At University of Nebraska, we understand that innovation, critical thinking, and excellent teaching depend on our ability to effectively bring together the best and brightest faculty who each bring their unique expertise, experience, and perspectives to the world’s toughest challenges.
Faculty recruitment starts long before an opening is posted. Here are some important considerations to help your recruitment reach the broadest possible audience and build the strongest pool of candidates.
- Intentionally engage with smaller academic societies. Identify smaller and more specific academic societies in your field. If you do not have relationships with some of those societies or groups, support individual faculty members building those relationships through conference attendance or other scholarly activities. Some academic societies may span across (sub)disciplines; consider how members of other departments might have relationships that can help you recruit a wide pool of candidates.
- Grow your recruitment network. Consider how conferences, meetings, and visiting scholar opportunities can strengthen your recruitment network. Establish relationships with scholars who champion new approaches or perspectives that align with the research, teaching and service mission of the department, college, and university. Although that person may not be available for a work or career opportunity at UNL, networks strengthen the department’s brand by spreading the word about the university and employment opportunities.
- Be self-reflexive. Prior to writing a job description, examine the department and the field. What perspectives or areas in the field are not represented in your department? Discuss and plan for addressing those needs when filling vacancies. Most importantly, avoid “replacement hires” that try to reproduce the expertise of a former faculty member.
- Tap your professional networks. Take time to assess the connections of faculty in your department and ensure you are reaching multiple networks. Personally reach out to people who may have access to distinct networks, including colleagues in other colleges and departments and former students. Ask for recommendations of high-potential candidates, and personally reach out to invite them to apply. Post the position on multiple listservs to broaden your search.