The Secret to finding the Best Candidates

Today’s job market is extremely competitive. So much so that companies are using new and innovative ways to find the best candidate for every position. Many different employers in the job market today use testing for various purposes. You can use it to test knowledge, measure aptitude, or even assess personality traits. Companies of all sizes are using testing as a way to find the most qualified and well-suited candidate for a particular job opening. While it may seem like an intimidating prospect to administer a test, it’s actually fairly simple and worth the time in the long run.

The Secret to finding the best candidate - silhouette of a person walking, sunset background

 

What is Psychometric Testing? 

 

Psychometric testing is a way to measure a person’s suitability for a specific position by testing their knowledge, skills, and abilities. This can include a person’s aptitude and attitude towards the job. These types of tests can be used just about anywhere – in healthcare, financial services, and education. Candidates for jobs like customer service, management, or even engineering could be tested. These tests are not designed to be discriminatory and they aren’t just used for finding employees in administrative roles. They are designed to be inclusive and to give hiring managers and HR staff members a better idea of who is the best candidate for the position. Even current employees can be tested. This can help with training and development opportunities or finding areas where an employee might need some help.

The Secret to finding the best candidate - one yellow umbrella among a sea of black umbrellas

 

Finding the Right Employees is Important 

 

You want to ensure that the candidate is an excellent match for the job and the company culture too. Psychometric testing can help you to understand who you are hiring just a little bit better. While there is no perfect way to find the right employees, a psychometric test can help you to narrow things down a bit. There are a few reasons why you might want to give psychometric tests to potential employees. Along with helping you to find the best employees for the job, these tests can also help you to understand your employees better. This can help you to become a more inclusive and understanding employer. This can make your company a more attractive place to work. In the long run, this can save you money and help your company to grow.

 

Why use Psychometric Tests? 

 

If you are wondering why you should use testing as part of your hiring process, there are a few reasons why it’s a good idea to use this method. One reason is to give your hiring managers more information about the candidate. This can help to narrow down the best candidates for the job. A psychometric test can also help you to understand which candidates are the best fit for your company. Another reason why you should use psychometric testing is to make sure that you are being fair to everyone who applies for the position, this can help to make sure that the person who gets the job is truly the best candidate.

The Secret to finding the best candidate - list of test answers that are about your personality
Psychometric testing is everywhere, we even have an entire service dedicated to it! Check out Mercury Hampton IQ and see for yourself.

 

Types of Tests Used in Screening Candidates 

 

There are a few different types of tests that you can use in your hiring process. These include:

1. Personality tests – Assessments designed to reveal a candidate’s personality traits. These are often used to help with team building.

 

2. Ability tests – Assessments that test a candidate’s ability in a particular field.

 

 3. Aptitude tests – Assessments that help to predict how well a candidate will perform in a particular field.

 

4. General knowledge tests – Tests that test general knowledge. Customer service roles are a popular area for these tests.

 

 

Create a Good Scoring Guide Before Test Day 

 

Before test day, you want to make sure that you have a good scoring guide. This should be easy to understand and shouldn’t include anything that is discriminatory. You also want to make sure that you are consistent with how you score each test. In this way, you can compare results and obtain a good sense of which candidates are the best fit for the job. You can find examples of quality scoring guides online. You should also plan on having someone else score the tests. This will help to eliminate any bias. You can have a hiring manager or someone in HR to score the tests.

The Secret to finding the best candidate - zoomed out image of someone standing on a dock in the early morning

 

The Day of the Test 

 

The day of the test, you want to make sure that you are setting the right tone – candidates should feel comfortable and relaxed. You want to make sure that you are prepared when testing begins. This includes making sure that the test is scored correctly and that the results are processed correctly as well. Allocating enough time to score each test is also very important, as you don’t want to rush or have a time limit influencing you. This can lead to mistakes and will cause the results to take longer to process. You also want to make sure that you have enough time to interview the candidates. The interviews are just as important as the tests – they promote consistency and fairness. You want to make sure that you are giving each candidate the same amount of time and the same type of questions.

 

The Day After the Test: Review and Interpret Results 

 

After test day, you want to make sure that you are reviewing the results. If you are hiring for a specific position, it’s good practice to have a few candidates take the same test. This can help you to narrow down the best candidate for the job. It’s important that you take the time to review the results and interpret them correctly.  This can help you to better understand which candidates are the best fit for the job. It can also help you to make sure that you are being fair and consistent during the hiring process. Consistency is key when you score each test and in the way you interpret the results.

The Secret to finding the best candidate - hand holding up a white drawing of a brain, sunset background

 

 

Conclusion 

 

Psychometric testing is used to find the best candidates for a position and to make sure that your company is hiring the best employees. It’s important that you create a good scoring guide before test day and that you are consistent with how you interpret the results. It’s also important to review the results and interpret them correctly. After test day, it’s important to make sure that you are setting the right tone and that you are consistent with interviewing candidates. In the end, psychometric testing is a great way to find the best candidates for a job and to make sure that your company is hiring the best employees.

We live and breathe this philosophy. All our employees are given a McQuaig psychometric test, just like all of our clients and candidates – you have to practice what you preach after all. This is a testament to the kind of culture we are trying to create, where every personality is in alignment. Psychometric testing is the future, so don’t waste anymore more time, come align yourself with greatness…

Contact us today or follow us on LinkedIn to take a trip into your psyche.

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