Hiring With Intention: Best Practices for a Stronger Search

By Andrea Millikan, Senior Consultant

In our work with nonprofit leaders, we see a familiar pattern: organizations know they need great people, but the urgency of day‑to‑day work often pushes hiring into a reactive scramble. The most successful searches, however, look a lot like strong strategic plans—they start with clarity, follow a thoughtful roadmap, and keep people at the center. When equity and transparency guide the process, the experience becomes more grounded and mission‑aligned.

Clarity Builds Confidence

Before posting a job, take the time to define what you truly need. A clear job description and transparent pay range set the tone for an equitable search. When candidates understand the role, expectations, and compensation from the start, you attract people who are aligned with your mission and ready to contribute.

This early clarity also helps your internal team stay focused and make decisions with greater confidence.

A Roadmap Keeps the Process Moving

A hiring process is a project—treat it like one. Establish a timeline with milestones for planning, recruitment, screening, interviews, and final selection. Even a simple roadmap helps you anticipate bottlenecks, coordinate stakeholders, and maintain momentum.

Structure also supports fairness. Shared evaluation criteria, thoughtful screening questions, and predictable communication help ensure that every candidate moves through the same process and has a fair opportunity to demonstrate their strengths.

People First, Always

Nonprofit hiring is fundamentally relational. Candidates are evaluating you just as much as you’re evaluating them. A human‑centered approach—timely updates, clear expectations, and a warm welcome—signals the culture they can expect if they join your team.

Creating an environment where candidates can shine might include offering questions in advance, providing flexible scheduling, or assembling interview panels with a range of perspectives and lived experiences. These practices help reduce unintentional barriers and create a more inclusive experience.

Don’t Stop at the Offer: Onboarding Matters

After investing so much time and energy into finding the right person, onboarding is where you help them thrive. A thoughtful onboarding process introduces new hires to your culture, clarifies expectations, and builds early relationships across the organization.

Strong onboarding is also an equity practice. It ensures every new team member—regardless of background or networks—has access to the same information, support, and pathways to success.

The Bottom Line

A strong hiring process reflects clarity, equity, alignment, and care. When these elements guide your approach, you build a workplace where people feel welcomed, supported, and ready to contribute meaningfully.