ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the process of selecting talent. This is dependent on understanding a range of the tools and techniques of assessment. The task of assessment is to find evidence of the competencies and any other criteria that are contained in the talent definition. There is a multitude of exercises and other tools to ascertain the level of match between any individual and the competence profile. Assessment exercises are complex tools and therefore can be expensive to design, trial and test. Experience suggests that even the best designed assessment exercise may not be effective if the assessors are poorly trained or lack the motivation to apply the processes consistently. Roles that require very specific abilities can use exercises that simulate the precise situation found at work. These are very popular activities for assessing certain competencies, particularly team working and communication skills. They fall into two main categories: assigned role and non-assigned role exercises.
