Person Specification
The general specifications required from a candidate are:
- Skills, an aptitude test, experience and knowledge
- Minimum qualification requirements
- Any personal qualities that would be relevant to River Island such as having a good fashion sense
The company do bear in mind not to discriminate any candidate at this stage of proceedings.
River Island advertises their vacant job positions in quite a few locations such as:
- Shop windows
- Radio
- Internet
- Flyers and leaflets around the shopping centre
- In the job centre
- Local newspapers
- Common rooms in schools
They provide all relevant information needed such as aims and responsibilities, as well as pay and general conditions of employment.
River Island provide their job advertisements clearly and point out details of how to apply for the role effectively. They advertise to a wide range of locations and sections within the local communities with positive phrasing and positive visual images. Their advertisements include the statement on the commitment of equal opportunity they wish to emphasis.
Applications can be filled in either online or by collecting a form in shop. The forms are consistent in format which makes them easier for the applicant’s eye to understand. This form contains information such as applicant name, address, telephone number etc. it also has a space for educational qualifications to be filled out as well as ethic and religious backgrounds to be completed. They also use clear language and also state the procedure for collecting responses. River Island acknowledge all candidate’s applications promptly as it sets a good image for their company
The short listing procedure is done by assessing the requirements that the applicants should meet and if any applicant are unsuccessful they send a written letter informing them so.
The selection panel is made up of 2 or more people and they are often of different backgrounds in society to make selection a more fair choice.
In particular, evaluate the interview as a selection technique and discuss a range of alternative selection methods available. (2c)
In the interview, candidates are treated appropriately and given the chance to show their abilities as the selection panel have devised an interview assessment sheet containing the information based on the job at hand. They rate the candidate in the different areas of the interview.
They know the questions going into the interview so that candidate get treated in more of a consistent manner.
Compare the recruitment process in two organisations of your choice and evaluate the methods and media they use (2b)
For the first time ever, high street fashion retailer, River Island, has introduced online recruitment to deliver sales advisers across its network of over 200 UK stores.
They have a partnership with online recruitment specialists, Changeworknow, a new recruitment system online which has enabled River Island to reduce its recruitment costs, increase the quality of applicants and vividly cut the time to hire in peak seasons.
The company is an attractive brand and each year receives thousands of applications for employment. However, this large quantity of applicants is time consuming to administer and puts a strain on the busy central recruitment team.
Applicants get passed through to stores to the short-listing process which has not always been easy to narrow down due to the high amount of people applying, especially when there is pressure to fill the roles.
Store recruitment online ensures that all applicants enter and complete the same process and only applications from suitable candidates hit managers’ desks. Not only does this ensure the recruitment process is fair across all stores, but pressure on individual managers and their workload is reduced.
Recruitment is one of the most expensive HR activities, but maximising the use of technology enables employers to reduce their costs massively. Online recruitment, particularly at this busy time of year, offers faster and smarter solutions so businesses can drive better efficiencies in their recruitment process, which is a must in such an uncertain economic climate.
To summarise, there are a few different ways of applying for a job within the River Island stores. They can be in the form of:
- Analysing job advertisements - showing you how applications are prepared to match the advertised requirements
- Application form questions - how best to answer these questions
- Applying online - how to make sure your online application is up to scratch
- References - who to ask, and academic references
BBC
The BBC is the world's largest broadcaster and unlike other broadcasters in the UK, it is public service based when employing people. They have the desire to put the right person in the right job.
The process is designed to identify people who not only have the right mix of skills and experience but who also aspire to their values. They have stated saying that ‘it is our people that make the BBC what it is and if we don't get the right people coming into the business it will impact upon us all.’
The Recruitment Process
The BBC has installed in their website a page where you can see what they have to offer you and to search the latest vacancies and if they have a role that would suit you.
Before deciding to apply, it is very important that the job details read through thoroughly to ensure that all of the minimum criteria as outlined in the skills and experience section and within any job advert are met.
You can then apply on line for jobs at the BBC and also register to be notified of any future jobs by email.
Next you need to complete an online application for your chosen job.
When the application form is submitted, you get assessed against the essential criteria of the job. If your skills and experience closely meet the job requirements, then you will be invited to attend an interview and possibly an assessment. The assessment techniques are designed specifically for each individual job, with the aim of objectively and fairly measuring the core requirements of that particular job.
If your skills and experience do not match the requirements of the job, they will tell you. You will not be invited in to attend an interview or assessment, but they encourage you to re-visit the current jobs section of their website to see if there are any more suitable jobs.
If you are short listed for interview or assessment for a management role at the BBC, you will be required to complete an online leadership questionnaire. You can complete this from a work or home computer and it will last approximately 45 minutes.
If you are successful at interview/ assessment then they will contact you to offer you a job with the BBC.
You can set up your own account which allows you to complete applications and check their status when convenient. Once you have created an account, your personal data will be saved as part of your account, which will cut out the need to re enter personal data (e.g. education history) when completing subsequent job applications.
Work experience is working for free, and is one of the few remaining forms of slavery in the UK. But it will help you get a job. The BBC offers a work experience program, where applicants can apply online.
Job interviews are critical to the quality of an organisation's people. Good job interviews processes and methods increase the quality of people in an organisation. Poor job interviews methods result in poor selection, which undermines organisational capabilities, wastes management time, and increases staff turnover.
A good application form takes time. Spending three to four hours on research and completion is important. For a student with time pressures, it can be a significant commitment but it is a worthwhile one. Without a good application progression to the next stage is very difficult.
You need to make sure your application form is
- convincing
- interesting
- well presented
- completed correctly
Before completing the form
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research either the BBC or River Island and the work role to make sure that you understand what you are applying for
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draw up a list of key skills required to do the job as they often appear in an advert or job specification
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organise the information you are going to provide to demonstrate that your skills match the required skills
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give examples that illustrate that you possess these skills
