The following outline is intended to guide persons in
preparing position announcements. It can be modified to meet department/unit
needs. Its intent is to note minimal information requisite to a position
announcement and to emphasize the need for consistency in all the statements
comprising a position announcement. Since announcements (and advertisements) are
frequently shortened versions of position descriptions, the need for consistency
between the position announcement, advertisement, and position description is
especially important.
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POSITION: |
Specific rank/title associated with the
position along with department/unit name. |
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FUNCTION: |
Include a brief statement about the overall
purpose of the position and how it fits into the mission of the department/unit.
This part of the announcement is designed to convey an overview of the position
and to encourage applications. |
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(Optional) RESPONSIBILITIES: |
This statement indicates the major responsibilities of the
position, as well as any other specific duties requisite to the position.
The information in this paragraph is designed to
communicate to applicants the nature of the work they would be expected to do.
This information is not necessarily applicable to the screening process, but
it is mainly designed to provide additional information which may encourage
persons to apply.
The requirements statement should be consistent with the
responsibilities of the position as outlined in the position description.
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REQUIREMENTS: |
Degree required; prior experience vital to
the position; and any other requirements to be applied to the screening process.
This statement is the single most important statement since
it will determine the size and composition of the qualified applicant pool.
(The qualified applicant pool consists of all persons who meet the stated
minimal requirements for the position, with no qualitative judgments being
made as to the degree to which these requirements are met.) In writing this
statement, a balance should be sought between providing too little information
– which will tend to solicit applications from persons not qualified, or
providing too many specific qualifications – which will tend to solicit
applications from persons not qualified; or, providing too many specific
qualifications – which will tend to reduce the qualified pool and hence limit
affirmative action opportunities.
This statement usually comprises the heart of the
advertisement. The requirements should accurately reflect the responsibilities
of the position.
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DEADLINE: |
The appropriate date beyond which no
applications will be considered. Or state that applications will be accepted
until the position is filled. |
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ADDRESS APPLICATION TO: |
The appropriate name and address
of the chair of the search and screening committee. The department/unit head may
wish to specify exactly what will constitute an application (i.e., "send
vita/resume," or "send vita/resume and three letters of recommendation," etc.). |
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AA/EEO STATEMENT: |
Each position announcement (and
advertisement) must end with the following statement:
Mississippi State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal
Employment Opportunity Employer.
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