Managing a Positive & Effective Search Process

The Successful Search Committee

February 17, 2010

SJG offers a training seminar for search committees or institutional representatives who are preparing to conduct an institutional search. Our session is designed to provide a search committee, or professionals searching on behalf of an institution, with a comprehensive plan for conducting a significant, effective, nationwide search for candidates.

The search process for an institution is often time consuming and frustrating. Those asked to serve may view the search process as burdensome and the amount of staff time involved can be costly to the institution. An effective search committee—one that will conduct a thorough, and ultimately successful search for the ideal candidate—is the cornerstone of a positive search process.

SJG offers the following suggestions for assembling, focusing, and educating a successful search committee:

• Choose committee members who have a stake in the success of the candidate and represent broadly the diversity of the institution.  Select a committee chair who feels comfortable managing the  process.

• Keep your committee to a manageable size — all members should have an opportunity to participate effectively, but there should not be so few members that they feel overwhelmed with the necessary time commitment.

• Assign adequate administrative support to assist the committee — bogging down committee members in procedures prevents them from focusing on the ultimate task of finding the most successful candidates.

• Be clear with the committee about what their charge is and what their responsibilities are in conducting the search. The committee needs to understand

• The responsibilities and expectations of the position and how they fit into the larger needs of the institution

• The characteristics, experiences, and skills that will make a person successful in the position

• The plan for recruiting and nominating candidates

• Confidentiality of applications

• The process for communicating with applicants

• The fair and objective handling of internal candidates

• The projected timetable for the search process

• The committee's role in recruiting, screening, and recommending candidates

• The laws regarding appropriate interviewing and referencing of candidates.

SJG can also target this training session to the current issues and future direction of the particular field or profession that is the focus of the search.