At DoCS assessment centres candidates participate in various meetings, interactions with clients, analysis of information and report writing, interactions with staff and colleagues, and lead fact finding and decision making interviews. They also participate in behaviourally based interviews, ability and personality tests.
Case Study
In one of the largest projects of its type in Australia, over the past three years Christine Farrell & Associates, partnering with NSW Businesslink, have conducted more than 400 assessment centres for managerial, entry level and specialist field positions in the NSW Department of Community Services.
This has involved the assessment of over 3,500 candidates across nine geographic locations in NSW. Over 95% of the candidates, in anonymous surveys, described the Christine Farrell & Associates processes as fairer and giving greater opportunity to showcase their skills than panel interviews.
Our client reports substantial improvements in the calibre of staff they are appointing.
Widespread candidate acceptance of the decisions flowing from the new processes is indicated by the fact that there has been only one successful promotion appeal in the three year period - a dramatic result given the number of candidates being assessed.
This recruitment project led by NSW Businesslink, who partnered with Christine Farrell & Associates to take advantage of CF&A's expertise in candidate assessment, is also a best practice example of the benefits flowing from public/private sector partnering.