HR, legal & training · Short course
Recruitment and Selection
Defining vacancies, evaluating applicants and making structured selection decisions.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Defining vacancies, evaluating applicants and making structured selection decisions.
The programme brings together job analysis, application review, interview preparation and selection decisions. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: A selection panel disagrees about how to compare candidates for a newly created role. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Recruitment officers, panel members and hiring managers.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Translate the job responsibilities into selection criteria.
- Score a fictional shortlist against the agreed evidence.
- Prepare structured interview questions and a scoring guide.
- Write a selection recommendation that documents the basis of the decision.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Job analysis
This part of the programme examines job analysis, with attention to defining responsibilities and selection criteria. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Defining responsibilities.
- Selection criteria.
- Applied work: translate the job responsibilities into selection criteria.
Illustrative practical exercise
Translate the job responsibilities into selection criteria. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Application review
This part of the programme examines application review, with attention to shortlisting against role requirements. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Shortlisting against role requirements.
- Separating evidence of essential capabilities from assumptions about a candidate.
- Recording reasons for shortlisting decisions consistently across the panel.
- Applied work: score a fictional shortlist against the agreed evidence.
Illustrative practical exercise
Score a fictional shortlist against the agreed evidence. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Interview preparation
This part of the programme examines interview preparation, with attention to questions, evidence and consistent scoring. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Questions.
- Evidence.
- Consistent scoring.
- Applied work: prepare structured interview questions and a scoring guide.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare structured interview questions and a scoring guide. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Selection decisions
This part of the programme examines selection decisions, with attention to records, references and appointment steps. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Records.
- References.
- Appointment steps.
- Applied work: write a selection recommendation that documents the basis of the decision.
Illustrative practical exercise
Write a selection recommendation that documents the basis of the decision. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A selection panel disagrees about how to compare candidates for a newly created role. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.