The intent of this analysis is to define the key criterion used for analyzing a position at State Farm. There are also definitions of how to best structure a position in a larger corporation. The use of advanced employee retention strategies is also provided from SAS as well.
Job Description Analysis
Creating and sustaining a viable base of candidates is the most critical function in any Human Resource Management (HRM) and Talent Management department of an organization. Using an example from State Farm Insurance and a position they have open today for a Marketing Manager, key aspects of this company's recruitment and selection methods and a concept map are provided in this analysis.
Analysis of State Farm Insurance Recruitment and Hiring Practices
State Farm Insurance is the most diverse insurance provider in the United States with insurance services for both consumers and businesses. Their recruitment practices today include intensive use of the Internet, including job boards Monster.com, CareerBuilder and their own website, which is today among the best in the insurance industry. State Farm also uses event marketing, sponsorships of on-campus interviews and social media. Just as software leader SAS does, State Farm also receives far more resumes than open positions, and actively uses a screening process to get the best possible candidates. State Farm is however unique in the insurance industry that it relies on all of these sources of recruitment to build profiles of their best candidates, and use this profile analysis to fine-tune their recruitment efforts. The increasing use e-recruitment systems show significant potential to revolutionize the entire recruiting process, across the spectrum of candidates companies need to attain their goals and objectives (Faliagka, Tsakalidis, Tzimas, 2012). Of the many positions that State Farm has available today, a recent listing posted to Monster.com and their own website for a Marketing Manager position forms the basis of the analysis shown here. The position details, job duties, performance standards and job factors of the Marketing Manager position illustrate how focused State Farm is on gaining the expertise they need to attain their challenging strategic goals.
The position's details center on State Farm's need for a marketing manager capable of planning, organizing, leading and controlling their alliance and partner marketing efforts, while also serving as a resource for senior executives on partnership strategies. Job duties include the training, development and continual investment in the effectiveness of department staff reporting to this marketing manager, initiating and maintaining strong relationships with alliance partners and customers assigned to this position, and continual guidance and insight given to senior management on specific industry and market segments. The performance standards include the ability to manage complex forecasting, market analysis and manage highly complex marketing programs while coordinating department members to also contribute to these challenging tasks. The key job factors that State Farm sees as most leading to success include the ability of the applicable to be a leader on contractual and legal compliance issues and also have expertise in advanced project management techniques. In addition, a key job factor is the ability to define and execute tactical implementations and initiate corrective action quickly to keep projects on-schedule and moving forward quickly. All of these elements of the job factors are predicated on the marketing manager's ability to quickly execute strategies and initiatives, coordinating their staff effectively while also creating a highly effective framework for measuring results.
Concept Map of the State Farm Marketing Manager Position
The following is a concept map of the State Farm Marketing Manager position, showing the steps in the recruiting process and factoring in the requirements of the position.
Rational for the Team's Decision
The Marketing Manager position open today at State Farm is illustrative of the level of expertise employers are seeking in candidates in mid-to-senior level positions. It is also highly illustrative of the points in the SAS video pertaining to recruitment. Like SAS, State Farm is very focused on attracting candidates who can both do the tasks of a job from a technical standpoint while also fitting into the culture of the company. SAS is looking for candidates who can do both, with specific focus on the cultural alignment of candidates to the company's current and future growth. Cultural synergies are a very important aspect of any recruitment programs and warrant additional time being taken to qualify potential new employees (Saks, Gruman, 2011). SAS is today achieving a turnover rate of less than 4% and an average tenure of 12 years, which is impressive by any standard in the human resources industry.
You’re 85% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.