Are skills assessment tests really useful?

Many recruitment agencies and big companies have taken to using skills testing software over the years. They do find skills assessment tests very useful during the hiring process. And skills testing is utilised prolifically by proactive recruiters along with recruitment software use. Read to find out the ways these tests help the recruitment stage.

Let us begin by addressing what skills testing is. When job seekers apply for a position, they may be asked to take some assessments. These tests, usually online, are designed to measure an individual’s skill and knowledge. The test results support recruiters and hiring managers in making a more accurate decision at the final stage of the recruitment process.

Interviews are mandatory during recruitment. Many companies focus only on these interviews to collect a picture of what a candidate is like and what they would bring to the company. But skills testing can be used as an additional tool. An hour-long interview cannot give a comprehensive picture of the candidate. So, using a skills testing software system to assess the applicants’ abilities acts as an extra building block.

All about skills testing software

Recruiters will use a robust skills testing software along with a recruitment software when they are working. While a recruitment CRM is helpful throughout the hiring process, a skills testing software steps in as a strong candidate filtering tool during the pre-employment testing process.

A good skills assessment software usually carries a varied strong pool of tests. The most common tests include –

•          Literacy

•          Numeracy

•          Accounting

•          Data entry

•          Typing

•          MS Office

These are popular because basic literacy and numeracy as well as MS Office knowledge is required in most office jobs. Then according to the role, data entry and typing or accounting tests can be administered to the candidates.

Such tests are also available at three distinct levels – Basic, Intermediate and Advanced. These are self-explanatory. The more demanding the role, the higher the difficulty level of the assessment. Candidates will discover that the test time will vary between 5 minutes to an hour-long. Typically, there is also a sample test that helps candidates understand the structure of the assessment before they start the actual test.

Two features that make skills testing relevant for recruiters

The two prominent features that are key to why recruiters should integrate a good skills testing software system in their hiring are as follows –

1. Online skills testing

In this fast-paced world, we are living in today everybody appreciates an easier and better way of doing things. Online skills testing is incredibly convenient for both recruiter and candidate. It helps save a huge amount of time. Candidates can take the test from anywhere. All they need are a computer device and an internet connection. Recruiters do not need to spend hours organising the planning of the test with all the candidates.

2.         Test results

Once an individual completes their test, the result is immediately available to the recruiter via the skills testing software. This swift availability of the results makes recruiting more efficient. Results also act as a piece of tangible evidence for hiring companies to make more educated decisions. Furthermore, it gives recruiters an edge over their competitors when they can provide solid proof for why their candidates are the better choice for the position.

It is without a doubt that skills tests are valuable to recruitment agencies, and it must integrate smoothly with the recruitment software used by the agency. They ensure that the recruitment process becomes more easier and better for recruiters, candidates, and companies. From filtering mass applications to helping detect the more suitable candidate, the right kind of software will be a tremendous support to the recruitment agency.