How to Conduct Candidate Screening in Organization

Identification of Job Position


The identification of a suitable person or employee for an industrial or organizational job is challenging. The progress of any organization primarily depends on the employee's capabilities to work in extreme wok pressure (Kyllonen, &Kell, 2018). Employees meet long-term organization objectives and economic opportunities. Therefore, the selection of an employee is a systematic process for analyzing the organization's needs on how many employees are needed and what kind of knowledge, skills, and talents are required to satisfy the organization's needs. The current study highlights the process of assessment for the selection of Line Manger in Slovak enterprise Multinational corporations.

 First Line managers (FLM) strives to enhance the workforce strengths in the respective department by implementing the rules and regulations. The first line manager not merely manage the present organizational climate but also focuses on the future prospect of the organization. Thereafter, it is crucial for them to develop strategic plans by keeping unity among team members.  Furthermore, the recruitment of the capable manager would assist in training the staff and updating the strategic plans. As the role of the FLM is very important; therefore, the selection of FLM must be followed by standardized testing and structured interviews. 

The standardized testing and structured interviews help in selecting a suitable candidate for the manager post. The current study provides an in-depth understanding of the conduction of standardizing tests and structured interviews for the recruitment of suitable candidates. Furthermore, it also highlights how the scores of the standardized test and battery combine to provide valid and reliable results.

Analysis and Selection of Standardized Test and Psychometric Properties

The Slovak enterprises and other Multinational corporations implement the standardized and psychometrically sound test to investigate the suitable candidate for the job. The intelligent test measures the abilities of logical and abstract thinking to handle work in critical situations. Aptitude used to measure mechanical abilities or skills, manual dexterity in particular domains. The attainment test is used to measure the individual depth of knowledge in a particular domain.

The personality test also considers crucial in the selection process. Lastly, the assessment center primarily focuses on investigating that the individual is suitable for which position. For the selection of First-line managers in Slovak enterprise, the interviews and aptitude tests will be carried out. The three tests that will be used in the current study are the attainment test, aptitude test, and personality test.

 The personality aptitude and attainment test have been chosen as they better fulfill the job characteristics for the post of first-line manager. The first line manager has to perform very critical responsibility. Therefore the assessment of multiple domains is crucial.

The personality, aptitude, and attainment test provide the multiple dimension approach of the candidate to assess the suitability of a job. The personality test would provide the leadership style and individual differences of the participants, either they can lead and manage a team or not. The individual differences in personality assessment would help in identifying which personality type is more accurate to handle extreme work pressure.

Furthermore, the personality assessment provides the Temperamental information, which helps in determining the discrepancies in understanding the easy and difficult temperament associated with organizational production. The aptitude test would help in assessing either the participant have the mechanical skill to accomplish and guide any task with the employees. The attainment test would provide if the participants have in-depth knowledge in their field or not. The mechanical skills and in-depth knowledge not merely save time but also helpful for providing training to the new employees for better consequences. 

The literature suggested that all three tests have sound psychometric properties. All these tests have Cronbach alpha in the range of .70 to .90, respectively (Kyllonen, &Kell, 2018: Poore, Forlines, Miller, Regan, & Irvine, 2014). The test restest reliability was also found to be psychometrically sound. Furthermore, the validity falls between -1 to +1 range. The dimensions of personality, attitude, and attainment test would be considered while developing the interview items.

Development of Structured Interview 

Apart from battery and tests, the interviews also play a crucial role in the assessment of candidate suitability for a particular job. Structure interviews provide in-depth information about the candidate’s verbal and non-verbal skills and abilities to perform a task. The verbal and non-verbal cues indicated on what question the candidate was more confident and quick.

In contrast to what questions, we were a bit reluctant and answered delayed. Further, the sitting style, posture, gesture, and eye contact also plays a significant role. The structured interview based on the scenario also found to effective in determining the skills of the participants. Therefore, in the current study for the recruitment of a first-line manager, a structured interview was designed. 

