Understanding Internal Recruitment 

UCLA is committed to supporting the growth and career progression of our staff. One way we do this is through Internal Recruitment—a competitive hiring process limited to current University of California employees. 

What is an Internal Recruitment? 

An Internal Recruitment is a formal hiring process for career or contract positions that is open only to current UC employees. This includes individuals currently employed at any UC location who meet the minimum qualifications of the posted position. 

• Internal Applicant: A candidate who is currently employed by the University of California.
• Internal Recruitment: A competitive recruitment where only internal UC applicants are eligible to apply and be considered. 

When is an Internal Recruitment Appropriate? 

Internal recruitments may be authorized when it is in the best interest of the university to limit the applicant pool to existing UC employees. This approach may be appropriate under the following circumstances: 

• There is a business necessity, such as the need for critical institutional knowledge.
• A qualified internal applicant pool is already known to exist. A reorganization within a department or unit warrants it.
• All internal recruitment processes must be conducted in accordance with UCLA’s nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity policies, and must comply with all relevant federal and state regulations. 

Levels of Internal Recruitment 

Internal recruitments may be limited to one of the following scopes, depending on business need and approval: 

• The entire University of California system
• UCLA campus-wide
• A specific UCLA organizational unit 

Approval to conduct an internal recruitment at any of these levels must be obtained in advance from the Manager of Talent Acquisition. 

What If There Are Not Enough Qualified Internal Candidates? 

If an internal recruitment does not yield a sufficient number of qualified candidates, departments may request to repost the position externally to attract a broader applicant pool. This ensures that UCLA continues to identify top talent while maintaining fair and competitive hiring practices. 

Step by Step Guidance

For step-by-step guidance on how to submit an internal recruitment request, including necessary approvals and procedures, please refer to the resource below: Internal Recruitment Requests – Step-by-Step Guide

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact your Campus Human Resources Talent Acquisition Consultant (TAC).