Do's and Don'ts for Job Candidate Skill Evaluations

Finding the perfect candidate to fill a job role can be a challenging endeavor. Of course, it’s important to handle things as efficiently as possible since a long recruitment process can be costly. That’s one of the reasons why skill evaluations have emerged as a powerful tool to streamline the hiring process and ensure that candidates possess the necessary competencies for the role.

By effectively integrating skills assessments into your job interview process, you can save time and resources and ultimately make more informed hiring decisions.

In this article, we’ll delve into the key do’s and don’ts of utilizing skill evaluations during the job candidate evaluation, offering insights to optimize your hiring process.

DO conduct the skills evaluation before an interview

One of the fundamental benefits of skill evaluations is their ability to provide a clear snapshot of a candidate’s capabilities before the interview stage. By conducting skills assessments early on, you avoid investing valuable time (and your candidate’s time!) and resources in interviewing candidates whose skills may not align with the requirements of the role. This efficient approach ensures that only those candidates who have demonstrated the necessary competencies will progress to the interview phase, enhancing the overall quality of your candidate pool and saving time for the recruiting team.

DON’T rely on skills evaluation as your only recruitment process

While skill evaluations offer invaluable insights into a candidate’s technical proficiencies, they should not be the sole determinant of someone’s suitability for a role. Soft skills, cultural fit, communication abilities, and alignment with the company’s values are equally important factors affecting a candidate’s success within your organization. Develop a balanced recruitment approach that incorporates skills evaluations but doesn’t neglect the “human touch” that comes from reading cover letters, conducting interviews, etc.

DO use assessment results to assign a new hire to a team/project

If your company is on the larger side or growing quickly, you may find yourself hiring in waves and figuring out specifically where to plug in the new employees once they’ve started. Skills assessments can absolutely support a process like this. Once a candidate’s skillset has been evaluated, use the assessment results to align them with the appropriate team or project within the company. This strategic approach ensures that new hires can hit the ground running, leveraging their strengths to contribute effectively from day one.

DON’T choose just any assessment platform

Not all testing platforms are created equal — it’s best to use one specifically adapted to the needs of your industry. We offer an integrated assessment platform called KnowledgeSmart directly into our Pinnacle Series learning management system that’s designed specifically for architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing organizations. You’ll be able to test employees on a broad range of industry software, like Autodesk, SOLIDWORKS, and BIM products, with our robust pre-developed assessments. Plus, KnowledgeSmart is user-friendly and provides a seamless user experience to candidates who may not be familiar with the platform.

DO tailor the questions to the individual role

Customization is key when it comes to skills assessments since every company and job role is different. Within KnowledgeSmart, we enable admins to edit any existing questions, add new ones, and even build their own tests. During your hiring process, take some time to tailor your evaluation criteria based on the role you’re hiring for. This way, you can ensure that candidates are being asked relevant questions and tested on the right skills.

DON’T forget to refine your strategy over time

The recruitment landscape is ever-evolving, as are your organization’s needs and the shape of the broader AEC & M industries. Think of your assessment strategy as equally fluid. Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your skills assessments and refine your approach based on feedback, outcomes, and industry trends. An adaptable assessment strategy ensures that your hiring process remains relevant and efficient.

DO communicate transparently about the assessment

Transparency is crucial throughout the hiring process. Clearly communicate to candidates that a skills assessment will be part of the evaluation process. Provide information about the assessment’s purpose, format, and expectations. This proactive approach fosters trust and ensures candidates are well-prepared. When you utilize KnowledgeSmart and Pinnacle Series for your assessment process, you’ll receive a user guide for interviewees that you can send them ahead of time to familiarize them with the platform and provide clear instructions for the test.

By adding skill evaluations to your hiring process in a thoughtful and intentional way, you’ll be well-positioned to make the best decisions for your company.

We’d love to show you how KnowledgeSmart and Pinnacle Series can help you supercharge your hiring process and contribute to the growth and success of your organization! Get in touch to set up a free trial or demo today.

If you’re already a Pinnacle Series subscriber interested in using KnowledgeSmart assessments as part of your hiring process, reach out to your Customer Success Manager or our support team to learn more and get started!