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Instant Download PDF Human Resources Management in Canada Twelfth Canadian Edition Canadian 12th Edition Dessler Solutions Manual Full Chapter
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Chapter 7 – Selection 7-1
CHAPTER 7
SELECTION
LEARNING OUTCOMES
CHAPTER SUMMARY
Selection is the process of choosing among individuals who have been recruited to fill existing
or projected job openings, and has considerable strategic importance. Reliable (consistent) and
valid (accurate) selection methods are critically important to effective and legally defensible
selection of the best candidate. HR professionals need to provide hiring managers with
guidance in regards to choosing among the many different types of selection tests and the
various ways to conduct selection interviews. Reference checking is an important source of
information, which if ignored can lead to negligent or wrongful-hiring lawsuits. However, feat of
civil litigation has led some Canadian companies to adopt a policy of “not references” or only to
confirm former position and dates of employment
LECTURE OUTLINE
Selection is the process of choosing among individuals with the relevant qualifications to fill
existing or projected job openings. The purpose of selection is to find the “best” candidate for
the job – an individual who possesses the required KSAs and personality, who will perform well,
embrace the corporate mission and values, and fit the organizational culture. Hiring the wrong
people means strategic objectives cannot be met due to underperformance, and additional cost
(time and money) has to be spent in starting over with recruitment and selection for that
vacancy. Ineffective selection can also mean increased legal liability in regards to failure to
protect human rights, liability for negligent hiring and wrongful dismissal.
Suggested guidelines for avoiding these negative legal consequences (see p. 175) are:
1. Ensuring all selection criteria and strategies are based on the job description and
specification.
2. Adequately assessing the applicant’s ability to meet performance standards or expectations.
3. Carefully scrutinizing all information supplied on application forms and résumés.
4. Obtaining written authorization for reference checking from prospective employees, and
check references carefully.
5. Save all records and information obtained about the applicant during each stage of the
selection process.
6. Rejecting applicants who make false statements on their application forms or résumés.
1. Supply Challenges
Although it is desirable to have a larger, rather than smaller pool of recruits there may be
labour shortages for some positions and labour surpluses for others.
Teaching Tip: have students discuss the pros and cons of having too many and too few
qualified recruits. Discuss the problem of not being able to know who saw your
posting/advertisement but did not apply, for whatever reason.
Most firms use a sequential selection system involving a series of successive steps –
multiple hurdle strategy. Candidate only move forward in the process if they meet each
hurdle in turn.
Teaching Tip: An alternate less common strategy is the compensatory strategy where
selection decisions are not made until a number of pieces of information have been
collected about each candidate. This way a higher score on a later assessment can
compensate for a lower score on an early assessment. Have students discuss the pros and
cons in regards to GPA being used as an early hurdle.
The selection process involves drawing on multiple sources of information acquired through
a range of selection instruments/tools/devices; processes vary across organizations. Six
common steps are shown in Fig. 7.1 on p. 178; at each step carefully selected selection
criteria should be used.
Teaching Tip: Discuss the possibility that must and want criteria will vary by members of the
selection committee; what a must is for someone may only be a want for someone else. Also
discuss the challenges of weighting education and experience (e.g. 2 years versus 5 years of
experience).
The entire recruitment and selection procedures must comply with human rights legislation.
All information collected from time an ad is posted to selection decision must be free from
questions that would directly or indirectly classify candidates on the basis of any of the
prohibited grounds under human rights legislation or an unsuccessful candidate may
challenge the legality of the process.
Teaching Tip: This is a great point at which to have students in pairs or groups discuss past
experiences (self or relatives/friends) that they believe were legally questionable.
First contact is often through the Web. Initial applicant screening is generally performed by
members of the HR department. Application forms and résumés are reviewed. Those
candidates not meeting the "must have" selection criteria are eliminated first. Then the
remaining applications are examined, and those candidates who most closely match the
remaining job specifications are identified and given further consideration.
Teaching Tip: Bring in or have students research the use of HRIS to automate pre-screening
and discuss how students can improve the chances of their application making it through the
first cut. You may want to have review to the campus career centre website for relevant tips and
available workshops.
Approximately 2/3 of Canadian organizations report using selection tests; tests are efficient,
standardized procedures for screening large numbers of applicants. Organizations can
purchase pre-made tests or develop their own in-house tests, however, all tests and other
selection techniques are only useful if they can be shown to be reliable and valid. Information on
reliability and validity is available for reputable tests.
Teaching Tip: The Entrepreneurs and HR Discussion Box (p. 176) shows a streamlined
approach suited to small businesses.
a. Reliability captures the degree to which interviews, tests, and other selection
procedures yield comparable data over time; in other words, the degree of dependability,
consistency, or stability of the measures used. Diminished when applicant is tired/unwell,
test setting is noisy or uncomfortable, or questions are just answered randomly
b. Validity, in the context of selection, captures the accuracy with which a predictor
measures what it is intended to measure. There are three distinct types of validity: criterion-
related; content; and construct validity.
Teaching Tip: You can assume students acquired knowledge of reliability and validity in a
previous course, but many are shaky, so some quick examples may be needed to close the
gap. For example a weigh scale may give same result every time (reliable) but is of no use for
predicting future job performance in most cases (criterion-related validity). Even so those who
are overweight regularly experience fat discrimination.
Experts also recommend that separate validation studies be administered for different
subgroups, such as visible minorities and women. If differential validity is not assessed, it
is possible for a test or other procedure to be a valid predictor of job success for one group
(such as white male applicants) but not for all candidates, thereby leading to systemic
discrimination.
Teaching Tip: Discuss why test results would be different for different groups (not different
individuals) to uncover issues associated with experience-based content and second language
literacy and fluency. For instance, many tests assume domestic education (e.g. historical facts)
and are timed for a native speaking audience.
