Selecting and Hiring Engineers at the ABC Plant

Abstract

Hiring is one of the most important duties of a manager, especially within an engineering or technical organization. Beyond the obvious reasons for selecting the proper candidate for the job, the gravity of the hiring process lies in the fact that a mistake in this area is often costly and not easily corrected. Mistakes tend to be even more costly for the ABC Plant. All positions require the ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. The duration of investigative activities for initial security clearances range from 3 to 6 months from initiation to completion. During this time period, and depending on their work assignment, the effectiveness of the newly hired engineer is often impeded by their lack of a security clearance. They are unable to access critical information and locations in the facility to perform their intended job function. This cost of hiring new engineers is incurred by the organization on top of the inefficiencies typical of new employee that is learning their role in a new position. If they are unable to acquire or maintain their security clearance, the engineer is not a viable option for employment and the selection and hiring process must start over again at the expense to the ABC Plant. The hiring process at the ABC Plant is generally sound, but there is room for improvement. Senior Management and Human Resources at the ABC Plant should consider increasing the amount of training around the hiring process so that Technical Managers are more confident in their ability to select the best candidate for the position. The ABC Plant needs to have an increased emphasis on the behavior of leadership impact and making a positive impact on other engineers in the organization when they screen candidates during the hiring process. In addition, the company could benefit from encouraging the existing staff to increase their leadership potential by leading small projects or becoming a mentor for a less experienced engineer. Finally, the culture at the ABC Plant is unique compared to other engineering firms. Candidates should be made aware of the mission of the facility as a manufacturer of components as opposed to design. Designs are created and controlled by a separate entity from the ABC Plant and an engineer that desires control over all aspects of the engineering process may not be a good fit for the organization.