CariZMa, a leading Dubai-based business consulting and training solutions company focusing on ‘customer experience management,’ has introduced the first Arabic pre-hiring tool in the Middle East.

Fit Index is designed to enhance the applicant screening process by quickly identifying candidates with the greatest potential for success in a given position.

Fit Index, which was developed by DeGarmo Group, the leading human resources and management consulting company, measures applicants' job compatibility by identifying their tolerance for work-related activities and environmental characteristics.

"It also collects information regarding applicants' interpersonal style such as identifying applicants who can for example function well in stressful and changing situations, demonstrate an appropriate level of patience and assertiveness, to determine their fit for the call center job," said Mark D. Baker from DeGarmo Group.

“With many of our customers experiencing difficulties in hiring and retaining quality call center employees it made sense for them to add a comprehensive tool to their hiring process,” he noted.

“By partnering a professional partner such as CariZMa which is a leading consulting and training solutions with an impressive regional geographic, we can assist call centers in the region in making proactive hiring decisions that will help to improve bottom-line results,” he added.

Since employee turnover is greatly determined by job satisfaction, it is important to identify whether the applicant will be interested, motivated and challenged by the activities required on a job.

Salary.com recent annual survey on employee job satisfaction and retention found out that the estimated replacement costs due to turnover reached Dh55,000 ($15,000) in 2007. This year it estimates costs to reach Dh77,000 ($21,000), which represents a 40 per cent increase.

“In order to decrease turnover it’s important for call centers companies to understand your employees’ potential,” said Khalil Jaouni, managing partner of CariZMa.

"Studies show that the top success factors for a position – personality traits – are better measured through an assessment than in a resume or an interview."

Fit Index provides rapid, accurate, objective and unbiased insight and better understanding of both candidates and employees.

"Upon this understanding, call centers in the Middle East can develop a high-performance workforce and drive competitive advantage in areas such as critical thinking, problem solving and leadership."

Fit Index, which won the 2006 Product of the Year Award from Call Center Magazine, is developed in accordance with the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures and the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing.   

CariZMa was launched in Dubai in 2003 and works with a number of leading organizations in the Middle East region such as the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), MTC (Zain), Al Rajhi Bank and Riyad Bank.-TradeArabia News Service