The volatility of the pandemic led us to change many things in the way we work. While business continuity plans were quickly activated, and people grew accustomed to the new normal of virtual meetings and remote working, talent management on the whole presented a challenge for HR and other people teams. 

In a traditional structure, candidates were assessed on their skills, aptitude, personality, and passion through human interactions and judgments which were prone to error and often biases. The best indicator of a candidate’s competencies and potential was an instinct-based decision. The talent pool was limited, jobs were not as specialised as they are today, and competition was negligible. 

Today, the requirement of holistic parameters is evident. The potential to attract talent and develop them in various roles has become crucial for determining the performance of an organisation vis-à-vis its competitors. Digitalization has also led to the revision of talent strategies in organisations. With digital disruption, new skillsets and characteristics are in demand for a successful working environment. The growing need for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and Robotic Process Automation has fueled the needs of the recruitment industry. 

Recruiters seek skill-based assessment to select the right fit for an organisation

In a recent survey conducted by MeritTrac and Behavioural Economics and Science Team (BEAST), 86% of organisations moved hiring and assessment online during the pandemic and 30% had no technology infrastructure in place for online hiring or assessment. The pandemic has dramatically altered the ways organisations worldwide operate, with their recruitment strategies and processes undergoing a radical change. Assessment tools that measure parameters like behavioural, cognitive, domain-specific, interpersonal and communication skills are gaining a lot of traction. Future-focused HR leaders are developing plans to hire strategically through technological advancements. Industry experts are hinting at the slow death of resumes as recruiters seek skill-based assessment to select the right fit for an organisation. This has pushed organisations to use tech-enabled screening for candidates. Employers can predict, understand, and match thousands of people to jobs faster using Artificial Intelligence, psychometrics, and cognitive testing.

The cognitive assessment measures a candidate’s potential to learn quickly, solve difficult problems, comprehend unique ideas, and achieve set goals. The tools not only help to gauge logical reasoning, but also allow the company to assess decision-making and critical thinking skills. Cognitive or psychological assessments assist organisations to anticipate the accomplishment of employees in knowledge-based or vocational roles across different sectors. Behavioural assessments are pointed towards evaluating core skills needed to execute a certain job. They assess abilities that consist of skills, knowledge, and characteristics of an individual. These skills are basic components of a job and the assessment score assists employers to comprehend if the candidate is suitable for the job. Scientific assessments can aid organisations in bettering the disposition of their recently added team members.

We are set to witness a significant rise in remote and hybrid work models in the post-Covid world. The rapid shift to digital technologies will continue into the recovery. Digitization will also transform the employee experience, breaking down barriers of communication and fostering growth, efficiency, and innovation. Reports suggest that 64% of employees would opt for a lower-paying job if they could work away from the office. Along with other aspects of the hiring process, the progress towards virtual assessment has become essential and they are here to stay.

What would work best? An all-in-one advanced, comprehensive plug-and-play assessment solution that HR teams can use to schedule interviews, assess candidates while hiring, evaluate employees, and be able to view and download reports that give actionable insights. Assessment tools will keep on enhancing to keep up with the requirements of the new normal. The pandemic witnessed some paradigm shifts in operational processes, technology, assessment space, competition, and workforce demographics. With the help of these transformations, organisations changed their way of hiring and managing talent. The usefulness of scientific assessment tools has increased manifold and the trend will only grow in the coming years.  

Meet Sujatha Kumaraswamy, CEO, MeritTrac Services, a UNext Company at People Matters TechHR 2021. Click here to register.