This place is the worst! The interview process is so antiquated it is not even funny. I have applied to over 20 positions over the previous four years via their HR website and each time has been a very unpleasant experience. The ATS system does not allow you to log in to check the status of any pending applications because after you have applied. It is never updated until you are no longer being considered for the job. If a department likes you after HR has forwarded your information to them, you will typically be selected for “pre-screening” where you are asked the general questions below. Sometimes question 2 will be worded differently and the department will ask you what you feel the starting salary range is for the position applied. With the recent changes in employment law with FSLA, I recommend always saying the minimum salary is at least $48,000. Many “classified” university positions should at least be at this starting level unless you have to track your actual hours worked. If you indicate more for a starting salary, the departments will no longer consider you for the position. Do not try and get a higher salary initially even if you have more than enough of relevant experience and more that just the minimum required level of education. At SMU they try and get employees to start working there for the lowest salary possible and then give them about a 1.5%-3.0% raise annually for cost of living. Sadly many new employees will accept the lower salary to “get their foot in the door” and move to another department or leave SMU after approximately 1.5 years. SMU is the worst!