University of Arizona Human Resources

   

Guide To Successful Searches - A Successful Search Checklist

Done?TaskResponsible PartyTarget Date
  1. Review "A Guide to Successful Searches." Hiring Authority  
  2. Write draft position description. Hiring Authority  
  3. Appoint search chair. Hiring Authority  
  4. Appoint search committee and provide link to "A Guide to Successful Searches" to be read before first meeting. Hiring Authority and Search Chair  
  5. Identify potential search advisory committee members (optional). Hiring Authority and Search Chair  
  6. Describe committee expectations and expected outcomes. Hiring Authority  
  7. Arrange for Search Committee orientation. Search Chair  
  8. Agree on decision-making approach. Search Committee  
  9. Review confidentiality guidelines. Search Chair  
  10. Decide on committee spokesperson. Search Committee  
  11. Finalize Search Advisory Committee membership committee (if search advisory committee is formed). Hiring Authority with input from Search Committee  
  12. Invite individuals to serve on search advisory committee (if Search Advisory Committee is formed). Hiring Authority  
  13. Develop search process timeline including targets for advertising, initial screening, phone interviews and campus visits. Search Committee  
  14. Solicit feedback on desired minimum and preferred qualifications from the Search Advisory committee (if Search Advisory Committee is formed). Search Chair  
  15. Solicit feedback on desired minimum and preferred qualifications from constituent groups and the University community. Search Committee  
  16. Using draft position description, develop minimum and preferred candidate qualifications. Search Committee  
  17. Develop operational definitions and evaluation strategies for all qualifications. Search Committee  
  18. Review /suggest enhancements to position description. Search Committee  
  19. Decide on application materials required. Search Committee  
  20. Write position announcement. Search Committee  
  21. Secure position description and position announcement approval from hiring authority. Search Chair  
  22. Approve position description and announcement. Hiring Authority (who may ask for Executive Search Team advice)  
  23. Develop draft recruitment plan. Search Committee  
  24. Solicit recruitment strategies and potential nominees from Search Advisory Committee (If Search Advisory Committee is formed). Search Chair  
  25. Incorporate Search Advisory Committee recommendations to craft a proposed recruitment plan. Search Chair  
  26. Certify recruitment plan. Hiring Authority (who may ask for Executive Search Team advice)  
  27. Develop recruitment plan budget to include advertising, direct mail, conference attendance, candidate travel, and campus visit cost (note: Human Resources can provide advertising costs) Search Chair with Hiring Authority  
  28. Request nominations from the University community, especially people of color and individuals well positioned to suggest viable candidates. Search Chair with Hiring Authority (who may ask for Executive Search Team advice)  
  29. Write and place advertisements. Human Resources at Search Chair's direction  
  30. Develop screening matrix., phone and campus interview questions and reference check questions. Search Committee  
  31. Secure Hiring Authority approval of proposed screening process. Search Chair  
  32. Approve/modify screening process. Hiring Authority (who may ask for Executive Search Team advice)  
  33. Invite nominees to apply. Search Chair  
  34. Acknowledge receipt of application materials and describe anticipated timeline for search process. Search Chair  
  35. Provide hiring authority with report on applicant pool diversity. Search Chair (with data provided by Human Resources)  
  36. Analyze diversity of applicant pool. Hiring Authority (who may ask for Executive Search Team advice)  
  37. "Certify" the applicant pool or direct search committee to redouble efforts to create a diverse applicant pool. Hiring Authority (who may ask for Executive Search Team advice)  
  38. Provide status report to affected department, the Search Advisory Committee and the University community as appropriate. Search Chair  
  39. Notify applicants (if search is to be extended or if they have been excluded from further consideration). Search Chair  
  40. Develop and implement plan to diversify applicant pool (if search is to be extended). Search Committee with input from Search Advisory Committee  
  41. Return to step 26 (if search was extended). Search Chair  
  42. Review application materials and document screening process. Search Committee  
  43. Identify top candidates. Search Committee  
  44. Approve initial finalist list or direct search committee to redouble efforts to create a diverse finalist list. Hiring Authority ( who may ask for Executive Search Team advice)  
  45. Return to step 43 (if finalist list is rejected). Search Committee  
  46. Conduct phone interviews and document responses. Search Committee  
  47. Develop finalist list. Search Committee  
  48. "Certify" finalist list or direct search committee to extend search. Hiring Authority (who may request Executive Search Team advice)  
  49. Notify finalists of plans to conduct reference checks. Search Chair  
  50. Conduct reference checks. Search Committee  
  51. Notify applicants who are no longer under consideration. (If search is extended, return to step 47). Search Chair  
  52. Design campus visit itinerary to include visits with potential colleagues, community groups, etc. Search Committee  
  53. Secure Hiring Authority approval of campus visit itinerary. Search Chair  
  54. Invite finalists to visit campus. Search Chair  
  55. Arrange travel and lodging arrangements. Ask: "Will you require any special accommodations?" and " To help us in meal planning, do we need to be aware of any food preferences or restrictions?" and "Are there groups or individuals with whom you'd like to meet during your visit?" Search Chair  
  56. Revise campus visit itinerary, if possible, based on candidate meeting requests. Search Committee  
  57. Invite community members and potential colleagues to meet with finalists. Search Chair  
  58. Appoint individual(s) to greet candidate at airport and return him/her to airport after visit. Search Chair  
  59. Announce campus visits to the University community. Search Chair  
  60. Schedule search committee members or others to accompany candidates during the campus visit. Search Chair  
  61. Forward campus visit itinerary to candidates. Include information on the Tucson community, the University, the hiring college/division and department, information on the value of UA employment, dual career resources, and the University's diversity plan. Search Chair  
  62. Contact candidate in advance of visit to answer questions, allay concerns and express excitement about impending visit. Search Chair or designee  
  63. Conduct campus visits. Search Committee  
  64. Evaluate candidates and write recommendations for Hiring Authority. Search Committee  
  65. Share recommendations/analysis with hiring authority. Search Committee  
  66. Select candidate or direct Search Committee to close search or invite additional candidates. Hiring Authority  
  67. Provide status report to affected department, University and Tucson community and Search Advisory Committee (if search is terminated or extended). Search Chair  
  68. Design offer, which may include start-up package, effort requirements, travel funds, and employment for partner. Ensure that proposed offer maintains departmental/college/division equity. Hiring Authority  
  69. Make offer by phone or invite selected finalist (and family) to visit Tucson. Arrange for meeting with Above&Beyond Relocation Service for community orientation and housing search (no charge to University or department for this service) , Human Resources to discuss benefit options and Human Resources or the Provost's Office to discuss dual career services as needed. Schedule meetings with individuals as requested by finalist.  
  70. Announce hire to search committee, department, the Search Advisory Committee, the University Community, and the Tucson community. Hiring Authority and Search Chair  
  71. Thank Search Committee and Search Advisory Committee for their efforts. Request feedback on how future efforts might be improved. Hiring Authority  
  72. Search related documents such as copies of hiring forms, interview questions, screening tools and committee notes must be retained in department files for a period of three years. Electronic copies of job postings, resumes and applications will be maintained by Human Resources. Search Chair  
  73. Share committees' feedback with Human Resources or Office of the Provost to support enhancement of University search guidelines. Hiring Authority  
  74. Announce hire through press release to Lo Que Pasa, local media, and appropriate professional organizations. Hiring Authority with assistance from University Advancement.  
  75. Share media announcements with new hire. Hiring Authority  
  76. Hold a welcome reception for new hire. Hiring Authority  
  77. Support the success of the new colleague. The University Community