In the previous years, most employers just relied on the traditional methods of reading resumes and conducting personal interviews in picking applicants to fill in their vacant positions. However, the significance of tests was eventually considered and it is, in fact, now one of the best ways to hire the ideal employee.

Tests play an important part in the selection process of new employees. Tests are of different types but their main goal is to measure an applicant’s skills, check their personalities and find out if they match the positions available in a certain company or organization. The use of software in providing skill testing has become popular these days. This is said to be more cost-effective compared to hiring the wrong employee for the job.

With pre-employment testing software, managers can save time in picking their candidates and interviewing applicants. What’s even more beneficial for human resource professionals is using a software that self-administers and provides the scores right away and one which can be licensed in multiple copies.

The most common tests involved in the employee selection process are the personality tests, career tests, sales aptitude tests, sales skills tests, general aptitude tests and management tests, among others. These tests are popular in that they prove very useful in predicting a person’s future performance level in a certain position or to find out if they fit with the company. Shortlisted candidates are usually the ones who take the aptitude and personal tests when called for an interview.

As to how the tests are administered, the psychological assessment part may be done using the pencil and paper or via the computer at company offices. But there are some tests that can now be taken online through the company websites which is becoming a popular trend.

Testing can be done by group especially if a large number of applicants are involved, by individual assessment which is common in the recruitment of managers or executives and by assessment centres which is used for employee promotions and recruitment of executives and graduates.

Personality tests and other types of psychological tests normally measure an individual’s characteristics and emotional state. Specifically, they help determine a person’s values, skills and interests as well as your aptitude for certain types of jobs. Career counselors use these tests in the self-assessment segment of the career planning process. The Color Quiz and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator are just two of the commonly used personality tests.

Career tests are used to find out which jobs match an individual’s personality. They are helpful in planning a person’s professional career so although some takers may not be amenable to it, it’s advisable to have an open mind and be honest in answering the questions if possible.

Employee Selection and Development, Inc. is an international provider of cost-effective pre-employment and post employment testing. It aims to help companies, notably their human resource managers in selecting qualified applicants for certain jobs based on work ethic, integrity, aptitude and core competencies. It also offers psychological testing for positions in the fields of distribution, retail sales, customer service, manufacturing, hospitality, health care, call center sales service and technical support and administrative support. You can visit its site at www.employeeselect.com to get more information.