Frequently Asked Questions

 

What does the ECSO do?

The ECSO assists individuals with all aspects of the job search.

What is a placement file and what is in it?

The placement file is a file used to assist candidates in securing employment.  Your file contains information about you—your letters of recommendation, your profile, your on-line resume published to resume books, electronic portfolio linked from your on-line resume.  It also now includes the option of creating an electronic portfolio.

Why should I have a file?

You have access to on-line job vacancies.  Employers have access to your on-line resume.  You can link your eportfolio to your resume or create your own in eRecruiting.  The ECSO may refer you for job vacancies.  Your file is a central location for your credentials and is considered to be official and sent for employment consideration.  You get 10 free sets of your credentials mailed to employers of your choice with the $50 registration or $75 reactivation fee.  Additional sets are mailed at $5 each. 

Who can establish a file?

Any individual who has taken and completed at least one credit hour at UIUC.  Non-UIUC persons can subscribe to job vacancies without registering to open a file.

Is my file a confidential or open file?

Files established since 1995 are open.

Who may view my file?

You may view your file with the ECSO director present.  The ECSO staff can also view your file.  Qualified employers can view your published on-line resume and through your permission, they can view your eportfolio..  

When should I set up my file?

It is a good idea to set up your file as early in your junior year as possible.  You can begin collecting and updating your file 24/7 as you gather experience and evidence of your work in the education field.

How long is my file active?

The ECSO placement year is always  September 1 through September 1 of any given year. Exception for undergraduates only –Your file is active with one fee until you obtain your bachelors degree regardless of when you register.

Can I send my file while it is inactive?

Yes.  You can have your file sent in its inactive status two times per year at $5 each without reactivating.  After your second request during that year, you will need to reactivate at the reactivation fee.

How long will you keep my file?

Your file will remain in the ECSO for 15 years.  You pay the fee only when you want to reactivate your file.  Any activity during that 15-year period can add another 15 years when you reactivate from the time of your last contact with the ECSO onto the length of time it is held in the ECSO.  For instance, if you contact our office to reactivate your file 5 years after you have graduated, your file will remain in the ECSO for another 15 years from the year of that reactivation contact.

How many times may I request my active file to be sent to employers?

Candidates receive 10 free mailings with their fee.  After that, each request is $5 each.

What is my file number?

Your file number is assigned by the ECSO and provided to you when you register.  Your file number will also be listed in your on-line file.  If you forget your number, feel free to contact the ECSO. 

Are transcripts sent with my file?

No.  You will need to contact the Office of The Registrar at 217-333-0210 or transcripts@uiuc.edu or www.registrar.illinois.edu and request an official copy of your transcript to be sent directly to the school district.

Can recommendation letters be viewed on line?

Yes.  You can have access through eRecruiting to view and print your letters if you desire.  Higher education candidates must request access to their letters.  The letters are housed as hard copies in the ECSO.  You may also request candidate’s copies of your letters of recommendation.  The letters will be stamped candidate’s copies in red across the page. 

How do I know if my letters have been received by your office?

Feel free to contact the staff at the ECSO and ask if your letters have arrived or log in to your eRecruiting account and look under "Other Documents.".

How do I check to see if my request has been processed?

Feel free to contact the staff at the ECSO by calling 217-333-0740 or sending email to ecso@illinois.edu and ask if your request has been processed.

How many letters of recommendation may I have in my file?

You may have as many letters in your file as you wish.  However, ECSO sends no more than five (5) letters per employer.  You may choose which five you would like sent or the ECSO Director may choose the five letters.

What is my username and password?

Your username and password are assigned by the ECSO.  You will receive this information when you register. 

What should I do if I am trying to log in to your site but the system says that my username or password are incorrect?

Check to make sure you have selected the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, Educational Career Services (ECSO).  Make sure you have typed the correct username and password.  If you still experience difficulty, contact ECSO at 217-333-0740 or ecso@illinois.edu.

Can I pay with a credit card?

Not at the current time.  We accept checks and money orders.

What do I do if my letters of recommendation have not arrived in my file even after I have requested them from the writers?

Inform your writers that the ECSO is waiting on the letters.  If your letters still do not arrive in the ECSO, contact us.

How will my file be sent?

Your file will be sent through U.S. mail.  The ECSO can also send copies of your file by special delivery or fax to U.S. and foreign destinations, but you will be asked to pay the charges for these special postal handling rates.  Your request will still be processed in the order in which it arrives at the ECSO.   YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE ADDITIONAL CHARGES.  

How long will it take the ECSO to send out my file after I request a referral?

Requests are processed in the order in which they are received and may take up to five business days.

Should I request my credential file to be sent for every position in which I am interested?

Yes, if you are sincerely interested in those positions.

When do I begin my active job search?

When you see job vacancies in which you are interested during the year in which you plan to graduate, begin applying for those positions immediately.  You need not have completed student teaching.  You should continue actively searching for positions in January/February in the year you plan to graduate. Note:  School districts continue to hire in the summer.

What do I do if my letter of recommendation writer has indicated they have sent my letter to ECSO but it is not yet appearing in my-online file?

If you have not completed your Profile in eRecruiting, our office cannot upload your letters into your file.  Please notify ECSO at ecso@illinois.edu when your Profile is complete.