Recruiting and Hiring at NIU

Welcome, hiring stakeholders. As a hiring official, search committee member or department leader, you play a vital role in shaping the future of Northern Illinois University. This page is your central resource for conducting inclusive, strategic and compliant searches that reflect NIU’s commitment to excellence and belonging.

A recruitment intake meeting with HRS will:

• Clarify the job requirements, key responsibilities and desired candidate profile for the open position
• Cover timelines, sourcing strategies and any specific hiring challenges or priorities
• Go over search committee member roles and responsibilities and outline the support HRS will be providing

The meeting also ensures alignment on the interview process, selection criteria and communication expectations between HR and the hiring manager.

Book a Recruitment Intake Meeting

Our Commitment to Inclusive Excellence

NIU is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming campus community. Every recruitment effort should reflect our values of equity, transparency and belonging. We encourage proactive outreach and inclusive evaluation practices throughout the hiring process.

Roles and Responsibilities

Hiring Official: Serves as the designated authority for the hire.

Search Committee Chair: Guides the process, schedules meetings, ensures policy adherence.

Search Committee Members: Advise the hiring official and evaluate candidates fairly.

Human Resource Services: Acts as a subject matter expert on the recruitment process at NIU and provides administrative support to the search through training and regular check-ins.

Step-by-Step Hiring Process

• 1

  Position Planning and Approval

  • Confirm support and approval for position recruitment (i.e., divisional support and position control approval).
  • Define the role and strategic need.
  • Collaborate with HRS to draft job description and qualifications.
  • Submit requisition for HR and budget approval.
• 2

  Search Committee Formation

  • Assemble a committee that reflects a broad range of perspectives, experiences, and expertise relevant to the role.
  • Establish clear, consistent evaluation criteria and a timeline for the search.
  • Promote an inclusive process by encouraging respectful dialogue, equitable participation, and awareness of potential barriers for candidates.
• 3

  Job Posting and Outreach

  • Post position via PeopleAdmin.
  • Engage in outreach to diverse candidate pools.
  • Use HR support for advertising and sourcing.
• 4

  Candidate Review and Interviewing

  • Screen applications using consistent criteria.
  • Conduct structured interviews.
  • Document evaluations and decisions.
• 5

  Final Selection and Offer

  • Recommend finalist(s) to department leadership.
  • Coordinate reference and background checks and approvals.
  • Extend offer in collaboration with HR.
• 6

  Onboarding and Integration

  • Ensure timely I-9 and E-Verify completion.
  • Partner with HR for onboarding support.
  • Provide mentorship and early engagement.

Resources and Tools

• Search Documentation Guidelines
• Hiring Classifications Overview
• PeopleAdmin Portal

Presentations and Training

• Recruitment Intake Meeting Presentation (PPTX)
• Search Committee/Team Charge Meeting Presentation (PPTX)
• Confidentiality Agreement (DOCX)
• Sample Interview Questions for Staff Candidates
• Sample Interview Questions for Faculty Candidates
• Conflict of Interest Guidance

Need Help?

Your HR partner is here to guide you through every step of the hiring process — from planning to onboarding.

Schedule a Consultation

Identity and Employment Eligibility Verification

NIU complies with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. This act makes it illegal for us to knowingly hire a nonresident who isn't authorized to work in the U.S. or to continue to employ someone after finding out they're not authorized.

We must verify the identity and employment authorization of all hires. New employees must provide appropriate documentation by completing an I-9 form on or before their first day of work. NIU provides I-9 information to E-Verify, the federal government’s online system, to confirm employment eligibility.