Pre-employment tests are an objective and standardized way of collecting data on potential employees during the hiring process. They are an efficient and dependable way of gathering insights into the abilities of applicants. Pre-employment screenings are a great way for an organization to find the right person to fill a position.
In conjunction with the interview, pre-employment tests give an accurate picture of a candidate’s potential to be successful in the position they are pursuing. Different tests measure different qualities but in the end they all give the interviewer important information that cannot be gleaned from the job interview process alone.
Agility Tests
There are a number of different pre-employment tests: drug screens, background checks, aptitude tests, personality tests, etc. One of the most important tests is the agility test. Physical strength and agility tests are a way for an employer to more effectively match workers to the physical demands and essential functions of a job. These tests are usually tailored to the specific job being filled and are designed to reveal a candidate’s capacity to perform at specified physical demand levels. The best time to do a pre-employment agility test is after a contingent offer has been extended to the candidate and before they have been placed in the position. During this time, medical information about the candidate can be gathered such as medical history and functional baseline data. This information can then be stored, and in the event of a work-related injury, the baseline data can be used to set treatment goals and save the employer money by returning an injured worker to their pre-injury values instead of average values which may be unattainable for that individual.
Benefits of Pre-Employment Screening
With the costs of training and investment in a new employee as they are, pre-employment screening is a very valuable tool that helps employers make the right choice in the employment selection. By helping companies identify potential employees most likely to perform well on the job, pre-employment screening and testing can lead to additional company benefits, such as saving time and money in the selection process, decreasing turnover, increasing productivity, and improving morale. While including another step into the hiring process requires more time and resources up front, many companies find the return on investment is well worth it.
If you are in the hiring process and would like to explore pre-employment screening and testing, contact Job Ready Services at 919-256-1400 today!