Importance of Recruitment and Selection in leading to
Progression of the Organization
Dr. Radhika Kapur
Abstract
The processes of recruitment and selection are regarded as indispensable in leading to
effective growth and progression of the organization. In order to implement various types of
organizational tasks and activities in an appropriate manner, it is vital to make sure right
candidates are selected in the right positions at the right time. Furthermore, the candidates
need to possess the essential knowledge, competencies and abilities. In implementing these
functions, there are various factors that need to be taken into consideration. These include,
educational qualifications, competencies, aptitude, personality traits, experience, job
requirements and so forth. The candidates are required to go through various rounds of
interviews and in some cases, may even have to undertake other methods such as, written
tests, group discussions etc. before, they are finally selected. When the candidates are
selected, one of the important factors that need to be taken into consideration is, they are able
to carry out their job duties in accordance to the expectations of their employers. The main
areas that have been taken into account in this research paper are, characteristics of
recruitment and selection, recruitment and selection process, sources of recruitment and
principles of recruitment and selection.
Keywords: Candidates, Efficiency, Management, Organization, Recruitment,
Selection
Recruitment and selection constitutes the staffing function of management. It focuses
on making selection of the right candidate for the right job. Recruitment and selection
continues as the staffing function of management. Scientific selection ensures that right man
is selected for the right job. For the formation of the team, it is necessary to create a team of
capable, efficient and loyal employees and proper attention needs to be paid towards selection
of employees in an appropriate manner. When the employees are selected, it needs to ensure,
they possess the essential educational qualifications, competencies and aptitude needed to
carry out one’s job duties efficiently. Job experience is also regarded as one of the
indispensable factors that enables the individuals to become well-equipped in terms of
various aspects that are necessary to carry out one’s job duties satisfactorily (Chapter – IV.
Recruitment and Selection Process, n.d.).
Recruitment and selection are termed as processes of getting the human resources into
the organization, departments, sections and jobs. Recruitment is regarded as the art of
discovering and procuring potential applicants for actual and anticipated vacancies within the
organizations. In the process of recruitment, locating, maintaining and contacting the sources
of human resources are required to be of utmost significance. The organizations are required
to search for prospective employees, stimulate their mind-sets and encourage them to apply
for various job positions (Chapter IV. Recruitment and Selection Process, n.d.). Selection
on the other hand, is referred to the processes involving screening of the candidates and then
appointing the one, who is most suitable for the jobs, taking into consideration the needs and
requirements of the jobs. It is vital to conduct job analysis, when making selection of the
candidates. Job analysis will help in identifying, what qualifications and competencies
candidates need to possess to be recruited and selected.
Characteristics of Recruitment and Selection
Effectual and meaningful recruitment and selection policies are regarded as
appropriate measures that can save the organization from undergoing situations such as,
unproductive tests and interviews due to non-availability of right candidates in the pool of
applicants, compromising on selection of good candidates, high attrition rate, low
productivity and profitability and low levels of motivation among employees. These are the
limitations that arise as a result of inconsistencies in the policies and measures. Therefore,
when tasks and activities take place within the organization, it is vital to ensure that the
members are well-aware of methods and approaches that are required to carry out various
tasks and activities appropriately. The success of the organization is dependent to a major
extent upon the efficiency of human resources (Chapter IV. Recruitment and Selection
Process, n.d.). The characteristics of recruitment and selection have been stated as follows:
(Chapter IV. Recruitment and Selection Process, n.d.).
1. The selections of the candidates need to be made at the central place of the
organization.
2. The whole process of selection and recruitment has to be in accordance to
educational qualifications, competencies, aptitude and personality traits of the
candidates.
3. It is vital to determine the number of employees in accordance to the job
requirements and goals and objectives of the organization.
4. When the employees are recruited, the organization should not give them any kind
of assurance, which may not be followed in future.
5. The higher positions must be filled in accordance to the activity of promotions.
When the employees are performing their jobs well, it is certain that they will be
given promotional opportunities. Hence, availability of promotional opportunities
will help in recruitment and selection of employees at higher level positions.
