Graduates screened by online psychometric tests to ensure property firm attracts best candidates

Property adviser GVA Grimley has introduced online psychometric tests to enhance its graduate recruitment process.

Each year the company receives between 600 and 800 applications for between 30 and 70 places on a two-year graduate schemes.

"We were finding that a lot of graduate applicants didn't have the basic skills we assumed they would have when they came out of university," said Hannah-Jane Bell, HR business support manager.

"We therefore needed to introduce a more objective selection process to help sift through potential cadidates for our assessment centres."

Previously the company had to screen the application forms manually, which often led to unsuitable candidates participating in the centres. All applications are now screened online meaning only the best candidates are going forward to the assessment centre stage.

"Ideally we want to invite about 150 people to our assessment centres so it's important those 150 are the very best candidates," said Bell. Candidates then undertake a competency based interview, a report-writing exercise, a group discussion exercise and a presentation.

The company introduced verbal and numerical tests from assessment firm PSL to its online application process.

Bell said: "This is our first exploration into using psychometric tests, and as a result of this initiative, we are now looking to introduce them into other areas of the business.".