Tips & Tricks

<div> Structured interviews, or patterned interviews, are a test interview method popular in many different industries and the public sector as well. In these interviews, a large group of candidates is asked the same or rather similar questions that reflect on their past experiences so various competences, such as working with others, leadership, learning and development can be assessed. A typical question would be the following: &ldquo;Please tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a member of your team and how you reacted?&rdquo;.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <strong><img alt="Assessment Centre Secrets Revealed: Structured Interviews" src="http://www.careergym.com/images/upload/image/cg_tips2.jpg" style="padding-top: 15px; padding-right: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; float: left; width: 301px; height: 200px; " /></strong><strong>Structured interviews</strong>, or patterned interviews, are a <u><a href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_glossary/common_interview_questions" target="_self">test interview</a></u> method popular in many different industries and the public sector as well. In these interviews, a large group of candidates is asked the same or rather similar questions that reflect on their past experiences so various competences, such as working with others, leadership, learning and development can be assessed. A typical question would be the following: &ldquo;Please tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a member of your team and how you reacted?&rdquo;.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Their answers are then evaluated and compared, allowing job interviewers and <strong>assessment centres</strong> to determine key competences that are relevant for a job rather quickly and fairly.&nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> This interview process helps both candidates and interviewers save time. Interviewers do not need to develop a large list of questions or go deep into each candidate&rsquo;s resume (CV), while all candidates spend the same amount of time, usually around 30-60 minutes, in answering <u><a href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_glossary/job_interview" target="_self">interview test</a></u> questions.&nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <span style="font-size: 16px; "><em><strong>What Are Structured Interviews?</strong></em></span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Simply speaking, <strong>structured interviews</strong> are a set of questions that follow a particular structure, where all candidates interviewing for a particular job role are given the same or very similar set of questions to answer, grouped according to competency areas the interview seeks to evaluate.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> If you are a candidate, it is important to know that <strong>structured interviews</strong> are a part of the <u><a href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_tests_online" target="_self">selection test</a></u> and your performance will be used to determine how well suited you are for the job, compared to other candidates, and possibly to determine a training map after you&rsquo;ve been recruited, based on the strong and weak areas of your competencies.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><span style="font-size: 16px; "><strong>Why Are Structured Interviews Important?</strong></span></em></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Because all candidates answer similar set of questions, interviewers are able to create a pool of qualities and key job skills that candidates have. Moreover, candidates are screened according to their competencies and not their resume (CV), which makes the understanding of the candidate&rsquo;s profile more subtle and tailored for the requirements of the position. These reports are then matched against the skills required for the job.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> By asking candidates to respond to a questionnaire or a multiple choice test, organizations can reduce interviewing time and quickly shortlist candidates based on their hiring criteria. The only flip side is that a large number of candidates may have to be interviewed to form a pool of skills to pick from.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <span style="font-size: 16px; "><em><strong>Industries That Use Structured Interviews</strong></em></span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <strong>Structured interviews</strong> are an important component of <u><a href="http://www.careergym.com/online_test_packages" target="_self">job aptitude tests</a></u> across different industries, including postal services, retail, and manufacturing. They are great to shortlist candidates in jobs where thousands of candidates apply.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> They also represent an important tool for jobs where the required skill and competency sets, such as communication skills, management skills, prioritisation skills and others are clearly defined. In some industries, <strong>structured interviews</strong> are divided into different levels and candidates are eliminated at each level. The final set of candidates is then interviewed and a decision is made, depending on their overall performance.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <span style="font-size: 16px; "><em><strong>Advantages and Disadvantages</strong></em></span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The set of <strong>structured interview</strong> questions ensures that all candidates get an equal and fair opportunity to perform. All candidates are evaluated for the same set of skills, thus making certain that <strong>structured interviews</strong> provide a legitimate and just evaluation.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Although structured <u><a href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_glossary/job_interview" target="_self">test interviews</a></u> are a successful model of interviewing, they could potentially increase an organization&rsquo;s interviewing expense, since a large number of candidates needs to be interviewed to get substantial comparative data.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <a href="http://www.careergym.com/online_test_packages" target="_self"><span style="font-size: 16px; "><strong>Need more information? Check our live online training courses for </strong><strong>structured interviews</strong><strong> and assessment centre tests!</strong></span></a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div>

<div>If you have already done job interviews in a special setting, it is likely that your prospective employer has used <strong><u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/assessment_centre_training_webinars">assessment centres</a></u></strong> to evaluate your skills and determine if you are a good fit for the job. Quite simply, an <strong>assessment centre</strong> uses a series of evaluation methods to assess interviewees. These methods can include simulated job situations or <u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_glossary/psychometric_test_types">psychometric testing</a></u>. Typically, an <strong>assessment centre</strong> tests six candidates at a time and can last anywhere from a day to three days, during which candidates participate in several stages of assessment testing.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>In all cases, the evaluations are overseen by trained assessors. They observe each candidate and take notes on performance, behaviour, and skill level. These notes are then discussed and a final assessment is made, taking into account scores from other evaluation tests and personal interviews.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong><span style="font-size: 16px; ">Advantages of Assessment Centres: This is Good For You</span></strong></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>A strong advantage of <strong>assessment centres</strong> is their ability to test a candidate based on how they could perform in their future job. This is helpful in determining candidature for jobs which are unrelated to the interviewee&rsquo;s current job. It is also a great method of providing insight into actual responsibilities and requirements of the role.