Earlier this year, we set out to learn more about how companies incorporate pre-employment tests into their hiring processes. We put out a survey asking hiring professionals to share their perspectives on everything from hiring priorities and tactics, the types of tests they use, who they’re choosing to test, and what stage of the hiring process their administering those tests.
Some of those results lined up with expectations, but there were plenty of surprises as well! Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the report:
1. The demand for talent is still rising.
In an already competitive labor market, companies expect their hiring volume to increase in the next year. This will continue to challenge employers to attract and retain talent.
2. HR spend is increasing even faster.
Companies expect to increase their financial investment not just in hiring but in other key initiatives that are designed to promote retention. Some of the major priorities include strengthening employer branding efforts, cultivating a positive work environment, and fostering career development opportunities within the organization.
3. Employers use a wide variety of factors to make hiring decisions.
Aside from pre-employment tests, the majority of companies use resumes, interviews, phone screens, background checks, and reference checks.
4. The biggest benefit of pre-employment tests is better quality of hire.
97% of respondents agreed that this was a top benefit of testing.
5. The most commonly used tests are cognitive aptitude and personality tests.
Cognitive aptitude tests specifically are strongly predictive of job success.
6. Pre-employment tests are versatile and flexible.
Our respondents administer tests for just about every job level and at nearly every stage of the hiring process. Pre-employment assessments provide the flexibility for an organization to gain predictive insight into a candidate’s abilities in a way that best suits that particular organization.
Want the full picture? See how your company’s hiring practices match up! Download the Benchmark Report.
