Human Resource Management Essay - Personnel Issues Essay - 802 words

Human Resource Management - Personnel Issues Tests are based on scientific principles and, if used properly, will positively contribute to organizational effectiveness. Although tests do not predict perfectly, there are not perfect selection procedures available. Test effectiveness should be compared to viable alternatives for predicting workplace success. For instance, effective paper-and-pencil tests are far superior to the traditional selection interview. In fact, one reason why tests receive undue criticism is because they indicate explicitly how all applicants are to be assessed and selected. Ironically, interviews often escape criticism because there is no agreement on precisely what characteristics are assessed and how applicants are evaluated. In order to resolve issues associated with previous applicant testing system, the company needs to introduce another legitimate testing procedure.


ACT created a two-part system called Workkeys, a two-part skills assessment for employers who want to find employees with the appropriate skill sets in. One part of Workkeys is a profiling system, which specialists believe is what makes Workkeys unique. A skill profile is created for a particular job by asking what foundational skills are necessary and which ones are most important for a particular position. Skills for particular positions are ranked in order of most importance. The other part is 10 different tests, each on a foundational skill such as reading, writing, math and even skills not often thought about such as observational and listening skills. These skills are usually assessed in academic settings, but these tests cannot be used to assess the same skills in a workplace, because the approach is totally different. The tests generally take between 30 and 55 minutes and are created to be administered in a proctored environment, much like the ACT college admissions exam.


Most of the tests are paper and pencil or computer-based, although a few arc video-based. All follow the same basic test-taking format. In the past, recruiters answered many questions about a prospective employee by contacting the candidates previous employers. Today, human resources practice is turning to alternative screening methods: pencil and paper honesty tests, intelligence quotient (IQ) tests, psychological assessments, and in-depth background searches by private investigators. Such screening methods have their critics. Lawsuits can threaten the company that uses certain tests inappropriately. In addition, critics question whether the screening metho ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Essay Tags: human resource management, tests, resource management, applicant, skill

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