Cognitive (mental) abilities capture various aspects of the power of the brain (e.g.
intelligence, emotional intelligence, memory, and inductive reasoning).
a. Intelligence tests (IQ) tests (e.g. Wonderlic, Stanford-Binet, Wechsler) are tests of
general intellectual abilities. They measure not a single "intelligence" trait, but rather a
number of abilities including memory, vocabulary, verbal fluency, and numerical ability.
Easy to administer via pen & paper or online and Wonderlic can be used with groups.
b. Emotional intelligence (EI) tests (e.g. EQ-I), EQ Map, MSCEIT), and EIQ) provide a
score referred to as the emotional quotient (EQ) which measures a person’s ability to
monitor his or her own emotions and the emotions of others and to use that knowledge
to guide thoughts and actions. Someone with a high emotional quotient (EQ) is self-
aware, can control his or her impulses, motivates him or herself, and demonstrates
empathy and social awareness; however, EI tests have limited and controversial
empirical evidence to support validity claims.
c. Specific cognitive abilities tests, often called aptitude tests (e.g. GATB), include tests of
thinking skills such as inductive and deductive reasoning, verbal comprehension,
memory and numerical ability (see example in Fig. 7.3, p. 184). Aptitude measures an
individual’s potential to perform a job, provided s/he is given proper training.
3. Tests of Motor and Physical Abilities (e.g. Stromberg Dexterity Test, Minnesota Rate of
Manipulation Test, Purdue Pegboard, and the Crawford Small Parts Dexterity Test (see Fig.
7.4, p. 185)) assess abilities such as finger dexterity, manual dexterity, speed for arm
movement, and reaction time. Functional ability evaluations (FAE) measure abilities related
to lifting, pulling, pushing, sitting, squatting, climbing, and carrying
Avoid problems by making sure all motor and physical ability tests are based on job duties
identified through an up to date job analysis.
Teaching Tip: Have students identify the motor and physical abilities necessary for a past or
current job, and whether this requirement could be reasonably accommodated without undue
hardship for someone who was disabled in this regard.
4. Measuring Personality and Interests focuses on motivational forces that would explain why
one candidate would be more suited to a job than another.
Personality tests (e.g. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, MMPI, and Big Five) measure basic
aspects of an applicant's personality, such as introversion, stability, motivation, neurotic
tendency, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, and sociability). The Big Five measures
extraversion, emotional stability (neuroticism), agreeableness, openness to experience and
conscientiousness, with conscientiousness being the number one predictor of job
performance across all performance criteria for every occupation. Openness and
extroversion predict training proficiency and extraversion predicts performance for managers
and sales employees. Applicants do try to fake personality tests when they are motivated to
do so but individual differences exist in the ability to fake.
Thematic apperception tests present an ambiguous stimulus (see Fig. 7.5, p. 186) and ask
for applicant’s interpretation which supposedly projects existing established attitudes.
Teaching Tip: Use a show of hands to find out how many students have taken a personality
test of some kind (M-B, Big Five or something in a magazine). Assign students to take an
interest inventory offered online by the campus career centre, before class and discuss the
results.
5. Achievement Tests are widely used in selection to measure what an individual has learned
to date through education and/or experience; achievement tests capture both knowledge
(know about) and proficiency/skill (know how).
6. Work Sampling is among the best predictors of job performance, because it is based on
having the applicant perform actual key tasks. Work samples are validated by comparing
applicant scores to later job performance scores to establish nature of relationship and cut-
off-scores (i.e. once a baseline has been established, there is no need to validate every
time).
Teaching Tip: Have students describe the most important work sample test they would use if
they were hiring their replacement.
7. Management Assessment Centres are not a place, but are comprehensive, systematic
procedures used to assess the management potential of groups of candidates (often 10 –
12). This is done using a combination of realistic exercises and management games (e.g. in-
basket exercise, leaderless group discussion, problem-solving/simulations) in combination
with objective testing, presentations and interviews
Teaching Tip: Have students relate past situations in which the job they got did not match the
description given by the recruiter.
The use of medical examinations has decreased, due to decline in manufacturing but also
legal concerns. They are only permitted after a written offer of employment has been
extended (except in the case of bona fide occupational requirements). Three main reasons
why firms may include a medical examination as a step in the selection process: (1) to
determine that the applicant qualifies for the physical requirements of the position and, if not,
to document any accommodation requirements; (2) to establish a record and baseline of the
applicant’s health for the purpose of future insurance or compensation claims; and (3) to
reduce absenteeism and accidents by enabling the applicant and physician to identify any
health- or safety-related issues or concerns that need to be addressed.
Substance Abuse In Canada employers are not permitted to screen candidates for
substance abuse, because addiction to drugs or alcohol is considered to be a disability, and
an applicant cannot be discriminated against during selection based on a disability. Pre-
employment alcohol and drug testing is only permitted after a written job offer has been
extended and a bona fide case has been established, although this is rare even in safety
intensive industries.
Teaching Tip: Discuss recent news stories that the Canadian oil and gas industry are regularly
testing for substance abuse despite being on shaky legal ground. Compare the perspective on
drug testing by American organizations (pervasive) versus the limited perspective of Canadian
organizations. Discuss the issue of use versus abuse and whether selection tests can make the
distinction (without condoning use of illegal substances). Another potential topic is performance-
enhancing versus performance-impairing substances.
