A vast number of KSAO's can be measured by a well-designed structured interview. However, as mentioned earlier, interviewing can be expensive. In addition, even in the best of cases, it remains a subjective process and biases can influence the interviewers. A common complement to interviewing that is relatively inexpensive and much more objective, is standardized testing.\u00a0 In this section we will cover the most common tests used for employment decisions. Many of these tests are psychological in nature but others focus on various characteristics.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A cognitive ability test measures intelligence. The most common types, IQ tests, measure general mental ability. Other tests can specifically focus on verbal ability, math skills, spatial perception, or inductive and deductive reasoning. The GMAT, a test often required for admission in MBA programs, is an example of a cognitive ability test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Aptitude tests can measure things such as mechanical aptitude and clerical aptitude (e.g., speed of typing or ability to use a particular computer program). Usually, an aptitude test asks specific questions related to the requirements of the job. For example, to become a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, you need to pass CritiCall, which is an aptitude test. The test measures memory, spatial abilities, prioritization, ability to multitask, decision-making, and listening capabilities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Personality is a major psychological construct that is defined as patterns of individual differences in thinking, feeling and behaving. These patterns are relatively stable across situations and over time. For that reason, they are very useful to make employment decisions because we can be confident that personality traits will manifest themselves in the workplace. Of the many personality theories that exists in psychology, t<\/span><\/span>he \u201cBig Five\u201d personality model is the most commonly used for employment decisions. It categorizes personalities into five broad dimensions: extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness to experience.<\/p>\r\nExtroversion<\/strong> focuses on how well people get along with others. Extroversion concerns sources of energy and the pursuit of interactions with others. In general, extroverts draw energy or recharge by interacting with others, while introverts get tired from interacting with others and replenish their energy with solitude. Someone who scores high on this trait is generally seen as being more assertive, outgoing, and generally talkative. Others see a person who scores high on this trait as being sociable \u2014 who actually thrives in social situations.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAgreeableness<\/strong> is a trait that describes a person\u2019s overall kindness, affection levels, trust, and sense of altruism. A person who scores high on this trait is someone who is comfortable with being kind and friendly to others. Others see such people as being helpful and cooperative, and someone who is trustworthy and altruistic.\r\n\r\nConscientiousness<\/strong> can be described as the tendency to engage in goal-directed behaviours, exert control over one's impulses, and overall thoughtfulness. <\/span>Conscientious people have the ability to delay gratification, work within the rules, and plan and organize effectively.\r\n\r\nEmotional stability<\/strong>, as the name implies, relates to the overall emotional stability of an individual. A person who scores low on this trait may be seen by others as being moody, irritable, and anxious. A person who scores high on this trait is seen as being more emotionally stable and resilient. \r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\nOpenness to experience<\/strong> is a trait that describes a person\u2019s preference for imagination, artistic, and intellectual activities. People who score high on this trait are seen by others as being intellectual, creative, or artistic. They tend to be forever curious about the world around them and are interested in learning new things. A person who scores high on this trait typically has a broad range of interests and may enjoy travelling, learning about other cultures, and trying out new experiences.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nIf you are curious about your own personality profile, there are a lot of free tests available on the web; here is a quick self-assessment<\/a> that I would recommend.\r\n For certain jobs, some organizations rely on physical ability tests. For example, to earn a position in a fire department, you may have to be able to carry one hundred pounds up three flights of stairs. If you use tests in your hiring processes, the key to making them useful is to determine a minimum standard or expectation, specifically related to the requirements of the job. An HR manager should also consider the legality of such tests because they run the risk of discriminating against women applicants or those with physical disabilities. Thus, physical ability tests need to show direct correlation with the job duties. Below is an example of the physical test used by the Alberta Wilfire department for assessing firefighter applicants.<\/p>\r\n[embed]https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cDJ0nAtvM4I[\/embed]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n A job knowledge test<\/a><\/span> measures the candidate\u2019s level of understanding about a particular job. For example, a job knowledge test may require an engineer to write code in a given period of time or may ask candidates to solve a case study problem related to the job.