How to tackle assessments. Nuffic NLfortalents 22th of November 2014 Jacqueline Ridder, consultant/trainer

Transcription

1 How to tackle assessments Nuffic NLfortalents 22th of November 2014 Jacqueline Ridder, consultant/trainer

2 Questions to be answered This workshop will be about how to prepare for an assessment, to get an answer to questions like: What does an assessment consist of? How can I prepare for the questions that will be asked during the interview? What is the best approach to role plays? Is it useful to practice intelligence tests? How does a personality test work? What are my rights regarding the assessment report? Other questions or expectations? How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ jridder@ridderadvies.nl 2

3 Introduction My name is Jacqueline Ridder I am a HRD consultant, trainer and coach, former assessment consultant, specialised in: making psychology knowledge accessible to a large(r) audience linking individual learning to better performance in organisations My key qualities are: Being Solution focused (instead of focus on analysis) Pragmatic, making things happen Curious, about new theories, about what motivates people to change, about how to improve myself Introduce yourself to 3 people next to you just like I did Take 2 minutes each to introduce yourself! How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ jridder@ridderadvies.nl 3

4 Purpose of an assessment centre A tool for decision making processes regarding personnel with focus on: Risk avoidance (selection) Talent management (development center) Or a combination of both How can it benefit you? Information about your skills compared to others and possible skills to develop A preview of what is expected of you in your new job: does it suit you? Why an assessment? Information about personality, intellectual level and skills are mostly not visible Scientific research shows that it works To find out how you would react in an environment similar to the one that you would be working in How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ jridder@ridderadvies.nl 4

5 What does an assessment consist of? Ability tests Mental Physical Personality tests Preferred behaviour oriented tests Stress management, motivation, integrity Interview Fit between job and your qualities Experience (STARR) Assessment tools Role plays In basket exercises Case analysis How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ 5

6 Ability tests Mental ability tests Abstract reasoning Numerical reasoning Verbal reasoning Result: an indication of your intellectual potential, compared to a statistical representative group by tests that have been validated. Note: Your intellectual level might not be the same as your educational level Your intellectual level will be mostly considered as not developable Practising tests beforehand can be useful to be able to perform maximally Most tests are about: how many right answers did you get? Ability tests are also a pre-selection tool, mostly used in e-assessments How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ jridder@ridderadvies.nl 6

7 Personality tests Personality tests are mostly used to find out: what is your preferred/natural behaviour? Introvert or extravert? Open minded or rigid? Stable or unstable? Note: - There is no right or wrong answer. The psychologist is matching your answers to the job: does it fit you? - You can try and influence the outcome of the test, but this could work against you in your performance in the job - Your answers are compared to predetermined standards ( average answer). It might differ from your opinion on a average answer, because the group you compare yourself to is not a average group in statistical terms How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ jridder@ridderadvies.nl 7

8 Job interview Two goals of the job interview: Do you fit in the job? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Possible misfits regarding the outcome of the personality tests Experience (STARR) S situation T task A action R result R reflection Note: - The STARR method is often also used in normal job interviews - Be sure you answer the question of the interviewer, check if possible! - Research shows that behaviour in the past is a good predictor for future behaviour How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ jridder@ridderadvies.nl 8

9 Prepare yourself using STARR questions Let s go back to your qualities: 1. Choose one quality to practice. Do this with one of the 3 students you worked with earlier. 2. What example shows your experience and your qualities? 3. Answer the STARR questions! 4. Write down your answers to the questions in short 5. Practice for 5 minutes each 6. Don t forget the 5th question: What did you learn? So: what did you learn today? How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ jridder@ridderadvies.nl 9

10 Assessment tools: role play How do I survive a role play? Role plays are mostly one-to-one sessions with an actor Instructions about your role are given beforehand Determine your goals and make your scenarios What is the goal of a role play? Find out how you handle situations, and judge your qualities Sometimes the role play is combined with a presentation/analysis situation, to get information about presentation/analysis skills NOTE: There is mostly NO RIGHT SCENARIO, it s more about HOW you achieve your goal. The actor will give you more than one chance to make you show your social skills, and will respond to your behaviour How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ jridder@ridderadvies.nl 10

11 Assessmenttools: role play part 2 Do s and dont s Do stay in the role that you have, and use the information provided Don t make up extra information Do show your social skills, like active listening, analysing situations, goalminded, assertiveness, decisiveness, etc. Do make a step forward to solve the problem presented, don t just use the time to get acquainted If feedback is given halfway through, use it in the last half! Try and overcome your nerves How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ jridder@ridderadvies.nl 11

12 Assessment tools: in basket and analysis In basket test: goal Find out how you deal with e.g. problem analysis, setting priorities, planning qualities and deciveness Time is restricted (45 minutes or 1 hour) WHY you acted like you did is also important and will be asked afterwards Analysis/presentation test: goal Find out about your problem analysis and presentation skills Usually there is NO RIGHT ANSWER, it s more about HOW you make your analysis (what criteria do you use?) Be sure to have your figures right, and don t cover up mistakes! How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ jridder@ridderadvies.nl 12

13 What are my rights? What rights do I have after presenting the report? Most companies use the NIP code, You have the right to preview and the right to block the report Remember: this will mostly have the consequence that you re withdrawing from further application Most companies will give you the possibility to read the report first, by sending it by Most psychologists will not change their conclusions, but you may ask to change the way it is written down How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ jridder@ridderadvies.nl 13

14 Don t forget So: how can I really tackle an assessment? The best preparation is a good night sleep BE YOURSELF, so you know the job really suits you Arrive on time, well-dressed and looking presentable, with all of the materials that you might need (CV!) Listen carefully to all the instructions you get Mind your behaviour on the assessment day and afterwards Prepare yourself: practice some tests (but not too many) Prepare some answers to STARR questions (but stay flexible) Stay as relaxed as possible during the day Stay open minded and curious. It s free feedback! How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ jridder@ridderadvies.nl 14

15 Find out more! Succeeding at Assessment Centres For Dummies, UK Edition Information on the internet International assessment bureaus, like Hudson, GITP, LTP (free tests in Dutch) Which part was useful to you? How to tackle assessments ~~ Jacqueline Ridder ~~ 15