JobMatch Talent Construct Validity: Exploratory Factor Analysis

The JobMatch Talent (JMT) is a person oriented test with a focus upon working life. The test consists of ten main scales, each main scale having three underscores. The main scales (A-J) have the following designations: Work structure (A), Personal drive (B), Stress-index (C), Decision characteristics (D), Activity (E), Drive (F), Acting (G), Tolerance (H), Social interest (I), Communication (J). Previous studies have shown that the JMT has good reliability (Cronbach's alpha) and good criterion validity (both predictive and concurrent). In an initial phase, an exploratory factor model was developed and compared across groupings (N=12,650). In a second phase, correlations between the exploratory and theoretical factors were calculated. Moreover, the exploratory factors were correlated with job performance ratings (N=258). In both analyses, expected (convergent) and non-expected (divergent) relationships were systematically compared. The exploratory factors were stable with good model fit across groupings. Eight exploratory factors were obtained with an explained variance of about 72%. Large similarities, but also a few differences, emerged between the eight exploratory versus the ten theoretical factors. Correlations between corresponding factorings were high (mean = 0.70). Furthermore, correlations between the exploratory factors and job performance ratings were high (mean =0.36). It should be emphasized that these relationships were very similar to those obtained in previous studies involving the theoretical factors of the JMT. The eight exploratory factors were found to be stable and highly correlated with the theoretical factors. They were externally valid and predictive of job performance.