A Selection Committee is a group of people who are charged with the responsibility of selecting applicants for an open position within an organization. They are expected to evaluate all applications and select the best candidate based on merit. Ideally, Selection Committee members are diverse in order to minimize the potential for bias or other influences on their decision making process. They may be made up of supervisors, peers, or other key stakeholders.
When choosing members, it is important to consider what roles they will play in the process and their level of knowledge about the role. Including someone who does not fully understand the job or its duties will make it difficult for them to effectively evaluate all candidates. In addition, it is also helpful to include a member who does not work in the department so they can help the committee look at things from a new perspective.
Selection committees can become divided if they do not have a clear definition of what they are seeking in an ideal candidate. This is especially likely when the committee does not take the time to firmly agree on and properly weight the competencies of an ideal candidate profile.
It is critical that the members of a Selection Committee are familiar with the University’s Code of Conduct. This ensures that all members have a thorough understanding of their obligations as selection committee members and are able to avoid any conflicts of interest or personal commitments that could compromise the integrity of the evaluation process.
In addition, it is helpful for all committee members to complete Selection Committee Chair Training, which teaches them how to conduct a fair and consistent evaluation. This is an online module that can be completed prior to the committee’s first meeting.
The number of members on a Selection Committee depends on the size of the organization and the specific position being filled. It is not uncommon for a Selection Committee to have five members and consist of the following individuals:
It’s important for all members of the Selection Committee to have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and the roles they will play in the process. It’s also important for them to understand that they will be grilled by the other committee members during their interviews and it’s essential that they come prepared for this.
Selection Committees are usually comprised of members from the related APS unit or committee or, in the case of honorary awards, from APS as a whole. In many cases, the committee is overseen by a member of the Management Committee who is responsible for co-ordinating the Selection Committee’s activities.
The hiring manager is typically the most influential person on a Selection Committee because they are the most invested in finding the right fit for the open position. They are often the most familiar with the position and its duties and often write the job description for any postings or advertisements. It’s important for the hiring manager to remain impartial throughout the process and not dominate the committee’s efforts so that other members feel as though they are simply rubber stamping their personal hiring preferences.