Both interviewers and applicants have objectives that they try to fulfil through a selection
interview. Interviewer objectives include: assessing applicants' qualifications; observing relevant
aspects of applicants' behaviour, such as verbal communication skills, degree of self-
confidence, and interpersonal skills; gathering information about applicants that helps to predict
future performance (how long they are likely to remain in the organization); providing candidates
with information about the job; promoting the organization and highlighting its attractiveness;
and determining how well the applicants would fit into the organization. Typical objectives of job
applicants include: presenting a positive image of themselves; selling their skills and marketing
their positive attributes; and gathering information about the job and the organization so that
they can make an informed decision.
a. Structure - unstructured, structured (high validity and reliability, but low flexibility),
mixed (semi-structured); gender differences affected by interview structure
Teaching Tip: Do a survey to find out what types of interviews students have had and their
perceptions of the various types. Discuss comfort level with phone and Skype interviews.
Research shows that interviewers (both HR staff and hiring managers) make one or more
common mistakes that reduce the validity and reliability of selection interviews. Interviews
can be improved by paying attention the following:
a. Poor planning – questions not written in advance, no thought to structure or
administration
b. Snap judgements – decision based on first impressions
c. Negative emphasis – more weight given to unfavourable information
d. Halo effects – subsequent ratings distorted by first impression on one or more factors
e. Poor knowledge of the job – ratings end up being made based on stereotypes
f. Contrast (candidate-order) error – distortion due to rating of prior candidate (good or
bad)
g. Influence of non-verbal behaviour – eye contact, head moving, smiling affect ratings, but
non-verbal behaviour is tied to ethnicity cultural background. Attractiveness and gender
also affect ratings – old is unattractive
h. Leading – guiding candidates directly or indirectly to “right” answer
i. Too much/too little talking – 30/70 rule (70% of interview time should be for applicant)
j. Similar-to-me bias – distortion due to similarity in demographics, personality, attitudinal
characteristics. Suppresses workplace diversity
Teaching Tip: Use the Workforce Diversity Discussion Box (see p. 181) to discuss how to plan
for assessment accommodation, rather than get caught off guard. Also reinforce that it is up to
the candidate to request accommodation, not for the recruiter to assume accommodation is
needed or wanted.
Teaching Tip: This is a great opportunity to have students discuss past experiences but more
importantly the steps organizations should take in regards to choosing and training those
involved in the selection process.
a. Planning the interview – who will be involved, where will interview be held, how will
questions be asked and by whom
b. Establishing rapport – friendly greeting, put at ease but avoid human rights related topics
e.g. what’s the origin of that name?
c. Asking questions – write out in advance, listen carefully, encourage expression, record
answers; taking notes improves validity – reduces likelihood of forgetting or
reconstructing to confirm biases/stereotypes; reduces snap judgements and helps
prevent halo error, negative emphasis, and candidate-order errors; ensures consistent
treatment of all applicants (see Fig. 7.6, p. 195 for suggested supplementary questions)
d. Closing the interview – allow time for candidates’ own questions, advocate/promote firm
and position, inform candidate about next steps and timelines
Teaching Tip: Ask students by a show of hands whether they had sufficient opportunity to ask
questions and whether they received information on the decision-making process. Also,
reinforce the importance of having questions to ask when you go to a job interview, especially
questions that show that you already know something about the organization.
Background investigation (education, work history, criminal record, and so on) and reference
checking are important to verify accuracy of candidate-provided information (answers,
documentation). At least 1/3 of candidates lie about missing or inadequate qualifications, even
for senior management and healthcare jobs (see Fig. 78, p. 197). Surveys indicate that most (at
least 90%) of Canadian organizations conduct background checks typically using a third party
reference-checking service or a hired consultant.
2. Obtaining Written Permission – must be obtained in advance from applicant, usually through
a permission section on the application form; some employers will ask for written
authorization before providing reference; increasing use of social media sources which may
increase possibility of bringing non-job related information into consideration (see Fig. 7.9, p.
198) and obtaining information that is related to a prohibited ground or discrimination (e.g.
age, marital or family status)
3. Providing References – qualified privilege protects the reference giver if they provide
information that is negative as long as it is honest, fair, candied and given in confidence for
a public purpose (not gossip). Overly positively references are considered negligent
misrepresentation. “no reference” policy adopted by a number of organizations means
confirmation only of position(s) held and dates of employment.
Teaching Tip: There are a number of good examples in the textbook (p. 197) but there are also
news stories that appear almost on a daily basis about forged qualifications and/or failure to
adequately verify background information and references. You can assign research by
province/territory or have students do some international research to find examples from other
countries, as this tends to be a global phenomenon.
with person, knows the current group into which the new person must fit. Involvement by
supervisor tends to increase commitment and responsibility to new hire (provision of advice and
guidance) increasing chances of successful transition.
Teaching Tip: Discuss how supervisor discomfort with “different” or less familiar types of
candidates (women, visible minorities, Aboriginal persons, disabled) could highjack an
otherwise objective process and what you as HR person would do if you thought this was
happening.
To make the hiring decision, information from the multiple selection techniques and sources
must be combined; the applicant who is the best fit with the selection criteria must be identified.
HR department can help integrate information and present in easy to view manner; immediate
supervisors usually responsible for final decision.
Review of data is often subjective which can reduce validity and reliability unless tests are
objectively scored and candidate-rating sheets are developed based on weighted want criteria
(see Fig. 7.2, p. 179). An alternate approach which tends to maintain higher validity and
reliability is to use a mathematically-driven statistical strategy (identification of valid and
weighting of scores through statistical methods, such as multiple regression).
Teaching Tip: Use the Ethical Dilemmas (p. 174 and p. 200) to discuss the role of nepotism in
the final hiring decision and how much feedback should be given to unsuccessful candidates.
All information collected during recruitment and selection should be kept on file, in the event of a
human rights challenge, negligent hiring charge, or union grievance.
