55Chapter Five

EmployeeTesting and

Selection

Employee Testing & Selection 2

Behavioral Objectives

Describe the overall selection process and explain why it is important.

Define basic testing concepts including validity and reliability.

Discuss at least four types of personnel tests.

Explain the adv. and disadv. of background investigations, reference checks, and preemploy- ment information services.

When you finish studying this chapter, you should be able to:

Employee Testing & Selection 3

Steps in the Selection Process

The recruiting processThe recruiting process

Gather information about pool of qualified Gather information about pool of qualified applicantsapplicants

Evaluate qualifications of each applicantEvaluate qualifications of each applicant

Make decisions about employment offersMake decisions about employment offers

Employee Testing & Selection 4

Responsibilities for Selection

Hiring new employees in the organization is the jointly shared responsibility of human resource managers and operating (line) managers.Human resource departments design and manage the selection system and gather basic selection data on applicants.Operating managers interview applicants and make decisions about their “fit” in the organization. Coworkers and team members mayinterview and make theirrecommendations aboutapplicants.

Employee Testing & Selection 5

A Sample Selection SystemApplications and background checksApplications and background checks

Employment testsEmployment tests

InterviewsInterviews

References and recommendationsReferences and recommendations

UnqualifiedUnqualified

QualifiedQualified

Perform wellPerform well

Perform poorlyPerform poorly

Poor impressionPoor impression

Good impressionGood impression

Physical examinationPhysical examination

Positive feedbackPositive feedback

Selection decision /job offerSelection decision /job offer

Negative feedbackNegative feedback

Poor impressionPoor impression

Employee Testing & Selection 6

Basic Selection Criteria

Education

Competencies

Experience

Skills and abilities

Personal characteristicsPersonal characteristics

The issue of hiring for “fit” versus The issue of hiring for “fit” versus

skillsskills

Employee Testing & Selection 7

Basic Testing Concepts

validity Reliability

Criterion validity

Content validity

Basic Test

Employee Testing & Selection 8

Basic Testing Concepts; Validity

Test validity:

The test measure what it’s supposed to measure

Employee Testing & Selection 9

Basic Testing Concepts; Validity

Criterion validity:means that those who do well on the test also do well on the job, and those who do poorly on the test do poorly on the job.

Employee Testing & Selection 10

Basic Testing Concepts; Validity

Content validity:

The test contain a fair samples of the tasks and skills actually

Needed for the job in questions

Employee Testing & Selection 11

Basic Testing Concepts; Reliability

Reliability:

The Consistency of scores obtained by the same

Person when retested with the identical or

equivalent test.

Employee Testing & Selection 12

How to Validate a Test

Step 1. Analyze the job

Step 2. Choose your tests

Step 3. Administer test

Step 4. Relate your test scores and criteria

Step5. Cross validate and revalidate

Employee Testing & Selection 13

Testing Guidelines

Basic guidelines for setting up a testing program include:

1. Use tests as supplements.

2. Validate the tests.

3. Analyze all your current hiring and promotion standards.

4. Keep accurate records.

5. Begin your validation program now.

6. Use a certified psychologist.

7. Pay attention to test conditions.

Employee Testing & Selection 14

Equal Employment Opportunity Aspects of Testing

In order to be in compliance with EEOC guidelines (with respect to testing),you must be able to :

Prove that your tests (validity).

Prove that your tests (fair)

Employee Testing & Selection 15

Types of Tests

Tests of Cognitive AbilitiesIntelligence TestsSpecific Cognitive Abilities

Tests of Motor and Physical Abilities

Measuring Personality and Interests

Achievement Tests

Employee Testing & Selection 16

Other Selection Techniques

Background Investigations and Reference Checks

The Polygraph and Honesty Testing

Graphology

Physical Examination

Drug Screening

Employee Testing & Selection 17

Detecting Dishonesty; Some Guidelines

Ask blunt questions

Listen, rather than talk

Ask for a credit check

Check all references

Test for drugs

Conduct searches