| When screening applicants for a position, recruitment | | | | literacy and attention to detail and other |
| agencies and companies will often submit the | | | | administrative skills. These tests allow them to better |
| applicants to a battery of tests designed to | | | | filter through their database of temporary staff |
| determine what their capabilities are and whether or | | | | candidates in order to find the correct skills for their |
| not they would be suitable for the position. These | | | | clients. Typical programs are Microsoft Word, Excel |
| assessments can take many forms, a few of which | | | | and Outlook. Typical skills will include typing speed, |
| will be discussed in this article. | | | | data entry skills and written language skills. Certain |
| A common form of assessment is a test to | | | | positions require a minimum typing speed or a certain |
| determine whether you have the necessary skills to | | | | level of proficiency on various administrative |
| fulfill the job requirements. The test will comprise of | | | | programs. |
| numerous items which target specific work areas. | | | | Be aware though, these tests can take a lot of time |
| Administrative personnel will often be tested on their | | | | depending on the number of questions and your |
| computer abilities on programs like Microsoft Word, | | | | proficiency. Some test batteries can take upwards of |
| Excel and Outlook. Researchers may be tested on | | | | three hours to complete, others may only take a half |
| their knowledge of ethics and researching methods, | | | | an hour. The possibility of your being selected for a |
| software developers will be tested on their | | | | position does depend on your performance on these |
| knowledge of various programming languages and so | | | | tests. Other things do also come into play though. If |
| on and so forth. These test results are then | | | | it should happen that you manage most of the tasks |
| compared to other applicants to determine who has | | | | in the battery of tests, but are not the best, you |
| the best skills already in place and who would need | | | | may still be selected over other candidates due to |
| training in which areas. | | | | having a personality that fits in better with the |
| When choosing a career, it may be wise to | | | | company. A company would usually rather employ a |
| undertake an aptitude test to determine what field | | | | person who fits in with their culture and needs a little |
| you are best suited for. An aptitude test gathers | | | | training than a person who will clash with other |
| information about your personality, proficiency for | | | | employees but needs no training. |
| figures, languages and various other aspects. The | | | | Do not go into these assessments without some |
| results of an aptitude test will guide you into a career | | | | preparation though. If possible, find out what is |
| suited to your strong points and personality. | | | | expected to be in the tests and practice a bit in your |
| Agencies who provide temporary staff to their | | | | own time, just to make sure you are not rusty or |
| clients will often submit the candidates they interview | | | | caught unawares with a question you should be able |
| to a battery of tests which determine their computer | | | | to answer. |