Initial job offers can be extended to the successful candidate by phone, but must be followed up
with a written employment offer that clearly specifies important terms and conditions of
employment, such as starting date, starting salary, probation period, and so on. Time to respond
should be reasonable and closely qualified candidates can be offered the job if the first choice
declines. If there isn’t a good second choice candidate then the organization can choose to
leave the position vacant or start a brand new recruitment search.
DISCUSSION BOXES
One or two hiring mistakes could be disastrous in a small business. Three are a number of easy
to use tests that are particularly good for small business (e.g. Wonderlic, Predictive Index,
Minnesota Clerical Assessment Battery) Small businesses can also make use of a practical
streamlined interview process.
There are four principles that should guide the determination of assessment accommodations
for persons with disabilities: provide all applicants with an equal opportunity to fully demonstrate
ETHICAL DILEMMAS
As the company recruiter, how would you handle a request from the CEO that you hire
her son for a summer job, knowing that, given current hiring constraints, the sons and
daughters of other employees will not be able to obtain such positions? (p. 174)
Some will argue that when the CEO makes a request, it cannot be ignored. After all, she is the
boss! Others, however, will indicate that they feel it would be morally and ethically incorrect to
give preferential treatment in the form of a summer job to the son of the CEO, when the sons
and daughters of other employees will not have equal opportunity to attain such positions. While
a request from the CEO cannot be ignored, perhaps a compromise is possible. After all,
presumably her request is based on a desire to see her son working for the summer. Thus,
helping her son to obtain employment – at another firm – would meet her needs and yet not
compromise my ethics as the firm’s recruiter.
As the HR manager, how much feedback should you provide to those individuals not
selected for a position? (p. 200)
Some will strongly recommend that I should provide those individuals not selected for a position
with as little feedback as possible and should rarely, if ever, discuss the underlying reasons for
the firm’s decision. There are several sound arguments to support this viewpoint:
• It is frequently awkward, if not tactically impossible, to tell the applicant the real reason for
his or her rejection.
• Trying to provide honest feedback may lead to a time-consuming argument that I, as the
individual relaying the message, cannot win.
Some experts feel strongly that candidates should never be rejected. Instead, the impression
should be conveyed that the applicant was not found wanting, but that the candidate selected
simply matches the selection criteria more closely.
Others will argue that it is both appropriate and desirable for me to provide honest feedback to
those candidates who were not selected, especially if the hiring decision is based on bona fide
selection criteria and a series of valid and reliable steps. It can be very helpful to job seekers to
receive tactfully worded and honest feedback, especially if it is developmental in nature. For
example, listening to such feedback and acting upon it may enable them to correct a problem,
such as the need to practice interview skills to present themselves more effectively, or to
overcome a skills weakness by acquiring additional experience, training, or education. Such
feedback is particularly desirable for internal applicants.
Sometimes applicants who were not selected for the position in question may be worthy of
consideration for future openings. If so, most will argue that they should be informed of this fact
and reassured that their résumé and application form data will be filed appropriately.
KEY TERMS
achievement tests Tests used to measure knowledge and/or proficiency acquired through
education, training, or experience. (p. 187)
aptitude tests Tests that measure an individual's aptitude or potential to perform a job provided
he or she is given proper training. (p.184)
construct validity The extent to which a selection tool measures a theoretical construct or trait
deemed necessary to perform the job successfully. (p. 183)
content validity The extent to which a selection instrument, such as a test, adequately samples
the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job. (p. 182)
contrast or candidate-order error An error of judgment on the part of the interviewer because
of interviewing one or more very good or very bad candidates just before the interview in
question. (p. 193)
criterion-related validity The extent to which a selection tool predicts or significantly correlates
with important elements of work behaviour. (p. 182)
differential validity Confirmation that the selection tool accurately predicts the performance of
all possible employee subgroups, including white males, women, visible minorities, persons with
disabilities, and Aboriginal peoples. (p. 182)
emotional intelligence (EI) tests Tests that measure a person’s ability to monitor his or her
own emotions and the emotions of others and to use that knowledge to guide thoughts and
actions. (p. 183)
halo effect A positive initial impression that distorts an interviewer’s rating of a candidate
because subsequent information is judged with a positive bias. (p. 193)
intelligence (IQ) tests Tests that measure general intellectual abilities, such as verbal
comprehension, inductive reasoning, memory, numerical ability, speed of perception, spatial
visualization, and word fluency. (p. 183)
interest inventories Tests that compare a candidate’s interests with those people in various
occupations. (p. 187)
mixed (semi-structured) interview An interview format that combines the structured and
unstructured techniques. (p. 190)
must criteria Requirements that are absolutely essential for the job, include a measurable
standard of acceptability, or are absolute and can be screened initially on paper. (p. 178)
panel interview An interview in which a group of interviewers questions the applicant. (p. 192)
realistic job preview (RJP) A strategy used to provide applicants with realistic information –
both positive and negative – about the job demands, the organization's expectations, and the
work environment. (p. 199)
reliability The degree to which interviews, tests, and other selection procedures yield
comparable data over time; in other words, the degree of dependability, consistency, or stability
of the measures used. (p. 182)
selection The process of choosing individuals who have been recruited to fill existing or
projected job openings. (p. 174)
selection interview A procedure designed to predict future job performance on the basis of
applicants' oral responses to oral inquiries. (p. 190)
selection ratio The ratio of the number of applicants hired to total number of applicants. (p. 175)
situational interview A series of job-related questions that focus on how the candidate would
behave in a given situation. (p. 191)
situational tests Tests in which candidates are presented with hypothetical situations
representative of the job for which they are applying and are evaluated on their responses. (p.
