3.1 Beginning the Work
Responding to Inquiries and Preparing to Review the Applicant Pool
All applicants must apply electronically through usccareers.usc.edu. Applicants may contact the committee or department chairperson with questions about content, process, or technical issues regarding the USC site, which can be referred to the Office of Faculty Administration. Before reviewing applications, search committees should establish a system for managing committee records and collecting all documents related to the process. Steps include:
- Determining whether to request references for all applicants at the outset or for selected individuals as determined later by the committee.
- Creating an electronic file for each candidate containing their materials, interview notes, and communication records and storing these files in a password-protected secure location.
- Retaining copies of letters and advertisements, particularly recruitment efforts toward women and underrepresented minority candidates.
- Developing standard interview and reference check formats to ensure consistency.
- Keeping official minutes of search committee meetings. These should note the criteria established by the committee and their decision-making processes.