Tests of general cognitive ability are good indicators of recruitment and selection, and job performance success for a wide variety of jobs. They sometimes can be efficient and economical methods for targeting and screening a large volume of applicants. Some tests measure cognitive abilities and personality traits to see whether a candidate is a right fit for a position and for the company while others benchmark skills. Many types of commercial tests are available to organizations for use in the selection process. Many of these tests have undergone validation and reliability studies (Byars and Rue, 2008). Byars and Rue (2008) discuss five categories of tests: aptitude, psychomotor, job knowledge and proficiency, interests, and personality.
1) Why do you think it is important to have these tests validated and be deemed reliable? Which of these tests do you think is LEAST beneficial in the recruitment process and why?
During the recruitment phase, human resource professionals attempt to match applicant's skills with those of the needs of the organization and to find candidates that "fit" within their organization. Many organizations have implemented an actual recruitment and selection plan or process, so that they can hire individuals who have the necessary skills or have the capacity to learn the necessary skills in order to perform within the organization. Organizations seek out a variety of resources both internally and externally when seeking candidates. Companies that emphasis internal recruitment seeks to find employees currently within the organization that can transitioned into other positions within the company. Some companies seek to find external candidates to fill roles. Both of recruitment sources have their benefits.
2) As a member of management /HR professional which do you think is more beneficial to an organization when seeking to fill vacant positions with an organization in order to meet its goals, internal or external recruitment? What are some steps that you would take to create a recruitment plan for your organization? Are there any specific components that you may find necessary to incorporate into your recruitment and selection plan? What selection methods will you use when seeking to hire potential employees and why?