188)
statistical strategy A more objective technique used to determine whom the job should be
offered to; involves identifying the most valid predictors and weighting them through statistical
methods, such as multiple regression. (p. 200)
validity The accuracy with which a predictor measures what it is intended to measure. (p. 182)
want criteria Those criteria represent qualifications that cannot be screened on paper or are
not readily measurable, as well as those that are highly desirable but not critical. (p. 178)
1. Explain the differences among criterion-related validity, content validity, and construct
validity. (p. 182 – 183)
Validity in the context of selection is an indicator of the extent to which data from a selection
technique, such as a test or interview, are related to or predictive of subsequent performance on
the job. Separate validation studies of selection techniques should be conducted for different
subgroups, such as visible minorities and women, in order to address differential validity.
Criterion-related validity is the extent to which a selection tool predicts or significantly correlates
with important elements of work behaviour. Demonstrating criterion-related validity requires
proving that those who do well on a test or in an interview, for example, also do well on the job,
and that individuals who do poorly on the test or in the interview receive low job-performance
ratings.
Content validity is assumed to exist when a selection instrument, such as a test, adequately
samples the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job. The closer the content of the
selection instrument is to actual samples of work or work behaviour, the greater the content
validity. For example, asking a candidate for a secretarial position to demonstrate word
processing skills, as required on the job, has high content validity.
Construct validity is the extent to which a selection tool measures a theoretical construct or trait
deemed necessary to perform the job successfully. Intelligence, verbal skills, analytical ability,
and leadership skills are all examples of constructs. Measuring construct validity requires
demonstrating that the psychological trait or attribute is related to satisfactory job performance,
as well as showing that the test or other selection tool used accurately measures the
psychological trait or attribute.
2. Describe five different types of testing that may be used in the selection process and
give an example of each. (p. 183 – 189)
Testing types include Cognitive abilities, motor and physical abilities, personality and interests,
achievement, work sampling, assessment centre, situational, micro assessment, physical
examination and substance abuse
3. Describe any four activities involved in a management assessment centre. (p. 187 –
188)
Examples of the types of activities and exercises involved include: an in-basket exercise; a
leaderless group discussion; management games; individual presentations; objective tests; and
an interview.
4. Name and describe the pros and cons of the three different types of interview
structures. (p. 190 – 191)
Unstructured interview – allows interviewer to follow up on comments and points of interest but
may not result in consistent information from all candidates.
Structured interview – provides for consistent questions of all candidates but doesn’t allow for
flexibility in follow up questions and may seems mechanical
5. Explain the difference between situational and behavioural interviews. Give examples
of situational and behavioural interview questions. (p. 191)
Content of the Interview – Interviews can also be classified according to the content of their
questions. A situational interview is one in which the questions focus on the individual's ability to
project what his or her behaviour would be in a given situation. The underlying premise is that
intentions predict behaviour. The interview can be both structured and situational, with
predetermined questions requiring the candidate to project what his or her behaviour would be.
The behavioural interview or behaviour description interview (BDI) is gaining in popularity. This
technique involves describing various situations and asking interviewees how they behaved in
the past in such situations. Thus, while situational interviews ask interviewees to describe how
they would react to a situation, the BDI asks interviewees to describe how they did react to
situations in the past, giving specific examples. The underlying assumption is that the best
predictor of future performance is past performance in similar circumstances.
Open-ended questions – primarily situational and behavioural – should then be developed for
each of the KSAs to be assessed during the interview. Situational questions ask candidates to
indicate how they would respond to a hypothetical situation that could actually occur on the job.
Behavioural questions request specific examples of past behaviour. Job-knowledge and worker-
requirements questions should also be included.
6. Briefly discuss any five common interviewing mistakes and explain how such errors
can be avoided. (p. 192 – 194)
Poor Planning – Many selection interviews are simply not carefully planned. An interview will be
unsuccessful if the interviewer does not have specific selection criteria in mind or has failed to
plan strategies for assessing the criteria chosen. Lack of planning often leads to a relatively
unstructured interview in which whatever comes up gets discussed. Since the end result may be
little or no cross-candidate job-related information, the less structured the interview is and the
less reliable and valid the candidate evaluation will be. The importance of planning and the
costs associated with poor planning should be addressed in a training session. Once trained,
the key to avoiding this problem is allowing sufficient time for preparation.
Snap Judgments – One of the most consistent findings in the interviewing literature is that
interviewers tend to jump to conclusions – make snap judgments – during the first few minutes
of the interview or even before the interview begins based on the candidates’ test scores or
résumé data. This problem can be avoided through proper training and the use of a structured
or mixed interview. Having a panel rather than a sole interviewer can also help to prevent this
problem.
from their interview performance. In other words, interviewers seem to have a consistent
negative bias. They are generally more influenced by unfavourable than favourable information
about the candidate. Also, their impressions are much more likely to change from favourable to
unfavourable than vice versa. There are several strategies for avoiding this problem. One is to
train interviewers. Another is to ensure that interviewers are not provided with the results of
reference checking and/or employment tests until after they have conducted interviews and
evaluated interview performance.
Halo Effect – It is also possible for a positive initial impression to distort an interviewer's rating of
a candidate, such that subsequent information is judged with a positive bias. This is known as
the halo effect. The best strategy for ensuring that this error doesn't occur is interviewer training.
Using a structured or semi-structured interview also helps to prevent the interviewer from being
unduly influenced by an initial favourable impression, since questions are prepared in advance
and must be followed.
Poor Knowledge of the Job – Interviewers who do not know precisely what the job entails, and
what sort of candidate is best suited for it, usually make their decisions based on incorrect
stereotypes about what a good applicant is. They then erroneously match interviewees with
their incorrect stereotypes. All interviewers should be involved in establishing the selection
criteria. Doing so requires careful examination of the job description and specifications, which
should result in a fair degree of familiarity with the job and the human characteristics needed to
perform it.
