College of Extended Learning
Recruitment, Selection and Placement
INSTRUCTOR:
PHONE:
LOCATION:
EMAIL:
Kalyan S Chakravarty
818.677.2435
JH1236
Kalyan.chakravarty@csun.edu
TERM:
COURSE:
TICKET:
UNITS:
Summer 2008
XHRM 901
10052
3.0 CEUs
CLASS MEETINGS: Thursdays from 7 to 9:50 pm. June 5 – August 14, 2008
Course Description:
A vital aspect of human resources is designing a program of staff planning and development
while maintaining an optimum workforce size with the most qualified people. In this course, the
participants will gain critical insights into interviewing, background checking, and hiring; the role
and requirements for EEOC and Affirmative Action Programs; and understanding the pros and
cons of recruiting from within or outside. Contemporary innovative approaches to recruitment
and selection adopted by reputed companies shall be presented for analyses and discussions.
Themes:
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Creating and using job descriptions and job specifications
Auditing application forms
Developing recruitment sources
Testing and selecting candidates
Coaching line supervisors on interviewing skills and techniques
Linking succession planning initiatives with recruitment strategies
Establishing orientation programs for newly hired staff
Topics:
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Job analysis in human resource selection
Legal issues in selection
Predictors of job performance: tests and selection methods
The selection interview: key interviewing principles
Measures of job performance
Role and importance of succession planning
Socialization programs
Syllabus: Recruitment, Selection and Placement
Page 2
The learning objectives are:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Explain the importance of job descriptions and job specifications
Develop a selection program: budget, CJRs and relevant job performance measures
Understand the legal ramifications: EEOC, OFCCP, AAP and ADA accommodations
Acquire interviewing and assessment skills
Establish linkages with succession planning initiatives
Identify critical elements of a new employee orientation plan
Recognize the benefits of collaborating with line managers in the recruitment process
Textbooks:
1. Human Resource Selection, 6th Edition
Robert D.Gatewood, Hubert S. Feild, Murray Barrick
ISBN -10: 032420728-X ISBN -13: 9780324207286
Thomson South-Western © 2008 (Required)
2. Hiring Great People
Kevin C.Klinvex, Matthew S. O'Connell, Christopher P. Klinvex
ISBN: 0070718725
McGraw-Hill © 1999 (Required)
Course Work:
Group Project
Middle Term Tests (2)
Application Exercises (2)
Punctuality, Attendance, Participation
20 pts
50 pts
20 pts
10 pts
Total: 100 pts
Group Project: (20%)
Students will form groups of five or less, and each group will be assigned a project (a different
one for each group) to work in a chosen area of recruitment and selection. They will collect all
relevant data, from the internet or otherwise, on the general environment, industry environment,
competitive recruitment practices of the firm/s, etc, analyze them critically while applying the
knowledge and skills gained in the class and make strategic recommendations for better results.
Each group will then make a formal presentation of the analysis in the class, with each member
of the group getting an opportunity to deal with a section of the presentation. The total time for
each presentation shall not exceed twenty minutes. Further details shall be provided later.
The completed report must be turned in on the day the group makes its presentation.
Middle Term Test: (25% x 2)
There will be two middle term tests of 25% weightage to each. They will consist of short essays,
and/or a combination of multiple-choice questions, true/false statements, on topics related to
course curriculum.
Syllabus: Recruitment, Selection and Placement
Page 3
Case Analysis/Application Exercise: (10%x 2)
Throughout the course, there will be two case analyses / application exercises of 10%
weightage to each. They are intended to provide an opportunity to actively experience the reality
and complexity of the issues facing practicing managers and human resource executives today.
Among other benefits, they would help the students sharpen their analytical and problem-solving
skills.
Each student will be required to submit a written report on each case, on those days scheduled
in the timetable, presenting a coherent and defensible analysis of the situation based on human
resource management concepts and theories learnt. The report should be an individual effort
and anyone attempting to share analyses and ideas will be penalized.
Grading:
Letter grades will be given for final course grade. Any grade less than a C will not count toward
completion of the certificate program.
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
Below 60
A- to A
B- to B+
C- to C+
D- to D+
F
Punctuality, Attendance, Participation:
You are expected to attend each class meeting. In the unlikely event that you must miss a
meeting, you are accountable for the course materials and class activities missed. Please notify
the instructor in advance to make arrangements to make up this work. Missing class-meetings
could result in an adverse effect on your grade. You must attend at least 80% of the class
meetings in order to receive credit for the course.
Please come to each class prepared to discuss the readings and assignments and to play an
active role in contributing to class discussions. A superior participation score is given to one who
demonstrates the ability to comment upon the content and the process of our discussions.
Some questions to help illustrate the preferred mode are:
 Does the group become more energized after this person contributes? Is this person
more focused?
 Does this person listen to others and build upon their ideas?
Note:
The reading and homework schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
Should any changes be necessary, every effort will be made to communicate them quickly to
current students.
Syllabus: Recruitment, Selection and Placement
Page 4
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure he or she has the current schedule.
Confidentiality of class discussions must be respected by all the students.
You will be expected to read all assignments before class and be prepared to participate during
the lecture portion each week. The recommended textbooks contain information critical to the
class. Assigned readings will be supplemented with supporting lectures.
Timetable
SESSIONS
6/5
6/12
TOPICS, TASKS, READINGS
Course Introduction,
Clarifying Mutual Expectations;
An Overview of Human Resource Selection
Readings: Chapters 1&2 (Gatewood)
Chapter 2 (Klinvex)
Legal Issues in Selection
Federal Regulations, Employment Discrimination,
Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures
6/19
Readings: Chapters 1&2 (Gatewood)
Chapter 2 (Klinvex)
Human Resource Measurements in Selection:
Reliability and Validity of Selection Measures
6/26
Readings: Chapters 3,4 5 & 6 (Gatewood)
Job Analysis in HR Selection:
Creating and Using Job Descriptions and Job Specifications
Readings: Chapters 7 & 8 (Gatewood)
Chapter 1 (Klinvex)
7/10
CASE ANALYSIS/APPLICATION EXERCISE 1
Auditing Application Forms
Developing a Selection Program: Tests and Selection Methods
Structured Guidelines for Group Project
Readings: Chapters 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 & 15 (Gatewood)
Chapters 4, 5 & 9 (Klinvex)
MIDDLE TERM TEST 1
Syllabus: Recruitment, Selection and Placement
Page 5
Timetable
SESSIONS
7/17
TOPICS, TASKS, READINGS
Common Problems in Selection
The Selection Interview: Key Interviewing Principles
Coaching Line Supervisors in Interviewing Skills and Techniques
Group Project – Update
Readings: Chapter 11 (Gatewood)
Chapters 1, 6 & 7 (Klinvex)
7/24
Measures of Job Performance:
Individualization and Controllability
Readings: Chapter 16 (Gatewood)
Chapters 8, 10 & 11 (Klinvex)
CASE ANALYSIS/APPLICATION EXERCISE 2
Measures of Job Performance:
Relevance and Measurability
7/31
Readings: Chapter 16 (Gatewood)
Chapters 8, 10 & 11 (Klinvex)
Preparatory Work for Group Project Presentations
8/7
Socialization Programs: Prospects and Constraints
Identifying Critical Elements of a New Employee Orientation Plan
Succession Planning Initiatives: Linkages with Recruitment Strategies
Readings: Chapter 12 (Klinvex)
MIDDLE TERM TEST 2
8/14
GROUP PROJECT: PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS
Syllabus: Recruitment, Selection and Placement