The structured interview would provide additional and in-depth information along with the battery test. As the first line manager handle workflow, assign the task, deal with employee problems, and monitor the quality of work. Therefore the structured interview would be bout management skills, problem-solving skills, and leadership qualities. A 15-question of structured interviews are listed below.

1.      How can you complete a task in extreme work pressure?

2.      Do you think you have leadership qualities?

3.      Which leadership style is more important to manage teamwork, democratic, or autocratic?

4.      Are you considered a mentor?

5.      Do you have a history of negative interactions with your employees?

6.      Are you a problem solver?

7.      Describe your management skills?

8.      How do you see and define success?

9.      How you keep unity among your team members?

10.  How do you manage work or personal stress and conflicts among team members?

11.  How do you motivate employees?

12.  Share any tough decision you made?

13.  What is your biggest management weakness?

14.  How do you manage your stress?

15.  What is the essential aspect of growing industry or organization production?

The above-structured question provides the in-depth verbal ad non-verbal information about the suitability of the candidate for the post of first-line manager.

The Ethical and Diversity Standards and Consideration for Testing 

The significance of ethical and diversity standards cannot be ignored, whole conducting the testing. Ethics must be followed while conducting a psychological or personality assessment. The key point that should be considered while conducting the testing. Initially, the individuality of the participant must be intact.

The difference in opinion, behavior, and skills should be respected. Secondly, the questions of the interviews, battery or test should not contain such items which may violet any psychological, emotional, behavioral, or physical state. Furthermore, the interviewer should not use such harsh words, and any kind of ethnic, racial, or religious discrimination should not be practiced. The favoritism for racial, religion and ethics composition should be avoided.

Individual Differences 

The battery, test, and interviews are designed in such a way where all candidates are asked the same question in the same way and order. The scoring key of each response also has similar patterns. In such a case, we can observe the common traits of the individual, but the evaluation of individual differences is hard to investigate. To investigate the individual differences, the interpretation of tests, battery, and interviews need special attention.

The interpretation of interviews through coding and thematic analysis depicts a high variation in responses. Therefore, the identification of individual differences is easier in interviews. Fore ample the responses for item no 1 ‘’How can you complete the task in extreme work pressure’’ provides the variety of responses.

A few respondents might reply by assigning the task with a clear direction. Once the direction is clear, anything can be accomplished. While some other respondents may suggest that by being available for help all the time may reduce the work pressure.

Both the answers have values, but the behavioral assessment of the candidates in interview questions plays a crucial role. The time gaps in answer, voice, pitch, posture, gesture, and eye contact help the interviewer to assess how confident and true the candidate is in their works. As far as the assessment of battery and test is concerned.

The identification of outlines and variance may define the individual difference. The reliability of the data suggests that how many individuals have the same responses, and high reliability indicates the sound psychometric properties. In contrast, variance shows the ratio of people who did not agree with three other respondents. The Test and batteries also comprised of scoring essential such as agree, disagree, strongly agree, and strongly disagree. The degree of agrees falls in two categories strongly agree and agree. The selection of scoring keys also manifest the individual differences in agrees and disagrees.

Scholarly Evidence and Real-world Example to Support Decision 

The role of batteries and interviews for the recruitment of the first-line manager is crucial. The literature is enriched with the empirical studies highlight the significance of both interviews and batteries for the recruitment process. The use of only batteries or interviews may not provide better results. Therefore the combination of batteries and interviews should be used for the selection process (Landy, & Conte, 2013). Hardavella, AamliGagnat, Xhamalaj, &Saad, 2016) recommended that the preparation of interviews should match the test items to identify the discrepancies in the assessment. 

The similar responses in both the battery and interview illustrate the high capabilities of the candidate. In contrast, if the result of the battery or test doesn’t match with the interview answer, it depicts the person is not providing a valid and reliable result. In such cases, the person should not be a recruit for the company. Vermeeren et al., 2014 suggested that the financial growth of any organization or industry depends on the fine selection of participants. The selection through standardizes test and structured interview are the fundamental source of employee recruitment. Warth, &Dyb, 2019) stated that the teamwork in any organization or industry is common, and the tests to check the ability to work in a team, workload, and problem-solving must be checked prior to the selection of the candidates (Fleishman, 1988).

