PetroChem

MEMORANDUM
To: From: Date: Subject: Cindy Raisor, Director of Human Resources Sylvia Webb, University Engineering Recruiter October 4, 2013 Candidate Profile Assessment Instruction

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Attached is the set of instructions I composed regarding applicant assessment for PetroChem recruiters to follow. Ill be happy to alter the instructions if you recommend any changes. I look forward to helping implement this new method next spring. I believe this tool will help our recruiting team create meaningful applicant assessments similar to the one I submitted on candidate Lauren Lauher (ID# 48193) on 9/24/13. Please dont hesitate to contact me with additional questions or comments at 409-555-0201 or s.webb@petrochem.com.

Created by: Sylvia Webb

Confidential, Internal

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PetroChem

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Applicant Assessment and Recommendation Framework In order to ensure the highest quality hires, PetroChem will follow a more uniform approach to evaluating and recommending candidates beginning Spring 2014. The method requires a recruiter identify a candidates key attributes and supporting evidence of these attributes. The recruiter must then provide a written memo-style recommendation to the Director of Human resources in support of or in opposition to continued pursuit of the candidate. Please read the instructions below carefully. You, as the recruiter, must be objective in your assessment of a candidates abilities and skills to determine if he or she is a good fit, but much use discretion to determine whether or not the applicant is the best fit. This is the difference between recommending an employee that will simply complete his work or one that will excel in our organization. 0. Prepare what youll need: 2.5-3 Hours Internet Access PetroChem Recruiting Database Access Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Prepare

Assess Candidate Supplied Materials 1. Read over the documents provided by the candidate. These documents are in the PetroChem Recruiting Database. Documents may include: Application Resume Unofficial/Official Transcript Cover Letter Contacts/References 2. Begin outlining an applicant assessment table in Microsoft Excel similar to the condensed example shown below: Applicant Assessment Table Candidate: John Doe Key interests/organizations: AIChE, Triathlon Team, Engineers Without Borders Attribute Evidence Notes Hard-working High GPA Far exceeds PetroChem minimum requirements Philanthropic Engineers Without Could indicate caring, helpful Borders Participation nature.

Created by: Sylvia Webb

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PetroChem

Engineering Brilliance

Tip: Each candidate will have unique strengths and weaknesses that will correspond to their personality. Keep in mind the applicants: Key interests Organizational involvement Type of leadership roles Skills Tip: It may be difficult to identify which attributes the candidate is displaying. The table of attributes below will help get you started, but remember you may use others that are not listed: Possible Candidate Attributes Optimistic Hard-working Adaptable Creative Inclusive Mediator Organized Clarity of Deliberative Thought Ambitious Observant Amiable

Forward-Thinking Strong Networker Self-Starter Analytical

Competitive Coordinator Technically Skilled Empathetic

Tip: While compiling this table, it may be helpful to consider: Typical projects offered to PetroChem interns PetroChem Values PetroChem Mission Statement Conduct Online Research The next portion of candidate assessment requires finding more attributes and supporting evidence and filling in the table prepared in step 2. For clarity, the steps have been ordered based on information platform. The following table will identify key objectives or points of interest within each information platform. Tip: If you are unable to find your candidate on any or all of these information platforms you can still derive a recommendation based on the applicant-supplied materials listed in the previous section. Feel free to ask the candidate for additional documentation, as you deem necessary.

Created by: Sylvia Webb

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PetroChem

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Tools and Corresponding Analysis Objectives

Google
Verify Involvement

LinkedIn
Professionalism Abilities

Facebook
Appropriateness

E-Folio
Motivation Communication Skills Abstract Thinking

Time Management

Identify Red Flags

Work Experience Networking Discretion

Achievements

Attention to Detail

Verify Involvement

Professionalism

3. Google Evaluation Conduct a general Internet search of the candidates name. Try a search with some other key components of the candidates biography. (i.e. university, organization, interests). Follow the links to identify more about the responsibility and consistency of trends in the candidates profile. Caution: Some common names may lead to individuals other than the candidate. 4. LinkedIn Evaluation Search for the candidate by name, school or major. Evaluate the candidates technical skills and extent of her LinkedIn network. PetroChem values networking and social skills of candidates. Younger candidates will typically have fewer network connections, however older applicants should have stronger, more robust network connections. 5. Facebook Evaluation Access the candidates Facebook Profile. Depending on privacy settings, information availability will vary. When evaluating the candidates Facebook activity, take into consideration: a. Frequency Does the candidate waste time on Facebook? Experience has shown the candidates that post during class and other work related events are likely to use Facebook during work hours at PetroChem. b. Discretion Does the candidate criticize other employers, instructors by name, or in a harsh or unfair manner?

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PetroChem

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c. Appropriateness Does the candidate engage in destructive, dangerous behavior? Does the candidate present a positive image? Caution: If you have not completed the company Privacy and Research course, contact PetroChemIT. They will provide additional help in gaining access, and to ensure youre in compliance privacy laws. 6. E-Folio Evaluation Some candidates will include a link to an E-folio or a virtual portfolio. These can be very helpful in determining an overall recommendation Identify technical or soft-skill strengths of the E-folio. d. Technical Does the candidate display strength in their ability to understand complex problems and systematically solve them? e. Written Does the applicant convey their thoughts and messages with clarity, organization, and appropriate grammar? Compose Recommendation 7. Determine Recommendation Read through the notes and evidence you have gathered and determine whether this would be a good candidate to continue to recruit 8. Draft Recommendation Compose the body of your recommendation by developing each attribute and its supporting evidence into paragraph form. Take time to elaborate on points as you see fit. Next, group the paragraphs into broader categories to make your recommendation more organized and convincing. (A common combination of categories is Technical Expertise, Leadership, and Communication). Finally, build an introduction and conclusion to frame your recommendation. It should provide a condensed summary of your candidate. Tip: If there is not significant evidence for a particular trait, but you deem it relevant to include, be sure to do so. 9. Create Memo Header Create a memo header with appropriate subject and PetroChem formatting.

