{"id":25,"date":"2024-07-16T15:01:36","date_gmt":"2024-07-16T19:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=25"},"modified":"2025-01-25T13:36:19","modified_gmt":"2025-01-25T18:36:19","slug":"who-is-the-best-candidate-for-the-job","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/chapter\/who-is-the-best-candidate-for-the-job\/","title":{"raw":"Who is the \"Best Candidate for the Job\u201d?","rendered":"Who is the &#8220;Best Candidate for the Job\u201d?"},"content":{"raw":"<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-162 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2249\/2024\/07\/2-e1734156983905.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"940\" height=\"512\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>At VCC, departments create a set of Area Hiring Criteria for each program.<\/b> It may be tempting to set overly narrow criteria to pinpoint candidates who precisely match your picture of \u201cthe ideal candidate.\u201d While this approach might keep the applicant pool small, making it quicker and easier to identify a candidate, overly narrow criteria can:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Favour candidates who resemble current faculty or fit into dominant cultural norms<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Overlook candidates with transferrable skills, such as those with interdisciplinary expertise or those who took non-traditional career paths<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Discourage strong candidates from applying because they don't perfectly match the narrow criteria.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h5><strong>To find the best candidate for the job:<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n<h5 class=\"p3\"><b>1. Focus on Essential Qualifications<\/b><\/h5>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"p4\">Highlight the knowledge, skills, and abilities <strong>necessary<\/strong> to perform the role. Avoid idealized or overly narrow qualifications that may limit the candidate pool unnecessarily.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"p4\">Consider which qualifications could be marked as <strong>\u201cpreferred\u201d<\/strong> rather than <strong>\u201crequired.\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li>Value alignment with <strong>VCC's commitments<\/strong> to creating accessible, culturally responsive programs for diverse learners :\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>VCC\u2019s Strategic Innovation Plan pledges to \u201creview and renew curricula and teaching practices for<strong> greater inclusion of diverse ways of knowing and being<\/strong>\u201d and \u201c<strong>reflect and respect Indigenous knowledge, culture, and history in academic planning and delivery.<\/strong>\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>VCC\u2019s Academic Plan 2022-2025 Goal 1.1 is to \u201cretain and maintain sufficient qualified and appropriate Indigenous leadership, knowledge holders, and allies to <strong>direct and support the process of Indigenization.<\/strong>\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>VCC\u2019s Academic Plan 2022-2025 Goal 2.1 is to \u201cretain and maintain leaders, planners, and doers to direct and support the process of <strong>ensuring justice, equity, diversity &amp; inclusion within the College<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h5 class=\"p3\"><b>2. Recognize Equivalent Qualifications<\/b><\/h5>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Use language like: \u201c<strong>Or an equivalent combination<\/strong> <strong>of education, training, paid employment, volunteer experience, and lived experience.\"<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"p4\">When assessing applications, value <strong>non-traditional pathways<\/strong> to qualifications.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Value <strong>volunteer work<\/strong> that aligns with the role. Recognize that systemic barriers may have limited paid work opportunities for some individuals, such as people with disabilities.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Value <strong>lived experience<\/strong> that aligns with the role, such as firsthand knowledge of barriers faced by marginalized groups or insights into historically underserved communities. (Note: Do not ask about personal characteristics protected by law, such as age, race, gender, or disability in the application or interview. Do aim to create a space where candidates feel comfortable disclosing lived experience and relevant equity dimensions voluntarily.)<\/li>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"font-size: 1em\">Value <strong>on-the-job training<\/strong> that contributes relevant skills or perspectives.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"font-size: 1em\">Value <strong>professional development<\/strong> that contributes relevant skills or perspectives.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"font-size: 1em\">Value a wider range of<strong> relevant formal academic credentials. <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">For example: Is a Masters degree the only way to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for the role? What other certifications might be just as valuable?<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--examples\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">From the BC Office of the Human Rights Commissioner<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n<div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 3\">\r\n<div class=\"section\">\r\n<div class=\"layoutArea\">\r\n<div class=\"column\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Special programs can help lower barriers for marginalized groups<\/strong>\r\n\r\n\"It is not discriminatory under the Human Rights Code for employers to create employment equity programs to improve conditions for marginalized groups. For example, you may give preference in hiring and promotion decisions to applicants from disadvantaged groups.\r\n\r\nEmployers with an initiative aiming to lower barriers for marginalized groups may seek a \u201cspecial program\u201d designation from B.C.\u2019s Human Rights Commissioner. Any program or activity granted this designation cannot be found to contravene the Code.\"\r\n\r\n\u25b6 Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/bchumanrights.ca\/human-rights\/special-programs\/\">BCOHRC\u2019s website to learn more about special programs <\/a>\u00a0and consult with VCC's People Services.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-162 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2249\/2024\/07\/2-e1734156983905.