As the demand for qualified college fund raisers intensifies, institutions are turning to executive search firms. Professional recruiters increase access to candidates, can be persuasive, act as a buffer in salary negotiations, and free senior administrators from time-consuming personnel work. However, some firms show less responsibility than…

College and university advancement professionals comment on when their colleagues should invest in advanced education and when it is unnecessary. The practical benefits of advanced training and the clout that credentials offer are examined, and how to determine how much and what kind of training to seek is discussed. (MSE)

In addition to resume and recommendation checks, writing samples, and interviews, editors hired for college/university public relations and publications should be tested for skills in proofreading, copy editing, writing, reporting, story assigning, and story-idea generation. Applicants may be reluctant to take tests; objections can be defused in…

Suggestions from recruitment consultants for working with an executive search firm to recruit an advancement officer include drawing up a clear and candid job description, streamlining the search committee, providing the candidate with information about the institution and prospective peers, and giving a positive impression. Advice for candidates…