GARETH JONES, OCCUPATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Client | Appointment of xxxxxxxxxxx
Patterns emerging from analysis
of applicants’ psychometric test
data gathered between 2012-14
Instruments
• Cognitive-Verbal, Numerical and Spatial Reasoning
• Personality-Hogan suite-Motivation and Personal Values
Inventory; Hogan Personality Inventory and Hogan
Developmental Survey.
Norm Groups
• Cognitive Tests-Senior Managers & Executives
• Personality Measures-Managers
Verbal
Numerical
80
80
60
60
40
40
20
20
0
0
Spatial
80
60
40
20
0
Recognition
What do we
think a
Regulator
looks like?
Motivation
& Personal
Science
Power
Hedonism
Aesthetics
Motivation
& Personal
Values
Inventory
Altruistic
Commerce
Security
Affiliation
Tradition
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Mean for
Managers and
Professionals
Regulators
Mean
Normal
Regulators
Mean
Corporate
Services Mean
Mean for
Succuessful
Regulator MPVI Patterns
• Higher on Science - (all) enjoy analysing problems
and getting to the truth.
• Higher on Tradition - (all) defend established
procedures, value standards and are even-handed
• Higher on Aesthetics - (all) combine creativity with
practicality, also value quality as well as quantity.
• Lower on Recognition - (all) less egotistical, share
credit and acknowledge mistakes.
• Lower on Hedonism - (all) Socially appropriate,
careful about what they say and do.
• Lower on Commerce - (all) Fair, money not a major
motivator and may not push for results.
Regulator MPVI Patterns
(Successful Applicants)
• Significantly lower on Tradition - progressive, challenge
established procedures and appreciate diverse viewpoints
• Significantly lower on Security - assertive, open to criticism,
willing to take risks and can tolerate ambiguity
• Lower on Commerce – unselfish, more interested in ideas
than material success
• Lower on Science - strike a balance between analysis and
action
• Lower on Aesthetics - practical, business-like and
uninterested in creative self-expression.
Regulator MPVI Patterns
(Successful Applicants) ctnd.
• Significantly Lower on Recognition - modest, restrained
and avoid calling attention to themselves.
• Significantly lower on Power - quiet and careful about
following procedures
• Significantly Lower on Hedonism - self disciplined, serious
and careful about what they say and do
• Significantly Lower on Affiliation - independent, selfrestrained and not greatly concerned for social approval
What do we think
a Regulator
looks like?
Hogan
Personality
Inventory
Adjustment
Learning
Approach
Ambition
Hogan
Personality
Inventory
Sociability
Inquisitive
Prudence
Interpersonal
Sensitivity
35
30
25
20
15
10
Mean for
Succuessful
Mean for
Managers and
Professionals
Regulators Mean
Normal
Regulators Mean
5
0
Corporate
Services Mean
Regulator HPI Patterns
• Lower on Prudence - (all) look beyond standard
procedures to solve problems.
• Lower on Inquisitive - (Regulators only) evaluate
ideas rather than generating their own, take visionary
ideas and translate into workable solutions
Successful Applicants
• Slightly lower on Prudence - Flexible, comfortable
with change and innovation
• Marginally higher Learning Approach - Remain up to
date with current trends and developments in the
sector
What do we think
a Regulator
looks like?
Hogan ‘Dark
Diligent
Side’
Excitable
Dutiful
Imaginative
Sceptical
Cautious
Hogan
Dark
Side
Colourful
Reserved
Leisurely
Mischievous
Bold
11
10
9
8
7
6
Mean for
Managers and
Professionals
Regulators
Mean
5
4
3
2
1
0
Normal
Regulators
Mean
Corporate
Services Mean
Mean for
Succuessful
Regulator HDS Patterns
• Higher on Sceptical (all) - critical and suspicious of authority
• Higher on Diligent (Corporate only) - well organised, good with detail and
even handed
• Lower on Excitable (all) - tolerant, even tempered, self-reliant and emotionally
mature
• Lower on Mischievous (all) - quiet, dependable an focused-think before they
act
• Lower on Imaginative (all) - disciplined, modest and maintain a low profile
• Lower on Cautious (Regulators) - emotionally poised, meet public well and
speak up in meetings
• Lower on Reserved (Regulators) - socially confident, polite and will ask
questions to better understand the perspective of others
• Lower on Leisurely (Regulators) - obliging, positive and straight forward in
their communications
Successful - No significant differences
Conclusions from whole sample
Regulators are likely to be:
• Intellectually able, particularly numerically, with an
aptitude for abstract conceptual problem solving;
• Motivated by combining creativity with practicality,
enjoyment of analysis, and values driven;
• Low ego, socially appropriate and not motivated by
money;
• Others will perceive them as applied problem solvers,
but willing to look beyond the obvious answers.
Under pressure they will:
• Remain calm and poised, will be straightforward in their
dealings with others whilst being politely sceptical.
Conclusions about successful applicants
• Even brighter than their able peer group
• Low ego and not driven by power by authority or status
• Self-disciplined and task focused in their work style
• Independent-minded, appreciate different viewpoints, can
change direction quickly and tolerate ambiguity
• Practical, business-like and balance analysis against action
• Make things happen and keep themselves in touch with
developments in the sector
• Display no significant overreactions under stress or
pressure
How might we use these insights
• Inform the detail of person specifications
• Use the trait behaviours to inform soft skills
interview questions
• Be vigilant when making appointments of
those with “exception” profiles to job roles
• Ensure exploration of candidate
psychometric data against the “ideal” profile
• Use the same psychometric tools
consistently over time to develop a reliable
data base for validation research on profiles
by role and job level.
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