How to Evaluate Candidates for the Best Fit?
Unlike math, deciding on who to hire isn’t exactly 1 + 1 = 2. It requires careful evaluation of skills and having conversations to assess if the person fits your culture.
Sometimes, you follow your gut and it turns out your instinct is right. But what happens when it’s not?
What Is Talent Assessment?
Talent Assessment is when you use methods and tools when evaluating a candidate. It’s not just about simply looking at resumes and setting up interviews. It’s backed with scientific data that analyzes a person’s skill set, personality traits, and behavioral patterns to see how likely the person will succeed in the role.
Benefits of Talent Assessment in Recruitment
When looking at how to evaluate a candidate, it’s always important to stay objective. Instead of relying on “gut feelings”, talent assessment allows your team to choose the best person for the job.
By integrating it into the hiring process, you can:
✓ Be more confident when it’s time to say “This is the one.”
✓ Make people want to stay with your company.
✓ Help develop talent and capability
✓ Save time and money (especially for high-volume recruitment)
Types of Talent Assessments You Can Use
When you decide on the type of talent assessment to use, you should not only consider the role they’re applying for, but also your industry and the competencies the job requires. Use these examples to identify which is the right type for you.
Cognitive test
Basic brainpower test to see how fast the candidate processes information. The person will be asked to solve puzzles and figure out problems.
Personality assessment
Test that looks at a candidate’s habits, how they work on a daily basis to see if they prefer working alone or with others. Most important of all, it will reveal if the candidate will get along with the team.
Skill-based test
“Can the candidate do the job?” is what this test answers. The candidate’s skills will be tested here using hands-on exercises.
Situational judgment test
Test given to see how a candidate will react to a certain workplace situation. This reveals how a person handles pressure and makes decisions when things don’t go as planned.
Emotional intelligence assessment
How the candidate handles feelings is tested here. Candidates will be tested to reveal if they remain calm even under stress and how well they work with others.
The Talent Assessment Process
Talent assessment can greatly impact the quality of people you bring into the company. But to do this, you need to have the right approach.
Be clear about what the job is
Aside from adding the skills and experience needed, you should be able to explain to the candidate what “success” looks like in the role. When people know what’s expected of them, they perform much better.
Use the right type of assessment
Don’t just go with one type because it’s easier. Tailor the type of candidate evaluation you’ll use to the role you need to fill. For example: if you’re looking for a technical role, a skill test will be most useful. If you’re looking for managerial roles, personality or situational judgment tests may be more appropriate because you need to see how they will manage and interact with people.
Be fair and consistent
All candidates should go through the same candidate evaluation process – no exceptions. This is the only way to ensure you’re hiring for facts and not favorites.
Take your time to review the scores
Don’t just look at the final test score. Compare the scores to what you actually need for the job. There are instances where a candidate is a bit weak in one area, but strengths in other areas are what actually makes them best for the position.
Use both test and interviews when assessing candidates
While tests can give you the scores, talking to the candidate will help you understand them better. Make sure to ask everyone the same questions so it stays fair. To help you come up with a thoroughly planned interview, see our guide: How to Make Every Interview High-Value
Look at the whole picture
Before making a final decision, make sure you look at everything: the test scores, notes from interviews and reference checks to see how well they fit the team. Don’t rush this part so that you’re completely confident when you make the final decision.
Make Smart Hiring Decisions
Make your hiring decisions more reliable with talent assessments. When you use these, you get better hires who remain productive over time. You can learn more about adding these tests to your hiring process by exploring our recruitment services.