Graduate helps launch social talent matching network

A Warwick graduate has helped launch a career network start-up which aims to match jobseekers to their dream job through psychometric personality assessments and tailored matching tools.

Warwick’s Computer Studies and Business Studies graduate Issac Acquah is the head of MercuryPuzzle’s UK division and is anticipating the UK launch which is anticipated for November 2013.

The social talent matching network launched in March and implements elements from assessment centres, skill tests and user personalities In order to provide an objective and precise recruitment platform for jobseekers.

The network aims to enable jobseekers to undertake various assessments to test the ability to work within a team and co-operate with others, also language and mathematics tests are available to gain a greater understanding of your skills.

The concept of the start-up sought to solve the puzzle of the job market, as a result the network teamed up with a Hamburg- based assessment company  who were able to assist in solving the psychology behind the idea.

MercuryPuzzle is free for users whilst recruiters are charged £159 per year for the basic package.

Numerous global organisations including McDonalds, Facebook and Play.fm have given the project their full support.

MercuryPuzzle has launched in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, over 20,000 users were signed up to the network within the first few weeks of launching.

The company has experienced early success and was placed in the top eight list of start-ups by Pioneer Festival.

Founder Nicolas Vorsteher said:  “It is one of the biggest recruiting agencies in Austria.”

Chris Beith Mee, first-year History of Art student was dubious. He said: “One cannot weigh up the positives and negatives of becoming a banker or journalist from a computer, instead seeking out a career councillor seems superior”

First- year Law student Noor Moshin also commented about the long term prospects of the project: “Finding a job in this manner can be dangerous, because it may well result in students at Warwick and elsewhere falling into graduate jobs simply because a test advised them to pursue it.’’

First- year German and French student Georgina Aspden believed the product was useful. She commented: “The network would aid those who are indecisive and would benefit them by providing options which they may not have considered in the past.”