3 good reasons to offer (and take) an assessment

Psychological testing generally doesn't have a great reputation. Job applicants often see the test as a dark cloud hanging over the hiring process. Existing employees also tend to view an assessment as a threat rather than an opportunity. Employers hope to gain certainty, but too often receive a mysterious, unreadable report accompanied by a hefty invoice.

3 good reasons to offer (and take) an assessment

We at Pluvo think that's a real shame. It doesn't have to be this way. Can an assessment be experienced as a gift? Honestly, it can!

Prerequisite: design your assessment smartly

‍Before we enthusiastically explain when an assessment is a good idea, we have to add a big "if." The assessment must align with actual needs, provide the most objective picture possible, and the results must be clearly readable for everyone involved.

If you only want to use the assessment to confirm your doubts or to push someone out, save yourself and the other person the trouble.

Be transparent and stick to that old but still valid rule: when in doubt, don't. Even if an assessment might suggest otherwise.

Fortunately, setting up and deploying a good assessment is a lot easier than it used to be.

You can set it up largely online, supplementing a base module tailored to your organization with tests focused on the specific role and individual. Online, you can also apply various formats, which makes the spectrum to be tested even wider.

You can also choose to test in a hybrid way, alternating online components with a face-to-face interview.

If you want the content and results of the test to perfectly match your needs, take the time to zoom in on specific daily situations with other colleagues before putting the questions together.

• What are common bottlenecks?
• And what talents do they use to solve them?

Also, take stock of the personalities already present in the team.

‍Do you want more of the same to maintain the status quo, or a breath of fresh air to bring about change?

With thorough preparation, you will know exactly what someone needs to be truly comfortable in the role and to continue developing. Also, hire a psychologist who fits your organization, is used to conducting clear investigations, and writes understandable reports.

Only then can you be sure that both the organization and the candidate will truly benefit from the assessment.

Reason 1. The selection assessment: the right person in the right place

Indeed, this is the most common reason for having someone take an assessment. It’s very understandable, too, because combining one or two cups of coffee with a first impression is a rather thin basis for starting a career.

A good assessment goes many layers deeper, and that is certainly no luxury these days. Now that we have to work smarter, more strategically, and often remotely, a good match between the vacancy and the applicant is extra important.

An assessment tests a candidate's skills and personality far more comprehensively than any job interview ever could.

A selection assessment certainly doesn't just benefit the employer; it’s a win-win situation. In the long run, no one is happy in a job that doesn't actually suit them.

Constantly walking on eggshells or having to underperform is a recipe for absenteeism, burnout, or bore-out.

Prevention is clearly better than cure for all parties involved!

Reason 2. The development assessment: a look at the future

A good development assessment provides a precise picture of someone's talents and competencies. It looks beyond the requirements of the current role and whether the employee is a good fit for it.

Using a variety of tests, questionnaires, and interviews, it becomes increasingly clear where someone can grow in the short and long term.

That kind of look into the future is a lot more accurate than your average crystal ball!

A development assessment is very useful for an employer: after all, you have a much better understanding of the potential you have in-house, which gives you excellent tools for talent management within your organization.

But it is also beneficial for employees to discover where their personal talents lie, how they can best be developed, and which ambitions can be realized (and which cannot).

You make more conscious choices when deciding whether or not to take on new challenges or change direction in your career path.

Once you know your learning needs and development opportunities, writing a personal development plan or training trajectory becomes a piece of cake. And along the way, you will have also received tips on how to avoid personal pitfalls.

Useful at work and in your private life!

Reason 3. The career assessment: when that old coat doesn't fit quite right anymore

Every person develops over the years. Fortunately.

But that also means that the brilliant psychological test you took ten years ago may now be outdated. ‍

You have likely entered a different phase of life, gained mountains of experience, and are now living in a different society.

Moreover, job roles also evolve over the years.

It could very well be that the role that once fit like a comfortable old coat is now starting to feel a bit tight.

But what talents have you built up in the meantime, what makes you happy, and which roles might suit you now?

A career assessment can provide practical direction for the next step in your professional life.

Sometimes these assessments are necessary, for example, if a position is being phased out due to reorganization, or if someone needs to change careers due to disability.

A career assessment looks at alternatives that align with an individual's personality. It is important to examine personal talents and motivations, as these are essential for greater job satisfaction.

Because a good job is so much more than just a way to earn money. It should also make you happy!

And those were just a few of the benefits of an assessment

‍Pluvo has extensive experience in sharing information and setting up surveys online. We have plenty of tips on how to build a high-quality and engaging online assessment.

If you would like to brainstorm with us about this, please feel free to contact us!