Selection

ACCA - F1   ACCOUNTANT  IN  BUSINESS

Selection is the process of choosing the successful applicant.

Selection process follows standard order of operation:

Ø  Preparing for selection: Selection involves deciding members of selection panel, training for members on equal opportunities selection, designing selection procedures/programs, shortlisting, communicating, following reference and writing offer to successful candidate.

Ø  Equal opportunities in selection: The selection procedure should adopt anti-discrimination approach against sex, age, religion, race and disabilities, and provide equal opportunities to all applicants.

Ø  The selection panel - The panel should be set up at the beginning of the selection process and ideally the same group of people should follow through from shortlisting to interviewing to decision-making to appointment. This is very important to ensure consistency and fairness as well as effectiveness and efficiency.

Ø  Shortlisting: Criteria under job description and person specification are matched with applicant's (application form and CV) information and small number of candidate from the applicant's population is selected for written and oral examinations. Shortlisted candidates should be provided with information regarding date, time and place of interview.

Ø  Selection method - Selection method involves assessment and interview. The tests carried out reveal intelligence, proficiency, aptitude, psychometric, medical state, psychological and personality of candidate appearing in assessment and interview.

o   Assessment -Candidates are assessed in many different ways. They are group discussion, written test, role play exercise, self-appraisal, peer rating speeches, games, simulations, questionnaires and presentations.

o   Interviewing -Interview aids to assessment process. Interviews are more reliable and effective when the interviewers have had training and preparation for their task and when the interviews are well planned and structured. The different type of interview in practice are face to face, group interview, succession of interviews, problem solving, panel interview and stress (aggressive) interview.

Ø  Making decision - After completion of selection method panel should make first list choice and second list choice and inform management about the choice and process involved.

Ø  Letter of offer - Successful candidate is informed verbally followed up with letter of appointment offering him/her the position.

Staff Selection and Interviewing

ACCA Article: Equal opportunities