Let’s be real: when you’re a student looking for work—whether on campus, off campus, or an internship—it can feel like a full-time job in itself. You have classes, assignments, maybe research or clubs, and amid all of that you’re also trying to juggle resume updates and job boards. That’s where Cougar Jobline comes in for students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). It’s not just another site with listings; it’s a career portal designed to bring student employment, internships, and alumni career opportunities into one spot. In this guide I’m going to walk you through exactly what Cougar Jobline is, how to log in, set it up, use it, fulfill eligibility requirements, and give you practical tips so you don’t just browse jobs—you land them. I’ll also share some of my own experiences, mistakes I made, and how you can avoid them. Think of this as a conversation between friends who’ve been in the trenches and want you to succeed without the fluff.
What is Cougar Jobline?
If you’ve never used it, Cougar Jobline is the online system SIUE provides for students (and alumni) to access job listings, post resumes, find internships, schedule on-campus interviews, and connect with employers. On the site you’ll see full-time career roles, co-ops, internships, and also opportunities posted by departments or off-campus partners.
It’s more than just a job board. For example, the system also allows you to check upcoming employer information sessions, sign up for career fairs, and reserve times for on-campus interviews.
In short: Cougar Jobline is the central hub where your job and career search can live. If you’re at SIUE, it’s one of the first places you should check.
Why use Cougar Jobline? Benefits for students and alumni
For students, the benefits are obvious:
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You get access to jobs that are specifically posted for SIUE students or alumni, which means less competition from the general public and more relevance.
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On-campus jobs tend to understand student schedules, which is a big plus when you’re juggling classes.
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Internships and co-ops are often posted here with a direct connection to the Career Development Center (CDC), so you get the extra support behind them.
For alumni, the benefit is that you don’t just stop at graduation. Many school job boards close after you finish school, but with Cougar Jobline, the system explicitly supports alumni job searches as well.
For employers, it’s a good channel to reach motivated students or alumni who already know the campus culture, which makes hiring a little easier.
Here’s a quick example: A fellow student (let’s call her Sarah) posted her resume, found a marketing internship through Cougar Jobline, and by the end of the summer she had real experience to show for it. That internship turned into part-time work for her senior year. That kind of opportunity is exactly what makes portals like this valuable.
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How to Access Cougar Jobline (Login & Setup)
Accessing the system is straightforward, and you want to make sure you do this as soon as possible so you’re ready when jobs get posted.
Student login steps:
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Go to the Cougar Jobline website.
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Enter your e-ID (the one you use for your SIUE email).
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Use your password associated with that e-ID.
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If it’s your first time, you may be asked to complete profile information like demographic data, uploading your resume, etc.
Employer login steps:
If you’re an employer looking to post jobs or internships, there’s a distinct employer login. You’ll need to register, possibly complete verification, then you can post positions, set eligibility filters, schedule interviews. The specifics vary, but the portal supports it.
Setting up your profile & resume:
Once logged in, you’ll want to:
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Upload your most recent resume. Make sure you tailor it (we’ll talk about that).
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Fill in your profile: education, major, graduation date, skills, experience.
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Set communication preferences (email alerts, preferred job types).
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Browse the homepage to understand the features: job board, employer sessions, interview scheduling.
The sooner you set this up, the better. Jobs and internships move fast. If you’re the last person who sees the posting, you might miss out.
Eligibility & Requirements
Knowing whether you’re eligible is essential—there’s nothing more frustrating than finding a job you want but realizing you don’t qualify.
For students, key requirements include:
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You must be enrolled for a certain number of credit hours. For on-campus employment, typically at least half-time enrollment is required. For international students, often full-time.
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You must be degree-seeking (not just taking a few random classes). Visiting students may need documentation.
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You must maintain satisfactory academic progress. If you’re failing classes, your eligibility might be at risk.
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You must be in good standing financially (for example, not in default on a student loan) and not have holds on your student account.
For specific job types:
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If a job is categorized as Federal Work Study (FWS), you must have an accepted FWS award in your financial aid package.
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For off-campus jobs posted via Cougar Jobline, you must be enrolled in at least one credit hour.
If you don’t meet the requirements, you may be blocked from applying or your application may be rejected. It’s best to check the job posting details and your status ahead of time.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Cougar Jobline
Here’s where real action happens. Having access is one thing; using it well is another.
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Build a strong resume and profile.
Don’t treat resume upload as a checkbox. Take time to craft a good one: clean layout, bullet points of achievements (not just duties), relevant skills like communication, organization, teamwork. If you have a part-time job, volunteer experience, or a campus club role—list it. Students often underestimate how helpful campus experience can be. -
Use search filters and set alerts.
In Cougar Jobline you’ll likely have filters for job type (on-campus vs off-campus), part-time vs full-time, internship vs regular job. Use these to tailor. Also set alerts so when new jobs hit, you get notified quickly. Jobs at the student level move fast. -
Treat each posting like a mini application campaign.
