Praise for Online Recruiting and Selection: “Reynolds and Weiner bring extensive experience to their extremely useful treatment of this complex topic, bringing together diverse bodies of knowledge in information technology, human resource strategy, and psychological testing and assessment.” Paul R Sackett, University of Minnesota “No executive or HR professional should conduct online screening or testing of job applicants without reading this excellent book The authors not only discuss significant efficiencies that can accrue from online assessment, but also examine support systems that will ensure quality data are collected to facilitate personnel decision making.” Neal Schmitt, Michigan State University “Online Recruiting and Selection is essential reading for any manager or executive who needs to make good business decisions about people in an era of ever-changing new technology.” Dr Wendy S Becker, Editor, The Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, Associate Professor of Management, Shippensburg University Online Recruiting and Selection: Innovations in Talent Acquisition D H Reynolds and J A Weiner © 2009 Douglas H Reynolds and John A Weiner ISBN: 978-1-405-18230-0 Talent Management Essentials Series Editor: Steven G Rogelberg, Ph.D Professor and Director Organizational Science, University of North Carolina – Charlotte Senior Advisory Board: • Eric Elder, Ph.D., Director, Talent Management, Corning Incorporated • William H Macey, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Valtera Corporation • Cindy McCauley, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Center for Creative Leadership • Elaine D Pulakos, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer, PDRI, a PreVisor Company • Douglas H Reynolds, Ph.D., Vice President, Assessment Technology, Development Dimensions International • Ann Marie Ryan, Ph.D., Professor, Michigan State University • Lise Saari, Ph.D., Director Global Workforce Research, IBM • John Scott, Ph.D., Vice President, Applied Psychological Techniques, Inc • Dean Stamoulis, Ph.D., Managing Director, Executive Assessment Practice Leader for the Americas, Russell Reynolds Associates Special Features Each volume contains a host of actual case studies, sample materials, tips, and cautionary notes Issues pertaining to globalization, technology, and key executive points are highlighted throughout Titles in the Talent Management Essentials series: Performance Management: A New Approach for Driving Business Results Elaine D Pulakos Designing and Implementing Global Selection Systems Ann Marie Ryan and Nancy Tippins Designing Workplace Mentoring Programs: An Evidence-based Approach Tammy D Allen, Lisa M Finkelstein, and Mark L Poteet Career Paths: Charting Courses to Success for Organizations and Their Employees Gary W Carter, Kevin W Cook, and David W Dorsey Mistreatment in the Workplace: Prevention and Resolution for Managers and Organizations Julie B Olson-Buchanan and Wendy R Boswell Developing Women Leaders: A Guide for Men and Women in Organizations Anna Marie Valerio Employee Engagement: Tools for Analysis, Practice, and Competitive Advantage William H Macey, Benjamin Schneider, Karen M Barbera, and Scott A Young Online Recruiting and Selection: Innovations in Talent Acquisition Douglas H Reynolds and John A Weiner Senior Executive Assessment: A Key to Responsible Corporate Governance Dean Stamoulis Real-Time Leadership Development Paul R Yost and Mary Mannion Plunkett Online Recruiting and Selection Innovations in Talent Acquisition Douglas H Reynolds and John A Weiner A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication This edition first published 2009 © 2009 Douglas H Reynolds and John A Weiner Blackwell Publishing was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in February 2007 Blackwell’s publishing program has been merged with Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical, and Medical business to form Wiley-Blackwell Registered Office John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, United Kingdom Editorial Offices 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell The right of Douglas H Reynolds and John A Weiner to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Reynolds, Douglas H Online recruiting and selection : innovations in talent acquisition / Douglas H Reynolds and John A Weiner p cm – (Talent management essentials) Includes bibliographical references and index ISBN 978-1-4051-8230-0 (hardcover : alk paper) – ISBN 978-1-4051-8229-4 (pbk : alk paper) Employee selection Technological innovations I Weiner, John A II Title HF5549.5.S38R39 2009 658.3′1102854678–dc22 2008052111 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Icon in Case Scenario boxes © Kathy Konkle / istockphoto.com Set in 10.5 on 12.5 Minion by SNP Best-set Typesetter Ltd., Hong Kong Printed in Singapore 2009 Contents Series Editor’s Preface About the Authors Preface xi xii xiii Part I The Context for Online Talent Acquisition Chapter The Context and Business Case for Technology-Based Recruitment and Selection Driving Factors: A Brief History of HR Technology Tools The Labor Market Context: “We Need Good People!” The Business Landscape: Shape Up or Ship Out Growth of the Internet Science-Based Selection Methods The Human Resources Challenge: Better, Faster, Cheaper and More Strategic Efficiency and Speed Insight and Predictive Accuracy Strategic Impact 12 Chapter The Technology Landscape 19 Mainframes, PCs, and Client–Server Computer Architecture The Internet Changes Everything The Pressure to Integrate 20 21 22 13 13 14 15 v vi Contents New Integration Facilitators The Next New Paradigm Software Delivery Models in Transition Behind the Firewall Application Service Provider (ASP) Software as a Service (SaaS) Technology