Recruitment and Selection Process

Figure 1: recruitment and selection process (Source: Doherty, 2021).

What is the Recruitment & Selection Process?

Recruitment and selection is part of a multi-layered process. Recruitment involves actively seeking and advertising potential candidates and earning their interest in the position. Selection refers to the process of determining the best candidate from the pool of applicants.

Here are some reasons why a company would open the process of recruitment:

·         Fill a temporary absence within the team (maternity leave, medical leave, etc.)

·         Replace a staff member who has retired.

·         Assist with an increased workload.

·         Get the company started with a new venture.

·         Cover a newly created position.

Before searching for the ideal candidate, the recruiter should consider several factors.  These include the characteristics of the role, the number of vacancies they will be covering, and the profile type of the desired candidate.  Next, recruiters should lay out a plan of action to carry out the hiring process.

Finally, the company must calculate the cost of the entire process of recruitment and selection.  This will determine whether or not it is viable for them to proceed.

Importance of Finding the Right Candidate

Investing in human resources and the process of recruitment is a must! But hiring someone that doesn’t fit the bill could substantially increase the company’s recruitment expenses. A poor recruitment strategy costs time and money. Not to mention, the overall productivity is at risk if the wrong person is brought into the team.

Recruiting and selecting the wrong candidates who are not capable come with a huge negative cost which businesses cannot afford. Thus, the overall aim of recruitment and selection within the organization is to obtain the number and quality of employees that are required to satisfy the strategic objectives of the organization, at minimal cost (Ofori & Aryeetey, 2011).

Recruitment Process: Talent Acquisition & Selection   

The process of selecting the right candidate involves planning and strategic action. While hiring new talent, the following components should be considered.

·         Job Description Offer

A clear and detailed job description is crucial in finding the ideal candidate for the vacancy. The job description needs to be crystal clear in what the role entails. When writing the perfect job description, you should indicate the abilities, knowledge, and necessary experience required.

·         Advertising the Offer

One of the first hiring steps to finding candidates who fit the bill is to advertise the offer in the correct place. Some companies find specialized job boards to be the best place to connect with job seekers. Others choose to communicate their offer through their website or by advertising on posters, newspapers, or radio.

In addition, social media is a great resource to use when advertising your job postings. If you are on the fence about whether to hire interns, check out the benefits of hiring interns first.

·         CV (resume) Selection

After gathering all of the resumes, you must narrow down the selection. Following this, it’s time to screen candidates who fit the requirements of the role.

·         Conducting Personal Interviews

This is the best way to know the potential employees better and gain an understanding of whether they would be a good match in the company. Also, phone interviews are beneficial for recruiters to narrow down the candidates. 

·         Trial Period 

You can choose to carry out tests (i.e. psychological or role-specific tests), to make sure the candidates meet the requirements of the position. For instance, you may have candidates answer a series of questions that help the recruiter get to know them better. These tests may involve an analysis of a candidate’s problem-solving abilities. 

·         Assessment & Selection of Top Candidates

Assessing interviews and tests allows you to narrow down your search and find the ideal candidate for the role. Using an applicant tracking system, such as the one Factorial offers, can keep you on track and help streamline the process of recruiting staff.

 Conclusion

The recruitment and selection process is a very important human resources practice in selecting the right employees for the organization. By selecting effective employee recruits, your organization can achieve your company's goals and a strong internal job market.

References

Doherty, L., 2021. Recommendations to do a recruitment and selection process. [Online]
Available at: https://connectresources.ae/recommendations-to-do-a-recruitment-and-selection-process/
[Accessed 16 December 2021].

Ofori, D. & Aryeetey, M., 2011. Recruitment and Selection Practices in Small and Medium Enterprises: Perspectives from Ghana. International Journal of Business Administration, 2(3), pp. 45-60.