In real life, the temperament and attitude of the people help in determining the capabilities and personality patterns of the individual. These temperaments and aptitudes help in determining the career, course subject, and future direction. The selection of course books Based on interest and aptitude brings about the future prospect of the individual. Similarly, the selection of employees based on standardized tests and structured interviews are provides capable candidates to enhance the productivity of the organization. 


 

 

 

Environmental Cleaning and Mental Health

Author: Sana Rehman


Mental health is not only a matter of internal wellbeing, but it is found to be associated with the external environment. From a poorly-Lil office to a cluttered bedroom or a view from a window: everything affects our mental health. The surroundings directly impact our mood, feelings, behavior, and minds. The cold fresh breeze, rain, pleasant weather, seaside, beach sight, greenery, hills enchanting beauty, and northern area views, all impart a very positive impact on our mind and body. Not only beautiful sights improve the mental health of the people, but cleaning decontamination and waste management also reported to be associated with mental health. 


Air Pollution

According to the World Health Organization, every 10th Person inhales polluted air and encounters polluted air is accountable to seven billion death worldwide. Polluted air found to associate with physical illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, and neurovascular disease. The polluted air is not only alarming for physical health but also reported to be a risk factor for developing depression (Ali & Khoja, 2019). 


Schor & Fabno (2015) recommended the relationship between polluted air and anxiety. Stress is the ultimate consequence of air pollution. Harvard School of public health carried out a study to investigate the impact of nitrogen oxide, black carbon, and other pollutants on stress. The finding of the study concluded that the perceived level of stress occurs when getting exposure to air pollution. Apart from all these, the mood swings have also been found to be dependent on climates. World Health Organization reports the connection between climates or extreme weather conditions, pollution


Exposure to Toxic Agents 

Only air pollution is not a single factor which is responsible for environmental cleaning. Exposure to a toxic agent is also an alarming aspect that leads to several mental health issues. Toxic agents cause many physical diseases, disabilities, and other mental health or medical issues. Exposure to metal (Aluminum & Mercury) leads to many psychiatric symptoms such as dementia confusion, depression, anxiety, poor concentration, memory loss, and insomnia. Children's exposure to leads is responsible for developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, and criminal behaviors. 


The exposure to lead in adolescence and young adulthood develops Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. Toxic substance and disease registry (TSDR) suggested that the source of leads is old house paints or plumbing systems, muddy shoes, auto exhaust, or industries. Regularly cleaning houses, paint, and children's hands are important to reduce the mental health effects of leads. Mercury poison among adults develops many psychiatric complications such as irritability, depression, anxiety, excessive embracement. 


The fetus and newborns are more susceptible to mercury exposure. According to TSDR the most common source of Mercury is waste products, fluorescent bulbs, and thermometers. Hence the careful handling of such waste products reduces the risk for mental health issues. Furthermore, the Aluminum, arsenic, Tin, Thallium, Magnesium, Pesticides, solvent, Toxic gases (Carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide), Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) are associated with mental health issues, disabilities, and neuropsychiatric complications. 


Messy Home

Messy home always causes a feeling of distress and anxiety. Cluttering the house and housekeeping found to impart a positive impact on the mental health of the people. The University of California carried out a study on stress hormones. According to their study the messy home develop the increased level of steroids hormone, and cortisol, which produce stress. 


Similar studies have been conducted in Indiana university and the results indicated that the people with clean houses are mentally healthy compared to the people with messy homes. Furthermore, it has been reported that clutter home leads to a cluttered mind, which further develops unstable relationships. In short, it can be concluded that a clean house a clean bill of physical and mental health. 


