Ch 7: Selection I: Applicant Screening

A company screening job applicants wants the relationship between the actual number of people hired and the number who applied for a position to yield 0.10. What is this proportion of applicants called?

the selection ratio

OMC wants the relationship between the actual number of MOAs hired and the number of MOAs who applied for the position to yield 0.05. What is this proportion of applicants called?

the selection ratio

Why would OMC want to implement a well-developed applicant screening process?

to be efficient in applicant processing and have cost and time savings

What would be OMC's purpose for conducting a screening interview for MOAs?

to clarify the minimum MOA requirements

Which of the following designated target groups is NOT protected by the federal government's Employment Equity Act?

transgendered individuals

What should OMC NOT do during a reference check?

ask concise and closed-ended questions

If you had 500 applicants for 10 positions, what is the selection ratio?

2 percent

The MOA reference check questions are designed to obtain standardized information on all the MOA applicants. Which of the following is NOT an example of this type of question?

Can you tell me about the applicant's strengths and weaknesses?

A weighted application blank is a form used by job candidates to provide an employer with basic information about their knowledge, skills, education, or other job-related information.

False

Individuals who are predicted to perform successfully for a given position, but who do not perform as satisfactorily when placed on the job, are referred to as false negatives.

False

Recruitment involves identifying individuals from the applicant pool who have minimum qualifications for the targeted position.

False

Reference checks generally take place early in the screening process as a way to reduce the applicant pool.

False

Screening begins before the Human Resources Department receives the application.

False

Screening must be done with great care as this process is often prone to errors. There can be false negatives, which means individuals who are predicted to perform successfully for a given position do not perform at satisfactory levels when placed on the job.

False

Screening seeks to find a sufficient number of qualified applicants.

False

Selection identifies whether candidates who applied for a position meet minimum requirements.

False

The first impression created by the résumé is not a factor in screening.

False

WABs are particularly effective in predicting overall job performance.

False

What is the minimum MOA qualification OMC should screen for?

Grade 12

According to the textbook, which of the following section headings is NOT used in writing an effective business résumé?

Job Goals and Objectives

Which of the following describes the result of a research study that examined the relationship between recruiters' evaluations of candidates based on Facebook profiles and candidates' subsequent performance on the job?

No relationship was found between recruiter ratings and candidate job performance.

Why would OMC be concerned about false negative errors?

OMC would be concerned about potential litigation and loss of employees' competitive skills.

Why should employers be cautious regarding the use of biodata?

Results may be inaccurate because of gender and race differences.

Which of the following does NOT enhance the predictive value of reference checks?

The applicant is the same gender and ethnicity as the supervisor on the previous job.

Before any screening tool is used, it should be reviewed with respect to human rights legislation.

True

Employers can use orientation and mentoring programs to inculcate the normative expectations and culture for new employees who may have previous work experience.

True

It is important to look for career regression and unexplained gaps in work or education when reviewing a résumé from a potential applicant.

True

Reference checks gather information about a job candidate from that applicant's supervisors, coworkers, clients, or other referees. Gathering this requires the written consent of the applicant.

True

Reference checks require a job applicant's consent for an employer to gather information about the candidate from any referees.

True

Reference information is usually collected through telephone interviews with the referees by using a checklist of job-related questions.

True

Screening is the first step of the selection process. It involves identifying individuals from the applicant pool who have minimum qualifications for the targeted position.

True

Screening refers to the early stages of a sequential selection process in which applicants that meet the selection criteria are selected for further consideration and more assessment.

True

The intent of the résumé is to introduce the job applicant to the organization through a brief, accurate, written self-description.

True

Weighted application blanks are developed in relation to criterion measures of performance established for current and previous employees.

True

Which method is used to determine whether an applicant meets the minimum requirements for the job?

application form

Which screening methods could OMC consider?

application forms, résumés, cover letters, and reference checks

Which screening method could OMC use to screen for written communication skills?

a cover letter

OMC is aware that the screening process can be subjective and susceptible to errors. The organization is particularly concerned about MOAs who have the qualifications but may be eliminated mistakenly. What is this error called?

a false negative

Scribe Engineering, an information technology company, recently made a costly screening error when it underestimated the potential of a software engineer, resulting in a no-hire decision. The applicant accepted a position with a competing organization and developed a new, leading-edge software, taking away substantial market share from Scribe Engineering. What is this error called?

a false negative

What screening method would you use to screen for a lifeguard's CPR certification?

an application form

Which electronic standardized screening method could OMC use for MOAs?

an online application form

Which condition is required to establish predictive validity for a WAB?

benchmark jobs in similar organizations

When collecting information on an application, what information must a potential employer demonstrate to be valid?

bona fide occupational requirements

Which of the following is NOT a commonly used screening method?

testing

Which of the following would be important information to require on the MOA application form?

educational background

What does a biographical information blank include?

educational experiences, hobbies, life experiences

Which method determines if an applicant is most qualified for the job?

employment testing and employment interview

Which concept refers to individuals who are predicted to perform successfully in a given position but who do not perform at satisfactory levels when placed on the job?

false positive

Refer to Scenario 7-1. The doctors at OMC have often used a rough and quick hiring interview process in selecting MOAs. They are not clear on the distinction between a screening interview and a selection interview. Which of the following best defines screening?

identifying individuals from the applicant pool who have minimum qualifications for the targeted position

Which of the following is NOT one of the four groups designated in the federal government's Employment Equity Act?

immigrants

Which term refers to the amount of knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience required for minimally acceptable job performance?

minimum qualifications

Which term refers to a situation where an employer places an unfit or unqualified person in an employment situation that puts others at an unreasonable risk of harm?

negligent hiring

What are screening procedures designed to do?

reduce the number of job applicants

What are the screening procedures at OMC designed to do?

reduce the number of job applicants

How would OMC screen for the minimum educational qualifications of an MOA?

school transcripts or certificates

What concept refers to the proportion of applicants who are hired for one or more positions?

selection ratio

Which term is defined as the relationship between the actual number of people hired and the number who applied for a position, expressed in terms of a proportion?

selection ratio

What does the STAR method represent?

situation, time, action, result

What is an example of the knowledge, skill, abilities, and other attributes outlined in the MOA job advertisement?

skill in written and oral communication

In creating a résumé, applicants who want to encourage a positive impression among résumé screeners should include which of the following?

specific examples of accomplishments

Which of the following terms is defined as the correlation between assessment scores and job performance measures?

validity coefficient