An investigation of guidance officer selection criteria

Abstract

Little is known about the criteria used in selecting applicants for guidance and counselling positions in schools. This article reports the findings of a survey completed by 91 Queensland secondary school principals and 115 guidance officers and senior guidance officers working in secondary schools. The instrument was a 105-item forced-choice instrument in which each of 15 criterion statements was paired with each other. Both groups indicate the applicant's practicum performance as a major factor in making selection decisions. Communication skills also were regarded as important. In contrast with similar studies conducted in the United States, teaching experience was not deemed to be a crucial consideration. The implications of the findings for training programs are discussed.