Business Revision Guide: 3.4

• recruitment

  the process of finding people to work in a new or established business
• internal method


  includes notice boards, word of mouth, company website and emails to staff
• external method


  includes websites, newspaper, social media and specialist magazines
• skill gap

  when a business recruits skilled workers because it is short of them
• job description

  a list of the main duties, tasks and responsibilities of a worker
• person specification


  a list of the qualities, qualifications and knowledge that a person should have to do a particular job
• selection


  the process of choosing between applicants for a job
• why businesses recruit:

  • employees needed when starting up a business
  • employees needed when growing a business
  • to fill a skills gap
  • to replace employees who have left
• internal advantages:

  • cheaper
  • less training
  • motivated
  • quicker
• internal disadvantages:

  • lack of skills / ideas
  • less applicants
  • conflict
• external advantages:

  • range of skills
  • more experience
  • more applicants
  • new ideas
• external disadvantages:

  • expensive
  • induction training
  • may not fit in with workforce
• letter of application:

  applicant uses this to explain why they think they are suitable for the jobs

  It's helpful to see how well the applicants information is put together
• CV:

  summary of personal details, qualifications and experience
• application form:

  the business can specify the information it needs and all applicants fill in the same form

  it's a good way to compare them
• interview:

  the business asks questions of the applicants

  it's good for finding out what they have to say and judging their personality and communication skills
• tests and presentations:

  checks on applicant's ability for specific skills e.g. typing

  the presentation enables the applicants to show their ideas and communication skills
• reference:

  a statement from a previous employer to give information about work done by an applicant and how well they did their job
• group activities:

  applicants work on a task together

  good for showing their team working skills
• internal media:

  • email
  • noticeboard or company magazine
• external media:

  • local newspapers
  • national newspapers
  • specialist magazines
  • job centre
• internal and external media:

  • website
  • social media
  • word of mouth