[IPAC-List] Candidate Reduction Strategies

[Lance Seberhagen]

I agree with Dave's point that using random selection to reduce the 
number of applicants to be tested can cause anger and disappointment by 
applicants, particularly those who believe they have a "right" to be 
tested or have a family tradition of working for a particular agency.  
Most of these objections can be overcome if the restrictions on testing 
are well publicized and fully explained in advance, and if appropriate 
steps are taken to ensure that the random selection process is, in fact, 
totally honest and random.

Lance Seberhagen, Ph.D.
Seberhagen & Associates
9021 Trailridge Ct
Vienna, VA 22182
Tel 703-790-0796
www.seberhagen.com



On 3/12/2012 3:43 PM, David Friedland wrote:

> I will be very interested to read the comments to this post. This approach

> has logical appeal, but has some potential unintended consequences. For

> exams that will attract large numbers of applicants you will need to

> carefully determine how to select the pre-determined number of applications.

> For example:

>

>

>

> .         Randomly select the desired number of applicants after all

> applications are received - This risks angering some of those who were

> randomly excluded from consideration. If the examination is considered to be

> open and competitive this approach may be considered to prevent job-related

> competition

>

> .         Accept only a pre-determined number of applications based on when

> they are received (for example, using time stamps) - This method can raise a

> risk of favoritism, bias or nepotism if some individuals or protected groups

> may have advance knowledge or earlier knowledge than others of the job

> announcement

>

> .         Danger of being too popular - I know of at least one instance when

> the crush of applicants hoping to be among the first group resulted in some

> injuries and damage to the recruitment office

>

>

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: ipac-list-bounces at ipacweb.org [mailto:ipac-list-bounces at ipacweb.org]

> On Behalf Of Demooy, Adele

> Sent: Monday, March 12, 2012 8:17 AM

> To: 'ipac-list at ipacweb.org'

> Subject: [IPAC-List] Candidate Reduction Strategies

>

>

>

> For economic reasons we are looking into ways to reduce the number of

> candidates who participate in exams.  One option we are considering is

> accepting a predetermined number of applications based on statistics from

> previous exam administrations.  I am interested in your feedback on this

> approach or learning about any other methods you are using.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> _______________________________________________________

>

> IPAC-List

>

>   <mailto:IPAC-List at ipacweb.org>  IPAC-List at ipacweb.org

>

>   <http://www.ipacweb.org/mailman/listinfo/ipac-list>

> http://www.ipacweb.org/mailman/listinfo/ipac-list

>

> _______________________________________________________

> IPAC-List

> IPAC-List at ipacweb.org

> http://www.ipacweb.org/mailman/listinfo/ipac-list

>