Managing your staff: workforce planning

Businesses compete for the best talent, and if your business can attract the best staff you'll have a competitive advantage.

The downloadable resources on this page are referred to in Your Workforce - a workforce planning guide. 

Attracting employees

The following factors, in order of importance to new recruits, are considered attractive:

1. Training and development opportunities.
2. Remuneration and upfront salary advertising.
3. Enjoyable workplace culture and environment.
4. Flexible hours and working arrangements.
5. Straightforward application process.

2.1 Attract, recruit and select checklist DOCX (44.3 KB)
2.1 Attract, recruit and select checklist PDF (88.5 KB)

2.2 Building a good employer brand factsheet DOCX (44.4 KB)
2.2 Building a good employer brand factsheet PDF (48.4 KB)

Recruitment process

When recruiting staff, follow all of these steps:

Step 1. Identify the job vacancy.

Step 2. Undertake a job analysis to identify which skills are required.

Step 3. Update the job description and selection criteria.

Step 4. Determine how you’re going to assess each candidate’s suitability.

Step 5. Devise a recruitment plan to advertise the vacancy.

Step 6. Create a short-list based on the selection criteria.

2.3 Job analysis form DOCX (49.3 KB)
2.3 Job analysis form PDF (50.2 KB)

2.4 Job description form DOCX (44.2 KB)
2.4 Job description form PDF (48.7 KB)

2.5 Job application form DOCX (51.7 KB)
2.5 Job application form PDF (58.7 KB)

2.6 Letter to applicants - acknowledgment of application template DOCX (40.8 KB)
2.6 Letter to applicants - acknowledgment of application template PDF (42.5 KB)

2.7 Advertise a job template DOCX (144.8 KB)
2.7 Advertise a job template PDF (62.5 KB)

Selection process

When selecting staff, follow all of these steps:

Step 1. Organise a date, place and time for the selection process.

Step 2. Notify the candidates you wish to interview.

Step 3. Devise selection tools such as interview questions and forms.

Step 4. Organise other interviewers if you are using a panel interview.

Step 5. Check references of shortlisted candidates.

Step 6. Ensure the selection process is fair for all candidates.

Step 7. Make your decision and notify the successful candidate.

Step 8. Advise unsuccessful applicants.

Step 9. Generate a formal offer of employment.

2.8 Reference check form DOCX (47.3 KB)
2.8 Reference check form PDF (54.7 KB)

2.9 Preparing for an interview checklist DOCX (46.3 KB)
2.9 Preparing for an interview checklist PDF (53.7 KB)

2.10 Interview record form DOCX (47.2 KB)
2.10 Interview record form PDF (49.2 KB)

2.11 Letter of offer template DOCX (41.6 KB)
2.11 Letter of offer template PDF (44.5 KB)

2.12 Acknowledgment of application - unsuccessful applicant template DOCX (41.9 KB)
2.12 Acknowledgment of application - unsuccessful applicant template PDF (45.1 KB)