| Go Back       eLink Frequently Asked Questions

If your question doesn't appear on this list, e-mail us at co-op@eng.umd.edu or call (301) 405-3863.

1. What is eLink?
2. I haven't used e Link in awhile; how can I get access again?
3. Why can't I log in to eLink?
4. I've forgotten my password, what should I do?
5. Is this the same system that I will use when I look for full-time permanent employment?
6. How do I select multiple items in a list box?
7. I uploaded a resume, but the formatting was altered during the PDF Conversion. Why?
8. Why can't I view online documents?
9. Why do I need to publish my resume to the Resume Book?
10. How do I edit my resume in eLink?
11. I uploaded my resume to the system, but I realized that it had a couple of typos. How do I remove it and replace it with a corrected one? OR How do I delete my documents from the system?
12. I submitted the wrong resume with my application. How can I change it?
13. How do I find out about resume deadlines, interview dates, events, workshops, etc.?
14. What is the best way to search for jobs?
15. Why do some jobs have interview dates and others do not?
16. Why can't I apply for a particular job?
17. How do I change my interview time slot?

1. What is eLink?
eLink gives you 24-hour web access to all engineering co-op, summer, and part-time job listings. eLink allows you to upload your Microsoft Word resume, enter registration data online, request that your resume be sent to an unlimited number of employers, sign-up for on-campus interviews, and track where your resume has been sent. To access e Link you must first register with the Engineering Co-op Office and have your Microsoft Word resume critiqued. All students are required to attend an eLink Workshop. These workshops are offered weekly in the Engineering Co-op Office; call or stop by the office to sign up for a time that is convenient for you.

2. I haven't used eLink in awhile; how can I get access again?
Call or stop by the Engineering Co-op Office and let us know you'd like to search for jobs again. We'll re-activate your account.

3. Why can't I log in to eLink?
You may not be able to log in for one of the following reasons:

• You are not registered with the Engineering Co-op Office.
• You need to have your resume critiqued by an Engineering Co-op Office staff member.
• You are using the wrong username and/or password. Your username is your Student ID Number (123456789). Your initial password is your birth date (05/04/79), but you may change it once you log in.
• Your account has been made inactive; call or stop by our office and let us know you'd like to search for jobs again.
• You have been blocked from using eLink.

4. I've forgotten my password, what should I do?
If you've forgotten your password, you can do one of two things:

• Click on the “Forgot Your Password?" link on the login page. You can then enter your username and eLink will automatically send your password to your email account.
• Contact the Engineering Co-op Office. You will be assigned a new password.

5. Is this the same system that I will use when I look for full-time permanent employment?
When you begin your full-time permanent job search, go to the University Career Center's website at www.careercenter.umd.edu to obtain an account for the Career Center's Careers4Terps database. You will need to re-upload your resume and re-enter your registration data because the databases are separate. For more information, refer to the Career Center's website, www.careercenter.umd.edu, or call (301) 314-7225.

6. How do I select multiple items in a list box?
When selecting items in a list box, you can select multiple items using the following methods:

• (Windows) Hold down the Control key while selecting each individual item.
• (Windows) Hold down the Shift key while selecting the first and last items in a series. All items between the first and last selected items are selected.
• (Macintosh) Hold down the Open-Apple (Command) key while selecting each individual item.
• (Macintosh) Hold down the Shift key while selecting the first and last items in a series. All items between the first and last selected items are selected.

7. I uploaded a resume, but the formatting was altered during the PDF Conversion. Why?
If you have uploaded a resume that was not created using Microsoft Word, the conversion process may not preserve the original formatting of the document. Make sure to always upload resumes that were created using Microsoft Word.

Once you have uploaded a resume, display the document and print a copy to ensure that the formatting appears exactly as you intended. This is how prospective employers and Engineering Co-op Office staff members will see your documents.

Check out "Do's & Don'ts for Uploading Documents" (on the previous screen) for more tips on creating a resume that will convert well to PDF format.

