In general I believe some information is not relevant in the form and the layout of where each section is could be switched around. Apart from that, that layout style and the techniques used are professional and suite the type of document.
Job Description – The document uses bullet points, which gives the document a smart professional look. The document is short, simple and precise. The necessary information is mentioned however because it is simplified in bullet points, etc, there could be important information missed out. An example of important information that was missed out is that who to report. This is very important as this will not inform the applicants about who their line manager is, who they should report to and what their position is within the business therefore this job description should have more relevant information. The language used in this job description is very formal and straight to the point however as I mentioned above more relevant information may be required. The layout of the job description is very clear and the language used is easily understood and many applicants may find this sort of layout more manageable to read as paragraphs of job description may be boring. The legislations are being followed in the job description, as they don’t mention anything that may be discriminating against applicants however even though the job description is not discriminating against the applicants this organisation also expects applicants to follow legislations in the company. Overall I believe that the job description may need more relevant information that I have mentioned above.
PC World Recruitment Documents Analysis
Job advert- The purpose of this Add was to advertise the vacancy of career support worker. The target audience is anyone who is obviously above 16, as it is by law that a person cannot work until he reaches the age of 16. There is simple language used to persuade and inform the people to come along for this job. There is simple language used to get the point through to their intended audience easily and effectively. There are some disadvantages in the job advert as it is supposed to be a formal document but it uses informal techniques to get the message across. An example of this is the text size and font style. The font style is comic sans and the size is a lot big and doesn’t give it that professional look that it was supposed to have. However on the other hand it does pull the reader to answer the questions that it provides for example it stars of by saying are you? And then there is sub headings saying a good listener, Flexible? Etc. However when it comes to answers the text as I have mentioned spoils the over all layout and the job advert is short and simple but it can’t be that short as there is some information that is missed out or may no be missed out but might well be small to read. For example when looking at the advert the first thing that attracts you is the job title. I would say this is important but I would also say the name of the business should also be as big as the job title that is written on the top centre of the page. Later I find out that the business was not mentioned at all. There are some more disadvantages such as there I not any formal finishing touches such as a logo. The Job advert should have at least had this because some people could have figured out where the job advert was sent from. This would have given it that professional business like look. The fact that the text was kept constant throughout the advert is a good point as it gives it that business like professional look. However as I have mentioned, this should have been in a smaller font size and a formal font style.
Everything was adjusted to the left side of the paper, but the address at the bottom was cantered. Making it stand out. Another point I have realized, is that the advertisement doesn’t provide any sort of contact, which is a very bad point and this could lead to a lot of problems and errors. The background colour is blue and is also stayed the same throughout the page. This is also a formal technique used. Border was used as the finishing touch to the add, making it look more professional and suitable for the target audience. However the job advert doesn’t use any pictures or graphics apart of text. The advert does not comply with some of the legislations such as data act. This act explains, data should be presented clearly, hoverer this add doesn’t even mention what business it is!
Person Specification – The purpose of this advertisement was to advertise for a vacancy for till work at Asda. The document has been set up very well and is very neat and tidy. Everything is in its place. For example the document actually starts of with text and then tables are used to describe the needs and wants they want in that person. A factor box is used, in which all the headings are listed and then there is an essential, column where it mention what the person should have and the desirable columns which suggests extra things that a person could have. The layout of the document is very good and straight forward and simple to consider. There is clear headings above each column making it stand out to the rest of the table. The grey background colour of the headings above each column also highlights that they are headings. The text is very formal and a smaller font size is used, which gives it that formal business look. The language is very simple and could be easily read. It easily understood by the target audience. Everything is covered that a applicant should be aware of. The document does comply with the laws and legislation. The personal specification has a clear business title and the job title is stated clearly on the centre of the page. As mentioned above all the formal techniques are mentioned.
