Text 3 The Employee Selection Process

After people have applied for a job to the firm, employment specialists begin the selection process. Each stage of the process is harder for the applicant than the one before. The applicant can be rejected at any stage.

Initial Screening. The first two stages in the selection process – the preliminary interview and the employment application form – make up the initial screening. The preliminary interview tends to be rather short, often less than fifteen minutes. It is designed to weed out obviously unqualified candidates.

Employment Tests. After initial screening, an applicant may be asked to take one or more employment tests. These tests may measure general intelligence and knowledge, aptitude for the work, skill levels, work interests, and personality. Some tests show how well the person can perform job tasks. Three new types of employment tests are often used nowadays: drug, AIDS, and honesty tests.

Selection Interview. The most widely used tool in hiring decisions is the selection interview. It is an in-depth discussion of the applicant’s work experience, skills and abilities, education, and personal interests. For a managerial or professional position, the applicant might be interviewed for more than an hour by several people. A traditional sort of question asked in a selection interview might be “Why would you like to work for our company?” Interviewers are trained to ask follow-up questions and to record not only what a candidate says but whether he or she squirms – or lights up with enthusiasm.

Reference Checks. Most employers try to check applicants’ background and references. They at least try to check applicants’ current employment and salary. Many request transcripts to check courses taken and grade-point average.

Physical Examination. The physical exam is the final step in the employee selection process. Not all companies require it, but those that do, cite several reasons. In the largest organizations, the exam is usually performed by their own medical department.

6. Выберите утверждения, соответствующие содержанию текста:

1) Initial screening	a) is a selection process;
	b) includes three stages;
	c) is a hard experience for the applicant.
2) Employment tests	a) are very difficult;
	b) measure general knowledge and aptitude for the work;
	c) are seldom used nowadays.
3) Job interviews	a) may be of two types: preliminary and selection;
	b) require preparation;
	c) are followed by application letters.
4) Reference checks	a) are a rare thing nowadays;
	b) are allowed by federal laws;
	c) are necessary to be sure everything is all right with applicants’ background and experience.
5) Physical Examination	a) isn’t always required;
	b) is the final step in the employee selection process;
	c) is performed by outside doctors.

7. Расскажите на английском языке об основных этапах отбора служащих на работу. Какие из них иногда игнорируются?

8. Прежде чем принять предложение работодателя, тщательно все обдумайте и ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1) Do the job and the employer fit your skills, interests, and lifestyle?

2) Will you have the chance to develop your talents and move up within the organization?

3) Is the employer offering a competitive salary and benefits (льготы) package?

4) Will the employer provide you with the tools needed to be successful on the job?

5) Is the job location a good match for your lifestyle and your pocketbook?