6. It is vital to take into consideration various traits, such as, educational
qualifications, skills, capabilities, job experience, terms of service, salaries and
reimbursements, and job duties.
7. Apart from factors such as, educational qualifications, competencies and abilities,
there are other factors also that need to be taken into consideration, such as, age,
residence, religion, personality traits and communication skills. These factors are
regarded as significant in the case of jobs in various organizations.
8. The skills and abilities of the employees must be in accordance to the job
requirements. It is comprehensively understood that individuals would apply for
jobs in accordance to their interests and abilities, hence, they need to work
towards up-gradation of their skills, so they can perform their job duties in a well-
organised manner.
9. Within the organization, it is vital to work towards the opening of new posts. This
would help the human resources to acquire promotional opportunities.
Furthermore, the other individuals also would be able to apply for jobs. The
members of the organization need to work in co-ordination and integration with
each other in opening of new posts.
10. Recruitment and selection policies need to be fair and flexible. The individuals
applying for jobs are different from each other in terms of number of factors, such
as, educational qualifications, skills, personality traits, behavioural traits, socio-
economic background and so forth. Therefore, it is vital to make sure that they are
not discriminated on the basis of these factors. Though it is lawful to ensure that
educational qualifications, and competencies are suitable to the job requirements.
Recruitment and Selection Process
The recruitment and selection process needs to take into consideration various stages,
which have been stated as follows: (Recruitment and Selection, 2013).
Stage 1- Job Vacancy
This is regarded as the first and foremost stage, when there are job vacancies within
the organization, then the hiring authorities take into consideration the aspects that are
necessary to fill up vacancies. In the case of occurrence of job vacancies, it is vital to conduct
an analysis of factors, due to which vacancies take place. The common factors are leaves and
suspensions. The leaves may take place due to various reasons, such as, personal problems,
getting new employment opportunities, migrating to another city or country and so forth.
When the job vacancies exist the hiring authorities make an attempt to implement certain
aspects to facilitate the recruitment of well-qualified and experienced candidates. There are
cases, when the potential candidates are recruited from within. In this manner, there can be a
reduction in recruitment and the existing employees observe that there is a potential career
path within the organization.
Stage 2- Job Analysis
Job analysis is regarded as one of the indispensable factors, when recruitment and
selection of candidates takes place. It is vital to conduct an analysis of job needs and
requirements. The job analysis helps the employers to identify the potentials, competencies
and capabilities that the employees should possess in order to carry out their job duties in a
satisfactory manner. In various jobs, the individuals are not meant to perform just one job
duty but several job duties. For instance, in higher educational institutions, heads and
directors are required to perform various job duties, such as, participating in the management
and administrative functions, formulating lesson plans, organizing seminars and workshops,
organizing discussion meetings, giving lectures, and so forth. In organizations, managers and
supervisors too may have to perform more than one job duty. Therefore, job analysis helps in
identifying not only the requirements of the job, but also the educational qualifications,
competencies and aptitude that are necessary to carry out their job duties in a well-organized
manner.
Stage 3- Attracting Candidates
In order to attract candidates in various job positions, the organizations need to put
advertisements in newspapers and on the websites. In the advertisements, they need to clearly
state in terms of the jobs and what qualifications and skills are required on the part of the
candidates. In attracting candidates, the major factors that need to be taken into consideration
are, educational qualifications, work experience, skills and knowledge, physical attributes,
communication skills and personality traits. When the candidates look at the advertisements,
and feel that they are suitable for the jobs, they apply. Organizations normally accept number
of applications. The hiring authorities look at the applications and then call the candidates for
interview purposes. There are two forms of recruitment, i.e. internal and external recruitment.
Internal recruitment takes place from within the organization. On the other hand, external
recruitment takes place through various sources, such as, websites, local newspapers, trade
journals, recruitment agencies, consultants, employment fairs and seminars.
Stage 4 Screening Candidates
The screening process is referred to the narrowing down of the field. When the
organizations receive large number of applications, they need to screen the applications and
make decisions in terms of the candidates, who need to be called for interview. In some of the
organizations, the interview is conducted on telephone as well. This will help in identifying,
which candidates would be suitable. When the hiring authorities communicate with the