Validity of assessment centers for personnel selection

Abstract

Research and practice in the application of assessment centers (AC) for personnel selection are reviewed and critiqued. Several examples of the use of ACs for external screening, internal promotion, and certification are described. Several types of evidence of validity of ACs for selection are reviewed, including representativeness of the content of dimensions and exercises in relation to job requirements, relationships among ratings within an AC, relationships of AC ratings and criteria of work effectiveness, and consequences of assessments including candidates' reactions to assessments and sub-group differences in ratings. Several controversies in research findings and practices of ACs are noted. Further research to address these controversies and new research to study emerging issues are suggested. Conclusions about the validity, fairness, and legal defensibility of ACs for personnel selection are offered.