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How is Belbin used in Recruitment?

Belbin profiles, team games and exercises are frequently used for recruitment purposes, whether to assess candidates from outside the organisation, compare candidates for promotion or to scrutinise a shortlist for a graduate scheme. If you are looking to use Belbin in recruitment, there are many options available to you.

Find out about the candidate

The Belbin® Self-Perception Inventory (SPI) establishes the behavioural propensities of an individual. (It should, of course, be further validated by the addition of observer input.)

The report produced contains a section called 'Check at Interview'. For instance, if someone claims to be a Plant, the report might suggest: "...find out about some of John's ideas". This aids the interviewer in establishing whether John can provide any evidence of his preferences. In essence, is he a good example of the Team Role?

The Character Profile also offers advice on job Placement - ie what type of role would be most suitable when looking at the individuals Team Role profile.

How does the candidate fit in the team?

Someone may have the Team Role attributes you are looking for, but how will he or she fit in with the existing team? Whilst you can't account for personal differences or "personality clashes", you can use a Belbin® Team/Group Report to help assess whether an individual will be providing a much-needed contribution or whether their Team Role preferences could cause conflict with other team members.

For example, if you have a predominance of Completer Finishers in your team, adding another one might cause conflict over work "territory". On the other hand, adding a Co-ordinator to the team might ensure that delegation was managed appropriately.

How does the candidate fit with the job?

Even if the candidate fits well in the team, staff turnover can only be reduced by matching people to jobs. The Belbin® Job Report allows you to specify the attributes you require in a particular job. This can be used within HR for recruitment and discussion or presented to the candidate at interview.

If the candidate has completed a Belbin® Self-Perception Inventory, this can be matched with the job report to determine suitability/compatibility for a job.

Assessment Centres

Belbin Co-operate is ideal for use in assessment centres or recruitment days.

Team Build calls for self-sacrifice
The team is asked to complete a series of shapes on different boards, exchanging pieces as they go, without being able to see each others’ boards. Ultimately, the exercise can only be completed if they sacrifice short-term, individual goals for the sake of the team’s achievements.

Team Rescue calls for good communication
The team is required to form a strategy to defuse a “bomb” within a short timeframe. They must listen for the input of other team members and decide who will be actively involved in the operation.

Team Write calls for team harmonisation
This exercise is only possible if the team pulls together to work as one. The team must control the writing apparatus supplied to manoeuvre a pen and draw different shapes.

Please note: Belbin is a recruitment tool. Team Roles provide an insight into working and team relationships, but the profiles should not be used as the sole basis for making recruitment decisions.

Are you Belbin® legal? Click on the copyright icon to discover whether you're using the correct version of the Belbin® Self-Perception Inventory (SPI).