In this Issue:

• Is There Value in Psychometric Testing?
• Hot Sheet Candidates
• Cartoon

Is There Value in Psychometric Testing?

In recent years, the use of psychometric testing has become a more common tool to assess prospective employees. In today's marketplace - with difficult economic conditions, changing regulations and unpredictable cash flow - companies are doing all they can to mitigate risk when hiring new employees. Further, it should come as no surprise that the number of testing options to choose from has grown as well. Although similar in their purpose, the various testing products are quite diverse in their methodology used to assess individuals. Some tests can be completed in a matter of minutes and some take hours. Others may even include a personal interview with a representative of the testing service. Any employer would be well advised to consider several options, weighing their costs, benefits, and proposed results before investing in this service. Two of the available tests mentioned most by our clients are the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator and the DISC assessment test. The MBTI tracks four dichotomies in which there is a measured preference for one trait over another. The first dichotomy, for example, is a preference for introversion or extroversion. Common sense would tell us an extrovert would make a better salesperson than an introvert, but many of the best salespeople we have employed and met are actually introverts. An increasingly popular yet similar test is the DISC assessment, which analyzes candidates on two dichotomies versus the MBTI's four. Both of these are useful, as are their competitors, though none are perfect. The majority of the clients we speak with seem to opt for the types which are not overly complex or those that do not claim to predict results in absolute terms.

Kimmel & Associates has been in countless discussions with our clients over the years regarding the results of such tests. We have also had the opportunity to examine the impact which decisions based upon those results have had on their organizations. The feedback we receive is diverse. Many clients will not send out an offer prior to thoroughly considering the input from their testing source. Others will employ this resource post-hire strictly as a management tool. Most companies who use these profiling tests agree that it should be viewed as a tool: a part of the evaluation process, not the sole arbiter of the decision to hire someone. Furthermore, most agree these tests cannot predict a candidate's suitability for a specific position without fail. The majority view psychometric testing as a means of identifying and managing a person's strengths, weaknesses, and psychological make-up once that person is hired based upon experience, past success, technical skills, common goals, etc. Very few companies view one of these assessments as a reason on its own to disqualify a candidate from consideration. Passion for the industry, work ethic, and other traits that help to determine an employee's success do not seem to be clearly identified in most, if any, pre-employment testing options.

If a company truly perceives their employees as their greatest asset, they should remember every person is different in many ways. Solely using a test to decide a candidate's future can lessen the value that individuality offers and consequently a company may miss opportunities to hire great candidates who could wind up working for their competition.

Is pre-employment testing useful? For certain firms in certain circumstances, definitely. We have taken it upon ourselves to become familiar with a variety of psychometric options so we can advise our clients appropriately. Is it the ultimate answer to costly, poor hires? Very likely no. Even the clients we questioned who are strong advocates for this process are quick to add that psychometric testing is not foolproof. It should be used in conjunction with the interviewing skills that have helped build companies over the last 200 years. There is still a lot to be learned from sitting across the table from someone, looking them in the eye, shaking their hand, and discussing their dreams, goals, and abilities. To take stock in their character, one-on-one, and to rely at least in part on the "gut feeling" that most business owners have used in many of their key decisions for their entire career.

Hot Sheet Candidates

#537357 - Senior Project Manager, Public Site Work Projects include airports, military, Corps work up to $20M. Excellent job history and strong in earthwork, utility, and asphalt paving. Currently traveling with a Southeastern civil contractor and ready to settle down with a local or regional company.

#633451 - Senior Project Manager, Highway Projects include DOT highway construction (excavation, storm drain, asphalt paving) up to $55M. Stable work history, ambitious and hardworking, open to the South or Southeast.

#300745 - Electrical Senior Project Manager Would like to work with a company that builds large complex projects such as hospitals and data centers. Has experience managing electrical projects over $10M. Interested in relocating to the Southeast.

#259157 - Chief Estimator BS in Building Construction from the University of Florida and has 26 years of experience, only two employers in the last 24 years.   Has strong management and estimating skills:  hard bid, negotiated, design build, and CM at risk experience.  Excellent computer skills.  Projects range from $20M up to $262M.  Banks, stadiums, airports, prisons, hotel, mixed use, theme parks, office, universities, etc.  Positions of interest would include Chief Estimator, Pre-Construction Manager, Director of Preconstruction and Senior Estimator. Open to anywhere in the lower half of the nation.