There are a few disadvantages. One of them is that there should have been some contacts on the footer just encase the applicant doesn’t have any other documents or data from where he/she could read the contacts from. The header would also give it that formal look. A picture would also make the personal specification look a little bright. Although the three colours used black, grey and white are a formal type; I think by having some bright colours would also be appealing to the reader. The document follows the laws and legislation and doesn’t discriminate anyone in any way. The layout is set on 1 A4 page and is very precise. The same font style and size is used throughout the document
Application Form – The purpose was to basically find out information about the applicant wanting to apply for the job. All the necessary data is mentioned. The document is uses sections to split up various parts of the application form. They are then alphabetically labelled in order. For example ‘Part A, Part B’ etc until ‘Part H, which is the declaration. Besides the Alphabets the sub heading is also written to briefly clarify what the section is about. All the tables are separated from each section. The same font style and size is used constantly throughout the pages of the application form. The font style and size is good and suitable for the type of document. However the application it self consumes about five pages long. Which could put the readers (applicants) off by just looking at how long it is. On the other hand all the boxes required to fill are necessary for the business to find out about which is a good point. This could have been made better if it was to be all on three pages but then I’m thinking it would be cramped. The logo of the business is situated on the top right hand side of the first page of the application form. This is good technique used as the business name is not written so therefore having a logo would remind readers to know where the application form is from. Everything is covered in the application form and all the things that are mentioned do not discriminate anyone in any sort of way. Different ways of collating information is used to make life easier for the applicant and the employer. For example tick boxes are used where necessary. The document looks very formal and I would say there are many advantages then disadvantages within the document. Some of the disadvantages include having big lump amount of spaces for applicants to fill that section in where not needed so much. This is probably why the application form ended up being five pages, due to the fact there were a lot of white space required for the applicants to fill in. an example of this is under Part E, where it requires the candidate to write about the skills and experiences he/she has. There is a full page for the applicant to right about this. This is not a very good thing as applicants could be put off by looking at the great amount of space or might think we need to fill this white space in and then from there they may start written crap that has already been mentioned. This would therefore lead to a waste of time for the applicant and the employer who is reading it.
Job description – The purpose of this document is basically to inform the applicant about the tasks that he/she will be handling etc. The document is fitted on to two A4 sheets of paper. It uses the same font style and size through out the document except for the heading, which is named Computer Operator. The document is also separated by borders for each section. Headings are also on top of each section. These are printed in black, bold capital letters. This makes the document look professional and it is reader friendly. By this I mean the applicant would find it easy if he/she was to look up something quickly. The use of numbered points also makes it easier for the applicant to understand. The layout as a whole is perfectly set and is very simple and straightforward. Under each heading there are numbered points. This is a very good technique as then applicants wouldn’t get put off when they see a neat tidy document. However if everything was there in paragraph then readers may get put off. Some of the disadvantages include that the it should have been fitted on one page due to the fact that there was only about four lines on the next page. This would therefore make it look much more professional. Having used numbered points throughout this recruitment document may mean that some parts may be missed out. Apart from this everything is fine and the document complies with the laws and legislation and does not discriminate anyone in anyway.
Comparison between Thomas Cook and PC World Recruitment documents
Now I will be comparing each of the four recruitment document from Thomas Cook with PC world. I will be using a table to do this as I think this is a suitable way for the type of task. From this I will be a able to conduct all the advantages from each of the business document comparison and build my own document considering these points.
Job Advert –
Considering the advantages and disadvantages, I believe I can create an advert with both advantages combined and this would result to a positive advert with a positive outcome.
Below are points I will consider when creating my own advertisement:
I will follow a typical layout for when I come to create my job advert. Thomas cook had this technique which did its job considerably well. The PC world advert also had a professional business like layout.
I want my advert to be eye catching and appealing to my target audience. On of the ways I will do this is by including the business logo, like the way Thomas cook had. I will also bright colours just like the way Thomas cook has. This will lead to a lot of people reading my advert and applying for the job.
The use of language is simple and straightforward in both adverts. In Thomas Cook advertisement the main information is provided however the PC World doesn’t provide some of the obvious information that a business needs to provide for example name of the business where it was sent from. Therefore I will avoid this point and not do this. I will need to make sure that the advert does not over flow in unnecessary data that is not required like the way the advertisements from Thomas Cook and PC world do. Bearing this in mind I will avoid this point. I will also avoid creating chunky sections of texts and instead divide them in paragraphs. I want my advertisement to be read by most of my target audience therefore I will use a clear simple straightforward font style and size that applicants would find easy to read.
