Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Selecting the best person for the job has been shown to be very important for both the organisation and the individual. This unit examines the empirical evidence, which demonstrates the most effective techniques for recruiting and selecting the best person. It builds upon the job analysis that was conducted previously, and builds a tailored recruitment and selection package. Common recruitment and selection techniques are covered, emphasising the validity and reliability of each technique, to enable the best strategies to be developed. This unit addresses key themes of strategy and professional practice skills.

Aims

This unit aims to help students develop both the knowledge and practical skills necessary to design reliable, valid, equitable, and appropriate personnel recruitment and selection techniques to improve the effectiveness of organisational staffing processes.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)
The Faculty of Business has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)

1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)

4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding

Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the recruitment process, from both the perspective of the organisation and the individual
2. Evaluate and critique the selection process, in relation to the full range of personnel selection techniques that are available
3. Demonstrate practical skills in evaluating and improving the effectiveness of commonly used personnel selection techniques (e.g. interviews)
4. Apply relevant theories to an employment situation
5. Demonstrate advanced research and presentation skills
6. Exhibit advanced analytical skills
7. Effectively participate in a team, contribute to production of group outputs and reflect on team performance

The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

• Contemporary Issues in Recruitment and Selection


• Job analysis


• Recruitment (organisational perspective) & Recruitment (individual perspective)


• Short listing & Personal data


• Psychological Testing (cognitive ability and personality)


• Selection interviews & Interview skills


• Work samples and Assessment Centres


• The overall personnel selection process


• Other personnel selection techniques & links to wider HRM issues


• Reviewing and modifying existing processes

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

We use a combination of lectures and tutorials. The lectures present information and highlight contemporary issues in the field. The tutorials are designed to encourage you to actively participate in the development of your recruitment and selection project documentation and analysis and receive feedback as you progress. Tutorial activities may include group discussions, case studies, guest speakers, audio-visual presentations, and role plays. You will attend six two-hour tutorials during the semester.

Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:

• Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation


• Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary


• Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation


• Indirect: to whole class

Assessment name: Recruitment Strategy Report
Description: Design an appropriate recruitment strategy for an organisation and job of your choice or using one provided in class.
Length/Duration: 1000 words
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 5

Assessment name: Selection Technique Fact Sheet
Description: Prepare a Fact Sheet which provides a rationale and critical analysis for the use of a selection technique in a specific organisational context.
Length/Duration: Two pages in desired format
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 2, 3, 4, 5 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 8 - 10

Assessment name: Selection Package Project
Description: Groups will develop and document the recruitment and selection process most appropriate for a position of their choice or previously analysed in a case study by a group member in the pre-requisite unit Performance and Reward. Group members will reflect upon their performance as a team and conduct a peer evaluation process. The total mark of 40% is based on a group mark of 30% and 10% based on each individual's result from the peer evaluation process.
Length/Duration: 1500 words, excluding appendices and references
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), TW (4.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Text
Gatewood, R. D., Feild, H. S., & Barrick, M. (2008). Human resource selection (6th edn.). Australia: Thomson South-Western.

Required References
See unit Blackboard site for other resources.

Other Resources
Additional references can be found on the unit's Blackboard site.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 22-May-2012