The National Skills Coalition recently compiled data from 43 million job postings, and 92% of the positions required at least minimal computer skills. This shows that more organizations are going digital and computer skills have become a “must have” instead of a “nice to have.”
Businesses now require applicants to have computer skills for positions that never needed them in the past. As cases in point, truck drivers document deliveries on iPads, and restaurant workers use them to take orders. Warehouse employees use computers to check inventory, and store cashiers use point-of-sale systems.
Organizations must evaluate essential skills like typing speed, MS Office® proficiency, knowledge of specific applications, and expertise with in-demand technologies. Many have implemented an industry-leading assessment solution like the eSkill Talent Assessment PlatformTM and use computer skills assessment tests to screen applicants.
What is a Computer Skills Assessment Test?
Employers worldwide have added employment testing to their hiring process, but some HR professionals still ask, “What is a computer skills assessment test?”
A computer skills assessment test may be a basic online computer test to recruit candidates with strong Word®, Excel®, and PowerPoint® abilities. It can also be an assessment that evaluates applicants’ knowledge of an application or process, such as Java programming or web development. Computer skills assessment tests are also used to assess specialized IT expertise such as business intelligence, artificial intelligence (AI), and DevOps.
How to Use Basic Online Computer Tests for Hiring
HR professionals use computer skills assessment tests to screen applicants for entry- and mid-level positions. Using a basic computer test online is more efficient because HR teams often receive hundreds of applications for a single job posting, and manual review is not cost-effective.
By reviewing computer skills assessment test results, HR leaders can instantly identify top applicants and eliminate those who do not meet their requirements. This saves time and enables them to focus on the best-qualified candidates.
HR teams can choose from hundreds of eSkill’s validated job- and subject-based skills tests or build customized computer skills assessment tests by selecting questions from various skills tests. Popular assessments for entry- and mid-level positions include the General Typing, MS Office®, Form Fill Data, and Data Entry Operator skills tests.
Candidates’ computer skills assessment test results show who has the skills to do a job but do not confirm that applicants know how to apply them. So, hiring teams include simulations in basic online computer tests and observe candidates’ performance in job-related situations. The eSkill Talent Assessment PlatformTM offers simulations for Multitasking, Chat, all MS Office applications, and a Digital Literacy simulation to assess overall computer, Internet, and social media proficiency.
HR teams can use basic online computer tests as-is or build custom computer skills assessment tests using questions from multiple skills tests. For instance, if you need to hire an executive assistant, you can create an assessment using questions from eSkill’s Executive Assistant and MS Office skills tests and add questions from the Personal Assistant and Administrative Coordinator skills tests.
Computer Skills Assessment Tests for Technical Hires
HR professionals rely on computer skills assessment tests while recruiting programmers and software engineers because the eSkill Talent Assessment PlatformTM includes assessments to measure programming and software testing skills.
Popular basic online computer tests include the Java, C#, Python, and PHP skills tests and the SharePoint and Salesforce Developer assessments. HR professionals also use the Software Testing and Quality Assurance assessments because developers and programmers must understand basic testing methods and QC/QA best practices for troubleshooting, bug fixes, and alpha/beta testing.
Online Basic Computer Tests That Assess Technology Expertise
When a new technology gains in popularity, related skills are in demand. Hot areas for the foreseeable future include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), networking/DevOps, and business intelligence/data science.
Demand for cybersecurity professionals is increasing because all organizations are vulnerable to security breaches. The Application Security, Information System Security Engineer, and Application Security Engineer assessments are essential when recruiting cybersecurity experts.
Competition to recruit artificial intelligence experts is intense because only 10% of all workers have AI experience. Hiring teams should use the Basic Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Assessment and include questions from the Machine Learning and Data Analytics skills tests to identify top candidates.
Demand for networking and DevOps engineers continues to increase as more organizations embark on digital transformation initiatives. HR teams recruiting networking and DevOps engineers will find the Network Engineer and DevOps Engineer computer skills assessment tests and the General IT Infrastructure and Networking Essentials assessments essential.
The demand for business intelligence and data science professionals will exceed $322.9 billion by 2026. HR teams looking for experts in these areas can use eSkill’s Data Science and Machine Learning Engineer assessments and add questions from the Data Analytics and Quantitative Analysis computer skills assessment tests.
Get Started with Computer Skills Assessment Tests
Businesses that adopt a computer skills assessment testing solution like the eSkill Talent Assessment PlatformTM see an immediate improvement in hiring outcomes. They also reduce recruiting costs and decrease time-to-hire. Many eSkill clients have seen around a 70% decrease in hiring costs and almost a 60% reduction in time-to-hire.
Are you ready to learn how administering basic computer tests online can help you hire candidates with the computer and technical expertise you need? Contact us to request a demo.