Recruitment, Selection, And Training

Question 1

Job description

Answer 1

A document that describes the duties that a worker is required to carry out

Question 2

Person specification

Answer 2

A document that lists the qualifications, skills, and experience that a worker needs to be able to carry out a particular job

Question 3

Internal recruitment

Answer 3

When a vacancy is filled with someone who already works in the organisation

Question 4

External recruitment

Answer 4

When the organisation fills a post with someone from outside of the organisation

Question 5

Benefits of internal recruitment

Answer 5

It’s good for males when someone within the organisation is promoted
The organisation already knows the employee and the employee already knows how things are done within the organisation
It frees up another vacancy for a different employee to be promoted into
It is often cheaper because expensive advertising methods aren’t needed

Question 6

Disadvantages of internal recruitment

Answer 6

Existing staff may not add new ideas to help the business to improve
There may not be many people willing and able to apply, so the choice is limited
The job of the person appointed to the post will need to be filled so further recruitment is needed
If an employee is promoted within the business, other workers may be jealous and it can cause resentment

Question 7

Benefits of external recruitment

Answer 7

It usually means that there is a larger pool of candidates to choose from
It can help to stop resentment amongst the existing team
It brings new ideas into a business

Question 8

Disadvantages of external recruitment

Answer 8

It usually takes a longer time to recruit using this method
It usually costs more (eg because of having to advertise the job)
It can be riskier because managers don’t know the candidates as well

Question 9

Recruitment

Answer 9

The process of searching for new employees and trying to get them to apply for jobs

Question 10

Selection

Answer 10

Involves screening of the candidates who have applied so that the most suitable person for the job can be chosen

Question 11

Methods of recruitment

Answer 11

Local newspapers
National newspapers
Shop window
Own website
Recruitment agency website
Word of mouth
Social media

Question 12

Why is an effective recruitment strategy important to a business?

Answer 12

To find the most appropriate pool of candidates
To gain enough candidates to choose from
To save time for the selection process
To ensure only the right candidates apply
To ensure the HR department operates within budget
Businesses don’t want to sort through candidates that aren’t appropriate

Question 13

What is a curriculum vitae (CV)?

Answer 13

A document that provides details such as personal details and education

Question 14

What information should ideally be included in a CV?

Answer 14

Personal details
Education history
Previous employment history
Suitability and reasons for applying for the job
Names of referees

Question 15

Advantages of CVs

Answer 15

They can be sent in without delay
It can make it easier to choose and eliminate people as they highlight the candidate’s assets and personality
Can encourage more people to apply which leads to a higher pool of candidates

Question 16

Disadvantages of CVs

Answer 16

May take a long time to read through
May be formatted on a different app or computer which may become rearranged
There may be outside interference with CVs

Question 17

What is an application form?

Answer 17

A document that is designed by the employer to send out to applicants to fill out

Question 18

Advantages of application forms

Answer 18

Guarantee consistency
Can allow the business to compare the candidates evenly and quickly
The business can tailor the questions asked

Question 19

Disadvantages of application forms

Answer 19

May attract a smaller pool of candidates because it is not a document that they have already filled out
They are time consuming

Question 20

Letter of application (cover letter)

Answer 20

A document sent with a CV or application form to provide additional information

Question 21

Reasons that sending a letter of application / cover letter with a CV or application form may help a candidate to proceed to the next stage of the selection process

Answer 21

It helps the candidate to stand out from other applicants
It helps create a good first impression
Helps to express your interest in the business
It may show that the candidate has good written skills
Makes the application more personal

Question 22

Work trial

Answer 22

When a candidate comes into the workplace to meet their prospective team and complete an assigned challenge.
This usually occurs after a phone screening or interview, before offering them a job contract.

Question 23

Reasons that a wok trial can be useful for the employer

Answer 23

Verification of skill and cultural fit (whether they fit in with the team)
Gives an insight into whether the candidate has the required skills
Gives the employer and the candidate a genuine experience of working together
To identify whether they have been truthful about their skills

Question 24

Why can wok trials be useful to the employee?

Answer 24

The candidate is able to see whether they would be a good fit for the role

Question 25

Why might a candidate not work well in a work trial?

Answer 25

They may feel nervous about being under supervision so they may not react in the way they normally would to the task as they may not feel prepared.

Question 26

Why might work trials not be useful to the employer?

Answer 26

Candidates may be working hard to impress the employer so they may not act in the same way when they are not supervised.

Question 27

Work reference

Answer 27

A statement from a previous or current employer or other responsible person about the suitability of the applicant for the job.

Question 28

Character reference

Answer 28

A reference provided by someone who is in a responsible position in society to provide details about the applicant’s character, strengths and weaknesses.

Question 29

Why might an interview be useful for an employer?

Answer 29

Can validate / query information form application form / CV
Can see how candidates cope under pressure
Can find answers to specific questions
Can establish whether the candidate would fit in with the organisation / the team
Non-verbal aspects can be considered (ie how they dress, punctuality, confidence)

Question 30

How are interviews useful to candidates?

