why am I being assessed?

If you’ve been asked to complete Thomas assessments by a company you’ve applied to for a job, the company is focused on fitting the right people with the right roles.

Of course, they’ll be interested in your background, qualifications and previous experience – so they’ll want to make sure you are able to do the job.

But they’ll also be interested in recruiting people who ‘fit’ with their organisation. For example, if they are a fast-paced, dynamic business that operates with a flat management structure and few operating procedures, you’ll need to be comfortable in that environment. If you’re the type of person that thrives in a steady-paced role, where rules are set down and procedures are clear, you’re unlikely to be happy.

Similarly, the company you’re applying to might operate in an environment which requires a high attention to detail, adherence to strict guidelines and procedures, and where deviation from processes may result in the company being exposed to regulatory and media attention. If you’re the type of person who thrives in a creative environment, where you have the freedom to generate ideas and run independently with projects – would you be happy in this organisation?

In either case, you might accept the role but get frustrated and leave quickly. And that’s disappointing for both you and your new employer.

Remember, businesses use Thomas assessments to give them a greater level of certainty in their people decisions. Our clients tend to recruit the right people into the right roles – people who will ‘fit’ with their organisation.

Take a look at how to complete our key recruitment assessments: PPA, GIA, TEIQue.

You might have been asked to complete assessments for your personal development, as part of your appraisal, or as part of a review or development programme. Whatever the case, you employer is focused on helping you (and them) understand precisely the areas you should work on for development.

And it’s a good thing. Assessments can give you a powerful insight into what makes you successful in your role, your team and within the business as a whole. They also highlight your limitations. And they begin to make you aware of your impact on your colleagues, customers and other stakeholders.

Once you have that knowledge, you can work with your employer to pinpoint exactly the areas you’ll develop which means you can achieve your goals faster – whether that’s doing your job better, boosting your morale and motivation, preparing for promotion or getting onto a fast-track leadership programme.

Take a look at how to complete our key development assessments: PPA, GIA, TEIQue, 360, Skills.

Your company may have asked you to complete assessments as part of a staff review or culture survey, or they may be looking for ways to incentivise staff and boost morale.

Whatever the case, your employer is focused on ensuring you are motivated and engaged with what’s going on in the business. But most of all, they’re keen to ensure that you enjoy working for the company and want to stay for the longer term.

Many companies send around a questionnaire asking what you’d like as an employee – to which the answers can be anything from soap in the bathrooms and Friday drinks, to dress-down days and home working.

So what will your assessments tell your employer? Assessments go much deeper than an employee questionnaire. They provide a powerful insight into how people feel at work, answering questions such as

• How high is morale in the company?
• How engaged are people with the business and what’s happening in the business?
• What truly motivates people?

Remember, if you’re an employee with a company that’s a Thomas client, you can be sure that your company is looking to get a deep understanding of its staff, maintain high levels of morale and support you towards being truly effective in your job – and happy in the company.

Take a look at how to complete our key assessments: PPA, GIA, TEIQue, 360, Skills.

You might be new to managing people, you may be on a management development programme or you may have identified that you need support in your people management skills. In any case, it’s a positive thing that you’ve been asked to complete assessments.

Why? Because assessments will give you an insight into your own strengths, limitations and communication style. They will provide you with a level of self-awareness like you’ve never had before. And self-awareness is the key to interacting with and getting the best out of your staff, your team and your colleagues.

Remember, if you’re an employee with a company that’s a Thomas client, you can be sure that your company is looking to develop you in exactly the right areas, maintain high levels of morale and support you towards being a truly effective people manager.

Take a look at how to complete our key management assessments: PPA, GIA, TEIQue, 360.

Why not attend our self awareness and modifying behaviour course?