Contrast (Candidate-order) Error Contrast or candidate-order error means that the order in
which applicants are seen can affect how they are rated. In a number of studies, only a small
part of the applicant's rating was based on his or her actual potential. Most of the rating was
based on the effect of having followed very favourable or unfavourable candidates. Strategies
for avoiding this mistake include proper training; allowing time between interviews; using a
structured or semi-structured interview format to ensure that all candidates are asked the same
key questions; taking detailed notes; and completing an interviewee evaluation immediately
following each interview, by using an evaluation form based on the selection criteria prepared in
advance.
Leading – Some interviewers are so anxious to fill a job that they help the applicant respond
correctly to their questions by telegraphing the expected answer. Interviewer training, having
pre-set questions, and using multiple interviewers can help to prevent this error.
Too Much/Too Little Talking – If the applicant is permitted to dominate the interview, the
interviewer may not have a chance to ask his or her prepared questions and often learns very
little about the candidate’s job related skills. At the other extreme, some interviewers talk so
much that the interviewee is not given enough time to answer questions. One expert suggests
using the 30/70 rule: During a selection interview, encourage the candidate to speak 70 percent
of the time, and restrict the interviewer speaking to just 30 percent of the time. (page 192)
Similar-to-Me Bias – Interviewers tend to provide more favourable ratings to candidates who
possess demographic, personality, and attitudinal characteristics similar to their own.
7. Why is the supervisory interview so important in the selection process? (p. 199)
The immediate supervisor is generally responsible for making the final selection decision. If the
initial selection interview involves a one-on-one interview with a member of the HR department
only, rather than a series of sequential interviews or a panel-based interview, the two or three
top candidates typically return for a second interview with the immediate supervisor. There are a
number of reasons for this: (1) The supervisor tends to know the technical aspects of the job
best and is the most qualified to assess the applicants' job knowledge and skills. (2) The
supervisor is typically best equipped to answer any job-specific questions. (3) The immediate
supervisor generally has to work closely with the individual selected and must feel comfortable
with that person. (4) If the supervisor is involved in the decision they tend to be more committed
and take more responsibility for that person’s success.
1. If you were asked to design an effective selection process for retail sales
representatives working on a 100 percent commission basis, which of the steps
described in this chapter would you include and why? Justify any steps omitted and
explain why the quality of the selection decision will not be compromised by their
elimination.
I would recommend the use of a multiple-hurdle strategy, in which some candidates would be
eliminated at each step. The steps that I would include are as follows:
• a realistic job preview – to ensure that candidates have an accurate impression of the job
demands, the organization’s expectations, and the work environment, and to avoid having
someone accept the job offer and quit shortly thereafter due to reality shock, especially as
he/she would be working on a 100 percent commission basis.
• making the hiring decision based on an evaluation of all of the information gleaned – using
tests that are objectively scored and a candidate rating sheet based on the weighted want
criteria to increase validity and reliability.
• candidate notification – extending a job offer by telephone to the successful candidate,
giving him or her an opportunity to think over the offer, and following up with a written offer
of employment – to avoid a hasty decision, later regretted, and/or a misunderstanding
regarding terms and conditions of employment. This step would also involve notifying
finalists who were not selected as a matter of courtesy and as a public relations gesture.
• Evaluating the selection process – to assess whether or not the process has resulted in a
high-quality, productive sales representative and to perform a cost/benefit analysis.
• Some of the selection testing strategies discussed in Chapter 7 are not appropriate for sales
jobs and have therefore not been recommended. A medical examination and drug testing
were deliberately omitted due to their questionable accuracy and/or the legal/ethical
concerns associated with them. Similarly, tests of motor and physical abilities were not
considered relevant.
• The only step in the process that was not included is the supervisory interview, which is not
required since the supervisor will be a member of the interview panel. I have suggested that
interviewing precede testing but these two steps could occur in reverse order.
2. Assume that you have just been hired as the employment manager in a firm that has
never done any selection testing. Write a memorandum to the CEO describing the types
of tests that you would recommend that the firm using in the future. Also list some of the
legal and ethical concerns pertaining to such testing and how such concerns can be
overcome, and the benefits to the firm in using the recommended testing.
Introduction
I would strongly recommend that we include testing as one component of our selection process.
Such testing is a common screening device used by organizations for both hiring and promotion
purposes. Such tests may assess specific job-related skills, as well as general intelligence,
personality characteristics, mental abilities, interests, and preferences. They may involve a
demonstration of skills, a simulation, or a written exercise. Testing techniques provide efficient,
standardized procedures for screening large numbers of applicants.
The use of tests to assist with hiring and/or promotion decisions has been increasing. In a
recent study involving 202 Canadian firms, two-thirds of the respondents indicated that they use
at least one type of testing method in their selection process to supplement interview results.
Aptitude tests, which measure the applicant's aptitudes for the job in question – that is, the
applicant's potential to perform the job once given proper training. I would recommend the use
of the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) for most positions, and the use of specific aptitude
tests for those applying for engineering department and machine shop jobs.
Tests of Motor and Physical Abilities as related to the job in question. Tests in this category
range from the Crawford Small Parts Dexterity Text, which measures the speed and accuracy of
simple judgment, as well as the speed of finger, hand, and arm movements, to a Functional
Abilities Evaluations (FAE), which measures a whole series of physical abilities – ranging from
lifting to pulling and pushing, sitting, squatting, climbing, and carrying – and is particularly useful
for positions with a multitude of physical demands.
Achievement Tests for many of our office jobs, since they measure what a person has learned –
for example, knowledge and/or proficiency acquired in areas such as sales, accounting,
marketing, or HRM. In addition to job knowledge, achievement tests can measure the
applicants’ abilities. A keyboarding test is one example.
