Question

Lebron serves his employer as the HR director. It is a startup company, and his bosses want him to hire people fast, so they have given him some tests to use in the screening process. He was told to hire the applicants with the best scores. Are these tests something Lebron should use?

A. It is OK to use tests if they are job specific in their measurement.
B. No way. He should not use any tests that he hasn't bought from a legitimate test publisher.
C. Tests are just fine. He should be sure the passing scores are set so they can get the best people.
D. If the boss says to use the tests, he has little choice. He just has to be sure to score them properly.

Answer 1

LeBron should use hiring tests if they are job-specific and purchased from a legitimate test publisher. The tests, including their cutoff scores, must be validated against job performance, and he should ensure fair and legal administration and scoring.

Step-by-step explanation:

Appropriateness of Using Tests in Hiring

Using tests in the hiring process can be a valuable method for screening applicants. However, whether LeBron, as an HR director, should use these tests depends on several factors. First, the tests must be job-specific in their measurement (A), ensuring they align with the skills required for the positions he is hiring for. Tests should be developed or purchased from legitimate test publishers (B) to ensure their reliability and validity. While setting cutoff scores (C) can help in hiring the best candidates, it's crucial that these are set after thorough validation to ensure they predict job performance accurately. Lastly, while following the boss's directive (D) is important, he must ensure the tests are administered and scored properly to make fair hiring decisions. It's also vital for the tests to comply with legal standards and to avoid adverse impact on any protected group.

When using tests, it's beneficial to consider them as part of a broader candidate analysis, which includes reviewing academic and work history and potentially conducting interviews and reference checks. This multi-faceted approach to hiring contributes to minimizing the uncertainty inherent in the selection process and increases the likelihood of hiring employees who will perform well on the job.