Question No. 1: (LO1) (5 x2=10 Marks)

Case Study

About a year ago, The times of Oman began looking for a new managing editor for its home and garden magazine. The previous editor retired after 25 years on the job. The editors and the HR department debated about the key requirements for a new managing editor. Some felt it was knowledge of the business, others thought it was interpersonal skills. A few others believed it was the ability to attract writing talent and subscribers. Finally, it was decided that HR would screen candidates, and the editors would interview finalists in conjunction with HR. The HR director would make the final choice to avoid competition among the editors.

Advertisements were placed nationally. A number of candidates were tested and interviewed by the HR manager, and references were checked. After a long search, a new managing editor, Hamdan, was hired, but it quickly became apparent that a poor selection had been made. Although Hamdan was competent, his overbearing management style drove two talented editors to leave for jobs with competitors. Hamdan fulfilled all tasks of the position except soliciting writers and subscribers. In addition, Hamdan offered no ideas or direction about increasing circulation. After 10 months, the publisher let Hamdan go and began looking for a new managing editor.

This time, the firm wants to find someone who is willing to tackle all tasks of the position and who has the right skills and personality mix. The firm wants someone who can start quickly and doesn't require significant training. The ability to innovate is less critical than the motivation to work hard. Recruiting funds are very limited.

Multiple Choice Questions: Choose the Right answer from the options provided for the following questions:

1) The Times of Oman is involved in the process of ensuring that her firm has the right number of people with the right skills to meet customer demand. The Times of Oman is most likely engaged in:

A) HR benchmarking.

B) HR planning.

C) Recruiting.

D) Selecting

2) The firm most likely made a poor selection decision because of an inability to:

A) Agree on important job characteristics.

B) Attract an adequate pool of qualified applicants.

C) Decide who would make the selection decision.

D) Decide what recruiting source was best to use.

3) Which of the following is most likely true given the problems associated with Hamdan?

A) HR should have administered a personality test as part of the selection process.

B) Line personnel should have been more involved in the final selection decision.

C) HR should have conducted more thorough reference and background checks.

D) The firm should have taken an applicant-centered approach to recruiting.

4) Based on Hamdans performance, it is most likely that the employer failed to properly assess

Hamdans:

A) Abilities.

B) Cognitive skills.

C) General knowledge of the publishing business.

D) Motivation for doing the job for which he was hired.

5) The best selection tool for helping The Times of Oman to identify organizational fit as well as job

skill and knowledge, would most likely be:

A) Ability tests.

B) Personality tests.

C) Unstructured interviews.

D) Assessment centers.