Faculty Recruitment ToolKit

Human Resource Services (HRS) assists the Office of the Provost in administering Faculty recruitment and hiring processes. HRS has the following tools, broken into 5 distinct phases to provide assistance and guidance for the recruitment and hiring of Faculty positions.
The HR Service Team for each area/college is available to assist with appropriate recruitment and hiring processes as well as the use of Workday Recruit.
For quick access to Workday, click here.
Phase 1: Prepare
Familiarize yourself with WSU’s recruitment process and policies, or refresh your knowledge of the search process:
Trainings:
- Faculty Recruitment Basics: WSU custom online training (WSU login required).
- HERC Virtual Recruitment Toolkit (Member login required)
- All WSU employees can create an account under institutional membership.
- Implicit Association Test: IATs (Implicit Association Tests)
- Tools to demonstrate and examine conscious and unconscious divergences related to attitudes and beliefs about race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and other social categories.
- Reviewing Applicants: Research on Bias and Assumptions (provided by WISELI)
Guides:
- Faculty Recruitment Checklist: Search committee roles and responsibilities checklist.
- Equity Guide for Faculty Search Committee Members.
- Candidate Guest Guidelines: Details on inviting guests (spouse, partner, etc.) to on-campus interviews.
Template:
- COMING SOON: Job Posting Template: Utilized to create job postings for Faculty positions published on WSU.EDU/CAREERS.
- Gender Decoder: A free tool designed to identify gendered language in job postings, helping to prevent subtle biases that may discourage potential applicants.
Evaluation tools:
- Evaluation Screening Form: Sample document.
- Evaluation Ranking Matrix: Sample document with not-selected reasons.
- Feedback Form: Sample document.
Policies:
Phase 2: Advertise & Outreach
Develop and execute your outreach strategy to attract a diverse pool of qualified applicants:
Resources:
- Faculty Outreach and Advertising: Includes sample advertisements and diversity recruitment resources.
- Outreach Tools: Advertising resources, social media tools, and talent pool databases for Faculty and Staff positions.
- 2019 Global Job Board Directory: Advertising suggestions based on academic discipline.
- Gender Decoder: A free tool designed to identify gendered language in advertisements, helping to prevent subtle biases that may discourage potential applicants.
Guides:
- Diversity Recruitment Advertising Guide: JobElephant’s annual Diversity Media Analytic Exclusively report for 2024.
- Create, Edit, and Close Job Requisition: Refer to Workday Recruiting Guide.
Policies:
- EEO/AA Compliance
- Contact CCR directly for questions regarding WSU’s Affirmative Action Plan.
- EO-AA-Equity Statements: Required, recommended, and sample statements.
- EP12 – Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.
Phase 3: Screen & Interview
Use the tools below to conduct an interview that positively promotes employment opportunities at WSU:
Screening Guides:
- Workday Recruiting Guide: Manage Job Application.
- Candidate Screening Guide via LinkedIn Talent Solutions.
- NEW: Work Authorization Questions Guide
- Candidate Experience: Recommended resources and samples to help create a
positive candidate experience.
Candidate Resources:
- Prospective Faculty Resources
- Provided by ADVANCE at WSU
- Summary of Benefits Available for Faculty
Interview Resources:
- Faculty Interview Questions
- Sample Interview Questions: Tips for interviewers and sample
interview questions. - Guest Guidelines: On-Campus Interviews.
Applicant Communication:
- Faculty Not Selected Reasons: Applicant Evaluation.
- Applicant Notification: Unsuccessful Candidate After Initial
Evaluation (Sample letter) - Applicant Notification: Unsuccessful Candidate After Screening
Interview (Sample letter) - Applicant Notification: Unsuccessful Candidate After Campus
Interview (Sample letter)
Phase 4: Perform Reference, Sexual Misconduct Statement & Background Checks
Take a deep dive into the candidate’s background by performing reference and background checks:
References:
- Reference Check Form (Sample document).
- Best Practice Tips for conducting references via email.
- Reference Check Authorization Form.
- For candidates applying outside Workday.
Sexual Misconduct Statement (SMS):
- Sexual Misconduct Statement Guidelines
- Prior to an offer of employment, WSU must comply with RCW 28B.112.080 in regard to Sexual Misconduct. To comply with this law, hiring departments may not make an offer of employment until approved by HRS.
- NEW: Workday BGC & SMS Workflow Guide – Faculty.
Background Check (BGC):
- Background Checks (BPPM 60.16): Review the WSU policy on.
- Background Check Program: Information for hiring managers and search committees.
- NEW: Workday BGC & SMS Workflow Guide – Faculty.
Phase 5: Hire & Onboard
Onboarding Resources:
- New Hire Onboarding: Benefits, orientation, and other information for the new hire.
- Letters: The most up-to-date offer letter templates can be found here.
- Pre-Academic Year Appointments for Tenure and Tenure Track Faculty.
Policies:
- Partner and Spouse Accommodation (BPPM 60.15)
- University Records – Retention and Disposition (BPPM 90.01)
Retention Resources:
- Search Documents Retention: Overview for searches within and outside of Workday.
- HERC Retention Resources (Member login required)
- All WSU employees can create an account under institutional membership.
Key Contacts for Faculty Recruitments:
Office of the Provost:
This office has overall university responsibility for recruitment, search and selection processes for Faculty. All Faculty positions and appointments system-wide, including tenure and tenure-track, require final approval from this office.
Human Resource Services (HRS):
HRS provides guidance and advice to Appointing Authorities, department administrators, and search committees on recruitment and hiring policies, processes, and regulations. Additionally, HRS administers and trains users on Workday. The HR Consultant for each area/college is available to assist with appropriate recruitment and hiring processes as well as the use of Workday. For area or college specific trainings, contact your HR Service Team.
International Programs:
The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) unit of International Programs assists in review and intake for WSU-sponsored employment visas, as well as a review of advertising information for tenure-track Faculty positions, in compliance with requirements from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Office of Compliance and Civil Rights:
Ensures EEO/AA compliance for the university. Additionally, the CCR is responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination or retaliation. The CCR provides guidance and training on employment laws, affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, and discrimination.
ADVANCE at WSU:
Seeks to develop an inclusive research institution whose faculty are supported by a system that promotes career-long excellence for all—irrespective of gender. ADVANCE focuses on work/ life transition points — especially those that disproportionately impact women — and any obstacles to recruiting, hiring, retaining, and advancing an exceptional, diverse Faculty.