One of the points that I liked that the advert from Thomas cook had was the use of rhetorical questions and this motivated the person to read on. I will be using this technique when it comes to creating my own advert.
The main information will obviously need to stand out but I will use some techniques of how Thomas cook had done this. As it was a reliable and efficient way.
The applicant would want to know what organisation has sent this job advert. Therefore I will use the idea from Thomas Cook to include the business logo. This has not been done by the PC Word advertisement. The reason for why it isn’t successful.
Pictures and other multimedia could make a difference as to how the overall document looks; therefore I will not consider what the PC World advertisement has done and not include pictures. I will use various techniques to attract my audience to read the advertisement.
If I compare the advertisements from both the organisations. I would say the advantages for Thomas Cook are more than PC World in general. However there are some points that PC world advertisement has that Thomas cook do not have. For example the neat border finish is good technique to use for giving it that professional look. Some information that Thomas Cook has that PC world advertisement doesn’t e.g. the use of logo to enable applicants to know where the advertisement has been sent from. Bearing all this in mind there are some similarities that both job adverts have for example they both have small font style and the use of chunky paragraphs by Thomas cook will not be included in my advertisement.
Person Specification –
Considering the advantages and disadvantages, I believe I can create an advert with both advantages combined and this would result to a positive advert with a positive outcome.
Below are points I will consider when creating my own advertisement:
I would not want my person specification to be read and understood by the applicants
Basic details of the job on top of the document so applicants are aware of what job they are applying for.
The information should be basic and to the point like Thomas Cooks advert so that applicants know the basic rules and regulations.
All of the legislations should be complied so that no part of the document breaks the law or offends the applicants in any way.
All of the information present in the Person specification to be shown in a table to make the document look more professional and use formal language so that the layout is satisfactory to both the company and the applicant.
The important information should be mentioned in the document and the information should be written in detail unlike Thomas Cook person specification.
If I compare the person specification of Thomas Cook with the one PC World has produced. I would say the advantages of both documents are about the same amount but are considerably opposite to each other. Thomas Cook hasn’t mentioned some of the important information that was supposed to have been on the document. On the other hand the PC World document has the important information their for the reader (applicant). The layout of the person specification created by Thomas cook does not have a formal, professional layout but the PC World document looks professional and formal.
Job Description –
Looking at the advantages and disadvantages for the job description PC World has got more advantages then Thomas Cook and the advantages are so good quality that’s why in my job description I want to have the same advantages as PC World therefore I want my job description to contain the following things: -
I will like to explain all questions in detail so applicants understand everything.
I will like to add a logo to my document just like Thomas Cook so that the applicant is aware of where this document is from.
Basic details of the job on top of the document so the applicant knows what job this job description belong to.
Clear headings and sub-headings so applicants can understand the information that they are reading just like in the PC World document.
I will like to add bullet point when mentioning some important information because this type of presentation will help the applicants to understand more.
I want the language to be formal and the document to be presented professionally this way the applicant may be impressed and may apply for the job. The reputation of the company may also improve.
If I compare the two documents I think PC World’s Job description is very good in the way that it provides the information. It has a very formal way of distributing the information. All the information is precise and there is no unnecessary information mentioned. However there is information that is extra but is handy to the applicant to know. The document is very detailed. On the other hand Thomas Cook doesn’t do any of this.
Application Form –
Looking at the advantages and disadvantages of the application forms I believe that Thomas Cook has more effective advantages then disadvantages because their form has more of a professional layout then PC World and they have made their information clear and understandable by giving instructions for each section so applicant know how to fill the form in without any mistakes. Whereas PC World has got many disadvantages in there form which are very important in an application form.
Looking at the advantages and disadvantage I want my application form to contain the following features: -
I am going to keep my application form short and simple as both of the other application forms had the same disadvantage.
I also want my form to be clear, easy to read and understandable by all applicants therefore I am going to use formal language however I will also try to keep it simple.