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PetroChem
Conclusion

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Providing a recommendation either for or against a client is no easy task. It is important to remain diligent in the effort to hire the very best candidates for any given role. By following these steps, you enable the HR Director to make a wellinformed decision. Following is an example recommendation used following the instructions listed here. It is by no means a strict template. Feel free to adapt the model to better support your recommendation and supporting information. Feedback regarding this method can be directed to the document creator, Sylvia Webb, or the current HR Director.

Created by: Sylvia Webb

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PetroChem
Appendix Example Recommendation Memorandum
To: From: Date: Subject: Cindy Raisor, Director of Human Resources Sylvia Webb, University Engineering Recruiter September 24, 2013 Candidate Profile Report ________- ID#: __________

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Below is the candidate profile report for ________________from __________ University. I recommend that she be kept in the engineering internship applicant pool. My research indicates that she is a strong candidate in her technical experience, leadership, and communication abilities. To reach these conclusions I used the application materials provided by the applicant (application, resume, and academic transcript) as well as evidence from her E-folio (virtual portfolio) and LinkedIn profile. Technical Expertise Motivated ________sets herself apart academically. Her resume boasts a 4.0 GPA, which was confirmed by the unofficial transcript she provided with her online application. This far exceeds our recruiting minimum GPA requirement of 3.25. It likely indicates the candidate is goal-oriented and focused. In addition to her engineering coursework she is pursuing an honors distinction showing a desire for learning beyond what is required. The presence of an Honors Coursework tab in her E-folio further supports the value she places on this pursuit. Adaptable The candidates work experience suggests that she is a quick learner. This conclusion is derived from her ability to produce multiple deliverables in 3-4 month work terms. For instance, during her ExxonMobil Fall 2012 work term she produced an improvement plan for a seal flush system, modeled and evaluated a possible process change, and worked with vendors to assess an additional process change. Furthermore, the candidate has worked in a chemical plant, refinery, and research lab. This breadth of work experiences shows she is adaptable and suggests confidence in new environments. The variety of underlying tasks associated with each work term may suggest that the candidate is resourceful. For example, the candidate cites using economic data, historical data, and vendor contacts to reach her conclusions. Leadership Diversity ___________s application documents suggest strong leadership potential. Her resume and LinkedIn profile indicates she has taken part in several international leadership symposiums. This international exposure could also indicate ability to perform well with a diverse team, a desirable trait considering the inter-departmental nature of our internship program. The consistency of these international pursuits show she is accepting of others and eager to understand other cultures. The deliverables from these leadership events, however, are not well clarified and would make an excellent area for follow-up interview questions. Conscientious Page 7 of 8

Created by: Sylvia Webb

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PetroChem

Engineering Brilliance

Her on campus extra-curricular activities include leadership in two on-campus organizations. Her role as a Hospitality Director for the Engineering Career Fair shows her ability to manage a budget and consider the desires of the customers, or in this case, recruiters. Her role as a Society of Women Engineers Representative to the Student Engineers Council also shows her understanding of how the exchange of information could benefit both groups. Both of these roles require __________ to remain aware of the larger picture, her audiences objective and respond accordingly. Trustworthy Her role as Corporate Relations Assistant for SEC requires her to serve as point-of-contact for company representatives demonstrating professionalism. As indicated on her resume, this role also requires teamwork interaction with other organization leaders. From these interactions she must coordinate corporate funding for events. This role demonstrates her ability to handle confidential matters in an objective and timely matter. Workplace Notably, her Summer 2012 work term with BASF included a team facilitator role. The overall results of this facilitator role are not listed in her online information and thus would be a good topic to discuss in the next round of interviews conducted. If the candidate advances to the next stage, we should express that while roles of this kind are not typically included in PetroChem internships, we still assess leadership potential in other ways. Communication Organization From the online portfolio information provided by the candidate, she seems to demonstrate strong communication skills. The writing samples available indicate clear, logical organization of thought. Her Virtual Guidelines document broke the topic of interest into four clear sub-topics and included simple flow diagrams. It should be noted that there were some grammatical errors in this document. Clarity The candidate also demonstrates the ability to communicate understanding of complex topics to a broad audience. Her Made to Stick Reflections in her E-folio convey key ideas in behavioral psychology by using metaphors and real-world examples. In one particular instance she drew a connection between the dating and the fascination with the mysterious. In short, she shows a readiness to simplify complex topics and share what she knows with others. Professionalism Her LinkedIn profile demonstrates her readiness to communicate professionally. She has over 30+ connections with peers and past-coworkers. Her profile mirrors her other application documents showing consistency and attention to detail. I was unable to access the candidates Facebook profile to determine her consistency in professionalism. All resources referenced in this document can be accessed via_________s profile in our internal server using her ID #_________. I will be happy to provide any additional follow-up as requested. I can be reached at 409-555-0201 or s.webb@petrochem.com.

Created by: Sylvia Webb

Confidential, Internal

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