4.2 Recruitment and selection

Question 1

Internal recruitment.

Answer 1

Filling a vacancy from within your existing workforce (e.g. promotion).

Question 2

Advantages of internal recruitment

Answer 2

• Cost-effective: saves on advertising and background checks, leaving need for only small orientations to fit role.
• Shortened onboarding times: ensures minimal disruption to workflow - employees already know business operations and are familiar with staff.
• Strengthened employee engagement: chance of promotion serves as motivation, increasing engagement with business through productivity, higher staff retention and loyalty.

Question 3

Disadvantages of internal recruitment

Answer 3

• Growing resentment: those who weren’t promoted may feel overlooked, undervalued or demoralised; suspect favouritism? - affect productivity, conflict?
• Limited choice: may be better and more qualified candidates outside of business - miss out on array of talent.
• Lack of new ideas/output: lack fresh ideas, diversity of perspective and new ways of doing things can affect growth.

Question 4

External recruitment

Answer 4

Filling a vacancy from any suitable applicant outside the business.

Question 5

Advantages of external recruitment.

Answer 5

• Variety: Wider pool of candidates to choose the best candidate from.
• Range of experience: More diversity to organisation due to the different/better skills and experiences.
• New ideas: new innovation/perspectives/more creativity - aid growth and competitiveness.

Question 6

Disadvantages of external recruitment.

Answer 6

• Time-consuming: process lengthens disruption to workflow.
• Expensive: requires advertisement, background checks and interviews.
• Effectiveness: selection process may not be effective enough to reveal best candidate - cost the business time and productivity.

Question 7

Main stages of recruitment and selection process.

Answer 7

1. Job analysis.
2. Job description.
3. Person specification.
4. Selection methods.

Question 8

Job analysis

Answer 8

Gathering and analysing information about the job to make informed decisions on recruitment and selection.

Question 9

Job description

Answer 9

Outlines the all the duties required in the role (e.g. who the applicant is reporting to, location of work and rate of pay/salary)

Question 10

Person specificiation

Answer 10

Outlines the skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications required to take up this job role, that are essential or desirable.

Question 11

Selection method

Answer 11

First, the business produces a shortlist with the best candidates and then uses methods such as:

• Interviews (online or in person).
• Psychometric tests (multi-choice questions that outline personality).
• Assessment centres (asked to carry out practical tasks).

Question 12

Benefits of effective recruitment and selection process.

Answer 12

• High productivity: best candidate will likely work more efficiently.
• High quality output/customer service: best candidate will likely have better skills and put more care in.
• Staff retention: workers who are efficient and hardworking may receive rewards, increasing motivation.

Question 13

Types of contracts.

Answer 13

• Full time: work 35-40 hours per week.
• Part time: work between 10-30 hours per week.
• Zero hour: no set or guaranteed hours of work.
• Job share: when two or more employees combine to fill one job role.

Question 14

Advantages of full time to employers.

Answer 14

• Likely to be more skilled and committed to long-term success of business - reduce turnover, increase productivity, better customer service and work environment.
• Better communication - staff speak directly to each other as they are likely working at the same time - better familiarity.

Question 15

Advantages of full time to employees.

Answer 15

• Higher wage than part time.
• More training opportunities.
• More likely to gain promotion as they spend more time at work.

Question 16

Advantages of part time to employers

Answer 16

• Help during busy hours.
• Can complete roles that do not require full time work - reduce costs (e.g. restaurant and bar work more hours at weekends).

Question 17

Advantages of part time to employees

Answer 17

• Flexibility: allows them to work around other commitments, like childcare.
• Access for wider pool of talent: Students or older employees may not want to retire but may not want to work full-time.

Question 18

Advantages and disadvantages of zero hour contract.

Answer 18

Advantages:
- Flexibility to meet increase in demands without paying staff when they aren’t needed.

Disadvantages:
- Employees have no job security, regular flow of income, leading them to become possibly less loyal.