Drake’s new applicant tracking system is celebrating its one month anniversary. During this time, we have already had 450 applicants apply for more than 60 positions.

While we remain extremely excited about Jobs@Drake, we are identifying some kinks that need to be worked out and making adjustments that will enhance our use of the slick new system. We have been working with departments with their current recruitment needs—doing a lot of the heavy lifting ourselves. This is the best way for HR to really learn the system inside and out. However, we will be looking to create and facilitate training and training materials in the coming months.

In the meantime, if your department needs to launch a search, we recommend you complete the pre-work first:

1. First review the essential job functions, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications
2. The new system has a place for both a job description and a department description—put some thought into crafting those pieces (we’re happy to help, though); and
3. Assure you’ve completed the budgetary steps and have approval to initiate a new search process.

For now, Marli Jefferson will be point for positions in Facilities, Planning, & Management; Public Safety; and Drake Head Start. For all faculty/instructor positions and other staff, contact Maureen De Armond. You can always reach out to us with the new jobs email, too, if that’s easier: jobs@drake.edu.

We will want to work with search chairs to think recruitment strategies, too. Passive recruiting (cross your fingers and hope you get good applicants) is not a strategy. We can help come up with some strategies for your specific search to try to generate applications. Even the best strategies do not work 100%, but no strategy at all is not advised.

We want to provide some special thanks to Kris Brewster and Tyler Spoon in ITS for all of their support, expertise, and generosity of spirit during this project. Working with them was a great reminder of the power and importance of collaboration. Thank you, Kris and Tyler!

— Maureen De Armond, Human Resources