Re: Interviews & Testing

Subject: Re: Interviews & Testing
From: Jon Frost <JonF -at- CTILAB -dot- COM>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 18:14:23 -0500

Psychometrically valid and reliable employment assessment vehicles (I prefer
not to use the term "employment test") CAN be a useful component of the
overall hiring or promotion process. They are not a waste of time from the
employers' point of view, nor are they necessarily indicative of past,
present, or future performance from candidates' point of view.

The challenge is researching, developing, administering, and "grading" the
results of psychometrically valid and reliable employment assessment
vehicles. Some organizations, such as government agencies and quasi-public
authorities, have no choice in the matter. Other organizations choose
employment assessments in an effort to cut costs and standardize the
evaluation of candidates--particularly when there is a large candidate
population, a large number of similar positions to fill, or heavy turnover.

The bottom line? If you don't want to take the employment assessment and do
not need the job, don't participate. If you participate in an employment
assessment (performance, written, or oral), ask how the results will be
evaluated and used in making the employment decision, and whether they can
be communicated to you. If a company is not forthright in explaining the
overall process, decide whether you would want to work for it anyway.

The following URLs might provide some insight into the use of employment
assessments for both test takers and those considering the use of employment
assessments as part of the hiring process. Naturally, if you are considering
the use of an employment assessment vehicle, be sure to check with your HR
department and legal counsel about the applicable Federal and State laws
first.

http://www.burns.com/wcbcontval.htm
http://www.burns.com/wcbugesp.htm (IMO, excellent descriptions of
test validity--suggested reading before attempting to design your own
employment assessment, hire someone to develop the assessment for you, or
purchase one outright.)

http://www.utc.edu/~kcarson/readingl.html (A reading list that
includes references to studies on reliability and validity in the employee
selection and appraisal process)

http://www.ahipubs.com/FAQ/testing/skills.html (While the URL may be
considered an advertisement and the samples are not necessarily germane to a
technical writing "test," it illustrates the importance of developing valid
employment assessment vehicles and understanding employment laws )

http://www.freep.com/jobspage/toolkit/teststrategy.htm (The URL
provides some fair-handed background on newspaper employment "tests" and
includes an actual test once used by Dow Jones)

Jon Frost
(former NJ Dept of Civil Service Test Developer...a LONG time ago)

The usual disclaimer about the contents of this email representing my views
and not those of my employers, past or present.

Jonathan Frost
Documentation Coordinator, CTI Lab

Williams Communications Solutions, LLC
10 Woodbridge Center Drive
Woodbridge, NJ 07095

jon -dot- frost -at- ctilab -dot- com
http://www.ctilab.com


From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000=


From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000=



Previous by Author: Re: Interviews & Testing
Next by Author: JOB POST: TWs in Woodbridge, NJ
Previous by Thread: Re: Interviews & Testing
Next by Thread: Emp. Photographs


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads