How to recruit a Students’ Union Chief Executive

Five tips for Students’ Union Chief Executive recruitment

Here are my five top tips for a Students’ Union Officer or student trustee who are about to begin CEO recruitment in their Students’ Union:

1. Ask for support

You might not be a recruitment expert, but the recruitment agency you’re working with are. If you’re unsure of the process or protocol or you’re just feeling nervous – ask. No question is a silly question.

1. Ask questions

During interviews, don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions or questions at the end that a candidate might not have covered. Sometimes these questions are the ones that give you a real feel for a candidate as they’ve come naturally from your conversations with them.

1. Book time in your diary

The recruitment process can be lengthy and, while you’ll already have time booked in for interviews and meetings, I would advise booking in a few extra hours before each event to prep. You could use this to read paperwork, catch up with your recruitment partners or just some time to reflect.

1. Take notes

Take notes about things you want to remember for your own recruitment. Chatting during our breaks or after formal meetings with Peridot, our lay trustee gave me some great food for thought for my own job search. I also jotted down when I thought a question or action from a candidate was really positive. All of this information and reflection made me 100% more confident as an interviewee.

1. Keep in contact

Make sure you stay in contact. A little while after our Chief Executive had begun work, we met with Peridot again to reflect on the process as well as what was up next for me as an outgoing officer.

I recently called Bill for some advice on a role as a trustee in a charity and it’s been so valuable to have that connection. These informal conversations have continually provided me with a safe place to ask questions and give me confidence in using the skills I developed during my time recruiting at UoNSU.

Lastly – Good Luck. Recruitment can be nerve-wracking but it’s incredibly rewarding and means you’ll get to leave a particularly unique legacy in your Students’ Union.