4.4 Transcript

Part of my job as Human Resources Coordinator at the local Bob’s Brushes factory is to recruit or select new members of staff.  Today I’d like to explain how our selection process works.

In the old days, if you went along for a job, you normally just got an interview.  They asked you a few questions and that was it.  But an interview does not give a true indication of a candidate’s behavior.  For example, a candidate may say they are very good at doing presentations.  But are they really?  You need to see them in action.  So, we like to put our candidates through what’s called a recruitment process.  This usually takes a whole day and consists of a number of stages.

First of all, candidates are normally presented with a group exercise, because it’s important to see if they can work well in a team.  Then, they are asked to deliver a brief presentation.  Candidates are given advance notice of this so that they can prepare.

Next is a role play.  In this exercise, candidates are put into a difficult situation they might find themselves in if they are appointed to the position.  Following this, candidates are set a series of psychometric tests, which assess their mental processes to see if they have the right skills for the job.

After all this, candidates attend an interview alone with a panel of three to four members of personnel from different departments.  At the end of the day, candidates are thanked and sent home with a bag of Bob’s Brushes goodies.

Then comes the tricky part—we have to choose someone for the position.  We analyse all the data and information we now have for each candidate.  Sometimes none of the candidates are right for the job and we have to go through the whole process again.  However, usually we find the right person and the successful applicant is offered the position.  Unsuccessful candidates are also sent feedback on their performance.  They may not have been successful this time, but we may need them in the future.

The final stage is taking up references.  Unless we discover from a referee that a candidate has lied on their CV, or has some kind of shady past, the candidate takes up their new position in a month or so.  Job done.  The post is filled.  Now, any questions?