8.5 Notification of Search Closure to Non-Selected Applicants and Candidates

Each applicant and candidate, especially those interviewed, have invested time and other resources into the search process. It is important that the hiring unit and search committee treat each of them with courtesy and sensitivity. On request of an applicant, it may also be necessary to provide pertinent information to the applicant regarding the reason he/she was not selected for the position. Applicants who were not interviewed should be notified by the search committee chair and the Department Approver of their non-selection as soon as a firm decision of their non-selection has been made, rather than waiting until the entire search has been completed. As soon as possible after an offer is accepted, interviewees not chosen should be notified by letter or e-mail. A Department Approver may also wish to contact the finalists not selected for the position via telephone. It is important to notify unsuccessful candidates before public announcements of appointments. Official timely notification to internal candidates is especially important. It is the responsibility of the hiring department to communicate in a timely manner with all interviewed candidates who were not selected for the position. Sample notification letters are available online.