Graham Keating Careers Consultant Agenda Psychometric Testing – What’s involved How to prepare a CV & Covering Letter from scratch Interview Skills

Graham Keating Careers Consultant British Psychological Society Certificates in Ability Testing & Personality Profiling. European Test Users Certificate in Work and Organisational Assessment

Dictionary: Psychometrics (n) ‘The branch of psychology that deals with the design, administration, and interpretation of quantitative tests for the measurement of psychological variables such as intelligence, aptitude, and personality traits.’

2 + 2 = ? “Numeracy tests are useless; they test nothing.” (Manchester student)

AGR Survey 92% of employers considered psychometric testing to be a useful or very useful aid to the recruitment process. (Association of Graduate Recruiters survey)

Psychometric Tests used in Recruitment 1. Ability or Aptitude Tests Verbal Numerical Logical 2. Personality or Interest Inventories

Why do employers use tests? To identify key abilities or personalities To support other selection tools

Selection Tools Tests are usually part of the selection process together with: application forms and CVs interviews group exercises presentations

Selection Methods - Advantages Application Forms... good for checking facts, demonstrating written communication skills Interviews... good for oral communication skills, quickness of thought, personality Psychometric Tests... good for measuring candidates’ abilities/personality against objective criteria (and other candidates)

Selection Methods – Disadvantages Application Forms.... measures ability to fill in form - not to do the job Interviews... intensely subjective, they might not like the look of you Psychometric Tests no good for seeing how an individual works with others

Characteristics of Tests Ability or Aptitude Tests Under exam conditions Usually timed Right and wrong answers Unusual to finish all questions Results compared with norm group 

Specimen questions

Complete the following sentence with the appropriate pair of words below Answer - A, B, C, D or E (Time allowed 20 seconds) Early….………..of hearing loss is …….….….by the fact that the other senses are able to compensate for moderate amounts of loss, so that people frequently do not know that their hearing is imperfect. A. discovery & indicated B. development & prevented C. detection & complicated D. treatment & facilitated E. incidence & corrected

Answer - C Next specimen question

(Time allowed 2 minutes) Read the paragraph below and then say whether the numbered statements are true or false, given the information contained in the passage or whether you cannot say they are true or false without further information – There have been marked changes in the age-structure of the population during the past few decades. A current trend is towards starting a family later in life, and towards restricting the number of children in a family. This has an impact on the percentage of older people in the population, and on the average age of the labour force, and subtly alters the political and class structure of a society 1. Government policies have been an important influence on the birth rate in recent decades. --- True/False/Cannot Say 2. The relative numbers of people in different social classes is influenced by changes in the size of families. --- True/False/Cannot Say 3. Voting patterns are influenced by changes in class structure. --- True/False/Cannot Say

Answers 1.Cannot say true or false without further information 2. True 3. Cannot say true or false without further information Next specimen question

Which number, below, is one quarter of the distance from 5.1 to 5.3 (Time allowed 40 seconds) A B 5.15 C 5.2 D 5.25 E None of the above

Answer - B Next specimen question

(Time allowed 1 minute) Answer A, B, C, D, E or F It takes 8000 medium sized oranges to make 500 litres of orange juice. How many oranges does it take to make 1,279 litres of orange juice? A B. 3,127.4 C. 6,254.8 D. 12,509.6 E F. 20,464

Answer - F Next specimen question

(Time allowed 45 seconds) Answer A, B, C, D or E A high quality 100ml perfume is made of a mixture of 12ml perfume essence and 88ml water. What is the ratio of perfume essence to water? A.1:7 B.3:22 C.1:8 D.3:12 E.1:9

Answer - B Next specimen question

In the example given below, you will find a logical sequence of five boxes. Your task is to decide which of the boxes in the bottom row completes this sequence. To give your answer, select one of the boxes marked A to E. (Time allowed 30 seconds) ) [+ ) [ + +) [ + ) [ ) [+ ABCDE ( [ + ) [ ) [ + +( [

Answer - D Next specimen question

In the example given below, you will find a logical sequence of five boxes. Your task is to decide which of the boxes in the bottom row completes this sequence. To give your answer, select one of the boxes marked A to E. (Time allowed 30 seconds) ABCDE

Answer - B How did you do?

Characteristics of Tests Personality or Interest Inventories Not usually timed No right and wrong answers Contain internal checks for inconsistent answers Results in the form of a profile should be shared with candidate

Personality or Interest Inventories Example question Mark the statement most (M) like you and the one least (L) like you a) I don’t feel that time is wasted on planning b) I feel uneasy in the company of unconventional people c) If I’m annoyed with someone I don’t show it

Personality or Interest Inventories Example question Pick the statement that best describes you from each pair a) I try very hard b) I put everything in its place a) I want to be exciting b) I want to be successful a) I like to try new things b) I’d rather not work on my own

How to prepare Practise as much as possible Become familiar with test conditions Brush up basic maths - percentages, ratios, etc Use reference books in the Careers Service Use examples and practice tests on SHL & others’ websites applicationsinterviewsandpsychometrictests/psychometrictests/ Profiling for Success – On-line tests licensed for Manchester students; free of charge.

