The Recruitment Process: Attracting and Retaining Quality Employees

Abstract

St. John Providence Health System is one of the largest hospital systems in Southeast Michigan. With over 14,000 full time positions alone, recruitment is necessary. Simply put, recruitment is the act of finding and persuading individuals to work for an organization. However, the process of recruiting, as described later in detail, is much more complex than the definition itself These steps must be completed in order for the final candidate to be eligible for hire. Brand recognition, or a well-known identity, is a key aspect of the hiring process. It attracts potential employees who have similar values or characteristics. Once these individuals become part of the organization, a particular strategic position of human resource management is necessary to decrease employee turnover and increase employee job satisfaction. The most specialized and widely accepted strategy is the Configurational strategy, which incorporated both horizontal and vertical fit in the human resource department. The theories behind attracting and retaining quality employees through recruitment are largely rooted in the field of Psychology. For example, the theory of motivation led to Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The satisfaction of these needs must occur in the work setting through acceptance and recognition by peers and managers. Employees that move through the hierarchy are more motivated and willing to remain at an organization than employees that remain stagnate. Lastly, the theories of Person-Environment, Person-Organization, and Person-Job fit are evaluated and linked to attracting and retaining employees using the recruitment process.