One of the reasons that KSS is unique in the close protection space is due to its process for recruiting new CPO’s to its ranks.
Rather than just the antiquated agency-style approach of sifting CV’s, holding an interview and taking references, KSS delves deeper into the psyche and skills of candidates.
By assessing CPO’s soft and hard skills through a series of assessments, KSS is able to drill down into the abilities of a hopeful CPO candidate, and pressure test them to ensure our exacting standards are met.
This means our clients can be confident in the quality of protection they receive, and our CPO’s all respect each others ability to perform at the required level and know they can rely on each other.
History of the KSS Selection Process
Selection days have been running for the past 2 years. During this time the content and format have evolved and been rewritten to reflect changes and trends based on the results. Our head of recruitment, David Breen MVO MSc, created a points-based scoring system that allows us to identify strengths and weaknesses across the different areas we assess. This is valuable for providing feedback to those who are unsuccessful, and creating development plans for those who do pass, but may have specific areas requiring upskilling which we support them with via mentorship and pre-deployment training.
What’s involved in a selection day?
KSS chooses not to disclose the full content of its selection process to ensure fair and standardised assessment. However, some topics covered include:
- Group discussion
- Observation and memory
- SAP scenario
- CP scenarios
- First aid knowledge and scenarios
- Current affairs
- Interview
What are we looking for?
Whilst we are undoubtedly keen to test a candidate’s knowledge and ability around the mechanics of close protection, we place a significant emphasis on an individual’s attitude and approach to the day. We asses their interpersonal skills, etiquette, ability to lead or contribute in a team environment, and how they deal with pressure and conflict. Although we collect metrics from scores on each assessed element and have an overall pass mark, a candidate can still score highly on the tests and be deemed unsuitable due to a poor attitude or inappropriate interactions. The key is to present well throughout the day and meet the required scores. The average pass rate is just 30%.
Opportunities
KSS is an active close protection company with a variety of UHNW, diplomatic and celebrity clients globally, and recruits regularly to ensure existing and future projects are fully manned. Sometimes those who pass a selection day will be onboarded immediately, and once vetted and screened may find themselves in a new role very quickly. In other situations, a graduate of our selection process may go onto our approved contractor list and wait to be offered work that fits their ability. Although a selection day pass means you are eligible to represent KSS, there are still different tiers of operatives within the graduate pool. For example, someone may pass the process but still be young and fairly inexperienced, so we will start them in a larger team where they will be closely managed and mentored by a more experienced TL. Others may have a wealth of existing experience and be eligible to move straight into a team leader or consultancy role. The individuals circumstances also play a part, some of our graduates have projects elsewhere but are on a rotation, and like to work for KSS on an ad-hoc basis between deployments for example.
Benefits
Key benefits include increased client satisfaction which leads to higher quality work, higher daily rates and more rewarding projects. KSS’s CPO’s have greater faith in each other, knowing that other team members have all proven their ability and are fit to work alongside them. It also means that those who are not fit for purpose will not be able to gain work, and are more likely to either increase their skills or make the decision to move to an industry to which they are better suited, raising standards in the industry as a by-product. If poor operatives can gain work and earn money delivering a substandard service, it perpetuates the problem and lowers standards over time.
Preparation for a selection day
Although you are unlikely to be able to significantly alter your skills and abilities between booking onto a selection day and the day itself, there are things you can do to maximise your chances:
- Be polite and professional in your email correspondence with our HR dept. The test starts here.
- If you cannot attend, let us know. No shows are black listed.
- Read the joining instructions
- Dress smartly and appropriately
- Be polite and courteous to other candidates and assessors
- Ensure good grooming and hygiene
- Refresh your first aid and CP knowledge
- Don’t smoke or vape during the day.
- Give 100% throughout the day and commit to the process.
- Remember its not a course, its an assessment. Showcase yourself throughout the day.
KSS is fully committed to the process of testing candidates beyond the basics, and the results over the last two years prove the benefits exist. We are able to provide larger numbers at short notice and without absolute confidence in the capabilities of our people.
If you would like to attend a selection day, please email hr@ksands.co.uk to register your interest.