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Customer-First Values Shape Hiring Decisions at Zappos

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Submitted By tanyahuff
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Customer-First Values Shape Hiring Decisions at Zappos
Tanya Huff
Kaplan University
MT203-02 Human Resource Management
Andrew Toussaint
November 16, 2014

Introduction Zappos is an online retailer of shoes. Zappos is committed to offering the best customer service. Zappos also wants to have a dynamic, fulfilling company culture. (Gerhard, Hollenbeck,
Noe and Wright, 2009) A solid recruiting policy can help Zappos entice qualified applicants that have the same interests in the company’s culture. The selection process can help Zappos find the qualified employees that are going to fit into the company’s cultures and have the same value systems. Review/Analysis of the Case A recruitment policy that might benefit Zappos is image advertising. Image advertising would say that Zappos is a good place to work. It would stress the company’s values such as “Deliver
Wow through service” and “Create fun and a little weirdness.” Possible employee would see this and know if they would fit into Zappos’ culture and that they are attracted to Zappos. This policy would be a good fit for Zappos because it is focused on finding an employee that will be a good fit with the company’s culture. The image advertising policy should have a positive impact on Zappos. Zappos is looking for employees that will be willing and interested in buying into their company culture and into following their values.

The first step in the selection process at Zappos is to have potential employees apply on their company website. On the website there is a prominent message urges them to read the company’s values first. (Gerhart et al, 2009) The company looks over the candidates and chooses people to go through a process of two interviews. The first interview would be a phone interview. The candidate would be asked a series of questions about his or her

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