#602029 - Director of Operations (National & International) Masters in Government Contracting, BS degrees in Construction Management and in Architecture with an AS in Civil Engineering.  Has 20 plus years of experience, 18 of those years are with the same company. Experience in several states and multiple countries as well as in the Middle East.  Very hands-on and has experience with profit & loss, proposals, bid strategies, government & commercial projects, contracts, cost, project controls, project management, mechanical & electrical, business development, etc.  Projects include: energy/power, chemical plants, chillers, boilers, pumps, high security, high tech, wind farms, anti-terrorism, and surveillance.  Will travel anywhere.

#639632 - Project Executive Very strong candidate who specializes in large high rise hotels, condominiums, casinos, etc. Open to travel and/or relocation. Has a BS & MS in Building Construction Engineering Technology. Twenty-six years of experience with large projects from preconstruction through closeout. Strong computer skills and very good communicator.

#128472 - Dredging Project Manager - Operations Manager Twenty-plus years of experience in public and private dredging, environmental remediation, pile driving, levee construction, jetty construction, beach nourishment, and hazmat cleanup work in lakes, harbors, marinas, rivers and shoreline/tidal zone projects. Particularly strong on equipment design and modification. Open to relocation nationwide.

#412124 - Lead Multifamily Superintendent Has a long tenure with a national apartment developer/builder building apartments and student housing in Texas. Based in Dallas, open to travel. Excellent reputation for building on time and in budget. Strong with computers and presents well.

#68744 - Construction Executive Extensive multifamily, mixed-use and commercial project experience on the East Coast from DC to Florida and further West. Outstanding leader and team builder. Proven success with start-up companies and well oiled national companies. Project experience ranges from garden style, midrise and high-rise apartments to office, medical office, land and retail. Open to relocate anywhere.

#64435 - Preconstruction Executive/Operations Manager Construction Executive who exudes professionalism. Has overseen all estimates and estimating teams at various offices in career. As an Operations Manager, has overseen offices exceeding $300M. Familiar with both the public and private commercial construction sector. During tenure with one company, oversaw all estimating and preconstruction at six offices across the U.S. Currently in the Southwest but open to relocation.

#67070 - Project Executive Senior level executive with profit and loss responsibility for branch offices, managed financial reporting to home offices for both private and publicly traded commercial construction companies. Excellent leader, great interpersonal skills, stellar client relationships. Has also worked on the client side overseeing large high-end hospitality projects. Willing to relocate.

#484662 - Project Manager Has extensive DOD,USACE and NAVFAC project experience. This energetic, up-and-coming Project Manager juggles multiple projects ranging between $2M and $10M. Great people skills with a "seller-doer" mentality. Southern California only.

#146859 - Senior/Chief Estimator Strong design/build Estimator with over 20 years of varied project experience to include healthcare projects over $600M, high-rise residential projects over $150M and college and library projects over $40M. Can act as a strong Senior or Chief; has managed a team of 10. Great management and interpersonal skills. Southern California only.

#631749 - Senior Project Manager Degreed with a solid work history: one company in 15 years. Continually promoted from entry level Project Engineer to Project Manager to Senior Project Manager. Expertise in all levels of construction management: operations, finance, estimating, safety. Projects include corporate headquarters, high-end TI work and entertainment/theme park work. Southern California.

#151458 - Senior Estimator Vast knowledge of publicly bid work. Has worked with CMAR, lease-leaseback, hard bid, and design/build. Project types include; schools, libraries, hotels, industrial, courthouses. Sacramento, California only.

#352310 - Senior Estimator Degreed with 20 years of experience. Projects estimated include but are not limited to: military, hospitality, schools, and wineries. Project methodology: design/build, hard bid, and negotiated, both ground up and renovation. Northern California only.

#111869 - Chief Financial Officer CPA currently residing in the Washington, DC metro area. Over 20 years in role of CFO/VP/Controller focused in construction financial management. Proven ability to improve every organization's financial strength, expand their business, and enhance shareholder value. This candidate has provided leadership in accounting, finance, risk management, legal, IT, and HR. Most recently was an integral part of growing a medium-sized firm to more than double its annual revenue over the last five years.

CARTOON

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