Psychometrics in Selection

For selection, such measures can be a valuable addition to the interview process which as been shown to be very unreliable and prone to subjectivity ('he must be a good chap, he likes rugby like me') and bias ('old school tie'). Test results can confirm the interview panel's thinking but can also highlight potential weaknesses or strengths for each candidate.

Forewarned, the interviewer is able to employ suggested interview prompts to explore whether the weaknesses really are weaknesses in everyday activities (has the candidate developed strategies for coping with his/her disorganised approach; does s/he fall apart under pressure; is s/he likely to be authoritarian and bullying or more visionary or democratic in his/her leadership style? Does she have the strong verbal reasoning required for writing policies and reports; is he sufficiently competent in numerical reasoning to readily handle budgets?).

Obviously, one must not hire or reject on the basis of test results alone, but they may confirm a hunch, allay fears, or identify pitfalls and indeed development needs. Such objective assessment can also potentially arm the selectors against criticism or accusations of bias in the future.

Ideally, one would employ a battery of tests to explore motivation, ability and personal qualities. Does the candidate want the position and feel sufficiently passionate and driven; can s/he do the job and does s/he have the skills, competencies, experience and aptitudes; and will s/he fit in with the rest of the team/culture of the organisation?

A full assessment centre would additionally perhaps use a group role-play exercise (where one can see the candidates in action and rate them objectively on various competencies such as leadership, communication and influencing skills etc.), and an individual in-tray exercise sampling his/her ability to prioritise and think rationally etc.

A good CV can conceal a multitude of sins (ten years experience can mean ten years of repeated mistakes!), and a glowing reference is one way of ensuring that failing member of staff leaves! Mistakes are costly and upsetting to all parties, so psychometric measures can add some additional 'insurance'.

The following is the urinal configuration in a sample men's room.
An X above the number will indicate "in use."

(Sample):

| _ | _ | x | _ | _ | x | (Indicates that urinals 3 and 6
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | are occupied.)
-------------------------

You are to identify correctly, based on urinal etiquette, at
which stall you are to correctly stand. Good luck!

Easy Section

1.)

| _ | x | _ | x | _ | _ | (Urinals 2 and 4 occupied.)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
-------------------------

Your choice: ___

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Correct answer: 6 It's the ONLY one to go to and every guy
instinctively knows this.

===============================================

2.)

| x | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | (Urinal 1 occupied.)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
-------------------------

Your choice: ___

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Correct answer: 6 Stall 5 is acceptable, but you run a
greater risk of being next to someone
who arrives later.

===============================================

Kind of tricky Section:

3.)

| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | (empty)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
--------------------------

Your choice: __

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Correct answer: 1 or 6 You are tacitly saying,
"I don't want anyone next to me."
===============================================

4.)

| _ | x | _ | x | _ | x | (2, 4 and 6 occupied)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
-------------------------

Your choice: ___

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Correct answer: 1 You're stuck being next to at
least ONE guy, so you minimize the
impact and get a wall on your left.
NEVER go between TWO guys if you
can help it. Exceptions to this
are stadium restrooms where the
herd thunders in.

===============================================

Subtle, tricky, but important to know Section

5.)

| _ | x | _ | _ | x | x | (2, 5 and 6 occupied)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
-------------------------

Your choice: __

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Correct answer: 4 Believe it or not, 1 and 3 "couples"
you with the guy in stall 2. And we
wouldn't want THAT now, would we?

This differs from question 4 in such a
subtle way that the nuances cannot be
explained. Suffice to say, only we men
would understand!

===============================================

VERY tricky indeed Section

6.)

| x | x | _ | _ | x | x | (1, 2, 5 and 6 occupied)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
-------------------------

Your choice: ___

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Correct answer: NONE! You go to the mirror and pretend to
comb your hair or straighten a tie
until the urinals "open up" a bit more.
If you have to go REAL, REAL BAD, for
god's sake! ... use a doored stall.
===============================================

Other parts of the Unwritten Code of the Urinals:

-- NO Talking, unless it's a good friend... but even then, keep
it terse and unemotional. This ain't no clubhouse.
-- I don't think I need to tell you, absolutely NO touching of
anyone other than yourself. A touch of another's elbow is of
the highest offense.
-- NO Singing. Period.
-- Glances are for purposes of acknowledgment only..."Yeah, I see
you there. I will not look again".