Pre-Search Process

The pre-search process must be followed prior to a Department advertising a full-time faculty position and conducting a search. A complete pre-search package consists of:

Pre-Search Review Form for Faculty/Academic Vacancy (blank form found at: http://www.northwestern.edu/provost/faculty/forms/index.html) signed by the Search Committee Chair and Department Chair and printed on green paper). 
The Chair’s letter of request to search for a candidate to fill an open position (see “sample letter” section)
Position description (optional)
Sample advertisement containing all of the following:
A brief statement of duties
Minimum objective qualifications (i.e., degrees and experience requirements); other desirable qualifications
Rank and/or title; salary range or minimum. List if any of these items are “open” or negotiable
Time status: full or part-time; term: specify the length of appointment
Proposed start date
Closing date for receipt of applications (or the statement “In order to ensure full consideration, application must be received by [date].”)
Name and address of the contact person
The following brief statement of campus policy: “Northwestern University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.”

After review and approval by Faculty Affairs and the Provost, the Pre-Search Review Form is assigned an Academic Search number (P#). Faculty Affairs will then contact the requesting Department with the authorization number and return a copy of the approved Pre-Search Review Form to the Department. The Department may then begin advertising the position. The authorization number should be used within the advertisement.