JPEA for Employers – Questions and Answers

Fewer Questions. More Answers. Greater Effectiveness

Q: How do I get started?

A: Getting started is easy. Simply follow this link to the registration form, where you purchase Job and Person assessments for each position you would like to fill. You will create a password that gives you on-line access to all of the tools you need to create a Job profile, and send a Person assessment to each job candidate.

Q: How many assessments should I purchase?

A: Purchase one job assessment for each position you need to fill, and one Person assessment for each job candidate you are interviewing.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: The JPEA costs $50 for each position you are filling, plus $100 for each candidate taking the assessment. It's a small investment that will pay big dividends over the long term, especially when compared to the cost of making the wrong hire.

Q: What's involved in the process?

A: For each position you want to fill, you complete the Job portion of the assessment, which helps you accurately describe the requirements of the position. In addition, you purchase a user name and password for each job candidate so they can complete the Person portion of the assessment. When they have done this, you receive the results of each candidate's assessment and a set of recommended interview questions created just for that person. From these, you will have a better idea of the “goodness of fit” between the preferences of each candidate and the behavioral requirements of the job.

Q: Who should I select to complete the job portion of the assessment for the position I'm trying to fill?

A: You have at least two options. The first and recommended option is to have a top performer currently in the job complete it because he/she probably knows what it takes to be successful. If the job is vacant, and no former job holder is still with you, or if this is a newly-created position, the most “appropriate” person is the one to whom the successful candidate will report.

Q: Does the fact that a candidate's JPEA results indicate that he or she might be a “poor fit” with this job mean that I shouldn't hire him/her?

A: No. It simply means that this person will likely use a significant amount of energy to complete his or her tasks. That does not mean that they won't like the job or be productive in it. Instead, it means that at the end of most days, they will have paid a significant price in terms of creative and productive energy for the contributions made. It also means that you, as an employer, will want to think about providing additional support in areas where this person expends that energy. 

Q: Does the fact that a candidate’s JPEA results indicate that he/she might be a “perfect fit” with this job mean that I should hire him/her?

A: Not necessarily. It simply means that the candidate will likely find the job to be very “comfortable,” maybe even energizing. With all other things (e.g., knowledge, skills, experience, etc.) being equal, this candidate will likely be very “energetic” in carrying out the tasks, duties, and responsibilities of the job. This fact should be used as just one, not the sole, source of information on which you should base your selection choice.

Q: Will the JPEA help me find the employee that is right for this job?

A: Yes. The JPEA permits a one-to-one comparison between known job requirements and the jobseekers' preferences in ten (10) work-related areas, thereby identifying areas of work that are likely to be the most energizing or least draining and produce the most effective results. The JPEA identifies the “goodness of fit” between the preferences of the individual and the behavioral requirements of the job.

Q: Will the JPEA help improve the performance of current employees?

A: Yes. Through the JPEA, you have the opportunity to provide the support employees need to meet the challenges they face in their jobs. The results of the comparison reveals how well employee's preferences are aligned with the demands of their jobs. You can use the results to identify areas in which they need additional support to improve their performance.

Q: What if I need more help with staff issues?

A: Sometimes you need a little help with an underperforming team or complex employee development challenges. We offer customized consulting solutions, using the science of the JPEA, that can help managers and teams create new energy. Call 888-The-JPEA (843-5732) for information on how we can help

Q. How can you tell so much about people from the questions on the assessment?

A: There is no magic in the process. This is a self-assessment, and if individuals respond to the statements and adjectives honestly, the results will reflect the ways they prefer to work and their fit with the job.

For over 20 years, the JPEA has demonstrated impressive reliability. Read more about the science behind the JPEA.