AS Level 2.1.3 • Strategy Workshop
The Recruitment Process
Master the strategic difference between finding the right JOB vs finding the right PERSON
📚 THE CORE DOCUMENTS
Job Description (JD)
About the JOB ITSELF
- • Job title & department
- • Main duties & responsibilities
- • Salary & working hours
- • Reporting structure (who they report to)
Person Specification (PS)
About the IDEAL CANDIDATE
- • Required qualifications
- • Skills & experience needed
- • Personal attributes
- • Desirable characteristics
🔄 RECRUITMENT METHODS
INTERNAL RECRUITMENT
Filling vacancies from WITHIN the business (promotion, transfer)
ADVANTAGES:
- ✅ Fast & cheap process
- ✅ Employee already knows culture
- ✅ Motivates staff (career progression)
- ✅ Known quantity (proven performance)
DISADVANTAGES:
- ❌ Limited talent pool
- ❌ No fresh ideas from outside
- ❌ Creates another vacancy
- ❌ May cause resentment among colleagues
EXTERNAL RECRUITMENT
Hiring from OUTSIDE via agencies, LinkedIn, job boards, newspapers
ADVANTAGES:
- ✅ Wider talent pool
- ✅ Fresh ideas & perspectives
- ✅ New skills from other industries
- ✅ No internal politics
DISADVANTAGES:
- ❌ Expensive (agency fees 15-20% of salary)
- ❌ Slow process (2-3 months)
- ❌ Cultural fit unknown (RISK)
- ❌ May demotivate existing staff
💻 DIGITAL RECRUITMENT (MODERN)
- AI Filtering: Software scans CVs for keywords (e.g., "Python", "5 years experience"). Risk: May reject great candidates who word CV differently.
- LinkedIn Headhunting: Recruiters search for passive candidates (not actively looking). Expensive but accesses hidden talent.
- Social Media Screening: Checking candidates' Facebook/Twitter. Legal issues around privacy and discrimination.
⚠️ EXAMINER TRAP ALERT
Students often say "Internal is always cheaper" - but if the promoted employee needs training for the new role, costs can exceed external hiring! Always consider CONTEXT.
🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS (AO1-AO3)
- AO1: JD = Job details. PS = Candidate requirements. Internal = from within. External = from outside.
- AO2: Context matters: Google needs innovation (external). Family firm needs loyalty (internal).
- AO3: Chain: External hire → $20k cost → BUT fresh ideas → +15% revenue → Net benefit $50k+
- AO4: "It depends on..." business culture, growth stage, budget constraints, urgency of hire.
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