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Many <strong>assessment centres</strong> also offer <u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_training_webinars">test preparation</a></u> services for candidates that are entering the job market and want to be ready for any type of <u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_glossary/aptitude_test">job aptitude test</a></u> they may have to complete.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="font-size: 16px; "><strong>Successful Techniques: What You Should Know</strong></span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Assessment techniques and methodologies vary across organisations, with the exception of oral exercises and <u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_glossary/in_tray_exercise">in-tray exercises</a></u>.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>In-tray or in-basket exercises involve responding to emails, meetings, creation of organizational papers, memos, and other writing tasks. Candidates are given a hypothetical work related situation without any details about the role. In-tray exercises are one of the most successful assessment techniques used by organizations.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>In an oral exercise, a candidate&rsquo;s presentation and speaking skills are tested. A simulated situation is provided, such as presentation to the board of directors or team training. Prep time is given to organise thoughts and create material for speaking in front of an audience, which consists of assessors.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="font-size: 16px; "><strong>Other Assessment Centre Techniques</strong></span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Other assessment methods include:</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <ul> <li>Role play exercises</li> <li>Structured interviews</li> <li><u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_glossary/psychometrics">Psychometric assessment</a></u> and testing (including aptitude, numerical, and <u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_glossary/verbal_reasoning_test">verbal reasoning tests</a></u>)</li> <li>Group exercises</li> </ul> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Quite a few organizations also use psychometric evaluations, followed by interviews, to determine strengths and weaknesses of candidates.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="font-size: 16px; "><strong>Uses of Assessment Centres</strong></span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong>Assessment centres</strong> are used in many industries, right from armed forces to banking, sales and management positions. They allow companies to test a large number of candidates in a relatively short amount of time and with a high predictive value over future job performance. When combined with computer aided testing, <strong>assessment centres</strong> help save time, and reduce the cost of manual interviewing. Computerised <strong>assessment centres</strong> are also considered accurate and unbiased, reducing conflicts about ethnicity and gender discrimination.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="font-size: 16px; "><u><strong><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/contact_us">Questions? Need advice? Contact us for FREE tips and information!</a></strong></u></span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<div>As the name rightly suggests, <strong><u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/test.php?hash=free_verbal_reasoning_demo">verbal reasoning tests</a></u></strong> are used to assess linguistic ability of the test taker. Candidates are tested on several different parameters, including reading comprehension, grammar, and sentence structure. Although these <u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_glossary/psychometric_test_types">assessment tests</a></u> are primarily used in universities and colleges during the admission procedure, many business organizations are also adopting <strong>verbal reasoning tests</strong>, along with <u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_training_webinars">psychometric testing</a></u>, for candidate evaluation.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>It is important to understand the difference between verbal ability and verbal reasoning. The former tests grammar and spelling, and is used to judge a candidate&rsquo;s understanding of the English language, while <strong>verbal reasoning tests</strong> logical ability through reading comprehension and complex sentences.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="font-size: 16px; "><strong>What Verbal Reasoning Measures</strong></span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>The actual type of <u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/online_test_free_demo">reasoning test</a></u> varies depending on an organization&rsquo;s unique test selection process but the basic premise for all tests remains the same &ndash; testing the ability to comprehend complex questions or situations. This is considered a fairly accurate representation of a candidate&rsquo;s verbal abilities.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Some organizations also test candidates for spelling, sentence structure, and word meanings. In such a case, candidates are advised to speak to their interviewer and ask them about the kind of questions to expect in the test.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="font-size: 16px; "><strong>Why These Tests Are Used?</strong></span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Experts believe that <strong>verbal reasoning tests</strong>, combined with psychometric assessments, can help organizations determine if a candidate is a good fit for a job. A cumulative average of verbal test scores and other job aptitude tests is taken, after which assessors discuss candidate profiles.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Additionally, these tests are a measure of critical reasoning skills, analytical abilities, and candidate intelligence. They are mostly used during managerial interviews in sales and marketing industries.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Grammar and spelling tests are used to interview candidates that have applied for administrative positions. Some of these tests can be speed tests, where the number of questions is deliberately disproportionate to the time limit.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong><span style="font-size: 16px; ">What is the Format of the Tests?</span></strong></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>The exact format depends on the <u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/assessment_centre_training_webinars">assessment centre</a></u> organizing the <u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_glossary/common_interview_questions">testing interview</a></u>. Typically, <strong>verbal reasoning tests</strong> include:</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <ul> <li>Word analogies</li> <li>Critical reasoning</li> <li>Reading comprehension</li> <li>Sentence deductions</li> </ul> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>These tests gravitate towards native speakers of the language and certain candidates may need additional preparation in order to have the best chance to perform well on them.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="font-size: 16px; "><strong>How to Prepare Best</strong></span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/test.php?hash=free_verbal_reasoning_demo">Verbal reasoning practice tests</a></u> are a great way of preparing for upcoming <u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/psychometric_glossary/aptitude_test">aptitude tests</a></u>. Regular practice helps improve skills that are critical for a successful interview.</div> <div>Reading books, newspapers, and online resources will also help improve vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. Additionally, candidates can prepare by completing <u><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/online_test_packages">online practice tests</a></u>.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><u><span style="font-size: 16px; "><strong><a target="_self" href="http://www.careergym.com/online_test_free_demo">Questions? Comments? Check our FREE online psychometric tests now!</a></strong></span></u></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>&nbsp;</p>