Employers who are looking for ways to make their recruitment and promotion processes as efficient as possible should consider online assessment testing to help screen candidates. Assessment tests can save the company time and money by identifying candidates who would not succeed in a particular position, and can also help reduce employee turnover by pointing out the right candidates on the first time around.
Although assessment testing can help hiring practices, employers should be sure to use assessment tests properly to achieve the best results. Here are some tips on how employers can minimize risks associated with using online assessment tests:
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Don’t base your decision solely on an online assessments test. An online assessment test should never be used as the sole reason to hire, fire, promote or assign a worker. It is important to realize that not everything important to a position can be measured with assessment testing, which is why employers should use a comprehensive approach including, tests, simulations and interviews. An employee's ability to interact well with co-workers, for example, is important in many positions but not well measured by assessment tests.
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Determine the test that best fits the company’s needs. It is important for companies to understand what they are looking for in a candidate or employee so they can determine what type of assessment test will provide the most relevant information regarding the open position/promotion. This allows employers to avoid focusing on the wrong issues, or wasting time on the wrong tests
Ensure security of the test. When developing an assessmen test, it is important to consider the security of the exam and remove opportunities for candidates or employees to cheat. Employers can reduce risks of cheating by disallowing printing and copying/pasting of a test.
- Utilize personality tests to evaluate candidates/employees. Unlike ability tests, personality tests assess non-cognitive, underlying characteristics of individuals and there are no right or wrong answers. Candidates are asked to answer questions about things they like or do not like to do. Employers can use personality tests to assess creativity, leadership abilities, self-esteem, motives, values, goals or dispositions.
Online career assessment tests can be a valuable tool if used properly. Employers who use online assessment testing appropriately can efficiently determine if a candidate is a fit for the organization both intellectually and emotionally. These simple tips should help reduce risks and improve the chances that the company has made the right candidate choice!
