Search Process when using a Search Firm

Prior to the search firm posting the position announcement, or otherwise advertising the position, a recruitment request must be generated in PageUp and receive all necessary approvals. This is still the case, even if applications for the search will be received by the search firm/consultant and not through PageUp. The recruitment request documents necessary approvals and if applicable, also ensures that the position will be posted by HR to the Dual Career Assistance (DCA) 5-day listserv prior to being advertised externally. This allows eligible DCA candidates the opportunity to be considered for the position. The DCA posting is a requirement except in the case of recruitments for an executive officer position (See University Policy 1600.01 for more information). If there are any DCA applicants, the search committee must first consider these applicants before the position can be posted externally, as outlined in Procedure 1600.01A – Requesting a Dual Career Assistance Appointment of Opportunity. Once the DCA process has concluded, HR will coordinate with the search chair to confirm that the position can be posted externally by the search firm, and ensure that the posting is included on the WWU Jobs webpage, with reference to the appropriate application instructions and/or link to the search firm’s website if applications are not being received through PageUp.

The hiring department is responsible to consolidate and retain all Search and Recruitment Records for the necessary retention period (refer to University Records Retention Schedule for appropriate period of time). The hiring department will need to obtain all applicable materials from the search firm prior to the close of the search.

In some cases, search firms may prefer to allow candidates to express interest prior to submitting a full application. However, the minimum application for any university job should include a cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for at least three professional references. Therefore, search firms may choose to initially screen candidates for their interest in the position before requiring candidates to submit a complete application, however, anyone interested in being considered for the position must submit a complete application including a cover letter, resume, and references. This provides consistency in the evaluative materials both for the search firm and the search committee. Additionally, when it comes to the request to interview stage, Western’s Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance office (CRTC) will require a cover letter/resume for all finalists in order to approve as Finalists/Alternates for final interviews.

Telephone or video pre-screen interviews with semi-finalists are optional and may be conducted by the search committee without formal approval from CRTC. However, approval is required prior to extending invitation for interviews with finalists, regardless of whether finalist interviews will be conducted in-person or virtually, although all finalist interviews should be conducted in a consistent format. Note: It is not WWU’s practice to record any elements of the employee selection process. See CRTC’s Toolkit for Inclusive Searches for additional information on this and other topics.

In order to request approval of finalists to interview, the search chair must ensure that a Request to Interview E-sign form is submitted for approval.

For professional staff, executive officer, or faculty positions, submit to crtc@wwu.edu.

For classified staff positions, submit to Recruit.HR@wwu.edu. (This mirrors the current routing used in PageUp).

In initiating the form, the submitter will need to attach an Excel spreadsheet listing all applicants and including dispositions for all applicants not being requested as either a Finalist or an Alternate for interview. [See template/sample Excel spreadsheets provided by CRTC]. The search chair will need to coordinate with the search firm to receive dispositions in the case of any applications that were initially screened out by the search firm and not forwarded to the search committee for further review. Once the form has been approved and locked by either Recruit HR or CRTC, the hiring department is approved to proceed with contacting finalists to make arrangements for interviews.

Following final interviews, it is recommended to contact references for all finalists that remain under consideration (if not already done prior to interviews). At a minimum, checking references for the preferred finalist is required prior to submitting an offer request through approvals in PageUp.

Once a preferred finalist is identified, prior to extending any kind of offer (whether verbal or in writing), the standard required offer request approvals must be completed in PageUp. Please refer to the PageUp Staff Offers Quick Reference Guide for detailed instructions. In submitting the offer request in PageUp, the hiring department will be required to enter updated dispositions for any remaining finalists and/or alternate finalists, providing rationale for why they were not determined to advance (or if they withdrew).