8 STEPS IN THE ACADEMIC INVESTIGATOR RECRUITMENT

Step 1: Completing a Needs Analysis Profile (NAP)

We connect with senior stakeholders relative to each position recruitment in order to gain a complete and thorough understanding of the “ideal candidate” profile, and to consider what will attract highly qualified candidates. Information collected includes (but is not necessarily limited to):

• Structure/organization and information about the Program(s), Department(s), Division(s), School(s), Medical Center, University/Institute(s)
• Position need/urgency
• Hiring efforts to-date
• Position information,
  • anticipated balance of roles, e.g. research, teaching, mentoring, leadership, and service – institutional, national, communityPosition funding, e.g. expectations for institutional and extramural support
  • Rank and Tenure timing and process
• Working environment, to include Core Resources & other resources vailable to support staff, equipment, facilities, and more
• Opportunities for collaboration with other academic investigators – internal & external, and those already established
• Compensation and benefits
• Recruitment package, to include startup funding
• Hiring process particulars
• Hiring authority/leadership biographies
• Community information
• Position, institution, school, department, and other selling points
• Other services requested

Step 2: Developing a communications plan

We establish a coordinated and personalized, communications plan for each candidate search, outlining the responsibilities of all involved parties. This plan includes:

• Printed and electronic media and messaging consistent with institutional imaging
• Personal communications (telephone/email/text/social media)
• Public/press announcements
• Hiring Authority/Search Committee communications throughout the search process
• Advise/facilitate creation of a password-protected electronic candidate credentials storage and review process

Step 3: Identifying highly-qualified candidates

One of the most valuable aspects of our services is our ability to expand each candidate pool. We do this in two ways:

1. Proactive “Passive” Sourcing
   • Identifying and reaching out to “passive” candidates — focusing on academic investigators with funded research agendas and strong publication records relevant to the recruitment.
   • Identifying experts and requesting referrals to potentially qualified investigators who might consider a new opportunity.
2. Traditional Sourcing
   • Advising and facilitating the posting of position announcements on relevant media sights and websites of professional associations.
   • Continually monitoring media sites where academic investigators make it known that he/she is open to considering a new opportunity.

Step 4: Assessing candidate qualifications and motivation

We first advise the search committee chair, and the Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity representative to confirm a list of search process “Dos and Don’ts” (with pre-employment inquiry discussions or guides).

The Brooke Group will advise on the following best practices:

• Collecting candidate data/information for “right fit” evaluation.
• Establishing a Candidate Comparison Matrix/Candidate Qualification assessment instrument.
• Assessing a candidate’s motivation and willingness to consider a career move.
• Assisting candidates with navigating the institutional application process
• Creating lists of candidates for further consideration.

Step 5: Interviewing candidates

To ensure clients deal with qualified candidates, we prepare and pre-screen candidates before the formal interview stage. We can also advise staff, the hiring authority, or search committee, on interview best practices — as required.

Step 6: Processing a decision

We help clients as they make their decisions on everything from:

• Conducting formal reference and background checks (as requested).
• Compiling information needed for authorization to hire — such as EEO search data and appointment reports.
• Reviewing draft candidate offer terms and letters.
• Offering advice on feedback and negotiating an offer.

Step 7: Closing out the search process

We also help our clients finalize the search process; by collecting and presenting search information and closing communications between the search committee, the hiring authority, and candidates as needed.

Step 8: Onboarding new hires

Our team can also help your new hires get up and running in their new role. Through the wider MRINetwork we can help with everything from relocating candidates to advising them on things like cost of living; salary comparison; crime comparison; moving cost estimates, and much more.