Answer 30

They can assess the culture of the business (eg company values)
They can meet the other team members and line manager
They can ask questions (eg the company’s growth strategy)

Question 31

Limitations of interviews

Answer 31

They assess performance in an interview, rather than long term performance in the job
They are only a short period of time, so cannot gain a full overview of the candidate
Candidates can be affected by nerves so may not perform as well
It can be difficult to compare candidates if they are asked different questions

Question 32

Why can scenario testing be useful when selecting the most suitable candidate for a job?

Answer 32

It is testing the candidate’s initiative
It allows the business to see how the candidate works under pressure

Question 33

Psychometric tests

Answer 33

Used to assess capabilities (intelligence), aptitude for the job (skills) and whether your personality fits in with the vision of the organisation you are hoping to join.

Question 34

Why are tests (scenario, psychometric, and pen/paper) useful?

Answer 34

Can determine what candidates will do in real situations
Can establish if a candidate’s personality fits with the organisation
Responses are less likely to be impacted by nerves

Question 35

Why might tests (scenario, psychometric, and pen/paper) be limited in their usefulness?

Answer 35

Candidates may give the answers that they think the interviewer is looking for - not how hey would really respond
Tests can only assess a handful of traits

Question 36

Impacts of a business having an effective selection process

Answer 36

Helps to find a candidate with the right skills
Helps to find a candidate who is a good fit for the organisation in terms of personality
Saves time and money in the long run re-recruiting for positions

Question 37

Induction training

Answer 37

Training aimed at introducing new employees to a business and its procedures

Question 38

What is included in induction training?

Answer 38

How to get around the building
Meet and greet (managers and colleagues)
How to answer the phone
Location of fire exits
Issuing of badge
Disciplinary procedures

Question 39

On-the-job training

Answer 39

Employees receive training whilst remaining in the workplace

Question 40

Advantages of on-the-job training

Answer 40

Generally most cost-effective
Employees are actually productive
Opportunity to learn whilst doing
Training alongside real colleagues

Question 41

Disadvantages of on-the-job training

Answer 41

Quality depends on ability of trainer and time available
Bad habits might be passed on
Learning environment may not be conducive
Potential disruption to production

Question 42

Off-the-job training

Answer 42

Occurs when employees are taken away from their place of work to be trained

Question 43

Advantaged of off-the-job training

Answer 43

A wider range of skills or qualifications can be obtained
Can learn from outside specialists or experts
Employees can be more confident when starting a job

Question 44

Disadvantages of off-the-job training

Answer 44

More expensive (eg transport and accommodation)
Lost working time and potential output from employee
New employees may still need some induction training
Employees now have new skills / qualifications and may leave for better jobs

Question 45

Academic training

Answer 45

Generally involves theoretical knowledge and skills
Eg - businesses may pay for employees to undertake an open university qualification

Question 46

Vocational training

Answer 46

Teaches hands-on, applied skills such as carpentry and hairdressing
Eg - businesses may pay for employees to undertake additional courses at a beauty school

Question 47

Benefits to employees of gaining academic or vocational qualifications

Answer 47

Makes their job more interesting and varied because they can do more tasks
Can gain more bargaining power to negotiate pay rises
Could leave to get a better job
More promotion opportunities
The qualification is funded by the business

Question 48

Advantages of apprenticeships for the business

Answer 48

Cheaper than employing a fully qualified worker
They may get subsidies from the government to fund them
May be higher employee retention if the apprentice fits in well with the business

Question 49

Disadvantages of apprenticeships for the business

Answer 49

More mistakes
Cost of training the apprentice and waiting for them to become qualified
Some apprentices may drop out

Question 50

Apprenticeship

Answer 50

A long-term development programme for workers to learn job skills while they work through a mixture of on-the-job training and study.
Apprenticeships lead to some kind of qualification.

Question 51

Advantages of apprenticeships for the apprentice

Answer 51

Apprentices can earn an income whilst learning
The learning involved is often both practical and theoretical, and many people will like the variation of activities that this will involve

Question 52

Disadvantages of apprenticeships for the apprentice

Answer 52

The pay is quite low whilst an apprentice is learning
The qualifications can be quite specific which can limit job opportunities
In the long term, the evidence shows that those with a degree can earn more on average than workers who followed apprenticeships

Question 53

Training needs analysis (TNA)

Answer 53

The process of identifying the gap between current knowledge/skills and required knowledge/skills so that a training plan can be created to help staff do their job effectively

Question 54

Factors to take into account in a TNA

Answer 54

The training priority(s)
Whether the training will be delivered on-the-job or off-the-job
Which training provider will be used
The number of people that need training
How much the training will cost

Question 55

Why is training needs analysis important?

Answer 55

Highlights issues so that they can be resolved
Prioritises training needs
Prevents the inefficiencies caused by untrained / poorly trained staff
Avoids staff mistakes
Improves the experience of the customer
Ensures that the employees receive training which enables them to do their jobs
Helps to retain staff