Assessment for Selection: Working with Executive Recruitment Firms

Recently, People Solutions have worked with an executive search firm for the selection of a Senior Manager for an international mining company. The executive search firm indicated that their client would like to understand more about this candidate’s problem-solving ability, interpersonal skills, intercultural adaptability, business acumen and leadership style.

People Solutions worked with the executive search firm to understand their client’s needs and expectations for the assessment process, including role critical factors, timeframes, and the candidate’s location and availability.

This executive search firm had not previously used psychometric assessments and wanted to ensure that the selected provider had previous experience working with search firms and international mining organisations. Additionally, given the complex nature of the role, the firm’s client wanted to understand the candidate’s role and intercultural fit, which required a multi-assessment process.

Based on the client’s needs, People Solutions compiled a tailored assessment suite appropriate for the senior-level role, including cognitive ability assessments, personality and emotional intelligence profiles and an intercultural readiness check. They were all valid and reliable assessments normed at a senior manager and executive level to ensure suitability for the role and an appropriate and professional candidate experience.

The executive search firm provided People Solutions with the role information and candidate details. From that point, People Solutions managed the assessment process, allowing the search firm and their client to focus on their core recruitment and business tasks.

People Solutions’ assessment coordinator phoned the candidate, advising them of the assessments, and was available to answer questions and provide technical support as required throughout the testing process.

Given the candidate was travelling, the candidate was able to complete the assessments online at a time that was convenient for them. People Solutions kept the executive search firm updated on the candidate’s progression.

Once the results were received, the assessments were interpreted by our psychologists and written into a selection report. This report was tailored to the aforementioned position description and job critical factors.

At the request of the executive search firm, People Solutions provided a debrief to their client on the psychometric results via an online meeting.

Once the hiring decision was made, People Solutions was available to provide complimentary over-the-phone feedback to the candidate on their psychometric assessment results.

Both the client and search firm complimented People Solutions on our prompt and clear service. The client advised the psychometric assessment results helped them to make an objective hiring decision.

People Solutions has a strong track record in providing psychometric assessments for executive recruitment firms, which is evidenced by our long-term, valued customers and the positive feedback we receive:

“The service and process was outstanding. Thank you and you will absolutely be our primary contact in this space.”