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- 29 Aug 2010
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In most modern railway recruitment events, nowadays there comes a group section involving both problem solving and interacting with others - both key skills for customer service based assessments.
Recently, a lady I work with attended an XC assessment (for RSM/buffet) and left the event with blood boiling regarding that section, mentioning the only one who got through was an XC internal applicant, who rightly or wrongly never mentioned this fact once to other candidates.
Candidates were told -
- This is a no-right-answer question.
- You are in a six-man boat with seven in total on board.
- You only have room for six people and it's sinking.
- You need to throw several things overboard and a person.
- What item do you keep?
- You have a rope, shaving mirror, life vest, map, food, matches, water.
....for me, the obvious one would be to throw a person overboard and tow them with the rope with a life vest on.
At the end candidates were told, "There is a right answer, actually."
Apparently the 'correct' reason was throw the person overboard and only keep the shaving mirror to signal rescue aircraft. When questioned, XC's assessor stated the answer given is based on information given by the "Coastguard Association of America. Okay, now go home, sorry you didn't make it."
Later when I heard about this I tried to find the (CGA) organisation, but none exists. So I contacted the real US Coastguard via their website (USCG.mil). They replied stating the question was an certainly an interesting one but they couldn't really give a right answer, except that saving all lives is an obvious priority for the USCG - ie throwing someone overboard would be unthinkable. They suggested posting it on their social media page, which mostly resulted in the same answer, many from their own staff.
I emailed directly the XC Director of HR, a former colleague of mine when she was at another company, Maria Zywica. She stated the assessments were fully tested and compliant with all HR standards. Not once did she address the reply from the US Coastguard who stated they would never give such advice, nor explain why a no-right-answer question designed to raise discussion, suddenly gained an answer.
I'm all for excellent standards on recruitment events which keep them interesting and relevant to the the recruited role. XC's reply was somewhat embarrassing.
Recently, for the job I do, my company nicked an idea from an operator in an adjacent area - ditch the Maths, English, Grammar tests - do them online at the start, and on the actual day put candidates on an out of service train in the depot checking tickets when a lunatic nut-bucket fare evader (actor) starts screaming at them. How they handle the situation, use discretion, remain calm and professional, tone of voice, sympathy - are all qualities directly related to the job they've gone for.
No silly dinghies or life vests in sight
Recently, a lady I work with attended an XC assessment (for RSM/buffet) and left the event with blood boiling regarding that section, mentioning the only one who got through was an XC internal applicant, who rightly or wrongly never mentioned this fact once to other candidates.
Candidates were told -
- This is a no-right-answer question.
- You are in a six-man boat with seven in total on board.
- You only have room for six people and it's sinking.
- You need to throw several things overboard and a person.
- What item do you keep?
- You have a rope, shaving mirror, life vest, map, food, matches, water.
....for me, the obvious one would be to throw a person overboard and tow them with the rope with a life vest on.
At the end candidates were told, "There is a right answer, actually."
Apparently the 'correct' reason was throw the person overboard and only keep the shaving mirror to signal rescue aircraft. When questioned, XC's assessor stated the answer given is based on information given by the "Coastguard Association of America. Okay, now go home, sorry you didn't make it."
Later when I heard about this I tried to find the (CGA) organisation, but none exists. So I contacted the real US Coastguard via their website (USCG.mil). They replied stating the question was an certainly an interesting one but they couldn't really give a right answer, except that saving all lives is an obvious priority for the USCG - ie throwing someone overboard would be unthinkable. They suggested posting it on their social media page, which mostly resulted in the same answer, many from their own staff.
I emailed directly the XC Director of HR, a former colleague of mine when she was at another company, Maria Zywica. She stated the assessments were fully tested and compliant with all HR standards. Not once did she address the reply from the US Coastguard who stated they would never give such advice, nor explain why a no-right-answer question designed to raise discussion, suddenly gained an answer.
I'm all for excellent standards on recruitment events which keep them interesting and relevant to the the recruited role. XC's reply was somewhat embarrassing.
Recently, for the job I do, my company nicked an idea from an operator in an adjacent area - ditch the Maths, English, Grammar tests - do them online at the start, and on the actual day put candidates on an out of service train in the depot checking tickets when a lunatic nut-bucket fare evader (actor) starts screaming at them. How they handle the situation, use discretion, remain calm and professional, tone of voice, sympathy - are all qualities directly related to the job they've gone for.
No silly dinghies or life vests in sight
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