Posts Tagged ‘OPQ32’

Psychometric Testing – Effective Recruitment & Selection

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

Psychometric Testing – Improving recruitment.

Most companies I speak to place an advert, screen the applications and CV’s, make a short list, interview, screen-out unqualified applicants, check referees and make an offer to the surviving applicant. Increasingly companies are realising that this process is not an effective means of recruiting and selecting the right people. The cost of a wrong hire can be as much as 3 times salary and so selecting the wrong people is costing companies dearly. So how can companies improve recruitment and selection?

Psychometric Testing & Effective Interviewing
I read an interesting article recently that described and interviewee like a tree. The part that is visible (fruits) and the part that is not visible (roots). The problem with most traditional interviews is that they focus on what can be seen (the fruits). These interviews fall into two categories; a glorified sales pitch by the interviewer or an informal conversation. They lack direction and focus and no two interviews are the same making it difficult to compare candidates objectively. For effective recruitment you will combine a competency based interview with psychometric testing (for example ability tests and personality questionnaires). This combination will help you dig beneath the surface and uncover important information about applicants.

Mistakes in recruitment can be costly and for some firms they can mean the end of a dream. Effective analysis, planning and utilising effective assessment techniques can greatly improve your hiring decisions.

Psychometric Testing in Ireland

Do you need more information about psychometric testing services and effective interviewing? Measurability offers psychometric testing and interviewing support throughout Ireland – Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Sligo and much more. They offer a wide range of psychometric tests, ability tests and personality questionnaires both online and offline.

Psychometric Testing in Ireland

Monday, March 3rd, 2008

Are you recruiting staff and need more help?

Psychometric Testing can provide objective information to help you make more informed recruitment decisions. A key provider of assessment tools is SHL. SHL is a global provider and probably the most used tools by Irish employers. The most popular tools are the ability/aptitude suite and the OPQ32 personality questionnaire. Many of the tests are now online which can help your recruitment process. SHL has many business partners across the UK and Ireland. Measurability is a key partner in Ireland and offers a full range of SHL psychometric assessment tools. For more information about psychometric testing check out SHL website as it will provide information on the benefits of assessment and information on SHL’s full range of tools.

Psychometric Testing – Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway and more

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

I posted previously about Psychometric Testing and the benefits of using testing as part of your recruitment and selection process. Tools like Personality Questionnaires and Ability Tests can greatly reduce the chances of hiring the wrong staff. If you have made a wrong hire in the past you will know the associate costs and hassle.

Measurability is a provider of Psychometric Testing services to companies in Ireland. Their clients include County Council, VEC, Universities and companies in the IT, Retail, Financial Services, Recruitment, Manufacturing and Construction sectors. Measurability work with clients in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Sligo and other regions.

Measurability is a partner of SHL and offer a wide range of SHL assessment tools. The portfolio includes the OPQ32 and Verify numerical and verbal ability tests both online and paper and pencil. SHL is the leading provider for Assessment tools at all level of your organisation.

For more information on Measurability and the Psychometric Testing services offered visit their website.

Psychometric Testing – revisited

Thursday, February 7th, 2008


Interview Lies and Pinocchio

I know that my last post was about Psychometric Testing but I came across this picture on the internet and though it could be used in the argument for Testing.

Psychometric Testing versus The Pinocchio Effect.

Most employers rely on traditional interviews and CV’s to assess and select candidates. BUT how do you know if someone is lying at interview – except that is you are lucky enough to interview Pinocchio. Psychometric Testing can help you as Pinocchio cannot possible apply for all your jobs.

Psychometric Testing – a quick analysis.

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008

Most employers have heard of the term Psychometric Testing but unfortunately many have not bought into the concept and they still rely on traditional assessment and selection techniques. The uptake is normally by multinationals (80% of the FTSE100 companies use some form of psychometric testing) and progressive SME’s.

Why use Psychometric Testing?

Cost of a bad hire – It has been estimated that hiring the wrong candidate can cost up to three times salary. There are obvious costs like recruitment agency fees, time spent recruiting, advertising, salary, training etc. There are also hidden costs such as lost sales, lost customers, managing poor performance and the impact on the team and morale. So the “hire them and get rid of them if they don’t work strategy” is expensive.

Better hiring decisions – Research has indicated that the combination of behavioural/competency interviews and psychometric testing is the most effective approach for assessing and selecting staff.

Failure of traditional techniques – CV’s, traditional interviews and a couple of bland references do not work. CV’s are self written fictional documents. Traditional interviews are nothing more that an unstructured rambling chat. And references – what do they really tell you?

Saves time, effort and money – I refer you to my first point.

Objective and fair practice – Psychometric Testing is objective and therefore reduces the subjectivity associated with traditional assessment methods. More importantly organisations need to have a water tight recruitment process to support their decisions if challenged.

Hire the best – and leave the rest for your competition.

What is stopping those who do not embrace Psychometric Testing?

I really do not know. It cannot be cost as personality questionnaires and ability tests are inexpensive starting at 100.00 euro per test. It cannot be a time issue as most assessments are now online and can be completed remotely by the candidates. Possibly lack of understanding BUT they above arguments should motivate you to find out a bit more. Anyway there are consultants to support your needs for example www.measurability.ie.