Users´ comments

Facet5 has evolved over the last couple of decades into a highly-sophisticated yet very easy-to-use instrument – hence its popularity among user organisations in some twenty countries around the globe. Here is just a small selection of comments about the tool:

The Post Office

‘The Post Office Ltd has used Facet5 tests to assist with the creation of a new top management team. The results have been particularly helpful in avoiding dysfunctional recruitment, and in building a broadly-based supportive, non-overlapping, functional environment. We continue to use Facet5 in our recruitment and selection process and to assist with our ongoing management evaluation and training process.’
David Mills, Chief Executive, Post Office Ltd

RS Components

‘I have been a Facet5 user for many years. I use it in preference to other psychometrics because it is quick to administer, straightforward to explain and very effective. As it is written in language that people can understand and identify with they quickly engage in the feedback process. RS uses Facet5 as a platform for discussion as part of the recruitment process, in development and assessment discussions and as part of 360 degree feedback.’
Diane Knight, RS Components

Credit Suisse Private Banking

‘I have used Facet5 for about 15 years in three different companies. Having spent several years before that trying other tools, eg, 16PF, OPQ, etc, I found this to be the most accurate descriptor of likely behaviour. The other thing that I like about it is the degree to which the output is accepted by candidates. I have used it for team building, organisational re-structuring and appraisal purposes too. One time whilst working for an investment bank we profiled a whole department. They agreed with all the positives but would not initially accept any of the negatives. However, we then showed them the results of the company-wide 360 we had done on their function, which was virtually a repetition of all the Facet5 feedback. They were thus forced to confront areas of their way of working that they needed to change. I have also used it to quite dramatically cut down employee turnover rates by getting a better fit for the job.’
Kath Rooney, Head of HR, Credit Suisse Private Banking

Viacom Outdoor

‘We use Facet5 as a tool for recruitment and development. It is easy to administer and very comprehensive. I like the way that the extra modules included in the report are behaviourally-based and can be related to situations within the workplace. During interview we find that we can tailor our questions to specific behaviours and traits, which helps us to be more consistent during the process. We find that once people get to know the Facet5 model they are able to relate to one another more easily and this helps with the developmental process within the company.’
Susan Lewes-Daley, HR Director, Viacom Outdoor

Sun Microsystems

‘In Sun, Facet5 helps to remove the tension associated with personality diversity.’
Jane Clift, Professional Development Manager, Sun Microsystems

GKN

‘For GKN the main advantage of Facet5 is the ease of administration, as it has been designed as an on-line tool from the beginning. We have also found very high levels of “face validity” with the candidates, which has allowed for very productive development discussions and better understanding of both personal and team dynamics.’
Andrew Moss, Head of Employment and Development, GKN plc

Surrey County Council

‘We needed to recruit for 11 senior are management jobs. This was done both internally and externally. The selection process involved two interviews together with the use of Facet5 to predict how applicants would react in their jobs if recruited, and also to indicate to the interviewers what areas to probe further. We recruited a successful team and brought them together to have a session to exchange their Facet5 scores and to examine how they would operate as a team. This was a very useful process and a great start to a good working relationship within the team.’
Anna Wright, Assistant Chief Executive, Surrey County Council

UKTV

‘Facet5 helps us in our recruitment activities in a number of ways. It helps us challenge assumptions we may be making about an individual and it provides us with a framework on which to base some questions that really enables us to determine the individual’s strength and weaknesses in a behavioural sense. I would say it is far better than many other tools and one thing I really like about it is that you do not have to “pigeon hole” people, but can use the results in a non-judgmental way. We will seek to use it throughout the organisation and already use it for leadership and management development as well as recruitment.’
UKTV

Norfolk County Council

‘Massive beneficial impact on our recruitment processes from selection to appointment – not a bad comment from a sceptic of the process! Definitely best use of our time and money.’
Clare Metcalf, Operations Manager, Customer Service Centre, Norfolk County Council

ISM

‘From an academic standpoint Facet5 is a very thorough and well structured psychometric test. But its greatest strength is that it simplifies a very complicated psychological process, providing you with valuable information that you can understand and use. I am personally impressed with the accuracy and detail of the profile I received. It has dramatically increased my self-awareness, which I know will help me attain future career growth and success.’
Trevor Holmes, Lecturer, ISM

Berkley Consulting Group

‘In our experience Facet5 is the most comprehensive and practical personality testing available.’
Berkley Consulting Group

Hampshire County Council

‘The simplicity and robustness of the instrument make it ideal for use in a variety of ways, where individual differences are important, eg, for understanding ourselves and to help with insights into the behaviour of those we work with. It provides a solid structure for individuals to learn about themselves, their interactions with others and the strategies available to ensure effective teamwork.’
Hampshire County Council

British Psychological Society review

Facet5 was put through its paces by the British Psychological Society’s Psychological Testing Centre in a detailed 18-month review, published in 2006. Here is an extract from their ‘final evaluation’:

‘The quality of the materials comprising the test is good. The questionnaire is user-friendly and has good face validity. Psychometric constructs are clearly conveyed within the materials available to the user. the Manual provides a very thorough explanation of the rationale and theoretical underpinning of Facet5, and presents very detailed descriptions of the factors. This provides evidence that Facet5 is a soundly-based Five Factor personality questionnaire. The way in which the factor Emotionality is interpreted in relation to the other four factors is a particularly attractive feature of the instrument.

Fully automated scoring, interpretation and reporting increase speed and reduce potential error. the extensive range of outputs are designed to support a number of human resource functions including selection, personal-organisation fit, management training and development and career development. The test employs innovative approaches to the problems of impression management.’