1.4.2. Recruitment, Selection and Training

Question 1

What are the 8 stages of recruitment?

Answer 1

1) A vacancy arises
2) Job description and person specification are drawn up
3) Post is advertised
4) Application forms are forwarded
5) Short listing
6) Interviewing
7) References
8) Appointment

Question 2

What is termination also known as?

Answer 2

Severance.

Question 3

What does the job description set out?

Answer 3

The duties and responsibilities of the actual job.

Question 4

What does the person specification detail?

Answer 4

The experiences, skills and abilities the employee will need to possess in order to carry out the job effectively.

Question 5

How does short-listing work?

Answer 5

It takes place based on the contents of the application form and the criteria specified in the job description and person specification. If a large number of suitably qualified candidates apply, an enhanced criterion may be used. This process reduces the number of candidates to be interviewed to a manageable number.

Question 6

What types of interviewing are there?

Answer 6

• face to face with a panel
• telephone
• psychometric testing
• practical testing
• presentation or simulation

Question 7

What is internal recruitment?

Answer 7

Filling a job vacancy through a trawl of the existing workforce. The vacancy is only advertised within the organisation using an internal notice, staff magazine or meeting.

Question 8

Advantages of internal recruitment?

Answer 8

• requires less training as they know the culture and ethos
• can help motivate and retain employees as they see that loyalty and hard work may be rewarded with a successful career path
• business already knows skills/qualities/personality of employee
• relatively cheap and quicker to implement

Question 9

Disadvantages of internal recruitment?

Answer 9

• business may need fresh ideas and new blood
• may cause friction and demotivate unsuccessful candidates
• recruiting an existing employee will require that their post be filled and generate another recruitment process

Question 10

What is external recruitment?

Answer 10

Filling a job vacancy by recruiting from sources outside the business’s own workforce. Can be advertised in local/national newspapers, radio, TV, recruitment agencies, job centres, direct from schools/uni’s etc.

Question 11

Advantages of external recruitment?

Answer 11

• brings new blood and ideas
• bigger pool to choose from
• employees will not have already bonded with other employees so will be less likely to be unduly influenced by others

Question 12

Disadvantages of external recruitment?

Answer 12

• slow and costly
• requires a vigorous selection procedure as the business does not already have experience of the skills, attitude and personality of the potential employee
• could demotivate existing employees as they may feel undervalued and see no career path, so leave

Question 13

Drawbacks to recruiting people?

Answer 13

• costs money
• people make mistakes/misjudgements which are costly in terms of time and money, and can damage the profits, image and reputation
• take unofficial time off, breaks and holidays and are protected by UK employment law, which can be crippling expenses
• need to be trained/retrained
• are individuals, so are all motivated differently
• selfish and reluctant to share ideas with colleagues in case they are stolen = culture of suspicion a lack of teamwork

Question 14

Why is training beneficial?

Answer 14

• can improve loyalty, skills, motivation and efficiency as well as the business’s image
• can reduce labour turnover, wastage and absenteeism

Question 15

What is on the job training?

Answer 15

Training at their place of work.

Question 16

Advantages of on the job training?

Answer 16

• still contributing to the business’s productivity
• less expensive
• easier to assess progress
• learn from experienced workers who they’ll get to know and therefore, build good working relationships

Question 17

Disadvantages of on the job training?

Answer 17

• may pick up bad habits from employees who cut corners
• does not easily lend itself to bringing new ideas as the trainee is grounded with existing ideas and practices
• trainer is distracted from their own work - lowering productivity

Question 18

What is off the job training?

Answer 18

Training outside their place of work at colleges of further/higher education, uni’s or undertaking self study courses.

Question 19

Advantages of off the job training?

Answer 19

• gives employee chance to experience new business ideas/practices that can be applied for the benefit of the business
• does not accidentally damage equipment or reputation
• training is given by specialist, qualified instructors

Question 20

Disadvantages of off the job training?

Answer 20

• have to pay
• skills may not be easily transferred to workplace
• training is away from business so does not contribute to the productivity

Question 21

What is induction training?

Answer 21

Training aimed at new production to familiarise them with the business ethos, working practices, health and safety procedures and fellow workers. A structured induction program may be devised by senior management and can last for several days.

Question 22

Benefits of training?

Answer 22

• reduces wastage in time/materials
• increases flexibility
• motivates employees
• reduces staff turnover as they think career chances will improve with training
• improves efficiency and competitiveness by having a highly skilled/motivated workforce

Question 23

Costs of training?

Answer 23

• loss of productivity on the job trainer
• cost of external training resources
• administrative costs
• actual tuition for placement
• transport, insurance and subsistence costs
• costs of facilities, materials and personnel
• hidden costs if fully trained employees are poached or headhunted