Posted by EmployTest - on Wed, Apr 15, 2009 @ 10:34 AM
Beyond the obvious efficiencies that a properly screened new hire will make, let's look at the other side of what could possibly happen....
1. Safety: your new hire has an explosive temper that wasn't evident during the interview process. A personality test could have helped in this area.
2. Security of information: oops, your new manager accidentally released your profit margin data to your email marketing list. A computer skills test would have identified any training needs before the manager was hiried.
3. Sales Improvement: turn your pre-employment testing process into your competitive advantage. Think your clients don't notice when they receive sub-par service? Think again. Many customers will leave without saying a word. Tell clients that you use pre-employment tests to make sure you're hiring only the best.
Remember that if you don't test your applicants, you might be hiring the employees that other companies have rejected.
Posted by EmployTest - on Wed, Mar 25, 2009 @ 02:43 PM
We all know that job applicants for certain positions will take a personality test or cognitive skills test before being hired. The testing that started with middle to high level executives is now found at virtually every level, from top management to retail sales clerks. The job "kiosks" that you see at your favorite local "big box" retailer are invariably probing the inner depths of the cognitive skills and personality traits of these applicants.
About this time every year, we hear of a testing of a different sort. College football players, most notably quarterbacks, who will be entering the NFL draft take a 12 minute, 50 question test that measures their problem solving skills. Yes, pro football teams use tests that analyze problem solving skills, just as you do (or should consider doing). And those players will definitely need problem solving skills as they hurl a football 50 yards downfield while being chased by a 300lb lineman. A classic example of a pre-employment test? Perhaps not. But it's important to the hiring managers (aka "NFL coaches") to know how their future employees will perform under pressure. Although your top performers aren't likely being chased around a football field, you might like to have similar information at your disposal during the hiring process.