Assessment and Selection


WELCOME


On page 26, selection methodologies are under the microscope as we weigh up the competencies vs. strengths debate. As the article explains, while competencies have a reputation for being a proven method, a growing number of leading organisations are migrating to a strengths-based approach. AGR members explain their methodology of choice and why it works for them…


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traditionally herald busy times for graduate recruiters, tasked with juggling forward-planning with making merry and enjoying the festivities. While we can’t help you with the merry making (although we are with you in spirit), we have tried to tackle some of the most pressing issues on your to do list in the New Year, namely planning your assessment and selection strategies. Hence, this issue of Graduate Recruiter is an ‘Assessment and Selection’ special addressing technical issues as well as theory and methodology to help you plan your budgets for the 2014/15 recruitment season.


D ecember and January


We lead with a feature that explores the controversial and much talked about 2:1 cut off, an issue guaranteed to keep people talking late into the night. It seems timely. Not only are some of the biggest proponents (historically) of the criteria beginning to debate its wisdom and investigate change, but the HEAR is also gathering pace, while a pilot project investigating different ways of grading degrees got underway in November. We talk to a range of graduate employers about the 2:1 cut off’s role in assessment and selection, and how their thinking is changing, while Professor Sir Bob Burgess also shares his views (pg 14).


Within the technology pages we also take a look at the rise in the popularity of video interviewing, with five employers who have embraced this change talking about what challenges it has helped them to overcome and what results they have seen. Far from being a fad, the technology has reaped some tangible benefits (pg 10).


As always, that is just the tip of the wintry iceberg, and you will find a wealth of wisdom to warm your cockles within these very pages – surely perfect reading for a cold December or January day in front of the fire?


We at AGR wish every one of you a healthy and happy Christmas and New Year, and a prosperous 2014.


Merry Christmas! n .


Nicola Smith, Editor


Managing Editor: Emma Godden


Email: emma@agr.org.uk


AGR, The Innovation Centre, Warwick Technology Park, Gallows Hill, Warwick CV34 6UW


Telephone: 01926 623236 Email: info@agr.org.uk Website: www.agr.org.uk


Advertising Enquiries: Emma Godden Telephone: 01926 623236 Email: emma@agr.org.uk


Graduate Recruiter is the official magazine of the Association of Graduate Recruiters. Published six times a year, Graduate Recruiter is distributed to AGR members and subscribers. For more information about AGR membership, please visit www.agr.org.uk. Contributions: Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed envelope. Manuscripts should be typewritten. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic, belongs to AGR. We accept no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the views of the association. AGR cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement. © AGR 2013. Graduate Recruiter is edited by Nicola Smith, email: nicola@nicolasmith.net and designed / produced by Randle Design Consultancy. Telephone: 01273 856005, email: neil@randledesign.co.uk, www.randledesign.co.uk


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