Which statement aligns with merit-based hiring?

Which statement aligns with merit-based hiring?

• A. Hire based on job-related qualifications; diversity is a secondary goal.
• B. Hire primarily to increase diversity regardless of qualifications.
• C. Hire candidates with no relevant experience to improve diversity.
• D. Hire randomly.

Answer: (A)

Merit-based hiring means selecting candidates based on job-related qualifications—facts like knowledge, skills, experience, and the ability to perform the essential duties. Diversity can be supported as a beneficial outcome, but it should not override the requirement that the person can actually do the job. The statement that you hire based on job-related qualifications with diversity as a secondary goal captures that balance and aligns with fair, effective hiring practices. The other approaches miss the mark: prioritizing diversity over qualifications neglects the job’s demands, hiring someone with no relevant experience fails to meet the role, and hiring randomly ignores qualifications altogether.

Merit-based hiring means selecting candidates based on job-related qualifications—facts like knowledge, skills, experience, and the ability to perform the essential duties. Diversity can be supported as a beneficial outcome, but it should not override the requirement that the person can actually do the job. The statement that you hire based on job-related qualifications with diversity as a secondary goal captures that balance and aligns with fair, effective hiring practices. The other approaches miss the mark: prioritizing diversity over qualifications neglects the job’s demands, hiring someone with no relevant experience fails to meet the role, and hiring randomly ignores qualifications altogether.