Conclusion

The above facts depicted the strong connection between the environment and mental health. Hence, Environmental cleaning is very crucial for the mental health of the people. A pleasant environment is needed for the sound mind and body, but environmental cleaning can only be achieved through a cohesive contribution. A single person cannot help to keep the surroundings clean. The role of society, Government, policymakers, and social workers is very important to achieve the desired outcome.


 The awareness campaign through media and social media can be effective to motivate people for keeping their environment clean. Furthermore, documentary, short films, and skits for waste management and precautionary measures should be promoted for the healthy and clean society. 

 

 

 


How to Make Money Online: the most Common Mental Health Issue


Author: Sana Rehman

The online business is gaining tremendous progress in the current times. Multiple options are available for online business such as marketing, freelancing, advertisements, social media management, a consultancy business, web management, sales consulting, online blogging, and designing. Every individual is interested in knowing ‘’how to make money online’’. Although the online business has contributed to the economy of Pakistan, it is also leading many mental health issues. The most common factors that are leading to mental health issues among people due to online business are as under.


First of all online businesses have raised new competition among people. People from different academic backgrounds are interested in running an online business despite a lack of knowledge in this field. The mismatch between academic background and professional selection leads to multiple career issues. For example, a person with a psychology background prefers to become a blogger. If he is not aware of HTML language, Robotix, Fetching, Google indexing, Google analytics, and Google search console, so he may not run the blog successfully. 


The business without proper knowledge is wastage of time and leads to failures in carrier development. Similarly, a high ratio of people is interested in running their YouTube channel and most commonly they prefer entertainment niche, but again lack of knowledge about Google analytics leads to multiple issues as result they stop putting effort. Besides this many people choose the YoTube niche as opposed to their academic or personal skills, which again leads to drop out of the business. The failures and drop out in online busses lead to multiple psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and mood disorders.


Secondly, the reliance on online business fascinates the people as it seems to require the least effort and hard work. Unfortunately, it’s a misconception; an online business requires proper time and mental hard work compared to traditional businesses. In the current mechanical life, people are more interested in robotic jobs. Physical activity has become the least preferable in jobs or carrier, therefore the online business has become the first choice of every individual. Unfortunately, the people who are running their online business considered more successful as they can earn in dollars with the least efforts. 


The people who cannot earn through online work experience substantial psychological distress.

Thirdly, many people invest money in online jobs without verifying websites. As a result, they experience scams. The encounter of scams is one of the most leading causes of frustration and psychological distress.

 

Fourthly, the advertisement for online business with exaggerated income set unrealistic carrier margins among people. In response to these unrealistic business profits, people start putting efforts for online earning. When they cannot earn according to their preplanned mindset, as a result, they feel frustration, anxiety, depression and distort their connection with reality.


Fifthly, online businesses are distracting the people who are successfully running their traditional business. The negative thoughts about earning more through online business rather than traditional one can cause a feeling of distress. Furthermore, the automatic thoughts for having a successful online business may decrease their passion for their work. As a result, they may underperform and may destroy their already established business.


Lastly, the population of Pakistan is least familiar with the internet advanced technology. Digital illiteracy is associated with many mental health issues such as negative self-concept, inferiority complex, and low self-esteem. The knowledge and facilitation provision for digital literacy is very important to promote among Pakistani youth so that they can run their online business. This particular aim requires substantial and efforts of IT experts to spread awareness among people.


The trend for an online business is beneficial for the economic prosperity of the people. As it provides many opportunities for unemployed people, but the gluttony for an online business is just a root cause of mental issues. The people must verify the websites before starting any online job or business, so that obnoxious consequences can be avoided. Also developing realistic expectations from an online business is very important to avoid mental health issues. 


A more social media awareness campaign for scams and safety measures are needed to protect the mental health of the people. Furthermore, raining workshops, webinars and conferences should be designed to train the students, businessmen, and women to run their online business. The search for ‘’How to make money’’ should be used productively rather than developing mental health disorders. The Government, Policymakers, and education departments should take collaborative steps to mitigate the psychological or mental health issues by providing authentic sources for online education.

