Monday, April 25, 2011

Employment Skills Testing

An important part of human resources is finding the people with the right skills for the job. Employment skills tests may help accomplish this task. Employment skills tests are standardized aptitude tests that some employers use to assess the relevant skills of potential employees.


Types


There are several different types of employment skills tests. The most basic type is a job interview, which can test a candidate's skills by asking hypothetical or situation-based questions. Cognitive ability tests can be used to assess the general intellectual skills of an individual, while simulations may better examine specific skills that are related to the job. Additionally, jobs that require particular physical skills may require physical ability tests.


When to Test


Employment skills testing is useful when there are several applicants to choose from. This allows the interviewer to quickly narrow down her candidates and spend more time talking to candidates with high potential. Employment skills testing can be very important in situations where choosing the wrong candidate can be costly.


Legal Considerations


Employment skills testing may subject you to accusations of discrimination if the skills you are testing for vary according to different groups. For example, a strength test might favor men over women. It is advisable, therefore, to consult a lawyer if you plan to use employee skills tests.







Tags: skills tests, Employment skills, skills testing, ability tests, Employment skills testing, Employment skills tests