Trends and Software Users and Buyers Customization versus Configuration Software Maintenance Further Reading 24 25 27 27 28 28 28 29 29 31 Chapter Foundations for Online Assessment 33 The Role of Professionally Developed Assessments Effective Selection of People into Organizations: Value and Risk Purpose of Assessment The Value of Assessment – Organizations Have Much to Gain (or Lose) Assessment Risks Essential Measurement Concepts Validity Reliability Types of Measurement Error Measuring Reliability Score Interpretation Professional Practice Standards and Legal Considerations Professional Standards and Principles Fair Employment Laws Federal Guidelines on Testing and Recruitment 33 36 37 38 38 42 43 44 45 48 48 49 50 Chapter Building the System: Models for the Design of Online Recruiting and Testing Systems 53 Typical Recruitment and Selection Steps and Website Components Attracting Candidates through a Careers Site Describing Jobs and Careers Collecting Personal Information 54 55 56 56 35 35 Contents vii Screening Testing Simulation-Based Assessment Interviewing The Hiring Decision and Beyond Tracking Tools Assembling the System Need for Insight Need to Cast a Wide Recruiting Net Need for Speed Candidate Commitment Managing the System 57 58 58 59 60 61 62 62 63 63 63 64 Part II Designing and Implementing Online Staffing Systems 67 Chapter Designing Online Recruiting and Screening Websites 69 Talent Acquisition: Two Disciplines Tools to Support Recruitment Tools to Support Screening and Selection Designing Internet Recruiting Sites Common Recruiting Site Components Employer Overview Job Information Profile Matching Apply Now Designing Online Screening Tools Resume-Centric Applicant Screening Questionnaire-Based Applicant Screening Common Risks Associated with Online Screening Defining Basic Qualifications Critical Issues to Resolve When is a Job Seeker an Applicant? How Detailed Should the Screening Process be? How Should Applicants be Progressed through the Selection Process? Summary 70 70 71 72 72 73 75 76 78 80 80 82 83 85 86 86 87 88 89 viii Contents Chapter Deploying Automated Tests 91 Types of Assessment Tools Assessment Content – More Than Meets the Eye Assessment Format – Something Old, Something New Considerations for Using Different Types of Assessments Purpose of Assessment Program Size Job Type and Level Validation Requirements Legal Defensibility Resource Planning Technology Considerations for Online Assessment Presentation of Item Content Navigation Features and Functions Examinee Instructions Testing Time Security Critical Issues to Resolve 91 92 94 96 97 97 98 98 99 100 100 101 101 102 102 102 103 Chapter Tracking Tools for Staffing Managers and Recruiters 105 Information for Recruiters Managing Job Requisitions Managing Candidates Information for Hiring Managers Information for HR Specialists Critical Issues to Resolve Integration with the ATS Data Storage, Reporting, and Archiving ATS Customization vs Configuration 107 107 109 110 111 112 112 114 115 Chapter Systems Design and Integration 117 Key Elements for System Design Design Elements Integration Concepts and Approaches Linking Processes – Exchanging Instructions between Systems 119 119 122 123 Contents Linking Data – Exchanging Information between Systems Critical Issues to Resolve ix 126 128 Part III Consequences and Issues Associated with Online Deployment 131 Chapter Managing the Environment 133 Ensuring Quality in the Deployment of Online Staffing Systems Issues and Challenges Proctored vs Unproctored Administration Test Environment Issues Technology Issues Security Issues Cheating Unqualified Applicants Access to Technology The Candidate Experience Strategies for Managing Online Assessment Systems Summary 134 135 136 138 139 140 140 142 142 143 144 144 Chapter 10 Cross-Cultural Deployment 149 Adapting Talent Assessment Programs across Cultures Issues and Challenges Administrative Considerations Measurement Quality Concerns Professional Challenges Technology Challenges Strategies for Cross-Cultural Deployment Summary 150 152 152 154 158 159 160 161 Chapter 11 Candidate Privacy and Data Security 163 European Data Protection Rules: A Foundational Framework Design Considerations for Data and Privacy Protection Notice Choice Onward Transfer 164 166 166 167 167 x Contents Access Security Data Integrity Enforcement Other Privacy Rules Fundamentals of Internet Data Security Password Protection Role-Based Security History and Log Files Encryption Additional Security Considerations 168 169 169 169 170 170 172 172 173 173 174 Chapter 12 Conclusion: The (Possible) Future of Automated Staffing 175 Talent Supply-Chain Management Evidence-Based Management Network Organizations and Social Software Self-Service HR New Technologies to Drive Efficiency, Realism, Interest, and Engagement Concluding Thoughts 176 177 178 180 Appendix 183 Assessment Fundamentals 181 182 Criterion-Related Validation Content Validation Reliability Indices Measurement Scales Fairness in Testing Differential Prediction Analysis Adverse Impact Analysis Selected References for Further Reading 183 186 187 189 190 191 192 193 Notes Name Index Subject Index 195 203 205 ... PA John A Weiner, Burbank, CA June, 2008 Part I The Context for Online Talent Acquisition Online Recruiting and Selection: Innovations in Talent Acquisition D H Reynolds and J A Weiner © 2009... Douglas H Online recruiting and selection : innovations in talent acquisition / Douglas H Reynolds and John A Weiner p cm – (Talent management essentials) Includes bibliographical references and index... Implementing Online Staffing Systems 67 Chapter Designing Online Recruiting and Screening Websites 69 Talent Acquisition: Two Disciplines Tools to Support Recruitment Tools to Support Screening and Selection