Psychological Tests In Recruitment And Selection Essay

Role of Psychological tests in recruitment and selection

INTRODUCTION:

Psychological tests play a vital role in the modern era’s recruitment and selection processes. These techniques are majorly used by employers to find the most efficient and most capable candidates. They test the persons’ attributes, knowledge, personality, intelligence, and how well they work with other people on solid grounds. These tests are used by over 80% of the Fortune 500 companies in the USA and by over 75% of the Times Top 100 companies in the UK (Unknown, 2013). The tests are not only used to find new recruits, but could also be applied to employees already working in a facility in order to maintain stability. Another important reason for using these techniques is to minimize the costs, because hiring and training new employees can be and expensive process, but by finding the right candidates with the help of these tests, those expenses could be reduced. (Hose, 2014)

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The processes involved in the recruitment procedure are available to a numerous extent. And it should be noted that all of these tests are not ever completely 100% valid or reliable. As Dr. Wade Silverman of the Florida Psychological Association says “psychological tests are as valid as standard medical tests" and are administered and interpreted by clinical and forensic psychologists. Due to this reason, many companies consult with outside companies in order to be on a safer side and avoid lawsuits.

These tests, in particular, are mainly used to determine an employee’s capability to work under stressful conditions. So hiring the right work force can have a very positive impact on an organization because it would save on the cost of high employee turnov...

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...though it is mostly misinterpreted. (Wilson, 1999)These tests are used to determine various characteristics of an individual such as the intelligence tests, aptitude tests, achievement tests, personality tests etc.

A candidate’s mental caliber is measured through intelligence test. It helps to judge a person whether he can come up to the demands of that job.

Aptitude tests measure the potential ability of a candidate that if suitable training is given he can learn that particular job. Mathematical, mechanical, practical etc. all types of aptitudes can be measured.

Achievement tests measure the degree of skills an individual has in a given job.

Personality tests measure various aspects such as emotional stability, social attitudes and numerous traits of character.

Such tests provide vital information about certain skills which cannot be discovered by interviewing.