Maximizing Recruitment Efficiency: Leveraging Behavioral Assessments for Informed Decision Making

Most recruiters employ behavioral evaluations to screen out undesirable prospects. In reality, most psychometric instruments are classified as screening tools. But what exactly do all of these psychometric tools, which require numerous human hours of research, resources, time, and money to construct, accomplish?

It isn’t rocket-science to look at a set of scores and send out courteous rejection letters to unsuitable prospects. However, recruiters can use psychometric evaluations for more than that, offering them a competitive advantage in terms of HR best practices. Insightful and well-presented reports, with perceptive interpretation, can do more than simply screen out applicants.

For starters, psychometric tests can be used to characterize individuals throughout the selection process as well as for screening. Understanding which traits are most appropriate, adaptable, and flexible for a job function can assist recruiters in selecting candidates based on their behavioral and psychological capabilities (with the help of interviews and other approaches, of course). So, to all recruiters: Do not ‘archive’ those behavioral assessment reports after the ‘Assessment Round’. The reports’ insights can be used to make employment judgments even in the last stages of selection. Here’s how.

Test results might be used to direct interviews. Interviewers might use test interpretation to create follow-up questions that help them better comprehend the candidate’s behavioral competencies. Candidates could be asked to explain scenarios in which they demonstrated a specific quality (such as inventiveness or adaptability), which would confirm the test results. When interviews are guided by test results, important insights into the consistency of the candidate’s responses, self-awareness, tendency to give socially desirable answers, and behavior in the context of the organization can be gained. 

Good behavioral evaluations include crucial behavior samples that best represent a trait in its essence. Assessment reports can assist uncover key behaviors connected with the behavioral trait and help recruiters understand how they relate to the job function, increasing the predictability of conduct, which is one of the distinguishing qualities of psychometric examinations.

Companies looking to improve their hiring procedures might consider employing a behavioral assessment to evaluate candidates and ensure they are a suitable fit for the position and the firm. These pre-employment exams are accessible in a variety of formats to assist reduce employee turnover, objectively evaluate candidates, and guarantee that hiring managers choose highly qualified candidates for open positions. Understanding how to use behavioral evaluations can help firms locate the best applicants and make educated hiring decisions. 

In this post, we define behavioral evaluations, demonstrate how organizations can use them in the hiring process, and other such aptitude tests for placement identify some benefits of employing these surveys.

Types of Behavior Assessments 

There are various forms of behavioral tests that recruiters might use in their hiring process. Some assessments take less than 10 minutes to complete, although more detailed behavior tests may take longer. 

A behavioral assessment can include: 

Multiple-choice questions allow applicants to select what they believe to be the best appropriate answer. 

Rating scale questions that allow applicants to select a number that best expresses their response 

Adjective checklists ask candidates to choose adjectives that represent expected actions or how they see themselves. 

Open-ended questions allow candidates to write concise answers. 

One-way video interviews in which candidates record responses to video questions.

What does a behavioral assessment show?

Behavioral tests often reveal a candidate’s major personality traits, strengths, and skills, which hiring managers use to determine whether they are suitable for a position on the professional team.

Numerous firms utilize the “OCEAN” personality model to recognize whether a professional is congruous with the organization’s culture. It utilizes a sliding scale or range to evaluate the degree to which an person exhibits each of these personality traits:

Openness shows a person’s eagerness to investigate modern things.

Honesty alludes to a person’s need to be cautious and intensive.

Extroversion assesses a person’s vitality, outgoingness, and certainty.

Agreeableness depicts how an individual interacts with others.

Neuroticism shows how likely somebody is to encounter negative feelings.

5 Points of interest of Utilizing Behavioral Assessment in Recruiting

Here are six focal points of employing a behavioral assessment in your work prepare:

1. Streamlined hiring process

Job advertisements may draw in handfuls, hundreds, or indeed thousands of candidates. To spare time and exertion, a contracting group may ask that candidates total a behavioral assessment to decide whether they are a great fit for the organization. Utilizing these overviews can offer assistance businesses streamline their application processes by swiftly distinguishing the best candidates based on their identities, learning styles, and habits.

2. Hire based on merit.

Using a behavioral assessment can help to reduce unconscious or implicit prejudice in the recruiting process. The test evaluates candidates only on their abilities, habits, and qualities. This means that these surveys may enhance the possibility that a recruiting team chooses a candidate based on how well they fit into a role and team, rather than on personal opinion or preference.

3. Making Data-Driven Decisions

Psychologists, data scientists, and other experts frequently collaborate to produce behavioral assessments by collecting and analyzing vast volumes of psychological data. Using a recognized behavioral assessment test or firm ensures that your prospects’ results are psychologically correct. They can also use data to identify the personality traits and habits that a good applicant may exhibit.

4. Increasing return on investment (ROI).

Companies might devote a significant amount of time, energy, and resources to regularly acquiring new staff. A behavioral evaluation allows you to select job prospects who are most likely to be a good fit for both the position and the organization. New hires who are qualified for their positions may be more likely to stay with a company for the long run.

5. Giving candidates a preview of the job.

Behavioral exams analyze applicants’ skills required to execute the job successfully. Depending on the sort of exam used, the behavioral assessment may include an immersive job simulation. This provides candidates a better idea of how satisfied they will be with the job, which reduces employee turnover and improves the company’s ROI.

However, the behavioral evaluation may examine the individual and indicate that they would perform well in the role. Hiring non-traditional applicants and using a behavioral assessment with the help of Mercer | Mettl can help improve the diversity of the company’s personnel, teams, and departments.