CVs & Covering Letters

CVs and Covering Letters The purpose of the CV is to get an interview

The Market It is very competitive An organisation might receive up to 100 applications per vacancy Typically, only about 10% to 15% gain an interview You don’t get a second chance

C.V. Facts or the myth of the perfect C.V. C.V.s should be _ pages long C.V.s should be in chronological order C.V.s should include referees’ names and addresses C.V.s should include - date of birth nationality sex marital status C.V.s take days to write and minutes to read

Types of CV Standard Skills based Academic

Task no: 1 - Self Assessment What have you got to offer ? Education Work Experience Activities and Interests

Task no: 1 - Self Assessment What have you got to offer ? Education Seminars Presentations Work Experience Camp America Waiter, local restaurant Activities and Interests Secretary - Badminton club Travel

Task no: 1 - Self Assessment What have you got to offer ? Education Seminars - presentation skills, working in a team, influencing others Work Experience Camp America - taking responsibility, patience, tact, sensitivity, creativity, leadership Activities and Interests Secretary, organising, persuading, Badminton club- motivating, numeracy

Three advanced suggestions Use strong words Quantify Stress personal involvement

Use strong words Words like: created, started, managed, designed, devised... NOT ‘My project was a study of local theatres’ BUT ‘ I organised an extensive survey of student use of local theatres. I arranged interviews with students, analysed the results and presented the information to my tutor

And ……Quantify ‘ I organised an extensive survey of student use of local theatres, involving over 1000 questionnaires. I arranged interviews with 80 students, analysed the results using Microsoft Excel and presented the information to my tutor’

Stress personal involvement and results NOT ‘We organised a charity fund raising event’ BUT ‘I was responsible for the publicity for a fund raising event which involved negotiating advertising with local companies and arranging posters on campus. We managed to raise £1000 for charity and over 800 students attended’.

Task no: 2 - What does the employer want ? Employers recruit against specific criteria These are usually set out in brochures or on their websites All require appropriate personal qualities It is not enough to claim certain skills, you must provide the evidence

Key Skills Requested By Graduate Recruiters Business focus, Drive and resilience, Task management, Career motivation, Leadership, Building relationships, Problem Solving, Making an Impact Communication, Teamwork and collaboration, Adaptability, Creative problem solving, Drive to achieve, Customer focus, Trustworthiness, Taking ownership, Passion for Business Customer focus, Achieving, Influencing, Thinking, Collaboration & Teamwork, Team Leadership, Self Management, Confidence, Commercial Awareness Problem solving, Achieving results, Communicating and influencing, Leadership, Drive and motivation, Building relationships Analytical Ability, Problem-solving skills, Communication skills, Interpersonal skills, Generic business awareness KPMG - The Co-operative - HSBC - Cancer Research UK - IBM

Key Skills Requested By Graduate Recruiters. IBM Communication, Teamwork and collaboration. Adaptability, Creative problem solving, Drive to achieve, Customer focus, Trustworthiness, Taking ownership, Passion for Business The Co-operative Customer focus, Achieving, Influencing, Thinking, Collaboration & Teamwork Team Leadership, Self Management, Confidence, Commercial Awareness KPMG Business focus, Drive and resilience, Task management, Career motivation, Leadership, Building relationships, Problem Solving, Making an Impact Cancer Research UK Problem solving, Achieving results Leadership. Drive and motivation, Communicating & influencing, Building relationships HSBC Analytical ability, problem-solving skills, communication and interpersonal skills and some generic business awareness.

Core skills employers look for Communication skills Organising ability Problem-solving Working in a team Drive and initiative Taking responsibility Working under pressure

Core skills employers look for Analytical skills Creativity Leadership Motivating others Planning Numeracy

When to use a C.V. When you are asked to ! When they say ‘apply in writing’ For speculative applications When networking

Covering letters This is your trailer to the main feature One page, A4, quality paper Should include two major themes: - Why you want the job (and organisation) - Why you are suitable

Covering letters Write to a named individual, if possible Tell employer what you are applying for (and where you saw it advertised) Be positive Emphasise your USPs, don’t simply copy CV End letter with spirit of expectation

CV’s SPELL CHECKER – A WARNING I like my new spell checker. It came with my PC. It plainly marques four my revue, Mistakes I can not sea. I’ve run these verses threw it, I’m sure your please two no. It’s letter perfect in its weigh, My checker tolled me sew.

