Organizations are finding it challenging to recruit candidates for critical job openings because we are in the midst of a global talent shortage. According to a Korn Ferry report, there is a worldwide talent shortage of more than 85 million people. Around 77% of employers say they are having difficulty finding qualified candidates.
Many see pre-hire assessments as essential for improving hiring and employee development. In fact, a McKinsey study shows that hiring and developing top talent increases productivity by around eight times.
In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, organizations have learned that pre-hire assessment solutions are the best way to implement a hiring and employee development strategy for 2024. Assessment results help managers evaluate team members’ abilities, identify skills and knowledge gaps, and create personalized employee training programs. This helps them succeed in their current roles and acquire skills to take on future challenges.
A leading solution like the eSkill Talent Assessment PlatformTM helps companies measure competencies, identify growth areas, and implement customized staff training.
What is an Employment Assessment Test?
HR leaders often ask us, “What is an Employment Assessment Test?” We tell them employment assessments, or pre-hire assessments, help them and their teams measure the abilities, aptitudes, skills, interests, and development needs of job candidates and current employees and serve the following talent management functions:
- Diagnose Skills Proficiency Required for Specific Roles: Jobs in specialized fields such as software development, financial services, and healthcare require different skill sets. Pre-hire assessments help hiring teams evaluate abilities for all of them.
- Gauge Cognitive Competence: Critical thinking, problem solving, quantitative reasoning, and communication skills are essential for many job roles.
- Evaluate Leadership and Management Competencies: Strategic planning, coaching, and change management skills are required for many jobs, especially in middle and upper management.
- Assess “Soft” Skills: Soft skills like collaboration and teamwork, flexibility and adaptability, and emotional intelligence are vital for many jobs.
- Identify High Potential Employees Ready for Advancement: Align talent to optimal roles now and in the future based on employees’ motivations and interests.
- Tailor Training and Employee Development: Design customized training and development plans that meet each employee’s needs and career aspirations.
Regular pre-hire assessments allow organizations to make talent decisions such as hiring, job placement, and promotions based on concrete data rather than gut instinct. This leads to more objective, evidence-based workforce optimization.
Why Pre-Hire Assessments Are Important
Consistent pre-hire assessments are instrumental in empowering workforces. There are several reasons why organizations find it beneficial for managers to require regular evaluations:
- Recognize Top Talent: Pre-hire assessments help identify top-performing employees with advancement potential so they can be groomed for leadership roles.
- Identify Skill Gaps: Pre-hire assessments help HR professionals determine where employees need further training and development to succeed in their jobs and learn skills that will help them advance their careers.
- Provide Constructive Feedback: Managers can set expectations by giving clear feedback on strengths and areas where improvement is needed during assessment reviews.
- Facilitate Goal Setting: Insights from pre-hire assessments help managers ensure goals and objectives are aligned with staff development needs and organizational objectives.
- Determine Rewards and Recognition: Assessments can be used to produce documentation that supports compensation, bonus, and promotion decisions and shows they were based on merit and achievements.
- Improve Staff Engagement: Employees’ engagement improves because employees know employment assessments lead to growth opportunities.
Types of Pre-Hire Assessment Tools
There are many pre-hire assessment tools. The ones you need depend on your organizational goals and the positions you need to fill.
- Skills Tests: Skills tests measure the technical proficiency of candidates who apply for positions that require competency in software development, accounting, equipment maintenance, operations, and other areas.
- Simulations: Exercises replicate realistic job situations so HR teams and hiring managers can see how candidates will perform on the job.
- Psychological Assessments: Personality, cognitive skills, and emotional intelligence assessments show whether candidates can learn on the job and determine whether behavior traits are compatible with your company culture.
- 360-Degree Feedback: Gathering perspectives from peers, managers, and subordinates provides a comprehensive evaluation of job candidates and current staff.
- Performance Appraisals: Annual and quarterly reviews help managers measure execution against goals and expectations.
- Work Sample Reviews: Evaluating writing samples, presentations, reports, and other contributions provides insight into applicants’ abilities.
- Behavioral and Cultural Fit Assessments: These show whether candidates’ behavioral tendencies and motivations are in alignment with your company values.
Get Started with Pre-Hire Assessments
Organizations need team members who can pivot quickly when industries transform, and employees want the opportunity to learn new skills that will help them meet their career goals. Comprehensive pre-hire assessment testing accomplishes both by helping HR teams and hiring managers easily identify workforce opportunities.
Conducting continuous pre-hire assessments is a smart talent strategy for businesses that want to build an agile, resilient workforce. They provide the tangible insights that are required to nurture capabilities, improve job fit, evaluate highflyers, and guide personalized development.
Are you ready to learn why pre-hire assessments are your secret weapon for improving hiring and employee development in 2024? Contact us to request a demo.
