5.1 Introduction
Recruiting gets people to apply for positions, but once you’ve received applications, you still have to select the best candidate—another complicated process!
Selection is the choice of job candidates from a previously generated applicant pool.
The selection process entails gathering information on candidates, evaluating their qualifications, and choosing the right one. The process can be time-consuming—particularly when you’re filling a high-level position. Screening resumes, weighing the applications, conducting interviews and possibly testing can be extensive and take time and money away from other organizational priority activities.
The Selection Process
The selection process refers to the steps in choosing people with the right qualifications to fill a current or future job opening. Usually, managers and supervisors, along with the HR manager, are involved in the hiring process. The role of human resource management (HRM) is to define and guide managers in this process.
There are six main steps in the selection process.
Develop Selection Criteria
Selection criteria are developed to determine how the applicant will be chosen. Criteria development determines which sources of information will be used and how those sources will be scored during the selection process. The criteria should be related directly to the job description and specification, which the HR manager develops from a job analysis. Personality and cultural fit are often included in the development of selection criteria. Determining which skills, abilities, and personal characteristics are required to succeed at any job is essential. By developing the criteria before reviewing any résumés, the HR manager or manager will know which applicants to interview. Some organizations will also create an application form. Most of these are completed online and should include information about the candidate, education, and previous job experience.
Applicant Screening
Applications can be reviewed once the selection criteria have been developed (step one). People have different methods of going through this screening process. Sometimes, the field is narrowed even further with a quick screening interview by phone or virtually. There are also computer programs, such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATSs), that can search for keywords in résumés and narrow down the number of résumés that must be reviewed.
Testing and Assessments
Any number of tests may be administered before a hiring decision is made. These include cognitive tests, physical tests, personality tests, and even drug tests (for example, in the trucking industry). Some organizations also perform references, credit reports, and background checks. Depending on the cost of the testing, some organizations may choose to do some tests or checks after the in-depth interview when the number of candidates has been narrowed down.
In-depth Interviews
After the HR manager and manager have determined which applications meet the minimum qualifications, he or she will select those applicants to be interviewed.
Selection
At this point, the hiring manager(s) should have the information to select the most suitable applicant for the position. All information gathered throughout the selection process is reviewed, and a decision is made. Once the ideal candidate is selected, organizations perform background, reference, and credit report checks to confirm final suitability.
Making the Offer
The last step in the selection process is to offer a position to the chosen candidate. Developing an offer via e-mail or letter is a formal part of the process and requires careful articulation of all elements and conditions of the offer. The offer will define Compensation and benefits, as will any unique legal considerations.
Selection Process at Metro
The selection process for candidates at Metro includes the following steps:
- Step 1: Job postings
- Step 2: Receipt of application
- Step 3: Telephone interview
- Step 4: Interview
- Step 5: Background check and assessment
- Step 6: Offer!
- Step 7: Follow-up
- Step 8: Welcome and Orientation
See more at Metro Selection Process.
(Metro, n.d.)
“Human Resource Management” from NSCC Fundamentals of Business copyright © 2021 NSCC, Pamplin College of Business and Virgina Tech Libraries is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.—Modifications: Used first two paragraphs of The selection process.
“The Selection Process” from Human Resource Management by Anonymous is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.—Modifications: Used the selection process, edited; Added selection as a stage.
