Using strength based questionnaires to make selection more effective and efficient
In recent years Strengths Based Recruitment (SBR) has become popular amongst leading recruiters. SBR aims to explore an individual’s perceived strengths and preferences rather than his/her competence.
Over the last few years we have enhanced the application of SBR still further by working with our clients to develop Strengths Based Questionnaires (SBQ). The OPC has been working with two leading service sector organisations to develop SBQ's for the recruitment of a key role.
Designing a bespoke SBQ that is fit for purpose
Within each organisation the OPC undertook a profiling exercise of the role. This was to help understand what type of person would thrive and really enjoy working in the job. This was then translated into a bespoke SBQ for each role. Both organisations then implemented the SBQ as an online questionnaire hosted on OPC Assessment’s online testing system where the scoring was automated. The aim was to help identify the best applicant’s quickly and effectively who would then go forward to an assessment centre.
The SBQ’s worked!
Both SBQ’s proved to be very successful. The SBQ’s allowed each organisation to sift large numbers of applications (in one case over 14,000) quickly and effectively, providing considerable savings in both time and money. In addition, each SBQ was found to predict assessment centre performance. So the SBQ was able to identify at the beginning of the recruitment process a higher quality applicant who was more likely to meet the recruitment standard, again saving on recruitment costs and time. Both organisations were really pleased with their respective SBQ’s and they continue to be used as recruitment tools.