Section I: Introduction to Assessment
Section I: Introduction to Assessment
What is personnel assessment?
Personnel assessment refers to any method of collecting
information on individuals for the purpose of making a selection decision.
Selection decisions include, but are not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion,
referral, retention, and entry into programs leading to advancement (e.g.,
apprenticeship, training, career development). Selecting qualified applicants
is a critical step in building a talented and committed workforce, supporting
an effective organizational culture, and enhancing the overall performance of
the agency.
While many applicants may apply for any particular position,
quantity does not guarantee quality. Assessment procedures can be a
cost-effective tool in narrowing down large applicant pools. Assessment tools
can also make the selection decision process more efficient because less time
and fewer resources are expended dealing with applicants whose qualifications
do not match what is needed by the agency.
Effective personnel assessment involves a systematic
approach towards gathering information about applicants' job qualifications. Factors
contributing to successful job performance (e.g., oral communication, problem
solving) are identified using a process called job analysis.
Job analysis identifies the duties performed on the job and the competencies
needed for effective job performance. Basing personnel assessment closely on
job analysis results makes the connection between job requirements and personnel
assessment tools more transparent, thereby improving the perceived fairness of
the assessment process.