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Work sample tests<\/a><\/span> ask candidates to show examples of work they have already done. In the advertising business, this may include a portfolio of designs, or for a project manager, this can include past project plans or budgets. When applying for a pharmaceutical representative position, a \u201cbrag book\u201d might be required. A brag book is a list of recommendation letters, awards, and achievements that the candidate shares with the interviewer. Work sample tests can be a useful way to test for KSAOs. These work samples can often be a good indicator of someone\u2019s abilities in a specific area. As always, before looking at samples, the interviewer should have specific criteria or expectations developed so each candidate can be measured fairly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n Once the interview is completed and testing occurs, there are a few final checks that can be performed, for example, checking references, criminal records, and social media presence.<\/p>\r\n Reference checking<\/strong> is essential to verify a candidate\u2019s background. It is an added assurance that the candidate\u2019s abilities are parallel with what you were told in the interview. While employment dates and job titles can be verified with previous employers, many employers will not verify more than what can be found in the employment record because of privacy laws.<\/p>\r\n Criminal background checks<\/strong> may be used for employees who will be working in positions of trust or dealing with vulnerable populations such as the young, old or disabled. Since criminal background checks can easily breach human rights law and privacy issues, it is best that employers demonstrate that there is a bona fide occupational requirement for conducting one. Employers must receive written consent from their prospective employee before performing any sort of criminal background check.<\/p>\r\n Social media checks<\/strong> are now performed by a majority of organizations.\u00a0 According to a recent survey<\/a>, 70 percent of employers screen candidates profile on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn before hiring. Employers are searching for the following when researching candidates via these social networking sites:<\/p>\r\n\r\n Here are some tips from Monster.com<\/a> as to how to ensure that your social media profile does not impede your chances of obtaining your dream job.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n A clinical selection approach<\/a><\/span> involves reviewing the data, and based on what has been learned from the candidate and the information available to them, they decide who should be hired for a job. Since interviewers have a different perception about the strengths of a candidate, this method leaves room for error. One consideration is disparate treatment, in which one\u2019s biases may result in not hiring candidates based on their age, race, or gender.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n In this method, a selection model is developed that assigns scores and gives more weight to specific factors if necessary. For example, for certain jobs, the ability to work in a team might be more important, while in others, knowledge of a specific computer program is more important. In this case, a weight can be assigned to each of the job criteria listed. With the statistical approach, there is more objectivity than with the clinical approach. Statistical approaches include the compensatory model, multiple cutoff model, and the multiple hurdle model.<\/p>\r\n\r\n This model is very similar to the weighted model but allows a high score in an important area to make up for a lower score in another area. For example, if the job is a project manager, ability to work with the client might be more important than how someone dresses for the interview. This method allows for a fairer process and can limit disparate treatment, although it may not limit disparate impact. A statistical method may work like this: you and the hiring team review the job analysis and job description and then determine the criteria for the job. You assign weights for each area and score ranges for each aspect of the criteria, rate candidates on each area as they interview, and then score tests or examine work samples. Once each hiring manager has scored each candidate, the hiring team can compare scores in each area and hopefully hire the best person in the best way.<\/p>\r\n Figure 5.2.<\/span><\/em> Sample Selection Model, with Sample Scores and Weighting Filled In<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n7. Other Types of Tests<\/h1>\r\nBesides psychological tests, there are other types of tests available to HR managers.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
7.1. Physical Ability Test<\/h2>\r\n
7.2. Job Knowledge Test<\/h2>\r\n
7.3. Work Sample<\/h2>\r\n
8. Final Steps in Selection<\/h1>\r\n
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9. Combining The Information<\/h1>\r\nSo far, we have seen that HR managers have access to many tools to select employees. In the vast majority of cases, multiple tools will be used, and the HR manager will have to decide how to combine the results of these different tools in order to make a decision. In this section, we discuss three methods that can be used to arrive at that final decision.\r\n
9.1. Clinical Approach<\/h2>\r\n
9.2. Statistical Approach<\/h2>\r\n
Compensatory model<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\r\n