Summary
This article outlines how HR and search committees should communicate with applicants throughout the hiring process, emphasizing timely, clear, and professional notifications at every stage—from acknowledging applications to informing candidates of status changes and finalist procedures.
Body
Overview
Applicants will often have questions throughout the search process, this article covers communication points and information relating to applicant notification.
Responding to Applicants
- HR will send an acknowledgment letter promptly to all applicants upon receipt of their application materials, whether their application is complete or incomplete.
- An acknowledgment letter should be promptly sent to individuals nominating others for the position with an immediate follow-up letter to the potential applicant.
- Applicants will be kept informed by HR about the progress of the search; a brief letter of explanation will be sent to each applicant if the search is significantly delayed from the original time frame.
- HR will inform applicants promptly when they are no longer being considered for the position. Similarly, HR will promptly notify unsuccessful finalists when another finalist has been offered and accepted the position.
- When the list of finalists has been approved by all parties, a telephone call should be made to all finalists to learn if they are still actively interested in the position, to inform them their candidacy now becomes "public," to discuss the interview schedule, and to advise them of their right to request accommodation of a disability during the interview process. Human Resources will request an official transcript of the highest completed degree, to be sent to Human Resources.
- Just as the university makes judgments about applicants on the basis of the materials they submit, so do applicants judge the university on the basis of our communication with them. It is important that all communication with applicants be prompt, clear and precise, professional, and gracious.
Have Questions?
Contact Human Resources at 507-389-2015 or hr@mnsu.edu.