Implementing interactive hiring activity in pharmacy management education

Abstract

Background and purposeA major element of management is the process of hiring employees. The purpose of this brief is to describe the implementation of a human resources learning activity asking students to choose an employee to hire, describe student responses, and explore student perspectives of the activity. Educational activity and settingAn interactive hiring activity was presented to third-year students (n = 386) at two different institutions, with varied classroom settings. Students were provided with candidates' curricula vitae and then completed a student-led interview using scripted questions presented in a PowerPoint format. The activity asked students to hire one candidate from five qualified candidates of varying backgrounds and traits. A Qualtrics survey collected students' individual hiring choice, hiring rationale, participant demographic information, and activity perceptions. Demographics and candidate choice were assessed using descriptive analysis. Open-ended answers were analyzed for frequency of terms, followed by a latent class analysis. FindingsOver 90% of students (n = 386) completed the post-activity survey. Demographic data between student cohorts varied, with only student age similar. Hired candidates differed by institution with one college expressing preference for a specific candidate and the other demonstrating a greater diversity of candidate preferences. Influencing factors on student choice were numerous. Overall, students reported a favorable experience with the activity. SummaryThis management hiring activity allowed students to engage in the practice-ready skills of hiring pharmacy technicians in an interactive classroom activity. This activity allowed the educators involved to develop hypotheses about student preferences in hiring for future study.