Reliability and Validity of Recruiting Process

Application forms and/or résumés

Description of Objectives

Reviewing resumes or application forms are the first step of selection process. The primary purpose of application form or resumes is to pre-screen and pre-qualify applicants based on information provided by candidates. Employers also utilize background information about the applicant to facilitate productive interviews.

How the tool contributes to assessment of suitability

Resume with CV is a convenient yet cost effective tool for employers or to access job applicant’s educations, skills, abilities and accomplishments. It provides insight of candidate’s educational level, past/current employment history and relevant skills related to open positions.  

Each resumes and CV is unique and often reflects on candidate’s characteristic. Employers or recruiters assume that information provided on resume is linked to their mental abilities or personal characteristics.

Application form, in another hand, can help to gather information about the applicant's credentials that candidates would not usually include in a resume or cover letter. Such as reasons why the applicant left the employ of a prior employer, felony or misdemeanor crime convictions, and names and contact information for immediate supervisors for reference purpose.

Reliability

• This initial step of selection process considered to be unreliable compared to other screening practices.
• The way each recruiter screens resumes or applications vary from one another. Some might focus on the communication style and the flow and some are rather focus on candidate’s credentials.
• As each recruiter is different, they make inconsistent judgement of resumes and vary in how they evaluate different applicants.

Validity

• Resume screening is less valid compared to other screening tools. As mentioned above, quality and accuracy of information provided on resume is low. Candidates can claim they have right skills and experiences required for the position but doesn’t necessary mean they do.
• Different recruiters tend to look for or focus on different information that verifies their expectations.

Employment tests

Description of Objectives 

Pre-employment tests are used to screen job applicants. It is the practice of administering written, oral, or other tests as a means of determining the suitability or desirability of a job applicant. Employment test are designed to provide relevant information on a job applicant's ability to perform in the workplace. Pre-employment tests have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to filter and manage large applicant pools.