As a new startup, some of the biggest decisions you are going to make for your business are who to hire and who not to hire.
Why is this so important? First, it may mean the difference between your startup succeeding, and it failing. And, second, it will play a role in determining your company culture.
Because your hiring is so essential and impacts your business in so many ways, let’s look at how improving your assessments can help your hiring process.
What are Assessments?
These are pre-employment tools you use to weed out your candidates. They can help you turn the recruitment process into one that is less expensive and works more quickly.
Let’s look at the different types.
The Personality Test
One such assessment tool is the personality test. This can measure your candidate’s skills and abilities especially when it comes to their soft skills such as whether they’d be a better leader or team player.
In addition, you’ll learn key aspects of their personality, such as their belief system, how easy they’ll be to work with, whether they’re an introvert or extrovert, and much more.
The Skills-Focused Test
Another assessment is skills-focused. Here you can gauge whether a potential candidate has the right skills for your job, and if they are a good match.
The Work Sample Test
You’ll find that work sample assessments are also particularly helpful.
For example, let’s say you are looking for a graphic designer. You might ask candidates to come up with a design for your company. Or, if you’re looking for salespeople, you might ask them to prepare and deliver a sales presentation on a topic you choose.
There are multiple options with this test, so it is highly customizable for your open positions.
How to Improve Your Assessments
For each position you’re hiring for, you want to provide the right assessment. When choosing your assessments, think about why you are using the tool.
Then, look at the questions and the goals of the particular assessment. Are they in line with your open position? If not, tweak the verbiage so it fits your job opening.
Be clear about what you’re looking for, and how you’re going to find it. For example, if you’re looking for a team player with good organizational skills, craft your assessments with this objective in mind.
You also want to assess the job you’re hiring for before you start assessing people. This helps you hire the right people for the right job. It also helps you not overlook people who may not have the best resume, but who do have top scores on your assessments.
Finding the Right Tool
You’ll find many tools online for conducting pre-employment assessments. Do your research and find the right ones for your job openings.
In addition, consider looking for assessment tools that help you assess the requirements of the job first. These can help you sort out what you need to assess when it comes to actual job applicants.
Final Thoughts
Hiring the right employees may be one of the hardest tasks you do, but it’s easily one of the most important.
Spend time during the hiring process. Give employees the right assessments and tailor them for your startup. Do everything you can to get the right information from your potential new hires so you can make the best decision for your business.
Different positions will require different pre-employment assessments. So, improving your assessments and making them fit the position can help you hire better.
Bottom line – use a customized, well-thought out approach for each position you are hiring for, and you’ll find better success at hiring the right employees and retaining them for the long run.
Are you a new startup ready to succeed? Are you looking to get your new business off the ground and watch it rise to success? We are here for you. We can help answer your questions and guide you through the process. Outsource your HR duties, finances, payroll and more to us. Contact Escalon today to get started.
Image: Austin Distel on Unsplash
