Applying for jobs can feel daunting or overwhelming at times! You explore careers, research companies, browse open positions, review qualifications and preferences, submit your application – and then what?
At UPMC, our recruitment team is comprised of over 100 recruiters who work closely with hiring managers and candidates alike to determine the best fit for every available position – but it doesn’t stop there. Our team also aims to make sure you – the candidate – will be successful in a role that best aligns with your needs and career goals.
But what does the recruitment process at UPMC look like? After you submit your application, how long will it take for you to hear back? What happens behind the scenes to drive the candidate selection process? We’re here to help! Our recruiters shared a look into our hiring process, along with some of their tips for your success.
Where We Start
The first step of UPMC’s recruitment process happens when a job becomes open within UPMC. From there, recruiters connect with the position’s hiring manager to determine what makes the perfect candidate and learn a little more about the role – qualifications, preferences, hours and shifts, department perks, and more.
Posting a Job
Once recruiters and hiring managers outline the specifics of each role, recruiters write job descriptions with the hiring manager’s preferences in mind, as well as information about the specific facility or unit the position is in. This job posting is shared on our UPMC Careers site, and from there, we begin accepting applications!
TIP: Be sure to review each job description carefully! As you’re reviewing, make sure your experience matches with the position’s qualifications, as meeting these are required for the position. Most positions include a salary range for your convenience.
Applicant Review
You submitted your application, and now you’re waiting to hear back! What happens in the meantime?
Lots of qualified candidates apply, and it takes time to carefully review each one! There is no set time frame for when you can expect to hear back about your application – the timeline varies from position to position based on the need to fill the role and the number of applicants. Once you apply, your info stays in the system and you may be considered for another job at UPMC that you’d be a great fit for.
TIP: “Recruiters are able to narrow their search using keywords, skills, or even locations that are specific to the position we’re trying to fill. Our system will populate a pool of candidates that match the search criteria, and we begin outreach to see if anyone is interested!” – Caitlin B., Sr. Recruiter
Interview
When it comes to interviews, it’s natural to be nervous! Of course, we want to know how your background, experience, and skills can translate to the position you’re interviewing for, but we also want to get to know you – the true you! So, how can you prepare? What can you expect?
TIP: “As the interview comes to a close, we want the candidate to ask us questions. Remember, we are being interviewed as well. What is it like to work at UPMC? What will be the successes and challenges of this role? By investing time in the interview process, we will hire and retain top talent. Every candidate hired will add value and support for the patients we serve, daily.” – Rise` P., Recruitment Lead
Will my Interview be In-Person? Your interview could take place by phone, video call, or face-to-face, depending on the position. When you are contacted (sometimes hiring managers do their own) to set up an interview, the person reaching out will let you know how it will take place. We’re prepared to conduct a quality interview, no matter the platform, but if you have any concerns or technical limitations, be sure to mention it when you’re scheduling.
What Can I Expect? In your interview, you’ll be asked a prepared set of questions to offer a fair and consistent process to all candidates. These questions give our team more information about your skills and expertise and allow us to get to know you. While your resume includes your top skills and work experience, we’re looking to know why you want to work at UPMC and hear more about what makes you a great fit for the specific role.
How Should I Prepare? We recommend coming to your interview prepared to paint a picture of your professional and/or academic background and share a few examples of how that work can apply to the role you’re interviewing for. Spend a little time before your interview researching the position and UPMC – what interests you about the position? How can you tie your previous experience to the responsibilities of this role?
What Comes After? If your interview goes well, you will be contacted about next steps – this could include a peer or panel interview with your future colleagues and the hiring manager. Before the end of your interview, be sure to get your interviewers’ contact information in case you’d like to send a follow-up or thank you email.
Selection Process & Job Offer
After all interviews are complete, our recruiters team up with hiring managers to assist in their selection. As managers narrow down their interviewed candidates to make their final selections, our recruiters provide additional feedback or best practices.
Once the hiring manager selects their final candidate, the position’s recruiter reviews interview notes and process documents before preparing an offer. If you’re selected, a recruiter will contact you by phone to deliver the good news! If you accept your offer, your recruiter will walk you through the next steps to officially become part of the UPMC team!
Onboarding
Once you accept your offer, your recruiter will connect you with one of our Onboarding Associates, who will give you access via email to your onboarding portal, which is customized for you based on your business unit and position requirements.
Your portal includes all the tasks you’ll need to complete prior to your start date. While these vary from position to position, some common tasks include completing a background check waiver, scheduling your pre-employment health assessment, and reviewing licensure and/or clearance requirements.
Your Onboarding Associate is here for you! You’ll have their contact information to ask any questions you may have about your orientation or about your pre-employment tasks. Once your tasks are complete, your Onboarding Associate will review all materials to make sure you’re ready to start!
More Questions? Get in Touch!
Do you have a specific question that wasn’t addressed here? Check out the FAQs below or send us a message on Facebook!
Do you have recruiting or onboarding experience, and like the way our process sounds? Join our recruitment team!
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend applying to positions that interest you as soon as you see them, as some positions must be filled quickly to ensure we provide the best care for our patients.
You can apply for more than one position at once, but we recommend selecting positions that match your skills, experience, and interests as closely as possible.
You can find the latest status of your application by going to the “My Account” tab near the top menu of the UPMC Careers site and clicking on the “My Application Status” tab.
You do have access to update your resume after applying, but we recommend ensuring your resume is up-to-date and accurate, as our team will not be notified if you make changes after they’ve reviewed your application.
The job description will let you know if you’re required to submit a cover letter. While most of our positions do not require a cover letter, they can be helpful for our team to get to know you beyond your resume. If you’d like, you can tell us a little bit about yourself and why you want to work at UPMC!
We’re sorry to hear you’re experiencing trouble with our application portal! Please send a detailed email to recruitmenthelp@upmc.edu and a member of our technical support team will be happy to assist you!
We’d be happy to assist you with your application! Please submit your contact information here. We’ll be in touch soon!
We strongly encourage you to complete your application in one session, but if you are unable to do so, your information will be saved in draft form for you to complete at a later time. Please note that the draft application will only be available if the position remains available. Once a position is filled, any related draft applications will no longer be available.
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Please refer to the “Tips” sidebar once logged into your applicant profile for additional assistance.
Time Limit
- Your application session may have been inactive for 60 minutes or longer. Our system sends a notification after 40 minutes of idle time, alerting you that your session will time out after 60 minutes of inactivity. If this happens, click “Ok” in the dialogue box to remain logged in. If your session times out at 60 minutes of inactivity, you will need to log back in to your account.
Back Button/Navigation Features
- When navigating our site, we recommend using the “Back to prior page” link, located at the top, left-hand side of the screen. Using your browser’s back button can cause your session to expire.
When applying within a specific job posting, feel free to use the step-by-step navigation pane, located at the top center of the page to navigate between various application stages. You will receive navigation access within the pane to review and edit information, as you successively proceed through the application process. You will not be able to skip ahead to upcoming sections if you have not initially completed the preceding stages.
If you’re interested in a career with UPMC, but aren’t sure where to start, we recommend joining our Talent Network! By joining, our recruiters will have your application on file and may reach out to you if they’re working to fill a position that you might be a good fit for!
Due to the number of applications we receive, our team can’t respond to every applicant. You can find the latest status of your application by going to the “My Account” tab near the top menu of the UPMC Careers site and clicking on the “My Application Status” tab.
Unfortunately, once your application is reviewed for a position, you are unable to reapply. However, if a position is posted with the same job title, but has a new Job ID number, you can apply to the new posting.