The work sampling technique, which measures how a candidate actually performs some of the
job’s basic tasks, and thus work samples are among the best predictors of job performance.
Candidate scores are compared to their actual performance to validate the test. Once validity
has been established the organization can use it for selection without having to validate it each
and every time.
Management Assessment Centres for senior management positions only. In a two- to three-day
management assessment centre, the management potential of 10 or 12 candidates is assessed
by expert appraisers observing them performing realistic management tasks. Examples of the
types of activities and exercises involved include: an in-basket exercise; a leaderless group
discussion; management games; individual presentations; objective tests; and an interview.
Legal/Ethical Concerns
There are a number of ethical and legal concerns about selection testing. A few of the key ones
include avoiding intentional or systemic discrimination on prohibited grounds and ensuring
systems are bias-free and do not have an adverse impact on members of the four designated
groups (see Appendix 7.1, p. 205 – 207). In addition selection procedures should be carefully
designed and administered to avoid liability for negligent or wrongful hiring (e.g. hiring
candidates with false credentials). Companies should avoid “fishing expeditions’ through social
media in order to avoid bring non-job related information into hiring decisions.
1. Ensuring all selection criteria and strategies are based on the job description and
specification.
2. Adequately assessing the applicant’s ability to meet performance standards or expectations.
3. Carefully scrutinizing all information supplied on application forms and résumés.
4. Obtaining written authorization for reference checking from prospective employees, and
check references carefully.
5. Save all records and information obtained about the applicant during each stage of the
selection process.
6. Reject applicants who make false statements on their application forms or résumés.
3. Describe strategies that you could use to: (a) establish rapport with an extremely
nervous candidate; (b) get an interviewee who is rambling “back on track”; (c) clarify a
statement made by an applicant during an interview; and (d) obtain detailed reference
information from an individual who seems reluctant to say much.
a) To begin the interview, I would greet him or her politely, confirming his or her name; shake
hands; introduce myself and explain my position; invite him or her to be seated in a
comfortable chair next to me and offer him or her a glass of water. Then, to help him or her
relax, I would take a few minutes to ask questions about the hobbies and interests identified
on his or her résumé and/or application form, such as interest in sports or gardening, etc., or
another nonthreatening topic such as the weather. I would then confirm that he or she has
received and has had an opportunity to read a copy of the job description and take a few
minutes to describe the job, as well as provide the candidate with the opportunity to ask
questions. If the candidate still seems to be nervous, I would take a few minutes at this point
to provide some information about the department and company as a whole, once again
providing an opportunity for questions. When the candidate seems more relaxed, I would
suggest that we get to the heart of the interview. First, I would explain the process (a semi-
structured interview involving mostly behavioural and situational questions, such that all
candidates will be asked primarily identical questions to facilitate comparison, with a few
candidate-specific job-related questions based on his or her résumé and application form). I
would also explain that I will be taking notes, and the reasons for doing so, and suggest that
he or she is welcome to take notes, as well, if so desired.
b) To get a candidate back on track, there are several techniques I could use. One is simply to
say “That’s very interesting. However, I’d like to focus more on your job-related skills. Could
you provide me with an example of a time when you . . .” Another would be to pick up on
something that the individual stated and redirect the discussion. For example: “You said that
you particularly enjoyed working for Joe. Could you please describe the characteristics that
made him such an effective supervisor?” or “You said that you particularly enjoyed working
for Joe. Could you please describe the specific knowledge and skills you acquired while
working for him that would be relevant to our _______ position?”
c) To obtain clarification, I could repeat the candidate’s statement with an upward inflection at
the end, turning it into a question. For example: “Joe was an excellent supervisor?”
Alternatively, I could simply ask the candidate to expand on his or her answer. I could also
make a statement such as “I believe you stated that . . . Have I interpreted your statement
correctly?”
d) I would reassure the reference provider that anything he or she said would be treated as
highly confidential and explain the importance to the firm of obtaining accurate, honest
reference information. If he or she seems concerned about possible legal repercussions, I
would explain the principle of “qualified privilege” (page 198). If he or she still seems
reluctant to say much, I would explain that inability to obtain reference information will mean
that we cannot offer the candidate a job.
4. Alberta oil and gas companies are using pre-employment substance abuse testing
even though it is prohibited. Their argument is that because they have multi-billion-dollar
projects underway with a lot of potential for accidents, environmental damage, and so
on, they want to be sure that they are not hiring employees who have substance abuse
problems. They know that their young, transient, and relatively wealthy oil sands
workforce commonly abuses drugs and alcohol. How could this situation be resolved in
the spirit of the law on accommodating disabilities?
This question may provoke some lively discussion. The key issue is that companies cannot
discriminate for substance abuse unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement, such as
the safety and health of other persons. In such a case, a medical examination may be
conducted after the written offer of employment as a condition of employment.
In the event, however, that an occupational requirement cannot be argued, the question arises
whether the employee is engaging in substance abuse to the point of disability. If so, the
company could provide treatment for people showing up in an impaired state.
1. Design a semi-structured interview questionnaire for a position with which you are
extremely familiar, basing the candidate-specific questions on your own résumé. Ensure
that behavioural, situational, job-knowledge, and worker-requirements questions are
included. Once you have done so, select a partner. Role-play two selection interviews –
one based on your questionnaire and the other based on your partner’s questionnaire.
The individual who wrote the questions is to play the role of interviewee, with his or her
partner serving as the interviewer. Do not forget to build rapport, ask the questions in
order, take effective notes, and bring the interview to a close. Once you have completed
the two role plays, critically evaluate each of the interview questionnaire.
