Recruitment & Selection of Employees (AQA GCSE Business): Flashcards

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  • Define recruitment.

Cards in this collection (49)

  • Define recruitment.

    Recruitment is the process of attracting and identifying potential job candidates who are suitable for a particular role.

  • Why do vacancies arise in a business?

    Vacancies arise when a business is first established, when it grows or diversifies into new markets, when workers leave or when it reorganises.

  • The details of the recruitment process vary between businesses, depending on factors such as the urgency of the role, the ____ for advertising and the time available.

    The details of the recruitment process vary between businesses, depending on factors such as the urgency of the role, the budget for advertising and the time available.

  • Define internal recruitment.

    Internal recruitment is the appointment of a suitable candidate who already works for the business.

  • Where are vacancies for existing staff usually advertised?

    They are usually advertised in business newsletters, on staff noticeboards or through internal email or the intranet. Line managers may also recommend suitable candidates after appraisals.

  • How can recruiting from within the business harm working relationships?

    It can lead to conflict or resentment between the successful and rejected candidates, which may reduce their motivation.

  • Why can promoting an existing employee create a staffing problem?

    When an employee is promoted or redeployed, a further vacancy is created in their old role, which then needs to be filled as well.

  • Define external recruitment.

    External recruitment is where a new employee is appointed from outside the business.

  • True or False?

    Internal recruitment is usually cheaper and quicker than external recruitment.

    True.

    It is cheaper and quicker to promote or redeploy existing staff, and they need little induction training because they already know the business's culture and processes.

  • What is the main benefit of appointing a candidate from outside the business?

    It brings new skills, experiences and ideas into the business.

  • True or False?

    External recruitment is less risky than internal recruitment.

    False.

    External recruitment carries a greater degree of uncertainty, because external candidates are unknown to the business. It is also often more expensive.

  • How does effective recruitment help to reduce staff turnover?

    Businesses that recruit well tend to retain staff, which saves the cost of advertising vacancies and training new employees.

  • Applicants who have a positive experience during recruitment may pass on their impressions to others, which enhances the ______ brand.

    Applicants who have a positive experience during recruitment may pass on their impressions to others, which enhances the employer brand.

  • How can recruiting people from a range of backgrounds benefit a business?

    The workforce better represents the customer base, which can lead to improved decision-making and more relevant innovation.

  • What is the first stage of the recruitment process?

    The recruitment process starts by defining the role that the business wants applicants to apply for.

  • Once applications have been received, a manager or HR employee draws up a _______ of candidates to invite to interview.

    Once applications have been received, a manager or HR employee draws up a shortlist of candidates to invite to interview.

  • Define job analysis.

    Job analysis is the initial part of the recruitment process, in which vacancies are identified, their main tasks are determined and the skills of the ideal candidate are defined.

  • Define job description.

    A job description is a document that details the features of the job, such as its duties, hours, location, responsibilities and pay and conditions.

  • Define person specification.

    A person specification is a document that details the essential and desirable characteristics of the person suitable for the job, such as their qualifications, experience and skills.

  • True or False?

    The job description and person specification are written after the job has been advertised.

    False.

    They are written before a business starts to look for new employees, to set out the job role and the ideal candidate to fill it.

  • What is an advantage of asking candidates to complete an application form?

    All applicants provide identical information in the same format, so their applications are easy to compare.

  • What is a drawback for a business of asking applicants to send a curriculum vitae (CV)?

    CVs have no single format, so comparing them can take time and lengthen the recruitment process.

  • True or False?

    A CV is usually sent with a letter of application.

    True.

    A letter of application outlines why the applicant wants the job and why they would be suitable for the advertised role.

  • Define headhunting.

    Headhunting is when an agency makes attractive approaches to highly-qualified specialists with the desired skills, experience or knowledge, charging a significant fee once a candidate is appointed.

  • Low-level vacancies can be advertised free of charge in government-funded _________.

    Low-level vacancies can be advertised free of charge in government-funded job centres.

  • What is a drawback of using an employment agency to recruit staff?

    The agency charges a recruitment fee when the business appoints a candidate.

  • Why might a business advertise a vacancy in a specialist trade publication?

    These magazines and newsletters are read by professionals in a particular industry, so the advert reaches people with relevant experience.

  • True or False?

    Newspaper advertising is a cheap way to recruit, but it cannot be targeted.

    False.

    Newspaper adverts are relatively expensive, but they can be highly targeted, such as at local candidates through regional newspapers.

  • Define shortlisting.

    Shortlisting is the process of selecting the most suitable applicants for the next stage of selection, by comparing them with the job description and person specification.

  • Why are shortlists essential in the selection process?

    Shortlists help a business to sort through large volumes of applications.

  • Define interview.

    An interview is a structured meeting between a candidate and a potential employer, held to assess the candidate's qualifications, skills, experience and suitability for the role.

  • True or False?

    The selection methods a business uses depend on the level of the role.

    True.

    Selection for senior roles can take weeks and involve very detailed assessments, while low-level roles may simply involve a short interview.

  • What can pre-employment tests tell an employer about a candidate?

    Tests can assess a candidate's integrity, aptitude or specific skills, and their problem-solving and critical thinking, giving an idea of their potential.

  • When is a portfolio most commonly used in selection?

    Portfolios are most commonly used for creative or artistic roles, where candidates submit a selection of their best work for recruiters to review.

  • Define referee.

    A referee is a person who vouches for a candidate's skills, work ethic and overall suitability for the position.

  • Referees should know a candidate in a __________ capacity and be able to speak positively about their abilities.

    Referees should know a candidate in a professional capacity and be able to speak positively about their abilities.

  • Where are a candidate's referees usually listed?

    Referees are usually listed on the candidate's application form or CV.

  • Define assessment centre.

    An assessment centre is a selection method, often used for senior roles, in which specialist assessors evaluate how candidates deal with a role play of a work situation.

  • True or False?

    Psychometric tests are used to measure a candidate's technical job skills.

    False.

    Psychometric tests assess personality traits to identify the candidates who are the best fit for the business.

  • Define full-time employment.

    Full-time employment is when an employee works the total number of hours the company considers to be full-time in a week, which in the UK is usually 35 hours or more.

  • What is one benefit of a full-time contract for an employee?

    A full-time contract provides a steady income and financial stability, often with benefits such as pension plans and paid time off.

  • Why might an employer prefer to employ full-time staff?

    Full-time staff are typically more committed to the business's success, and they work a standard number of hours, so scheduling work is straightforward.

  • Define job sharing.

    Job sharing is the process of breaking up one role into two part-time contracts.

  • True or False?

    Part-time contracts benefit employees but not employers.

    False.

    Part-time staff give employers flexibility, as their hours can be changed to meet business needs, and they often cost less in wages and benefits.

  • Part-time workers are often a good source of candidates for ______ recruitment.

    Part-time workers are often a good source of candidates for internal recruitment.

  • Why might an employee choose a part-time contract?

    Part-time work offers more flexibility and a better work-life balance, which suits students, parents and people with other commitments.

  • Define casual contract.

    A casual contract is one where the employee works whenever the business needs them, such as for a season or a set length of time.

  • Define zero hours contract.

    A zero hours contract is where an employee agrees to be available for work as and when required, with no set number of hours or times of work.

  • True or False?

    Zero hours contracts are controversial in the UK.

    True.

    Trade unions and the media have accused some businesses of using them to exploit workers.

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