 

Coping Strategies or Therapeutic Intervention for COVID-19


Author: Sana Rehman


The COVID-19 outbreak and its eventual impact are not only developing the risk for physical sufferings, but also unbearable psychological and mental health loss. There is a dire need to develop self-hell skills among teachers and student to combat a stressful situation (Yang et al., 2014).. The self-help coping strategies are not only helpful for reducing psychological symptoms but also for the academic prospect of the student. 


The interventions of the students and teachers psychological problems have been divided into two categories i.e. therapeutic interventions and self-help skills. In therapeutic interventions, the therapist and counsellor play their best role to promote the well-being among the targeted population. While in self-help skills the students, teachers or other targeted population can reduce the psychological burden through self-assistance. 



1- Therapeutic Interventions 

Psycho-education. The first and foremost step in therapeutic intervention is psycho-education about the current situation is and how people can deal with it. The awareness about stressful and safety precaution may reduce the risk for disease and also release the anxiousness and depression. Therefore the students and teachers will be psycho educate about the possible effect of online education and mismanagement through online workshops and meetings. Furthermore, it will be explained how they can overcome the psychological symptoms to increase their performance during online learning.  


Role play. The counsellor and student or teacher can overcome their fear through role play. It has been observed that the unconscious mind is primarily associated with intense emotion or behavioural reaction. Fore-example, if a person is not good in technological use, so the unconscious mind gives the continuous message’’ I can’t do it. To replace the I can’t do it a statement with I can do it is very crucial for moving towards success. 

Through role-play and role reversal the positive mind the rigid schemas can be changed. Similarly, if a person has a childhood experience of losing someone and develop more fear during pandemic regarding fear of death. Therefore it is mandatory to reduce the level of fear using role play. The client can play the role of a therapist and describe the way how fear and anxiousness can be reduced. 


Catharsis. The literature is enriched with the evidence-based studies recommended that catharsis for a stressful situation may ameliorate better consequences. The student may feel relax after expressing their emotional disturbed thoughts and reactions. The students and teachers will be encouraged to express their thoughts and emotions to make them feel better. Furthermore, they will be guided to manage their automatic negative thoughts, feelings and behaviour through self-help skills.

 

2- Self-help coping skills. 

Assertive training or Thought Stopping. The anxiety, uncertainty about life or future prospect and other negative automatic thoughts during a pandemic are very common.


Cost and benefit analysis. The anxiety for academic loss and life uncertainty is justified and normal, but excessive fear and anticipation is associated with more mental and physical health issues. Usually, the students overestimate the adverse consequences of the situation and as a result, they experience substantial mental health issues. The cost and benefit analysis of the effects of COVID-19 or online education may develop a realistic approach. The students and teachers will be guided on how they can realistically evaluate the current situation by conduction cost and benefit analysis. 


Deep breathing. COVID-19 attacks the lungs and respiratory systems and physical exercise may develop positive consequences.


Sleep hygiene. The stress anxiety and depression primarily affects our sleep cycle, therefore it is mandatory to take normal sleep. Through a few concrete steps students and teachers can improve their quality of sleep during a global pandemic.


Focus here and now. As mentioned earlier COVID-19 is associated with uncertainty about the future life. Therefore, it is mandatory to focus on here and now principals to keep themselves calm and relax. 


Yoga. In stress management yoga is very effective and universally available to everyone


Naturopathy. Hers and naturopathy (liquorice, ependhra and ginger) have been used to treat many viral diseases such as influenza, flu and respiratory problems.


Progressive Muscle Relaxation. The online education or excessive screen time adversely affects the muscles and nerves. Muscle relation techniques may ameliorate better consequences (Ozamiz-Etxebarria, Dosil-Santamaria, Picaza-Gorrochategui, & Idoiaga-Mondragon, 2020). The students and teachers will be taught how they can relax their tense muscles. 