Prior to developing interview questions, selection criteria must be identified and divided into two
categories: musts and wants. The wants should be weighted. To avoid the possibility of legal
challenges, all questions developed should relate directly to these criteria, including those that
are candidate-specific.
An alternate way to tackle this exercise, especially if students do not have substantial work
experience is to have them pull a job description/specification from the HRDSC NOC and use
that as a basis for developing a questionnaire.
Situational questions ask candidates to indicate how they would respond to a hypothetical
situation that could actually occur on the job. For example: On this job, it is fairly common to
encounter a customer who believes that you have charged him or her the incorrect amount for a
product – in other words, that the computer-generated price showing on the cash register is not
the price that he or she saw in the product display area. How would you handle this situation?
Behavioural questions request specific examples of past behaviour. For example, this job
requires a great deal of customer contact. Tell me about a time in one of your previous jobs
when you had to pacify a very irate customer. Please be very specific.
Job-knowledge questions assess whether candidates have the basic knowledge needed to
perform the job. Often they deal with technical aspects of the job. For example, please describe
your experience in working with computerized cash registers. Please explain how to override an
incorrect price.
The steps involved in conducting an effective interview are described on pages 194-195.
To judge the effectiveness of the interview questionnaire, the following points should be kept in
mind: (1) All questions must be directly related to the selection criteria. A helpful phrase to keep
in mind to ensure that questions focus on the job description is “This job requires . . . ” (2) Most
questions should be open-ended. (3) Questions that can be answered with one word (such as
“yes” or “no”) should be avoided. (4) Most questions should be situational and/or behavioural,
since such questions are high in validity.
Included in the offer of employment should be information regarding the job title and duties,
agreed-upon starting date and time, information about probation period and salary review date,
and information on benefits and services that will be provided. Attaching a copy of the job
description and specifications as well as the benefits plan booklet is a good strategy, since the
letter itself can then be kept fairly brief. If attached, reference should be made to these
documents in the letter of offer. The signature section should include a statement regarding
acceptance of the terms and conditions of employment as outlined in the job description and
specifications, and agreement to abide by the company’s policies and procedures.
3. Using the NOC job description and the competency job analysis you created earlier in
the course, for either a university or college professor, develop two situational and two
behavioural interview questions along with an outline of a “good” answer for each that
you expect from the interviewees. Share and critique both questions and answers.
Discuss how taking the time to complete this activity can help in candidate selection
The purpose of this exercise is to give the students practice in developing interview questions
and “good” answers based on specific job tasks. Provide students with the framework for each
type of question, e.g. “Tell me about a time when...” and “What would you do if...” using one of
their jobs as an example. Then probe for the answer they would expect to hear from a good
candidate. Have students critique each other’s questions and answers. Debrief with reference to
the value in doing this work up front. Remind them that once it is done it only needs to be
reviewed and tweaked the next time they are hiring. Remind them that knowing how to do this is
also useful to them as job applicants as they prepare for interviews.
LearnInMotion should utilize the suggested guidelines for avoiding negative legal
consequences, such as human rights complaints, liability for negligent hiring and wrongfully
dismissal suits including: ensuring that all selection criteria and strategies are based on the job
description and the job specification; adequately assessing the applicant’s ability to meet
performance standards or expectations; carefully scrutinizing all information supplied on
application forms and resumes; obtaining written authorizations for reference checking; saving
all records and information obtained about the applicant during each stage of the selection
process; rejecting applicants who make false statements on their application forms or resumes
2. Should Pierre and Jennifer utilize the multiple hurdle strategy? Why or why not?
Most firms use a sequential selection system involving a series of successive steps – a multiple
hurdle strategy where only candidates clearing a hurdle (selection techniques including pre-
screening, testing, interviewing and background/reference checking) are permitted to move onto
the next step. Clearing the hurdle requires meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements
established for that hurdle. Thus, only candidates who have cleared all of the previous hurdles
remain in contention for the position at the time that the hiring decision is being made.
3. What are some of the legal implications of a new selection process Jennifer and Pierre
need to be aware of?
Firms must ensure that all their selection procedures are free of both intentional and systemic
discrimination (see Appendix 7.1), do not have adverse impact on members of designated
groups, and avoid negligent or wrongful hiring. Consistent treatment of all candidates using
selection tools with high validity is essential for a fair and legally defensible process.
CASE INCIDENT: The Case of What Should Have Been Known (p. 204)
1. Are there any legal implications to be aware of as a result of this selection decision?
The employer has done a fairly good job in their selection process but to ensure they don’t have
this happen again they should consider using a statistical strategy where all pieces of
information regarding a candidate are checked against a formula prior to giving the job to a
specific candidate.
The employer should have checked Rita’s references as part of the final step in selection and
definitely prior to making an employment offer.
Language: Finnish
Kirj.
PANAIT ISTRATI
Anna Silfverblad
SISÄLLYS:
Esipuhe
I. Stavro
II. Kira Kiralina
III. Dragomir
ESIPUHE
Romain Rolland.
Panait Istrati.
STAVRO
»Oli miten oli!» hän huudahti ääneensä. »Enhän enää ole lapsi!…
Ja luulenpa olevani oikeutettu ajattelemaan elämästä miten haluan».
»Adrien!…»
Hän kääntyi katsomaan. Penkillä, jonka ohi hän juuri oli kulkenut,
istui mies tupakoiden. Likinäköisyys ja hämärä estivät Adrienia
tuntemasta häntä. Mies ei noussut, ja Adrien lähestyi häntä hiukan
vastahakoisesti, ja huudahti sitten riemusta:
»Stavro!…»
»Niinpä niin, Adrien, minä maksan, jollen kuole. Ja jos kuolen, niin
maksaahan piru!…»
Stavro vastusteli:
»En tiedä».
*****
»Tarkoitatko totta?…»
*****