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"940\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2249\/2024\/07\/2-e1734156983905.png 940w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2249\/2024\/07\/2-e1734156983905-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2249\/2024\/07\/2-e1734156983905-768x418.png 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2249\/2024\/07\/2-e1734156983905-65x35.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2249\/2024\/07\/2-e1734156983905-225x123.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2249\/2024\/07\/2-e1734156983905-350x191.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>At VCC, departments create a set of Area Hiring Criteria for each program.<\/b> It may be tempting to set overly narrow criteria to pinpoint candidates who precisely match your picture of \u201cthe ideal candidate.\u201d While this approach might keep the applicant pool small, making it quicker and easier to identify a candidate, overly narrow criteria can:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Favour candidates who resemble current faculty or fit into dominant cultural norms<\/li>\n<li>Overlook candidates with transferrable skills, such as those with interdisciplinary expertise or those who took non-traditional career paths<\/li>\n<li>Discourage strong candidates from applying because they don&#8217;t perfectly match the narrow criteria.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>To find the best candidate for the job:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<h5 class=\"p3\"><b>1. Focus on Essential Qualifications<\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p4\">Highlight the knowledge, skills, and abilities <strong>necessary<\/strong> to perform the role. Avoid idealized or overly narrow qualifications that may limit the candidate pool unnecessarily.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p4\">Consider which qualifications could be marked as <strong>\u201cpreferred\u201d<\/strong> rather than <strong>\u201crequired.\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Value alignment with <strong>VCC&#8217;s commitments<\/strong> to creating accessible, culturally responsive programs for diverse learners :\n<ul>\n<li>VCC\u2019s Strategic Innovation Plan pledges to \u201creview and renew curricula and teaching practices for<strong> greater inclusion of diverse ways of knowing and being<\/strong>\u201d and \u201c<strong>reflect and respect Indigenous knowledge, culture, and history in academic planning and delivery.<\/strong>\u201d<\/li>\n<li>VCC\u2019s Academic Plan 2022-2025 Goal 1.1 is to \u201cretain and maintain sufficient qualified and appropriate Indigenous leadership, knowledge holders, and allies to <strong>direct and support the process of Indigenization.<\/strong>\u201d<\/li>\n<li>VCC\u2019s Academic Plan 2022-2025 Goal 2.1 is to \u201cretain and maintain leaders, planners, and doers to direct and support the process of <strong>ensuring justice, equity, diversity &amp; inclusion within the College<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5 class=\"p3\"><b>2. Recognize Equivalent Qualifications<\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Use language like: \u201c<strong>Or an equivalent combination<\/strong> <strong>of education, training, paid employment, volunteer experience, and lived experience.&#8221;<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"p4\">When assessing applications, value <strong>non-traditional pathways<\/strong> to qualifications.<\/li>\n<li>Value <strong>volunteer work<\/strong> that aligns with the role. Recognize that systemic barriers may have limited paid work opportunities for some individuals, such as people with disabilities.<\/li>\n<li>Value <strong>lived experience<\/strong> that aligns with the role, such as firsthand knowledge of barriers faced by marginalized groups or insights into historically underserved communities. (Note: Do not ask about personal characteristics protected by law, such as age, race, gender, or disability in the application or interview. Do aim to create a space where candidates feel comfortable disclosing lived experience and relevant equity dimensions voluntarily.)<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1em\">Value <strong>on-the-job training<\/strong> that contributes relevant skills or perspectives.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1em\">Value <strong>professional development<\/strong> that contributes relevant skills or perspectives.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1em\">Value a wider range of<strong> relevant formal academic credentials. <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">For example: Is a Masters degree the only way to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for the role? What other certifications might be just as valuable?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--examples\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">From the BC Office of the Human Rights Commissioner<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 3\">\n<div class=\"section\">\n<div class=\"layoutArea\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<p><strong>Special programs can help lower barriers for marginalized groups<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is not discriminatory under the Human Rights Code for employers to create employment equity programs to improve conditions for marginalized groups. For example, you may give preference in hiring and promotion decisions to applicants from disadvantaged groups.<\/p>\n<p>Employers with an initiative aiming to lower barriers for marginalized groups may seek a \u201cspecial program\u201d designation from B.C.\u2019s Human Rights Commissioner. Any program or activity granted this designation cannot be found to contravene the Code.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/bchumanrights.ca\/human-rights\/special-programs\/\">BCOHRC\u2019s website to learn more about special programs <\/a>\u00a0and consult with VCC&#8217;s People Services.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1935,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-25","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":3,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/25","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1935"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25"}],"version-history":[{"count":64,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/25\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":475,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/25\/revisions\/475"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/3"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/25\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=25"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=25"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/hiring\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=25"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}