Compares three methods to recruit new employees
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Flowchart

IELTS Writing Task 1 Question
The flowchart below compares three methods to recruit new employees. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Common Questions for Flowchart (Recruitment Methods)
1. Graph Type: Flowchart (Recruitment Methods)
2. Title: Comparison of Three Methods for Employee Recruitment
3. What are the units of measurement? No specific units of measurement (illustration of recruitment processes)
4. Who: Companies and prospective employees
5. When: Not specified (general recruitment processes)
6. Where: Not specified (recruitment for a company)
7. Topic: Comparison of three recruitment methods used by companies
Comparison Showing and Trends Any change over time (such as an increase or a decrease) is a trend.
Comparison 1 : Direct Job Announcements
- Details:
- The first method involves publishing job announcements. Qualified applicants are shortlisted, interviewed, and those who are eligible are hired. This process is direct and relatively quick.
Comparison 2 : Recruitment via Advertisements
- Details:
- The second method uses advertisements in newspapers. Suitable candidates are shortlisted and divided into two groups: one group is interviewed directly, while the other must take an exam. Those who pass either the interview or the exam are offered the job.
Comparison 3 : Recruitment via Agencies
- Details:
- The 2020 plan proposes new rooms, including a block for 20 rooms on the northern side and an IT course room in the south-west. A canteen, kitchen, three meeting rooms, and a game room are also added.
Sample Answer
The flowchart outlines three methods of recruiting employees for a company. The methods differ in complexity and the steps involved in selecting suitable candidates.
Overall, all three methods are fairly simple, but the first approach may be more time- and cost-effective than the others as it eliminates the need for exams or external agencies.
In the first method, job announcements are published, and qualified candidates are shortlisted. These candidates are then interviewed by HR or managers, and those deemed suitable are hired. This method is straightforward and efficient.
The second approach involves advertising in newspapers, followed by shortlisting candidates. The shortlisted candidates are then split into two groups: one group is directly interviewed, while the other must take an exam. Those who pass the interview or exam are selected for the job.
The third method uses recruitment agencies. These agencies collaborate with headhunters and advertise the positions. The steps that follow are similar to the first method, with the shortlisted candidates being interviewed.
Top 26 Vocabulary
Vocabulary |
Meaning | Synonyms | Examples | Type |
Shortlist | To select or be selected as a candidate | Select, choose | Qualified candidates are shortlisted for an interview. | Verb/Noun |
Headhunters | Professionals who find candidates for specific jobs | Recruiters, talent scouts | The company works with headhunters to find qualified staff. | Noun |
Eligible | Qualified or suitable for something | Qualified, suitable | Only eligible candidates are invited for the interview. | Adjective |
Agency | A business that provides a particular service | Firm, bureau | Recruitment agencies help companies find suitable employees. | Noun |
Exam | A test of knowledge or ability | Test, assessment | Candidates must pass the exam to move to the next step in the recruitment process. | Noun |
Recruitment |
The process of finding and hiring employees |
Hiring, staffing |
“The recruitment process includes multiple steps to find the right candidates.” |
Noun |
Process |
A series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular result |
Procedure, method |
“The recruitment process can vary depending on the method used.” |
Noun |
Method |
A particular procedure for achieving something |
Approach, technique |
“There are three methods for recruiting employees outlined in the flowchart.” |
Noun |
Suitable |
Right or appropriate for a particular purpose |
Appropriate, fitting |
“Only suitable candidates will be chosen for the interview.” |
Adjective |
Step |
A stage or phase in a process |
Stage, phase |
“Each step in the recruitment process is crucial to find the right candidate.” |
Noun |
Complexity |
The state of being intricate or complicated |
Difficulty, intricacy |
“The third method is more complex due to the involvement of external agencies.” |
Noun |
Cost-effective |
Providing good value for the amount of money spent |
Economical, efficient |
“The first method is more cost-effective than the others.” |
Adjective |
Advertise |
To make something known to the public in order to attract candidates |
Promote, announce |
“Companies advertise their job openings in newspapers and online.” |
Verb |
Group |
A number of people or things classified together |
Team, category |
“Candidates are divided into two groups for interviews.” |
Noun |
Collaborate |
To work together on a task or project |
Cooperate, team up |
“Recruitment agencies collaborate with headhunters to find candidates.” |
Verb |
Deemed |
Considered or judged to be something |
Regarded, viewed |
“Candidates who are deemed suitable will be hired.” |
Verb |
Selection |
The process of choosing the most appropriate candidates |
Choice, picking |
“The selection process includes interviews and exams.” |
Noun |
External |
Coming from outside |
Outside, foreign |
“External agencies help with recruitment when necessary.” |
Adjective |
Agency |
An organization or service providing specialized assistance |
Firm, office |
“The company partnered with a recruitment agency to find staff.” |
Noun |
Candidate |
A person applying for a job or position |
Applicant, contender |
“Only qualified candidates are invited for interviews.” |
Noun |
Pass |
To succeed or perform well in a test or exam |
Succeed, clear |
“Candidates must pass the interview or exam to be selected.” |
Verb |
Interview |
A formal conversation between an employer and a candidate |
Meeting, discussion |
“The shortlisted candidates will be interviewed next.” |
Noun/Verb |
Published |
Made available to the public, especially through media |
Released, announced |
“Job announcements are published in newspapers and online.” |
Verb/Adjective |
Exam |
A formal test to assess knowledge or skills |
Test, assessment |
“The second method requires candidates to take an exam.” |
Noun |
Selection Criteria |
The standards or rules used to choose candidates |
Requirements, qualifications |
“The selection criteria for the job are based on experience and skills.” |
Noun |
Evaluate |
To assess or judge the quality or performance of something |
Assess, appraise |
“Candidates will be evaluated based on their interview performance.” |
Verb |
Shortlisted |
Selected from a larger group for further consideration |
Selected, chosen |
“The shortlisted candidates will proceed to the next stage.” |
Verb/Adjective |

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