HR - Selection, Testing and Assessment

SELECTION

 

The 2^nd major step in providing human resource for the organization is SELECTION.

Selection is choosing an individual to hire from all those who have been recruited (short listed).

 

Selection is obviously dependent on the 1^st step which is recruitment.

Selection is a series of stages through which job applications must pass in order to be hired. Each stage reduces the total group of prospective employees until, finally, the required no. of individuals are hired.

 

Stages of the Selection Process:

 

1. Preliminary Screening from Records, Data Sheets etc.,
2. Preliminary Interview
3. Intelligence Tests
4. Aptitude Tests
5. Personality Tests
6. Performance References
7. Diagnostic Interview
8. Physical Examination
9. Personal Judgement

 

Two tools often used in the selection process are Testing and Assessment Centres.

 

TESTING:

 

Testing is examining human resources for qualities relevant to performing available jobs. 4 categories of testing include:

 

1. Aptitude Tests
2. Achievement Tests
3. Vocational Interest Tests
4. Personality Tests

 

Testing Guidelines:

 

• Care must be taken to ensure that the test being used in both valid and reliable.
• A test is valid if it measures what it is designed to measure and reliable if it measures similarly at all times.
• Test Results should not be used as the sole determinant of a hiring decision.
• People change over time, and someone who doesn’t score well on a particular test might still develop into a productive employee. Such factors as potential and desire to obtain a position should be assessed subjectively and used along with test scores in the final selection decision.
• Test should be non discriminatory.

 

ASSESSMENT CENTERS:

 

Assessment Centres are used both for the purpose of selection and also for continued training and development over time.

 

An assessment centre is a program (not a place) in which participants engage in a no. of individual and group exercises constructed to stimulate important activities at the organizational levels to which they aspire.

 

These exercises can include activities like Participating in groups, giving presentations, team work in problem solving. The participants are observed by mangers and/or trained observers who will evaluate both the ability and the potential.

 

Generally, participants are assessed according to the following criteria:

 

1. Leadership
2. Organizing and Planning Ability
3. Decision Making
4. Oral and Written Communication Skills
5. Initiative
6. Energy
7. Analytical Ability
8. Resistance to Stress
9. Use of Delegation
10. Behaviour Flexibility
11. Human Relations Competence
12. Originality
13. Controlling
14. Self Direction
15. Overall Potential