Question

Two different managers in an organization are hiring financial analyst for an entry level position.  

Manager A asks the job applicants who are called for an interview to do the following task.  He gives them a sales history of the company's product lines for the past 12 quarters and asks the applicant to make a forecast for the next four quarters using Excel spreadsheet.

Manager B asks the job applicants an interview question: Assume that you are given the sales figures for the past 12 quarters.  You have to make sales projection for the next four quarters. Can you explain how will you go about it?

In terms of physical and psychological fidelity, which approach might be better in a selection situation?  Why?

Answer 1

Solution:

The approach which asks the applicant to solve the problem using Excel spreadsheet is a better method because the entry-level job will require a hands-on task in his daily job role and hence it would be best to test him with his hands on excel skills rather than just testing the knowledge. If he is able to do it hands-on work on Excel then definitely he will be able to think the strategy to get that work done. Hence a better method will be the hands-on expertise of using Excel Spreadsheet.