From Mis-Hiring to the Right Match:

Midtjyske Jernbaner Strengthens Recruitment with CfL Testing Tools

How do you secure the right train drivers and station managers in a growing company? Midtjyske Jernbaner (Central Jutland Railways) uses CfL's Assessment Tools to get it right the first time – resulting in fewer recruitment mistakes and a stronger candidate experience.

 

By Marie Kirkegaard, Leadership Consultant at CfL, September 2025

 

Midtjyske Jernbaner A/S is a company on the move – quite literally. In just five years, the workforce has grown from 35 to 95 employees, and this growth has placed significant demands on recruitment efforts.

Train drivers and station managers are critical roles where safety, precision, and collaboration are paramount. At the same time, the company’s expansion calls for skilled employees in administrative and technical positions.

According to Operations Manager Steven Diemar CfL-Assessment Tools have become a crucial part of the recruitment process:

“I’ve been involved in recruiting people for many years. Honestly, I haven’t come across better testing tools than the ones we use from CfL. They are a fantastic supplement to the interview.”


Previous tools missed the mark

Before partnering with CfL, Midtjyske Jernbaner used test tools that proved difficult to apply in practice.

“They were very much reserved for a single target group. The language was academic and complicated to grasp. As a result, it didn’t provide a good candidate experience,” says Steven Diemar.

The need was therefore clear: A tool that could be applied broadly while still delivering precise insights.

The choice landed on CfL’s test tools, which have been an integral part of all recruitments since 2023.

Midtjyske Jernbaner uses:

The tests are included in the first in-person interviews after the initial screening. And already in the job postings, it is made clear that tests are part of the process.

Spot-on Tools for the Interview

One of the biggest gains is that the tools bring a new depth to the interview.

“They help us bring out the right picture and support our questioning technique. They reveal aspects of the person that the candidate may not even be aware of. It provides a deeper understanding, which is crucial for determining a match,” says Steven Diemar.

According to him, CfL’s tools bring a completely new quality to the interview:

  • Scores highlight where special attention is needed.
  • The open-ended questions make the conversation personal and steer it toward important information that otherwise wouldn’t surface.
  • The feedback is intuitive and meaningful for the candidates.


Better Candidate Experience and Fewer Hiring Mistakes

The results quickly became clear.

“When we switched to CfL-Assessment Tools, the goal was that everyone we select should be able to meet the demands of the positions. The tools fully deliver on that. Our hiring mistakes have been reduced significantly,” says Steven Diemar.

He emphasizes that the tests not only help select the right candidate but also provide insights into how a new employee can best be supported once hired.

“We can clearly see the link between a person’s test results and their behavior after they’ve joined us. The assessment tools are really, really accurate – strikingly close to reality,” adds Steven Diemar.


A clear yes to recommending CfL Assesment Tools

When Steven Diemar is asked whether he would recommend CfL-Assessment Tools to others, his answer is without hesitation:

“Yes, absolutely. We already have. For us, switching to CfL Assessment Tools has been fantastic. They are easy to use, highly accurate, and provide a better candidate experience.”

Fact box about Midtjyske Jernbaner

Midtjyske Jernbaner was founded in 1879 and is headquartered in Lemvig. The company is responsible for train operations on the Vemb–Lemvig–Thyborøn and Holstebro–Skjern lines. Midtjyske Jernbaner is currently in an exciting phase of development: since 2020, operations have tripled, and in 2025 the diesel trains will be replaced with brand-new battery-powered trains. The new zero-emission battery trains are a central element of the company’s sustainability strategy. The company is primarily owned by Midttrafik and several local municipalities and employs more than 90 people.

 

  • Tripled its workforce in five years – from 35 to 95 employees
  • Has used CfL-Assessment Tools since 2023 

In Short

With a growth curve that demands precise recruitment, CfL Assessment Tools have given Midtjyske Jernbaner a decisive advantage. The combination of deeper interviews, fewer mis-hires, and better candidate experiences means the company can continue its journey – with the right people on board.

Companies looking to minimize hiring mistakes and strengthen the quality of their interviews can benefit from seeking advice from CfL.

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Want to know more?

Mette Babitzkow Boje

Mette Babitzkow Boje
Head of Psychometric Instruments

P: +45 53 67 67 91
E: mba@cfl.dk

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