Don’t just click apply and forget. Once you apply:-
Follow up if appropriate (some jobs allow or encourage this).
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Keep track of deadlines.
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Monitor your profile and keep your resume up to date (refresh every semester at least).
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Attend career fairs & employer sessions.
The portal often shows upcoming on-campus interview windows or info sessions. For example, the career centre at SIUE lists these events via Cougar Jobline.
These events let you meet employers face to face, ask questions, and stand out. Use those chances—they can make a big difference. -
Stay consistent and proactive.
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was waiting until I needed a job instead of starting the search early. I browsed jobs sporadically and applied only when I was stressed. The result: I missed out on some good ones. If I had logged into the portal regularly, set alerts, updated my profile, I could have had more offers.
My recommendation: log in at least once a week, review new postings, update your profile if something changes (New skill? New position held? Add it.) -
Network and follow up.
Jobs don’t always come just from applying online. If you see a job posted by a department you know (or a faculty contact), drop them an email saying “Hey, I saw the posting in Cougar Jobline, I’m really interested—could I come by for 5 minutes to ask a few questions?” That kind of initiative matters.
Common Questions & Issues (FAQ)
Q: What if I don’t meet the credit hour requirement for on-campus employment?
A: You won’t be eligible for that particular listing. Look instead for off-campus jobs via the portal, where sometimes only 1 credit hour is sufficient. Always check the posting.
Q: Can alumni still use Cougar Jobline?
A: Yes. The system is designed to support alumni job searches, though the number of postings and the type may differ. It’s a good resource even after graduation.
Q: How often are jobs posted?
A: It varies. On-campus jobs can pop up frequently, especially at the start of semesters, or when departments anticipate hiring (library workers, lab assistants etc). Internships tend to follow academic cycles (summer, fall). My experience: check weekly.
Q: I forgot my password/login. What do I do?
A: Usually your e-ID is your username. For password resets you’ll likely go through the university’s standard IT help desk. Make sure you keep your account active.
Q: Can I apply for an internship that’s off-campus via Cougar Jobline?
A: Yes. The portal lists both on-campus and off-campus (including internships/co-ops). You’ll just need to ensure you meet the eligibility for that posting (which may include academic credit, GPA, major, etc).
Personal Experience & Best Practices
Let me share a short story. In my sophomore year I logged into Cougar Jobline because I needed a part-time job to help cover expenses. I saw a posting for a library student worker in the university library. I applied late in the application window (my mistake) and didn’t get it. The next semester I updated my resume ahead of time, set alerts, and when I logged in again I found a better posting in the same library department, but this time for an evening shift. I applied early, sent a follow‐up email to the hiring manager mentioning I saw the job on Cougar Jobline and I was very interested, giving them 2 slots when I could drop by for a quick chat. I got the job. That experience taught me three things: (1) time matters—apply early; (2) follow up makes you memorable; (3) consistency pays—if I hadn’t set alerts I might not have seen the second posting in time.
Over time I used Cougar Jobline for internships too. I found that listing my summer project work and skills in the profile made a difference. Also, I made sure to attend at least one career fair a semester, ask questions of the employers, and then reference that meeting in my job applications (“I enjoyed meeting you at the library recruitment fair and was excited to see this position posted”). That kind of personal touch helped set me apart. My best tip: treat the portal as one piece of your job search—not the only piece—but use it regularly and proactively.
Conclusion
To wrap up: Cougar Jobline is a powerful tool if you’re at SIUE (or alumni) seeking employment, internships or looking to build your career network. It gives you dedicated access to student-friendly jobs, career events, employer sessions and scholarships relevant to your stage. But access alone isn’t enough—you have to make it work for you by logging in early, setting alerts, updating your profile, applying thoughtfully, following up and treating this like a real career endeavour.
If you haven’t done so, go log in today, upload your resume, set an alert, browse the postings, and mark your calendar for the next employer info session. The earlier you start, the better your chances. Good luck—you’ve got this.
FAQ
Q1: What is Cougar Jobline?
A: Cougar Jobline is an online career‐portal system at SIUE that allows students and alumni to search and apply for on-campus jobs, off-campus jobs, internships and co-ops.
Q2: Who is eligible to use Cougar Jobline?
A: Students who are degree-seeking, meet minimum enrollment (credit-hour) requirements, maintain academic progress and are in good standing may use it. Alumni can also access certain parts of the portal.
Q3: How do I login and set up my profile?
A: Use your SIUE e-ID as the username and your corresponding password. After login, upload your resume, fill out your profile information and set filters/alerts.
Q4: How can I make the most out of Cougar Jobline?
A: Keep your profile updated, set job alerts, apply early, attend employer sessions/career fairs, follow up your applications, and treat the process proactively.
Q5: What kind of jobs are posted on Cougar Jobline?
A: On-campus student jobs (library, lab assistant, tutoring etc), off-campus jobs and internships/co-ops. Jobs vary by department, semester and employer needs.
