Some interviews last a half hour; others may go for an hour. Remember that some employers may want to do a second interview during OPE, so try to keep some times open on Saturday afternoon and Sunday for that second meeting.

Is attending the socials important?

There are several socials during OPE. Several employers host their own socials at their hotels, Reeve Union, or other locations on the UWO campus. These can offer a closer look into the culture of the institution and those you may be working with. They may even have some alumni present so that you can get more information about the program. The Saturday evening OPE Social is a chance to relax and have some fun. Most of the employers are wearing their school colors, so it is a great opportunity to reconnect with an interviewer or ask questions about the various institutions. Relax, have fun, and be yourself!

Where can I park?

Candidates will be allowed to park on campus for the event free of charge. Candidates are asked to park on the first level in the Parking Ramp next to Gruenhagen Conference Center. The first level includes the ramp up to the second floor – up to spot 148.

If all spots on the first floor of the Parking Ramp are filled, please overflow into Lot 13 (north northwest of the ramp on the other side of the tennis courts).

Interactive Campus Map Link

Starting in 2024 parking will be paid for individually by attendees. All questions about parking should contact our Parking Services Office (www.uwosh.edu/parking).

How do I send mail to employers during OPE?

The candidate and employer mailboxes are all kept in one room, the Message Center, on the first floor of Gruenhagen Conference Center . Mailboxes are identified by either candidate or employer numbers. All correspondence must have the mailbox number of the candidate and employer on them and all pages stapled (not paper clipped) together.

How do I schedule an interview with an employer during the exchange?

The OPE Scheduling Center is located on the first floor of Gruenhagen Conference Center. Candidates cannot schedule interviews until 8:00 a.m. on Friday. Before an interview can be scheduled, a candidate must have received an invitation from the employer to schedule an interview. Most employers will use a half sheet form provided by OPE at the conference. Once the candidate has this form, they bring it to the scheduling center and sit down with one of the computer operators. The operator will bring up a list of times that both the employer and candidate have available. The candidate then chooses the time they believe fits best for them. A print out is generated an one copy is given to the candidate, and another will be sent to the employer’s mailbox.