I am going to keep my application form a lot of space so applicants have got a lot of room to fill in the details required e.g. qualifications.
I am going to use the same layout as PC World as their form looks more professional then Thomas Cook.
I am going to keep my equal opportunity form optional so applicant have a choice and are not offended in any way.
I am going to present a logo on top of my document so applicants are aware of where this application form is from.
The extra information that may be needed in the application form I am going to present that in a different document so that the application form does not become long.
If I compare both of these application forms I believe Thomas Cook has made some major mistakes as there equal opportunity form does not give an option to applicants and this may be offensive to some applicants.
The application form for both Thomas Cook and City Council does look professional however PC World forms looks more sophisticated as the information is set out in various ways such as table layout, bullet points to present information and tick boxes for the equally opportunity form etc.
Documents I created
Now that I have looked at two different types of recruitment documents and have analysed, compare and evaluated them I am going to use this information and make my own recruitment documents for a reservations consultant at Thomas Cook taking into account all of the advantages and disadvantages I am going to avoid all drawback and create a perfect recruitment documents. After I have created my own documents I am going to come up with a final document that will be done by comparing my documents to my group members documents (Nadeem Younas and Shareen Mareen), which will enable me to create a professional document.
I have created my own documents. The documents I created are: -
- Job advert.
- Job description.
- Person specification.
- Application form.
- Acceptance letter.
- Rejection letter.
- Invitation letter.
- Observation sheet.
- Interview questions.
Below are screenshots of the four documents below. These are just the previews for this task but there is a printout of the actual documents and stapled along with this task.
Job Advert Person Specification Job description
Job Advert
Below are screenshots of the four documents, which had been created once I combined a proportion of each of the documents from each of the individuals in my group. These are just the previews for this task but there is a printout of the actual documents and stabled along with this task. These were the final group documents that were to be used.
Application Form
Job Advert Job description
Person Specification
Now that I have created all of the documents and they are shown in this task my group and I have moved on to receiving applicants for our job vacancy this has enabled us to put all of our documents into action and selecting an appropriate applicant for the vacancy. To do this we had to go through a selection process that is mentioned below.
The applicants that applied for the job were: - Zarina Bi, Namaan Mirza and Sabila Iqbal here are the steps that they went through before we chose the appropriate one: -
- The three applicants filled in the application form (taking the job description, job advert and person specification into account) they also gave in a C.V with their application form and a cover letter stating why their are perfect for this job role.
- After the group and I went through the application form we sent an invitation letter to the applicants stating the interview date and time.
- The interview took place in Thomas Cook office, where we took notes on the applicant’s behaviour and responses to important questions by using our own interview questions and observation sheet, this enabled us to find out the total score of applicants behaviour and analyse the responses of applicants and see how dedicated they are to the job role and how they meet out criteria.
- After analysing the responses of all of the applicants in a group we come to a conclusion that Namaan Mirza was perfect for the job as he received a high score in behaviour (observation sheet) and had perfect responses to the answers then the other two applicants.
- Therefore this information leads us to sending a rejection letter to Sabila Iqbal and Zarina Bi and an accepting letter to Namaan Mirza. Now we have welcomed our new employee and invited him to an induction day at Thomas Cook Signature LTD where we can go through the motivational package and induction programme with our new employee.
All of the documentation is shown below that was received by the employers (The group: - Thomas Cook Signature LTD) and what was sent to the applicants (Namaan, Sabila, and Zarina) the responses to the questions asked and the behaviour within the interview (observation sheet.)
The second set of documents include: -
- Acceptance letter.
- Rejection letter.
- Offer letter.
- Observation criteria
- Interview questions.
I will now show a preview of these documents that I created and the original ones are printed separately alongside with this task
Below is the second set of documents that I created: -
Interview Letter Interview Questions
Observation Criteria Offer Letter
Rejection Letter
Below are screenshots of the four documents, which had been created once I combined a proportion of each of the documents from each of the individuals in my group. These are just the previews for this task but there is a printout of the actual documents and stabled along with this task. These were the final group documents that were to be used.
Interview Letter Observation Criteria
Offer Letter Rejection Letter
Questions