8. Why can't I view online documents?
If you cannot view online documents, you may need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you have any questions or problems regarding the Acrobat Reader setup/configuration, refer to the following URL: http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html#reader

9. Why do I need to publish my resume to the Resume Book?
By publishing your resume to the Resume Book, administrators can do keyword searches for "published" documents based on employers' criteria, and then send the resumes to employers. Although eLink now enables you to upload multiple resumes, you can only publish a single resume to the Resume Book. Thus, when selecting a resume to publish in the Resume Book, make sure that the resume encompasses all of your relevant skills and experience and that your objective includes all the types of positions you are seeking. (For example, "Seeking a spring co-op or part-time internship in electrical engineering.")

10. How do I edit my resume in eLink?
You cannot edit uploaded documents through the system. You need to edit the document in Word, and then re-upload it to the system. Then you may delete your old resume from the system (please see next question).

11. I uploaded my resume to the system, but I realized that it had a couple of typos. How do I remove it and replace it with a corrected one? OR How do I delete my documents from the system?
First, make sure that you are not currently using this document for any pending job applications or that it is not currently published in the Resume Book. If you are, withdraw from all of these jobs and/or unpublish the resume from the Resume Book. You can then delete this document, upload a new one, and then re-apply to the jobs using the new document. If the application deadline has passed, do not withdraw applications because the system will not allow you to re-apply for these jobs. In this case, you can send an updated resume to the employer on your own.

12. I submitted the wrong resume with my application. How can I change it?
If your resume has not been sent to the employer yet and the deadline has not yet passed, you can change your resume selection using the following procedures:
1. Click the "Applications" button on the main navigation bar.
2. You will see a list of your current applications. Locate the application to which you submitted the wrong resume and click on "Details/Sign up."
3. On the "Application Details" page, click on “Withdraw." You will then be asked to confirm the withdrawal, so click on "Withdraw" again.
4. Re-apply for the position using the correct resume.

13. How do I find out about application deadlines, interview dates, events, workshops, etc.?
Once in the system, you can access the "Calendar" feature for this information. You can view dates, times, and locations of information meetings, recruiting events, and workshops, as well as application deadlines and interview dates. You may notice that many of the application deadlines fall at the end of the semester (i.e. December 31, May 31, or August 31). This means that the job will remain open until it is filled. Do not wait until the deadline to apply - it is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible.

14. What's the best way to search for jobs?
The best way:
1) Click on the "Jobs & Internships" button on the main navigation bar.
2) Since all of our co-op, summer and part-time jobs are listed under "Internships" rather than "Jobs," select the "Internships" tab. Then click on "See More Search Options."
3) Select your "Desired Major/Concentration" and by "Type of Job" (i.e., fall co-op, summer job, etc.) and hit "Search."

Other ways to search for jobs include:

• Employer name if you are looking for a particular company.
• Calendar feature if you want to apply for jobs that have upcoming application deadlines.

15. Why do some jobs have interviews and others do not?
Jobs with interview schedules and application deadlines that are early to mid-semester are often On-Campus Interview positions; jobs that have no interview schedules and have end of semester application deadlines are simply Job Listings. Take note of these differences:

On-Campus Interviews
If you apply for an On-Campus Interview job, your resume will be sent to the employer for interview consideration once the application deadline occurs. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive an e-mail notification instructing you to select an interview time slot in eLink. You can also check the status of your application by clicking on the "Applications" button on the main navigation bar. Note that when you are searching for jobs, you can distinguish an On-Campus Interview job listing from other jobs by the fact that there is a symbol representing "Interview Schedule" in the "Interview" column.

Job Listings
If you apply for a Job Listing that does not have On-Campus Interview schedule, your resume will be immediately emailed to the employer for consideration. Interviews for these jobs will not be arranged by The Engineering Co-op Office, so the employer will contact you directly if you've been chosen for an interview. (However, we encourage you to follow-up with the recruiter to check on the status of your application!) Note that when you are searching for jobs, you can distinguish Job Listings from On-Campus Interview jobs by the fact that there is no interview date under "Interview Schedules," and most Job Listings will have an application deadline of the end of the semester (December 31, May 31, or August 31).

16. Why can't I apply for a particular job?
You cannot submit an application for certain jobs because:

• The job is restricted to applicants who meet certain criteria (Major, Skills, etc.).
• The current date is not within the start/end date range when applications can be submitted.