In this series of blogs, we’re going to outline three case studies using different psychometric tests and associated assessment processes.  This blog details how we have used a psychometric and verification interview to help a manager tease out vital information:

A Senior Manager Who Needed More Information About Shortlisted Candidates

A worried senior manager contacted us, explaining that they had several strong candidates for a critical role.  They asked us if we could support the selection process with additional assessment of the candidates. The manager needed to explore their potential fit in the team and organisation.  They also needed a process that was cost effective and time efficient for both the candidates and the organisation.

Identifying the skills and behaviours most crucial…

Our aim was to identify the skills, abilities and behaviours that were most crucial to success in the role.  One of our experienced psychologists discussed with the manager what they were looking for. Not just the aspects written in the person spec, but also that “softer” information around the existing team, their qualities and potential blind spots.

Recommendation

Based on this information, we recommended a personality profile which focused on a number of key areas critical for the role.

We contacted all the candidates, outlining the process and inviting completion of the on-line questionnaire.  The questionnaire itself took about 20 minutes to complete.  The candidates were able to complete the questionnaire in their own time, to fit their own schedule.

The Process

Following completion of the on-line questionnaire, we booked in a remote verification interview with each candidate.  This lasted approximately an hour, and focused on three key aspects:

• Verifying the outputs of the personality profile.
• Teasing out further information about the key areas, and also other areas that were of interest / concern, particularly in relation to the client’s identified needs.
• Seeking evidence from real-life examples to back up the information discussed in the aspects above.

Insights

The insights gained from the verification interviews were then written into personalised reports.  Our client had requested a short summary, with recommended areas to explore further, along with a more detailed report behind this.

Our insights, concerns and questions were presented in written form for the client and also discussed in person.  This enabled the client to question us in more depth about some of the concerns we had identified.

At the end of the process the client explained that they felt our assessments had been particularly helpful for them.

They noted that we had highlighted a number of interconnected concerns that resonated with experience they had of one of the candidates.  We gave them the confidence to delve further into these concerns around how that person would fit into the existing team.

The client made a successful appointment, with the sound knowledge that they had a robust process in place to support their decision.

If you would like more information about our personality profile and personalised verification / feedback interview, please contact viv.walton@deardenassessment.co.uk