Previous applications…  “I enjoy practicing marital arts”  “At secondary school I was a prefix”  “In my spare time I enjoy hiding my horse”  “I loathe filling in applications so much that I’ll give you details at the interview”  “Special skills: Thyping”  “Thank you for your consideration. Hope to hear from you shorty”  “I have worked in the pubic sector……”  “Hi I want 2 get a job with U”

Previous applications… “I am someone who knows my own destiny, but I have no definite long term plans” “I am a conscious individual” “I have excellent memory skills, good analytical skills, excellent memory skills” Reason for leaving last job. “They insisted that all employees get to work by 8.45 every morning. I could not work under those conditions.” Problems faced: “I had no support so I compiled a letter to the client using trial and error.” Influencing people: “Recently my flatmates came to ask about whether the heating should be on and for how long.”

Previous applications… “Being a Virgoan, my sense of assertiveness and resilience has prompted me to continue with my ambition to be a solicitor in a major city law firm. I am also a seventh generation descendant of a Chinese princess and a Sulawesian warrior, which makes me both an amiable and energetic person”

INTERVIEWS 55

YOU SHOULD KNOW… 50% of those interviewed are rejected at the first round, so … First impressions count! 56

INTERVIEW CONCERNS How should I dress Arrival / greeting Taking items into the interview How should I sit To gesture or not to gesture Difficult questions - (later) 57

YOU NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION “I travelled down to London for an important interview. The train was a little late so I just had enough time to get to the building and rush in. The interview seemed to go well and I felt confident until I visited the washroom on the way out. I had been reading the newspaper on the train and in my nervous sweaty state the newsprint must have rubbed off onto my hands It was now all over my face!” Chemistry Graduate 58

YOU NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION - (CONTINUED) “One of my colleagues once found her interviewee asleep in the foyer. Getting enough sleep may be an important part of interview preparation, but this was taking it too far! On top of that the candidate demonstrated a sleepy laid back attitude throughout the interview, which didn’t go down very well either.” Geraldine Lyons - Mars 59

WHAT AN INTERVIEW IS.. A conversation with a purpose Adult Two way Science no, emotional yes 60

WHAT AN INTERVIEW ISN’T A scheme to humiliate you An interrogation Perfect 61

DIFFERENT TYPES OF INTERVIEW One to one Panel Sequential Telephone Conventional chronological Behavioural Situational Combination of all of the above 62

STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS Behavioural: Describe a time when you’ve ‘gone the extra mile’ in your dealings with another person Situational: You have just arrived at a clients office, only to discover you have left all of your notes back at the office what would you do?

DIFFICULT QUESTIONS Before the interview consider the following:- Personality The job The company/ competition Your achievements and skills / work experience Your strengths Your weaknesses Your questions

WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT Know what the employer wants Usually easy to identify –Brochures, ads, presentations, company website. –Do your homework – many applicants don’t… Emphasis on Attitude as well as Aptitude –Being clever is not enough –Employers look for characteristics which define you as somebody they want

THE PATH TO SUCCESS Know yourself What can you offer an employer? Give a rounded view: Education / Work Experience/Activities & Interests Assess critical incidents and identify what you have learned, the skills you developed Focus on knowledge, skills, abilities and RESULTS Have specific examples in mind: EVIDENCE

WORK EXPERIENCE “One candidate, when asked what she found challenging about her previous work experience, said that working in a fast food restaurant had taught her to ‘work with stupid people with stupid problems.’ I did not really feel she had the patience to deal with the average lay client Sally Marsden Pannone & Partners - Solicitors

THE COMPETITION “ I was being interviewed for a job on the Daily Express. I rashly claimed that the paper was ‘unlike the Sun, because only morons work for the Sun.’ At which point one interviewer turned to the other and said; ‘it’s been almost a year since we worked there hasn’t it?’” English Graduate

WHAT’S THE QUESTION? Interviewer: “Who would you most like to have dinner with; either living or dead.” Applicant: “ Preferably someone living.”

SUMMARY Prepare for success Practice with a friend Don’t underestimate the importance of first impressions Don’t panic They would like to give you the job Leave a good impression Be positive, enthusiastic, natural, honest, happy

What the Careers Service offers Guidance appointments Advice on CVs & applications Talks Insight courses Careers Fairs Simulated Interviews Practice psychometric tests Mentoring Blogs facebook Resource centre Graduate directories and take away information Vacancy service and lots more………..

Careers Resource Centre, The Atrium, 1 st Floor University Place Tel. for appointments or call in

THANKS FOR LISTENING! GOOD LUCK FOR THE FUTURE!