The Selection Process (AQA GCSE Business)

Methods of Selection

Shortlisting

• Before selecting a new employee for an advertised role, a business identifies applicants whose qualifications, skills, personal qualities and experience best match the job description and person specification

• The process of selecting prospective candidates for interview or other selection procedures is called shortlisting

• A shortlist is a collection or list of the most well suited candidates for the role

  • A careful comparison with the job description and person specification is made

• Shortlists are essential for sorting through large volumes of applications

Selection methods

• Business use a combination of methods to make a choice between job applicants on the shortlist

  • The methods of selection chosen differ according to the level of the role

    • For senior level vacancies, selection activities can take weeks and involve very detailed assessments

    • Low-level roles may simply involve a short interview

Diagram: Common Selection Methods

Businesses commonly use interviews to select their chosen candidate along with testing, portfolios and gathering references
 

• Businesses sometimes make use of assessment centres to evaluate applications for senior roles

  • Applicants are given a role play of a work situation and have to deal with it

    • Specialist assessors evaluate candidates based on their competency and their ability to cope up with the situation

  • Psychometric tests assess personality traits and identify candidates who are the best fit for the business