Psychometric testing in focus

Often there are people who end up in positions or jobs that are purely a source of income and many times they are not a fit for either the position or organisation,” says career and life coach Anthony Hadeed.

“With psychometric testing and coaching as part of the recruitment process, this could mean saving the employer an unnecessary long-term expense by aligning the most suitable candidate to a post, reducing the chances of an employee leaving the job shortly after accepting the offer or perhaps having to let the employee go after the probationary period.” On Tuesday, Hadeed who is CEO of YourLifePurpose Ltd of Woodbrook, will tackle employee recruitment among other issues at the International Psychometrics and Coaching conference at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, St Ann’s.

He will be joined by Dr Ilona Jarabek, president and scientific director of a large Canadian psychometric assessment company, PsychTests AIM Inc, where she is also head psychologist and designer.

The conference is targeting managers,managing directors, human resource analysts and recruiters across a several industries.

The session is from 8.1 am until 10am with breakfast at 7 am. Hadeed described psychometrics as a crucial tool in modern recruitment and career selection. He said: “Often, there are people who end up in positions or jobs that are purely a source income.” The word “psychometric” might seem a little intimidating but in fact these clever assessments are a simple, valid and reliable way to identify the right people in the world of business and can be incredibly beneficial for virtually all businesses. Simply explained, psychometric testing aims to provide an accurate, unbiased insight into a person’s strengths and weaknesses. When integrated with a recruitment strategy, these tests can make it easy to assess and compare candidates so that hiring managers can feel confident when they shortlist applicants and make that all important job offer.

Says Hadeed: “Dr Jarabek has a wealth of experience in designing hundreds of tests for many different industries and many markets worldwide. It’s really a great opportunity to have someone as experienced as Dr Jarabek with us to share not only her knowledge but her experience, with the business community of TT . Companies which make the investment to include psych testing as part of their recruitment and selection process see the returns in their productivity and the desired company culture.” Jerabek will remain at the Hilton from May 15 to 19 to meet with prospective and existing clients, to discuss their specific custom needs for psychometric assessments. These additional one-on-one sessions are schedule for Tuesday from 1pm to 5 pm, an all day on May 17, if all the slots are booked. These sessions are free and are on a first-come first-served basis.

“Unlike other international psychometric assessment companies whose assessments are typically ‘cast in stone’, PsychTests is always willing to customise their existing assessments or even create new ones, specific to customers’ unique needs,” Hadeed said.

“What a great opportunity for potential and existing clients to meet face-to-face with the chief psychologist and designer of these diverse psychometric assessments in order to put forward their specific requirements.

Then they can always continue those discussions with Dr Jerabek and her team when she is back in Montreal, Canada.” In addition to employers, parents of young teens, particularly those who are transitioning from secondary school to the world of work or university, find value in administering the assessment to their children as a means of career guidance.

Having worked with and coached children as young as 15-year-old, Hadeed’s company partnered with PsychTests Inc to develop psychometric assessments for students in forms three, five and six, as well as university students, all aimed at taking them through big transitions, that could affect their long-term careers.

“This has seen youth really blossom after being allowed to pursue paths they would have otherwise moved away from if not for the coaching and testing,” Hadeed said.