Client request:
A group of temping companies requested our help/advice with the development and implementation of a new assessment for selecting personnel for the Office Manager (OM) post.

Approach:
We chose to develop an assessment in which candidates were given the opportunity to display a range of competencies in a number of role plays with actors. After the assessment, the behaviour was appraised by the actor and the assessor from the temping agency. The group of temping agencies and Act Inc. together formulated the behaviour they wished to see for each competency. The actor dealt with this at various levels, starting with the most difficult. If the candidate did not respond, the candidate would be given ever more obvious cues within the scope of the competency.

The actors were trained by Act Inc., which enabled them to conduct and assess the role play in good collaboration. We opted for a scenario outside the framework of the candidates' future job, as many candidates did not have experience in the temping sector.

Result:
We developed a unique role play where competencies can be called upon at several levels. Due to this selection assessment, the drop-out rate for Office Managers within the first year following their appointment fell by 15%.