The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Your Pre-Employment Assessments

For most job openings, you will be asked to take some pre-employment assessments before you get hired or to reach the next round of the hiring process. These tests help employers or the hiring team find the candidates best suited for the position, so it’s ultra-crucial for applicants to do well. If you’re looking to increase your chances of acing or doing well in pre-employment assessments, you’re in the right place. We have just what you need to get ready for these pre-hire evaluations, including tips for various types of tests you’ll likely encounter.

What Are Pre-Employment Assessments?

Pre-employment assessments are a common part of the hiring process. Aimed to match organizations or teams with the best-suited applicant, they check your relevant skills, how you think, your shining personality, and how well you can do tasks that the job requires. They have evolved along with the job market, and some can already be completed remotely, catering to candidates who are in a different location or have other commitments, thus bridging the gaps in conventional hiring approaches. These evaluations can be done on a trusty computer or paper. Some tests are even performed in a setting that mimics the actual job environment. For instance, a retail post may require applicants to handle a busy store to see how if they can effectively manage both unending customer concerns and checkout procedures at the same time.

Why It’s Important to Do Well?

Essentially, applicants’ performance in pre-employment assessments could very well mean they are either out of the game or still in the running. Doing well is paramount as it shows employers or the hiring team that you have the needed skills and the right attitude for the job. Plus, it makes you stand out from the sea of other candidates applying for the same job.

But how exactly can you prepare to excel?

For effective pre-employment preparation, check out the website Assessment-Training. The extensive range of test packages offered by this e-learning platform is specifically designed to aid applicants in preparing for different hiring evaluations that stand between them and their dream jobs. You have the option to purchase all available test packages or just choose only those that you need the most help with. Your chances of success in the hiring process just got a lot higher with the help of Assessment-Training!

Types of Pre-Employment Assessments

Companies use several types of pre-employment assessments to figure out who among the pool of applicants is a good fit for the job. Skills tests check if you can do specific tasks or have particular abilities needed for the job, such as excellent typing speed for a clerical role or coding prowess for a programming position. Personality tests, on the other hand, reveal the kind of person you are, and this helps employers determine if you’d be well-suited to their team. There aren’t right or wrong answers, as the tests are about seeing if your traits match their needs. As for cognitive ability tests, these evaluate your critical thinking skills, how you solve complex problems, as well as comprehend and process information. That sounds quite daunting, and it could be especially so if you’re looking to score financing, engineering, or management consulting jobs, among others, as they usually require rigorous cognitive assessments. Lastly, prepare for job simulations, which are tasks similar to what you would do in the actual job, like the busy store example previously provided.

General Tips for All Assessments

No matter what kind of test you are taking, you must become familiar with the format. Research what kind of test you’ll be taking and how it will be given. This information may be found in online forums, or you can ask someone, perhaps a friend or acquaintance, who works for the same company. Once you find out, practice hard and practice the right way. As recommended, you can take advantage of e-learning platforms like Assessment-Training to get a proper feel for the questions you might face. And, of course, make sure to get a full night’s rest before D-Day, as it will help you think clearly and perform better.

Preparing for Skills Tests

To do well on skills tests, identify the skills needed for the job. This critical information can easily be found in the job post’s description. Make sure to follow this up with ample brushing up, especially any essential ones you might not have used recently, and remember that online resources are your best friend. If you do not want to purchase, take advantage of the many free web-based materials from which you can learn and practice.

Preparing for Personality Tests

When getting ready for personality tests, consider reading about the different personality traits, as this can help you answer more accurately. You might be wondering, but isn’t this all about getting to know me, so there’s no right or wrong answer, right? This is true, but know that understanding the different personality traits helps you better understand yourself, which in turn will make it easier for you to explain how your personality fits with the job and the organization.

Also get to know the traits that are valued for the job you are applying for. However, keep in mind that you have to stay honest and consistent. Is it even possible to answer truthfully without thinking about how the employer wants you to answer? It can be quite tricky, but you simply have to highlight and focus on your strengths and aspects of your genuine personality that align with the job’s needs. Make sure you present the real you as, if you get hired, this would lead to greater job satisfaction and performance in the long run.

Preparing for Cognitive Ability Tests

When preparing for cognitive tests, practice problem-solving to get used to answering different kinds of problems quickly. Note that these tests are often timed, so you must manage how long you spend on each question. Not sure where to start or focus? Work on your numerical and verbal skills, which are most commonly tested in cognitive assessments.

Preparing for Job Simulations

To prepare for job simulations, it’s a given that you must know and understand typical tasks. It’s also best to expose yourself and gain experience in similar tasks. If it’s not something you can do or practice at home, consider taking a volunteer position. While you’re at it, focus on being both efficient and accurate, as employers are likely to be more impressed if you can perform some parts of the job quickly and satisfactorily.

On the Day of the Assessment

No matter how nervous you are, make sure to eat well on test day. Have a healthy breakfast to give you energy and avoid foods that could cause problems during the day, like spicy foods, which can lead to unending and uncomfortable visits to the loo. Also plan your commute or transportation so you can arrive early, as this will help you relax and avoid feeling rushed. That’s just extra pressure you don’t need. And, if at all possible, stay calm by keeping your nerves in check and focusing on doing your best.

After the Assessment

After all the nerve-wracking preparations, the test day will come and eventually end. Feel free to review your performance and think about what went well and what didn’t. Of course, don’t beat yourself up over things that didn’t go as you hoped. Rather, note your areas for improvement as they reveal what you still have to work on, whether you get the job or not. Also know that the experience helps prepare you for the future should you need to take similar tests again.

Doing Well with the Right Preparation

Pre-employment assessments can be incredibly tough, but with ample and proper preparation, you can do well and soar above other applicants. Use our tips to help you get ready and show employers or the hiring team that you are the perfect person for the job. Remember, these assessments are your stepping stones, with each one bringing you closer to landing your dream job.