Enhancing Public Sector Recruitment with Psychometric Tests

What are public sector jobs?

Unlike private sector jobs, which are typically within privately owned companies, public sector roles are situated within organizations owned and operated by the government. In the UK and globally, public sector jobs encompass diverse roles such as police officers, teachers, government officials, and postal workers. Effective employee management in the public sector is crucial for ensuring efficient operations and delivering essential services to the community.

In the UK alone, 5.83 million people currently work in the public sector.

The number of people employed in the UK public sector has increased since 2021, but there are still some challenges to overcome when it comes to recruiting staff. In this article, we discuss the challenges in the public sector and how the recruitment sector can help overcome them.

Competition in the public and private sectors

Before the pandemic, there were around 800,000 vacancies in the UK private sector, the number rose to 1.3 million vacancies after the pandemic ended. With many applicants choosing to work in the private sector, 73% of public sector employers now need help finding the skills needed for certain positions and are struggling with a minor skills shortage.

Highly skilled workers are now more likely to opt for the higher salaries offered by private companies. This labor shortage is perhaps most evident in the teaching profession, with many school leaders warning of a dangerous teacher shortage in 2023.

These statistics are concerning, but the public sector can attract and retain new employees by insisting on its unique selling point: the chance to make a positive mark on society in jobs like nursing, caregiving, policing, etc.

Mass burnout in the public sector

While many public sector jobs can be more rewarding than private sector jobs, public sector workers are just as vulnerable to burnout, especially during difficult times. During the global pandemic, the UK Parliament feared a looming crisis as tens of thousands of nurses left their jobs each year, leaving a whopping 40,000 nursing positions unfilled.

According to a Mind survey, public sector workers are now over three times more likely to report mental health issues than private sector workers. However, public sector workers can benefit from adopting techniques from the private sector, such as flexible working, less bureaucracy in holiday planning, and more organized and productive team collaboration.

In terms of recruitment, the public sector can use psychometric testing to find out who is likely to stay during difficult times and why the candidate wants the job.

What are psychometric tests in recruitment?

Psychometric tests are used during the recruitment process to assess a candidate's mental abilities and characteristics, such as intelligence level, aptitude, and many other talents. Cognitive ability tests such as verbal, logical, numerical and abstract reasoning can be used along with personality questionnaires and situational assessment tests to better assess a candidate's suitability for a position, making hiring the right person for the job much easier.

How Public Sector Recruitment Can Be Improved Through Psychometric Testing and Assessment

During the recruitment process, there is no way to truly know whether someone who seems perfect on paper can successfully handle their new role. Recruiters can easily identify a candidate's education and experience, but psychometric tests can measure other important elements such as personality traits, work methods, communication, problem-solving skills and much more.

Because psychometric testing provides a comprehensive understanding of a candidate, recruiters can be confident that they have hired someone with good qualities such as honesty and good collaboration.

Psychometric testing is more important than ever for recruiters

A study of 2000 people by recruitment company Michael Page found that over half of 18-34 year old respondents to a survey conducted during the 'Great Resignation' were looking for a new job. This statistic is worrying for the public sector as the likelihood of losing staff to private sector jobs has become greater than ever.

Thankfully, psychometric testing can be used to assess whether a potential candidate has staying power (and to provide a better onboarding experience for staff). Psychometric testing can be tailored to a specific job role in the public sector. Recruiters can be confident that they have hired a police officer who is honest, fair and not just driven by authority. Or a nurse with the necessary level of empathy, but who can also do her job efficiently and not suffer negative effects on her mental health.

Conclusion

Psychometric tests enhance public sector recruitment by identifying candidates with the right skills and temperament, reducing turnover, and improving job satisfaction. IceHrm's tools can streamline this process, ensuring efficient and effective hiring.