How Employers Assess Candidates' Suitability

When an employer receives all the applications for a job that is available, it is at that time that they will do one of three things. They will either reject the application form, add the application form to a longlist or add the application to a shortlist.

Reject the application form

An application form may be rejected straight away due to a number of different reasons. For example, the application form may not have arrived within the deadline for applications to be with the employer, an applicant may not have signed the application form or the applicant may not have completed the application form in full.

Sometimes, according to the application form, the applicant does not meet the required and/or desired criteria as set out in the job specification or have the appropriate experience for the job and so the applicant would be deemed unsuitable for the job. Sometimes references from the referees may not write about the applicant in a positive way and so the employer may find the applicant unsuitable for the job.

Also, if there have been a lot of application forms for the one job, the employer may enhance criteria and so an application form may be ruled out for long/shortlisting because it does not meet this revised, enhanced criteria.

The application form goes on a longlist

Some application forms are seen by the employer as good but there needs to be more of a discussion on the suitability of the applicant for the job. Therefore the application form goes on a longlist.

If, after a discussion with the interview panel, the application form and the applicant are deemed possibly suitable for the job, then it is placed on a shortlist. Sometimes, the employer likes the look of an application form and may be interested in that applicant and so they keep that application form in reserve, in case someone on the shortlist drops out.

The application form goes on a shortlist

The shortlist is a list of application forms that have met the essential and desired criteria for the job as set out in the job specification. These application forms will have also met any enhanced criteria that the employer has asked to be included.

The shortlist is made up of application forms, usually about 3-10 forms, that the employer deems as suitable for the job and so those applicants are called to interview to discuss their application form further.

QUESTIONS YOU COULD BE ASKED:

Explain two reasons why a job applicant may not be placed on a shortlist for an interview. (4marks)

A job applicant may not be shortlisted if their application form was submitted after the deadline. Employers usually do not consider late applications, no matter how qualified the person is. (2marks)

If the applicant does not have the required qualifications for the job, they are unlikely to be shortlisted. Employers need to ensure that candidates meet the essential criteria before offering an interview. (2marks)

Analyse why job applicants may not be placed on a shortlist to attend an interview (6 marks)

If a job applicant submits their form after the closing date, the employer may not consider it. Employers often stick strictly to deadlines to keep the process fair and organised. (2marks)

If an applicant’s references are poor or raise concerns about their past performance or behaviour, the employer may decide they are not a good fit for the role. Good references are important for building trust in a candidate’s reliability and professionalism.(2marks)

When there is a high number of applicants, employers may raise the standard of the selection criteria. This means that even qualified candidates might be rejected if others have stronger experience or more relevant skills. (2marks)

You should also read:

How to write a successful Job Application form

How to write a successful CV and covering letter