Checklist for a successful search process - From the book, The Art of Hiring Leaders

Excerpts & Thoughts
- From Chapter One

- The Executive Transition
Opportunity

- Checklist For A
Successful Search Process

Reviews
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- The Chronicle
Of Philanthropy

- massnonprofit.org

The Art of Hiring Leaders	McAdam Book Award NOMINEE
A Guide for Nonprofit Organizations	by Barbara J. Gilvar

Checklist For A Successful Executive Transition

(Thoughts from The Art of Hiring Leaders, A Guide for Nonprofit Organizations)

Develop a vision for the future.

Make maximum use of the potential inherent in the executive transition process.

Assess and develop the board’s readiness to lead the transition.

Develop a comprehensive plan for the executive transition.

Discuss and make clear the responsibility and authority of the search committee.

Understand the legal and ethical obligations.

Select a search committee chair and committee members carefully.

Plan the outreach strategically to reach a broad and diverse audience.

Continue “networking” until there is certainty about a strong group of candidates.

Before reading résumés, review the criteria that the search committee established.

Conduct telephone interviews and preliminary reference interviews.

Ask all candidates the same questions.

Frame interview questions to learn about leadership and management skills.

Conduct a wide range of references to assure a comprehensive view.

Verify credentials and discuss if background checks are necessary.

Use all the available information in reaching a decision.

Assure that each board member has shared his or her analysis.

Establish a transition committee for this phase of the work.

Prepare a plan for the professional and personal support of the new executive director.

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