Sandra Hess — March 18, 2020 Benefits to Both Employers and Job Candidates When Using Job Simulation Assessments
Due to today’s fiercely competitive job market, employers are using a variety of hiring tools, such as interviews, pre-hire assessments and Application Tracking System (ATS) software to identify and attract top talent candidates. One hiring tool that is becoming increasingly popular is job simulation assessments. According to a recent study, more than 50 percent of employers are now using job simulations during the hiring process.
The most significant benefit of using pre-hire simulations is that this type of assessment can be a win-win for both the employer and the candidate.
What Are Pre-Hire Job Simulation Tests?
A pre-hire simulation for a job is an audition, where the candidate takes on the role of an employee to perform realistic duties of that position in a controlled environment. For example, in a call center agent pre-hire simulation assessment, the prospective candidate would answer several mock customer calls. This type of pre-hire test allows employers to assess specific skills, such as multitasking, data entry accuracy, and computer navigation skills for each prospective candidate.
Job Simulation Benefits for Employers
There’s a reason more than half of today’s employers are using simulations during the hiring process – these pre-hire assessments offer many significant advantages.
Predictor of Future Job Performance
Pre-hire simulations can be a strong predictor of future job performance. These assessments allow employers to see first-hand how prospective candidates react to certain situations. A simulation has the power to assess the candidates’ data entry skills, data entry accuracy abilities, multitasking capabilities, and computer navigational skills simultaneously. This assessment will give you a full view of the candidate’s overall skill level in these specific areas.
See Real-Time Results
Pre-hire assessments provide employers with real-time results. Rather than wait until the candidate is hired to see how she performs on the job, simulations give the employer a real-time look at their performance before making their final hiring decision. This allows employers to weed out candidates that do not have the necessary skill level to perform well on the job.
Make Data-Driven Hiring Decisions
Have you ever hired a candidate based on a great interview, only to find out later that his on-the-job performance didn’t match expectations? If so, you are not alone, but simulations can help you avoid this problem. Simulation tests can assess a candidate’s multitasking, decision-making, data entry accuracy, and computer skills and provide you with data-driven results before you make your final hiring decision.
Job Simulation Benefits for Candidates
Simulation assessments are not only beneficial for employers; however, they also are helpful for candidates.
Better Insight
A pre-hire simulation assessment is the best way to give prospective candidates a sense of what the job they are applying for is like. This is especially beneficial for jobs in the retail, call center, financial, and manufacturing industry where it can be challenging to explain everything the job entails.
Determine Job Fit
Today’s candidates don’t just want a job – they want the right job. A recent LinkedIn report reveals that the number one hindrance to the candidate experience was “not knowing what it’s like to work at an organization.” A simulation can help employers overcome this obstacle by giving candidates a realistic glimpse of what it’s like to work for the company.
Opt-Out of the Hiring Process
Conducting simulation assessments before hiring will allow some candidates to opt out of the hiring process. If, after completing the simulation, the candidate feels like they are unable to perform the required duties, or they are no longer interested in this type of job, they can opt out.
At first glance, this may seem like a negative aspect of the pre-hire assessment, especially if one of your best candidates opt out. The truth is that it is better, and less costly, for the candidate to opt out during the hiring process, rather than waiting until you spent a lot of time and money training them and then quitting.
There is no doubt that pre-hire simulations can be a win-win for both employers and candidates. These assessments allow you to identify and place the right candidate in the right position. This can translate into lower turnover, improved productivity, and better customer service.
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