Discussion 1

"Job Applicants" Please respond to the following:

• Examine two ways that companies can recruit qualified job applicants. Determine which method may be most effective and predict how it could benefit the company when hiring new employees.

• Go to O*Net Online's Website and review at least two (2) different occupation descriptions. Next, compare the two selected occupation descriptions. Recommend two changes to make the occupation descriptions more marketable. Provide examples to support your recommendations. Be sure to provide details of the occupation descriptions in case others want to use them.

Discussion 2

"Company Competitive Advantage" Please respond to the following:

•Propose two ways that a company can gain a competitive advantage over other companies when striving to recruit job applicants. Determine whether technology has assisted or hindered the process.

•Imagine you are head of the HR department, and you have been asked to review two applicants for the sales clerk position at your company. Alice, the first applicant has 10 years of experience in sales work, but can be easily distracted. She will not work on commission and cannot work weekends. She can be a little obstinate, but has an excellent job history.

Mary, the second applicant, has one year experience, but very congenial and loves working with people. Her work schedule is very flexible, but she can become a little stressed at times and has been known for having to quietly leave and regroup for a short time. Determine which candidate would be the "right fit". Support your decision by describing the thought process that lead up to your decision.

Assignment 1: Alignment of HRM and Business Strategies

Select a publicly traded company to research and evaluate its Human Resource (HR) and business strategy, HR department job positions, and ways it markets its company regarding human capital. Some company Websites that provide this information are listed below:

•Marriott

•Allstate

•State Farm

•Ford Motor Company

Write a two to three (2-3) page paper in which you:

1.Propose how you would ensure the HR strategy is in alignment with the business strategy.

2.Describe the HR job positions and the responsibilities listed for that HR department.

3.Determine which HR job positions you would prefer and explain why.

4.Analyze how the selected company can establish HRM strategies to improve competitive advantages.

5.Propose three (3) ways that the company can increase diversity.

6.Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this assignment.

Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

•Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

•Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

•Examine the role of human resource management (HRM) in organizations and how it supports the organization's business strategy.

•Evaluate human resource strategies and how these strategies align with business strategies.

•Create a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

•Formulate HRM strategies and policies to recruit, select, place, and retain the most efficient and effective workforce.

•Use technology and information resources to research issues in strategic human resource development.

•Write clearly and concisely about strategic human resource development using proper writing mechanics.