Applications for the Community Assistant position will be available mid-November. Applications must be submitted by January 13. To learn more about the CA position, please refer to any of these great resources:

• A brochure highlighting the key aspects of the CA position
• A brief overview of the CA position
• A promotional film about the position

To apply for the Community Assistant (CA) position, follow these steps:

1. Register with NU CareerCat through University Career Services (you do not need to do this if you have previously registered for this service)
2. Within NU CareerCat, search for the position description using the keyword "Community Assistant." In the position description, you will find the link to Residential Life’s online application form. Non-NU students cannot register for NU Career Cat and must e-mail res-life@northwestern.edu to request an application.
3. Print the Community Assistant Feedback Form. Complete the top portion and then ask a current or former CA to the complete the reference portion and return it directly to Residential Life by Tuesday, January 13, 2010. Any current or past CA may complete the form for you.  If you can't reach the person who was your CA when you lived on campus, you may ask a current CA to complete your form. If you do not know any current CAs, you may contact one and ask him or her to interview you for the purpose of completing the feedback form.
4. Print the Community Assistant Reference Form. Complete the top portion and then ask a reference to complete that portion. This recommendation form may not be completed by any current Northwestern Residential Life staff members, other undergraduate students, or family members.  Ask your reference to submit the form to us by January 13, 2010.
5. Submit your application and your references by January 13, 2010.

Before you submit your application, please consider the following suggestions:

• Attend an information session and talk to people who are currently in hall staff positions. You could even ask to spend a few hours with a CA to see what it is like.
• Be active in your community. Attend programs, volunteer with hall government, hang out with other residents and get to know staff members. Being part of the community will help you better understand the needs of residents.
• Give yourself plenty of time to complete your application and solicit your references. Have others review your essays. Get the input of your friends and those who currently work in URL. Getting help with your application is not cheating. Thoughtful preparation will demonstrate your interest in working for us.
• Once CA candidates have submitted an application they are invited to an optional interview skills workshop. We encourage you to attend one of these workshops which are designed to help you understand what to expect from group process interviews, practice interview question responses, and get advice on how to prepare for your one-on-one interview.

The timeline for applications is as follows: