Enhancing recruitment precision: integrating psychometric profiling in market access, HEOR, and RWE hiring

In this article, the latest feature with our Talent Hub partners, Martin and Debbie Anderson (Founding Directors, Carrot Recruitment) discuss psychometric testing, how it is used and its value to recruitment in the health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), and real-world evidence (RWE) settings.

In the dynamic fields of market access, HEOR, and RWE, securing the right talent is paramount. Traditional hiring methods, while effective to an extent, can fall short in assessing the nuanced attributes that determine a candidate's long-term success within specialized teams. Recognizing this gap, specialist recruitment company Carrot Recruitment has partnered with Clevry to offer a suite of psychometric assessments, at no additional cost for any client partnering with them on an exclusive assignment.

The role of psychometric assessments in specialized recruitment

Psychometric assessments provide objective insights into a candidate’s cognitive abilities, personality traits, and motivational drivers, helping hiring teams look beyond CVs, resumes and interviews to understand the qualities that truly influence workplace performance.

“This deeper level of insight is especially valuable in fields like market access and HEOR, where analytical strength, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration are essential.” Martin Anderson (Founding Director, Carrot Recruitment).

Used effectively, these tools can strengthen hiring decisions by reducing bias and highlighting candidates most likely to thrive in complex, data-driven environments.

Incorporating psychometric assessment into recruitment processes

At the beginning of each recruitment assignment, we will discuss the available assessment options with you and agree on the most appropriate stage of the process to implement them. We will then facilitate the assessments on your behalf and provide you with detailed individual reports for each candidate assessed. We will also guide you through the different types of assessments on offer and work with you to select those that align most closely with the specific competencies or attributes you are seeking to assess.

• We offer this added value service for no additional cost to any client who partner with us on an exclusive basis.
• Assessments would normally be conducted at the penultimate or final interview stage.
• Up to a maximum of three candidates can be assessed per assignment, with one or two assessment types conducted per candidate.

Clevry's comprehensive assessment suite

Carrot Recruitment has partnered with Clevry, a psychometric testing platform to offer a fully adaptable suite of personality and psychometric profiling options, such as:

• Personality questionnaires: evaluate interpersonal styles, decision-making approaches, and emotional intelligence, aiding in predicting cultural fit and team dynamics.
• Cognitive ability tests: measure verbal, numerical, and logical reasoning skills, critical for roles demanding data interpretation and complex problem-solving.
• Situational judgement tests: present hypothetical workplace scenarios to assess practical decision-making and prioritization skills.
• Motivation questionnaires: identify intrinsic motivators, ensuring alignment between candidate aspirations and organizational values.
• Onboarding and development reports: offer actionable insights to tailor onboarding processes and support continuous professional development.

Advantages of integrating psychometric profiling

Incorporating these profiling options into the recruitment process offers several benefits:

1. Enhanced Decision-making: objective data supports more informed hiring decisions, reducing reliance on subjective judgment.
2. Improved team cohesion: understanding personality traits and motivators facilitates better team integration and collaboration.
3. Increased retention rates: aligning candidate profiles with role requirements and company culture contributes to higher job satisfaction and longevity.
4. Streamlined onboarding: insights from assessments enable customized onboarding strategies, accelerating productivity.

The rise of psychometric testing in global recruitment

Across various sectors, companies such as Unilever, Nestlé, and KPMG have reported measurable gains in hiring efficiency, diversity, and employee retention after incorporating psychometric tools into their recruitment workflows (PWC Workforce Strategy Report).

Psychometric assessments are increasingly being adopted by life sciences organizations worldwide to enhance hiring precision and reduce bias. For instance, approximately 15% to 20% of biotech and pharma companies routinely incorporate psychometric tests into their hiring processes, particularly for senior roles where understanding cognitive abilities and personality traits is crucial.

Moreover, executive search firms, like our sister company Compass Carter Osborne, integrate psychometric testing into their vetting processes to mitigate hiring risks and ensure candidates align with company values and long-term objectives.

Globally, the use of psychometric assessments is growing fast:

• Around 80% of Fortune 500 companies now use some form of psychometric testing in their recruitment.
• In the US, it is estimated that over 75% of large employers incorporate cognitive and personality testing during hiring.
• Across the EU, usage varies by country but is notably prevalent in sectors requiring analytical rigour, such as life sciences, consulting, and tech.
• In the UK, roughly 70% of businesses with more than 50 employees use psychometric tools during the hiring process.

Given the complex, data-driven nature of Market Access, HEOR, and RWE roles, psychometric testing offers a way to objectively evaluate core capabilities like analytical thinking, decision-making, and interpersonal fit.

“For hiring managers, this added layer of insight reduces guesswork and dramatically increases the chances of securing a high-performing, well-aligned hire.” Debbie Anderson (Founding Director, Carrot Recruitment).

Exclusive offering for our partners

At Carrot Recruitment, we specialize in sourcing top-tier talent across Europe and North America in the life sciences sector. To support our clients further, we offer these psychometric assessments at no additional cost for exclusive recruitment assignments. This value-added service underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional hiring outcomes.

For an informal conversation and to find out more about our recruitment process and the various psychometric profiling options, please reach out via [email protected].

About the authors

Established in 2006 by ex-industry professionals Martin and Debbie Anderson, Carrot Recruitment has grown into one of the most trusted and highly regarded recruitment partners across the Pharma, Biotech, and MedTech sectors in both North America and Europe.

Their first-hand industry experience is a key differentiator, enabling them to understand even the most technical briefs and deliver a highly effective, diligent process for their valued clients. After starting their careers at The Adelphi Group (in Business Intelligence and Patient Outcomes), Debbie moved into commercial roles at AstraZeneca and DePuy Synthes, while Martin spent four years at Merck Serono.

Now backed by a senior team with over 70 years of combined experience in life sciences recruitment, Carrot partners with both consultancy and client-side organisations across Market Access, HEOR, and RWE — delivering recruitment solutions with insight, integrity, and a strong focus on quality.

Martin and Debbie remain hands-on, leading assignments and bringing genuine sector understanding to every brief, a key reason clients trust them with critical hires.

To learn more about how we work, or to discuss an upcoming requirement, contact Martin via [email protected] or Debbie via [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you.

Sponsorship for this Guest Column was provided by Carrot Recruitment.