Competency profiling fits the bill

Competency profiling is a technique which is sometimes adopted by businesses when recruiting. Whether a large oil company is looking for the best candidates for their graduate training scheme or a hotel is running a recruitment day with the aim of filling several posts, competency profiling can play an important role in ensuring that the successful candidates will fit into the existing teams.

Bill Duncan of Fifth Dimension comments, ìThe word competency is derived from the Latin word ëcompetereí which translates as ëto be suitableí. Competency profiling, as part of a recruitment process, can be used by companies to determine whether or not any of the potential recruits are suitable to join their workforce.î

According to Bill of Fifth Dimension suitability is the crux of the matter in terms of competency profiling. ìCompetency profiling should not only focus on whether the applicants have specific job related skills but rather whether their attitudes and behaviour fits with the company ethos.

ìBy the time people are in the job market their attitudes and behaviours are inherent and it is unlikely that they would be able to make substantial changes in these areas. However if a person is identified as having the right attributes and being suitable to join a company there is no reason, if a comprehensive training and development programme is put into place, why they would not be able to learn job related skills.î

Competency profiling can take varying forms and will often focus on teamwork. ìBy concentrating on team work it is possible to identify whether the candidates work effectively as part of a team, if they communicate effectively and whether they display any leadership skills.î

Undertaking such an exercise also provides the opportunity to spot any lateral thinkers; those who are aware of their role in their team but also realise that there is a bigger picture to consider as well.

ìThe need to be able to see the bigger picture applies across the board. Smaller businesses are likely to need team players who can spot potential problems before they arise and larger businesses are generally made up of smaller teams and therefore need personnel who can work within their own team but also be aware of the corporate vision and their role in achieving it.î

In a busy work environment it is important for employers to know that their team will be able to cope during times of increased workload. Bill adds, ìCompetency profiling can also highlight competencies such as the ability to cope with ambiguity, to take initiative in uncertain situations and to cope with stress ñ skills which are increasingly important in fast paced work environments.î

Something to consider when carrying out competency profiling is reviewing the exercise from two viewpoints. Bill explains, ìNormally the company representative will view the competency profiling from an external position. Whilst this allows them to see what is going on it does mean that they are somewhat removed from the situation. If the company is in a position to include some of their own personnel in the exercise this means that they will benefit from feedback as to how the potential recruits will fit within the existing business teams.î

Whether a large multinational company or a small business, when employing new personnel it is important that as well as being able to do their job that they will also fit in with the existing team. ìIdentifying personnel who will not upset but rather add to the team dynamic is important for large and small businesses, competency profiling as part of the recruitment process can help businesses to achieve this.î

Bill Duncan, Ivor Smith and Jeff Burns of Fifth Dimension have more than 50 years collective experience as professional entertainers and magicians and use Magically Enhanced TrainingTM to ensure that messages are remembered long after an event has finished. For further information about Fifth Dimensionís innovative approach telephone 01224 706755 or 07764 793897, email info@fifthdimension.biz or visit www.fifthdimension.biz.