In our Credential File section you will find information about how to establish a credential file ( a great resource for education majors).

Hiring officials will usually want to see a copy of your credential file before they will give serious consideration to your application. In fact frequently, you will be asked to forward your credentials when you are completing an application for employment. Since the current job market is a very competitive one, having a complete and up-to-date credential file will help you to obtain interviews and will assist hiring officials in confirming their decision. 

CONTENTS OF CREDENTIAL PACKET

1. Career Services Registration Form
2. Transcripts Request Form
3. Letter of Recommendation Access Forms

INSTRUCTIONS

To complete your credential file, please print the Career Services Registration Form, the Transcript Request Form and the Letters of Recommendation Form. After printing these forms, you will need to fill them out and submit them to the GSU Office of Career Services. In addition you will also need your resume and a copy of your teaching certificate. You should have between 3 to 5 letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to assess your teaching ability and academic preparation.

If you have any additional questions regarding your credential file, please contact the GSU Office of Career Services at 708-235-3974.

1. Career Services' Registration Form: In order to establish a credential file you need to be registered with the Career Services Office.

2. Resume/Vitae: Submit your resume to the Career Services Office; although, you may be mailing this out on your own it is still a good idea to include one in your file, as some employers may contact the Career Services Office directly. If you need assistance, resume information and help are available in the Career Services Office.

3. Transcript Request Form: Complete this form and submit it to the Registrar's Office as official transcripts are issued by the Registrar's Office upon a student's written request. Effective June 17, 2002, a fee of $5.00 per transcript is required and payable by check or money order to Governors State University. Payment must accompany each request. Credit card payments are not accepted at this time. Faxed or e-mail requests cannot be accepted.

When requesting official transcripts, the following information must be included: student's name, social security number, current address, complete address of where the transcript is to be sent, number of transcripts, and student's signature.

Mailing Address:
Registrar's Office
Transcript Request
Governors State University
University Park, IL 60466
Transcripts are not released for students with outstanding obligations (holds) to the university.

For more information, contact Deirdre Webb or call the transcript information line at (708) 534-4369.

4. Letters of Recommendation Access Form: Under the Federal Law P.L. 93-380 (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974), also known as the Buckley Amendment, students have a right to read letters of recommendation that are in their credential file.

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CIRCULATION AND RELEASE

Your Credential File can be forwarded to prospective employers as soon as it is complete based upon your written instructions. We will mail a copy of your file (or those parts of it that you want sent) to all organizations named on your Credential File Request . Your credential file can be sent to organizations upon additional written requests. Drop off, mail, or fax your written request to the Career Services Office. Since your file contains confidential information, each request must include your student ID number.

The Career Services Office cannot guarantee that a credential file request will be sent out on the same day that it is received. Your request will be processed within 2 working days, providing your file is complete.

At the time you make your request, check with Career Services on the status of your file to see if all of the requested recommendations and transcripts have been received. Missing documents will delay your file being sent out. All request to see files must be made at least one day (24 hours) ahead.

In addition, non-credential documents, such as writing samples, performance evaluations, applications, personal cover letters, etc., will not be mailed out with your credential file; you should mail these out yourself under separate cover. However, if the hiring institution requests all application material to arrive under one cover, as a courtesy to students, we will send additional materials with your file, such as a letter of application. Be advised we cannot store or duplicate materials other than those documents included in your credential file.

UPDATING RECORDS

It is in your best interest to keep your credential file updated. If you've had a change in name or address, please let the Career Services Office know in writing. If you wish to remove a recommendation letter from your file, you must request this in writing. Also, when you're having new letters added to your file, please have them mailed directly to the Career Services Office by those writing them. Credential files are purged, if no activity within the past ten years.

FEES

For each requested credential file beyond the first one, there will be a fee of $3.00, payable when bill is received. Remember to make your check payable to Governors State University.

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Copyright © 2001 Governors State University
University Park, Illinois 60466-0975
(708) 534-5000

Please send any questions or comments to: careers@govst.edu