Discussion Question 5-2 (50 points)
The Johnston Manufacturing Company, home-based in Atlanta, Georgia, has just opened a new division in Birmingham, Alabama. They have completed their recruitment and are now ready to assess their chosen candidates. First, they must review their current assessment methods to determine if they are up-to-date. Some HR employees are wondering why go to all the trouble of sometimes costly and time-consuming assessments when there are no guarantees they will result in a successful hire. The HR Director will need a cogent response to this potential objection. Then, they need to decide whether they will use structured or unstructured interviews and to what extent they will research applicants’ backgrounds. Answer the following questions related to their assessment of candidates:
1. When should employers reassess the assessment methods they use in hiring?
2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both structured and unstructured interviews. Which would you prefer to use? Why?
3. Why go to all the trouble of sometimes costly and time-consuming assessments when there are no guarantees they will result in a successful hire?
4. Do you think that it is appropriate for employers to research applicants’ backgrounds? What about credit histories? Substantiate your answer.