 


Annotated Bibliography in Health Care

Author: Sana Rehman

The significance of the research question in evidence-based practice is very crucial. The research question provides statically proved information to avoid the chances of malpractices (Correa-de-Araujo, 2016). The lives of the human being are very crucial; therefore, the research question and its scientifically proved answer through primary and secondary sources are significant. In particular, the elderly age is very sensitive, and due to the ageing sign, the physical, psychological, and emotional decline occurs. Most specifically, the elderly population experience physical weakness; as a result, their physical activity reduced to some extent. 

Robust studies suggested that in a hospital setting, the most concerned issue of elderly people is restrained physical functioning (Rodrigues, 2014). Therefore to enhanced elderly people's physical functioning, their health status can be enhanced. The role of the nurse also plays a significant role in maintaining and promoting the health functions among the elderly (Rodrigues, 2014). According to evidence-based studies, they take care of nurses in health care centers can enhance the quality of life and health status of the elderly. Therefore, the significance of evidence-based research and identifying the answers to clinical reach questions are crucial for a nurse. 

The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of an intervention based program to enhance the physical functioning of the elderly population. The research question has been a break down following the PICOT method.

PICOT

Following Table Shows the Question

P

Population, Patient, Problem, Setting

Elderly population, Physical Activity

I

Intervention

Physical Activity based Program

C

Comparison

Lack of physical activity at home and hospital

O

Outcome

Improved physical activity

T

Timing

Different times of the day

The above table shows the breakdown of the research question in the PICOT method. The breakdown of the research question makes the investigation process easier (Lobiondo-wood, & Haber, Cermon and Sing, 2018).

Article 1

Daher et al. (2019) conducted a study to investigate the impact of physical activity to enhance the quality of life and the health system. An intervention-based prospective survey was carried out among 100 participants with the age range of 60-69. The participants were divided into active and control, and the active group were indulge in daily exercise for 60 minutes. 

The result of the study indicates that the active group found to be physically active as they found to have the last visit to the hospital (0.0011), emergency room (0.0056), duration of hospital stay (0.0012), and subsidiary test (0.023). The study provided the evidence-based answer to the above question and recommended the intervention based program effective for elderly physical functioning.

Article 2

Nielsen et al. (2018) conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of the elderly activity-based intervention. For that purpose, the nonrandom Quasi-experimental trial was used. Around 144 elderly population was allocated the activity performance intervention and (n=231) usual practice. The intervention comprised of these steps (a) assessment, (b) referral to further rehabilitation and (c) follow up visits. 

The results of the study suggested that no significant difference in activity performance was observed between both groups. In other words, the study proposed that physical activity-based intervention does not reduce the risk of readmission in the hospital. This study contradicts the findings of the study mentioned above, but still provides the answer for our study.

Article 3

Thomas et al. (2019) conducted a systematic study review of the effectiveness of physical activity programs for the balanced life of the elderly. The Medline, PUBMED, and ScienceDirect databases were consulted to find out the relevant articles. The inclusion criteria for studies were controlled randomized trial, the elderly with the age range of 60-65, the sample size varied from 6 to 9, and the duration of the intervention falls between the 8 to 32 weeks. Finally, eight articles were considered for the final review. 

The articles investigated the effectiveness of aerobic exercise, T Bow, Balanced Training, wobble board training, Wii fit training, and adapted physical activity. The outcome of the study suggested that the physical functioning of elderly people improved by up to 16% to 46%. Thomas et al. (2019) study was highly relevant to the current study question and provided a clear picture that physical exercise significantly enhanced the physical activities of the elderly people.

All three included articles were highly relevant to the current study objective. The research question of the current study was to investigate the effectiveness of the physical intervention-based program to enhance the physical activity or functioning of elderly people. To find the answer to the questions, three relevant articles have been retrieved from PubMed databases. 

Two articles were found to be in support of physical activity-based intervention to enhance the physical functioning of elderly people. In contrast, one study contradicted the above two articles and suggested that physical activity-based interventions don’t enhance the physical functioning of elderly people.