Timeline

Account for the various stages of an application process in your timeline:

1. 1. 1. Writing the job description/advert
      2. Putting together the application form
      3. Advertising for applicants
      4. Reviewing applications
      5. Shortlisting
      6. Running interviews and assessments
      7. Awarding roles
      8. Supporting your new employee or awardee in settling in

Also consider due dates your potential applicants might be facing (i.e., if your applicants are academics, they are likely to struggle with closing dates in exam periods). Not considering such things will automatically narrow your pool of applicants and make it less diverse.

You can look to other similar opportunities to gauge how far in advance of your closing date the opportunity should be posted, ensuring that there is enough time for people to put together thoughtful applications, but that you are not closing applications so far in advance of the role’s commencement that people miss the adverts altogether (this is especially relevant for repeat opportunities, such as conferences, funded studentships, summer internships, etc, which typically become available at the same time each year).

Consider sharing as much of this timeline as appropriate with your applicants so they know what to expect once they submit their application and can plan accordingly.