| Last week I did some online shopping. My | | | | minimum level of problem solving ability, would find |
| purchase was dispatched via Courier Post for an | | | | us in a flash. This courier driver obviously failed in |
| additional $4.44. | | | | both these areas. |
| Two days after placing the order, I received a call | | | | The scientific literature on selection is unanimous in |
| from the supplier wanting to verify my address. | | | | the power of using cognitive (metal ability) testing |
| The address was correct, but according to the | | | | for pre-screening job applicants. In fact, if you |
| courier company, we had moved. Another two | | | | could use just one test, a test of mental ability |
| days later I received a call from Courier Post | | | | (numerical, verbal and spatial ability) will have the |
| saying the driver had gone to our address and we | | | | highest predictive validity of around .56. |
| did not exist. | | | | Now, if Courier Post had spent about $25 on a |
| After a couple of facetious comments reiterating | | | | simple 10 minute mental ability test, like CLUES, |
| the address given did exist, and I was sitting in | | | | this driver would not have been hired. $25 would |
| the said office, they sent the package back out. | | | | be a small investment to make, considering the |
| Guess what, yet another call saying the driver | | | | overall cost of my delivery, not to mention |
| cannot find your office!! | | | | dozens of other deliveries that are probably |
| By this time I am getting extremely vexed – | | | | suffering the same fate. |
| How simple is it to drive to 1 Pupuke Road, find | | | | As I mentioned, the courier cost was $4.44 and |
| the Quadrant Properties building (the only | | | | the company made four trips. How much fuel and |
| commercial building in the street)? Then, once at | | | | man hours were wasted through the actions of |
| the building, find our office? The second time the | | | | an incompetent driver! |
| driver arrived he reported back to head office | | | | My point is, when selecting new employees, it is |
| that the Quadrant Properties building only had two | | | | critical to test their cognitive abilities – how |
| tenants – we were not one of them! | | | | proficient will the considered applicant be at |
| Our building has 5 tenants. These are listed on a | | | | learning and problem solving, a competency that |
| large sign board in front of the building. There is a | | | | will impact on job performance irrespective of the |
| large letter box alongside this with the street | | | | role. It's also a competency you cannot assess |
| number on it. Once inside the building there is a | | | | through interviewing. |
| large directory in the foyer with arrows and a | | | | To understand more about employee profiling or |
| further 4 arrowed signs guiding visitors to our | | | | take a test drive, contact our team at |
| office – any person who can read, or has a | | | | AssessSystems. |