The Selection Committee has been an extraordinary electoral body established by the Provisional Legislature for selecting the first vice-governor, chief executive and government chief through local consultation. The committee was also responsible for electing and recommending the candidate best qualified for the new chief executive through various local consultations. This procedure has now been revised and simplified in the wake of the Basic Education Reform Act. It is important for candidates applying for the position of chief executive to be aware of this requirement. The new provision will enable the Selection Committee to disqualify a disqualified applicant if it finds that he is unfit to be a chief executive, provided that the said candidate provides written permission for the Selection Committee to proceed with the inquiry.
Applicants to the Hong Kong government positions must be registered under the provision of the Basic Education Provisions Law. The provision specifies that all persons who wish to avail of public offices and positions in the Hong Kong government departments and agencies must first be approved of eligibility by the selection committee of the Executive Council. The applicant must not, however, be a minor parent. Applicants who are in receipt of public assistance will also be required to undergo a Selection Committee interview before being deemed eligible for the position.
During the interview, the Selection Committee will want to know more about a person’s views on key issues facing the country, his understanding of and commitment to community development, his attitude towards management corruption and other obstacles to the performance of the offices of the executive. A representative from the Hong Kong government will travel with the applicant to the interview to assist him in answering the questions put forward by the Selection Committee. Applicants may choose to be interviewed face-to-face or via a recorded interview. Alternately, they may choose to submit documents to be translated into Chinese or to have an agent to carry out the translation for them. Once the document is translated, it will be given to the Selection Committee for them to make their decisions.
Upon acceptance of a candidate by the interview panel, the Hong Kong hiring committee will select a candidate, whom they believe best suits the position. It is then up to the individual to decide whether he wishes to accept the offer made by the appointing authority. If so, he can schedule the interview for sometime in the coming weeks. It is usual for applicants to be interviewed at least three times. In addition to being subjected to the interview procedure itself, they will also be subjected to interviews on matters such as their work ethics, loyalty, integrity, competence, and other such qualities.
Candidates will be informed by the hiring authorities as to what they should expect when appearing for the interview. Some interviewers will assign a date and time for the interview; others will simply ask the candidate to attend the interview. Candidates need to ensure that they read the information carefully so that they can be prepared accordingly. There are also guidelines as to how the interview is to be conducted.
The process of hiring a successful candidate will involve more than just the interviews. The Selection Committee will have a number of other factors to consider before finally making a decision. The successful candidate will not be selected without the support and cooperation of his Selection Committee.