Archive for the ‘outplacement’ Category

Fast Track 2010 – Published Materials

• Career, Aptitude & Selection Tests, J Barrett, Kogan Page
• How to Pass Graduate Recruitment Tests, M Byron, Kogan Page
• How to Pass Selection Tests, M Byron, S Modha, Kogan Page
• How to Succeed in Psychometric Tests, D Cohen, Sheldon Press
• How to Pass Civic Service Qualifying Tests, M Byron, Kogan Page
• How to Pass Verbal Reasoning Tests, H Tolley & S Thomas, Kogan Page
• How to Pass Computer Selection Tests, S Modha, Kogan Page
• How to Master Personality Questionnaires, M Parkinson, Kogan Page
• Test Your Own Aptitude, J Barratt, G Williams, Kogan Page
• How to Win at Aptitude Tests, P Pelshenke, Thorsons
• Interviews Made Easy, M Parkinson, Kogan Page

Lynn Tulip Chartered MCIPD, PgDip Guidance & Assessment
HR & Career Management Consultant
http://assessment4potential.tel/

The Use of Psychometric Tests in Selection and Recruitment

What are Psychometric Tests?

The British Psychological Society definition of a psychometric test:

‘a psychological test is any procedure on the basis of which inferences are made concerning a person’s capacity, propensity or liability to act, react, experience, or to structure or order thought or behaviour in particular ways’.

Who uses psychometric tests?

Large, medium, and an increasing number of small firms use psychometric tests. Over 70 % of larger companies are currently using psychometric tests to gather vital information from potential and current employees. More and more companies are using psychometric tests for:

• graduate recruitment
• filtering out candidates when there are large numbers of applicants

Over 70% of large companies use them in their recruitment process and small companies are using them increasingly.

They are also used to assess existing employees for:

• training and staff development needs
• promotion

What do psychometric tests measure?

Psychometric tests may measure aptitude, personality or interests:

Aptitude Tests – these measure how people differ in their ability to perform or carry out different tasks. (these are the type you are most likely to find at the first stage of a selection process).

Interest Tests – these measure how people vary in their motivation, in the direction and strength of their interests, and in their values and opinions (these are less likely to be used on new graduates but are sometimes).

Personality Tests – these measure how people differ in their style or manner of doing things, and in the way they interact with their environment and other people (personality).

Whereas aptitude tests measure your maximum performance capacity, the other tests examine typical or preferred behaviour.

Why use psychometrics in an employment setting?

The main advantages of using psychometric tests are:

• Objectivity – they dramatically reduce bias and personal perspective.
• Clarity – they provide a robust framework and structure.
• Equality and fairness for all individuals (tests are standardised so that all individuals receive the same treatment).
• Increase the likelihood of being able to predict future job performance (they have a high level of ‘predictive validity’).

• The identification of training needs.
• Encourage employers to do thorough job analysis in order to identify appropriate skills and abilities. This helps to ensure that candidates for a position are assessed on skills only relevant to the job.

What are psychometric tests used for?

Some uses of psychometric tests are:

• Selection of candidates to jobs
• Personal development/identification of training needs/staff development
• Careers guidance
• Building and developing teams

Outplacement business should be brisk.

With redundancies rising one might expect outplacement consultants to be chomping at the bit in anticipation of rising demands for their services. However, more often than not it seems that businesses are side lining the services and making staff redundant without offering professional add on support.

Using robust outplacement services can mean that the negative effects of redundancy can be off set for both those that lose their jobs and those that remain in post. Survivors syndrome often shows up as a demoralised guilt ridden workforce resulting in loss of production. Using professional services can help a company retain its credibility and maintain its market position.

Redundancy is difficult for all those involved, employees and employers alike. Outplacement services support both the individuals and the employer through the challenging time. Support services can be from breaking the bad news, setting up a communication strategy, to supporting the exiting staff and helping them move forward and make alternative job choices, focusing on a new CV, Interview coaching and Job Search strategies whilst maintaining the morale of the remaining employees.

The benefits?

Using Outplacement Services gives

• a positive clear message that shows a company cares and this will undoubtedly have an impact on existing staff and for attracting new employees in the future
• affected staff support through their career transition to new employment, education or training
• strength to reduce individual’s emotions and manage their possible anger, disappointment and resentment

What is offered?

Executive Outplacement – These are programmes tailored for executives or senior managers. They are bespoke programmes facilitated through 1-1 coaching and cover topics including: moving on after redundancy, career assessment and direction, CV support, job hunting strategies and interview preparation.

Individual Outplacement –These programmes offer 1-1 coaching and flexibility to meet individual needs. These programmes vary in length and content with modules – career coaching and assessment, CV preparation, job search, interview advice and ongoing support.

Group Outplacement – This is a workshop programme designed to help a group.