Starting an Engaging Lesson on Person Specification in Business
Activity Title: "The Ideal Job Candidate"
Objective:
To help adult learners understand the concept of person specifications and how they are used in recruitment processes by engaging them in a real-world scenario.
Introduction:
Begin the lesson with an interactive activity that positions learners in the role of hiring managers. This scenario will not only grab their attention but also make the topic relatable and relevant to their professional experiences.
Activity Steps:
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Set the Scene:
- Begin with a few minutes of storytelling.
- Describe a fictional company that is looking to fill an exciting new role. For example, "Imagine you are the HR manager at a dynamic startup in London that is developing innovative tech solutions. Your tech lead has just left, and you need to fill that gap quickly with a passionate and skilled individual."
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Discussion Prompt:
- Ask participants to turn to a partner and discuss what qualities they believe are essential for a successful tech lead in this company. Provide 3-5 minutes for this discussion.
- After discussing, invite a few pairs to share their thoughts with the larger group, jotting down key qualities on a whiteboard or flip chart.
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Introduce Person Specification:
- Transition into the concept of person specifications by explaining that their discussions have touched on key components of what makes up a person specification: skills, experience, and personal attributes.
- Explain the importance of a well-defined person specification in attracting the right candidates.
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Interactive Group Activity:
- Divide learners into small groups and provide them with a template for a person specification that includes sections for required qualifications, skills, experience, and personal attributes.
- Challenge each group to create a person specification for the tech lead role you introduced, using insights from their earlier discussion.
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Share and Reflect:
- Have each group present their person specification to the class.
- Facilitate a reflective discussion on the variations between the groups and how different perspectives can influence the desired candidate profile.
Conclusion:
Wrap up the lesson by highlighting key learnings about person specifications, emphasizing their role in the recruitment process. Encourage participants to consider how they can apply these concepts in their own work, whether they are hiring, applying for jobs, or simply seeking to understand the industry better.
Materials Needed:
- Whiteboard/flip chart and markers
- Printed templates for person specifications
- Writing materials for participants
By starting the lesson with an engaging, scenario-based activity, learners will be more invested and likely to absorb the content effectively while fostering a collaborative learning environment.