HR Case question practice

Case Question Sample XYZ Company (Note: In all cases, make sure you keep your discussions related to course content.)

XYZ Company experienced progressive growth. It used to manufacture radios and power amplifiers but recently it expanded and began to manufacture transformers for the broadcast and communications industries. The explosive demand for electrical products of all kinds created many opportunities for new products and diversification. During these years, XYZ became a leading supplier of transformers for the electrical and electronic industries.

XYZ Company expanded its focus on the U.S. and International markets to become an international transformer supplier. It formed several strategic alliances with U.S. and European companies to broaden its customer market.

You started to XYZ in May, 2010 as an HR assistant. Part of your role at that time was to input data into the companys human resources information systems database. The database captures the training skills and development needs of its employees.

It is now March 2, 2013. The economy is on a downswing and business is lagging. One of your major competitors was unable to repay its debt to the bank and other creditors and had to close its operations in Europe and Canada. This closure has been a blessing for XYZ Company and its employees. Orders increased by 10% over the last year and the company needs to hire new sales reps and production supervisors.

Case Part 1 :

You are now XYZs chief human resources (HR) officer at XYZ Company. Stephen Biggs, the Director of Marketing and Sales, called you to a meeting to discuss his sales rep needs. By the end of the meeting, it is agreed that 4 new sales reps will be hired: 1 to service Western Canada; 1 in Quebec; 1 in Ontario and 1 to service the eastern United States. Stephen needs to hire his sales reps by June 1, 2013. The recruitment budget is set at $2,500. Stephen contacted you asking if you could assist him in the selection process. It is now March 2, 2013. In the meantime, Stephen has also expressed concern that the job description for the sales rep may not be up to date he asked you to make sure they were updated before new people were hired.

a. Identify two recruitment methods you would consider first to fill the vacancies. Justify your choice. Consider the budget and time constraints mentioned above. (4 marks)

b. Take any one of the two recruitment methods you identified in (a) identify one advantage and one disadvantage of that method. (2 marks)

c. Identify two other methods you would use to recruit for this position. Justify your choices of method and state assumptions you make. (4 marks)

d. Identify three possible selection criteria for the sale rep position and provide justification for each. (6 marks)

e. After the recruitment process is completed, you have 300 resumes for the job. Identify two steps you would take to screen applicants. State why you would use each step (4 marks)

f. The list of qualified candidates has been narrowed down to 10. The Director of Marketing and Sales asks you to set up a panel interview. Identify four positions that you think should be represented at the panel interview. Justify your selection of each position (4 marks)

g. Identify one selection test that you think would be directly relevant to hiring the sales rep. State any assumptions you make. Describe what the test you recommend would measure (2 marks)

h. Identify two costs that would be incurred by XYZ if they selected an unqualified sales rep. for the job. (2 marks)

i. Name and describe two methods you would use to do a job analysis to update the job descriptions for new sales reps. Justify why you would use these methods. (3 marks)

j. Your new sales reps will need training. Name and describe two things you would do to conduct a needs analysis for the new reps.