Assessment for Shortlisting
Background
A longstanding local authority client found that it was unable to effectively
draw up a shortlist of candidates for the role of Head of Environmental Health,
a key 3rd tier position. Eight strong candidates (including 2 internal candidates)
had been identified but the client was unable to find a way of reducing this
number with any objectivity. We were called upon to assess all eight candidates
to produce a viable shortlist.
Our Approach
We had carried out an assessment centre some years ago for the same job. As
the job description and person specification were unchanged, we chose to use
the same assessment design as before. However, we discussed, the role in its
current context with the Assistant Director and found that much of the context
had changed. We updated a number of the exercises to reflect the changed context
for the position. The assessment centre included
- A bespoke in tray exercise simulating the real nature of the job
- A bespoke strategic report writing exercise
- A bespoke role play exercise
- A numerical reasoning test
- A competency based interview
- A personality questionnaire
Client Outcomes
The assessment centre identified 2 very strong candidates and a further two
who had demonstrated sufficient strength to warrant shortlisting, albeit at
different levels of competence.
The client chose to interview the 3 strongest candidates (there was a significant
gap in the assessment centre performance between the 3rd and 4th candidates).
The 4th candidate was one of the internal candidates and our client valued
the development needs we had identified and engaged us to deliver a coaching
programme to address these.
Our client was delighted with the outcomes of the panel interview process.
In his words; “I could not put a cigarette paper between the 2 strongest
candidates”. Our view entirely although possibly not the way we would
express it! An appointment was made and the client also looked for a way of
employing the person who fell on the wrong side of the cigarette paper.
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