Benefits September 20, 2001

Employers Rely On Words, Not "Works"

September 20, 2001 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - In the recruitment process, organizations are more likely to ask candidates to describe specific examples of their skills, as opposed to actually testing for them, a new survey reveals.
Reported by

In fact, the survey by HR consulting firm Development Dimensions International and Electronic Recruiting Exchange (ERE), found:

  • almost 95% of the sample use this kind of interview, and
  • two-fifths plan to increase this practice in the future

Technology Tools

Other findings of the survey show that:

  • half the sample will increase their automated resume screening and search practices over the next three years,
  • while 12% will make greater use of computer-assisted interviewing

The survey revealed that the majority of organizations don’t use any kind of assessments neither those that predict whether candidates are motivated by a particular job or a company’s values, nor those that gauge specific job-related skills and abilities.

Test Less?

Further,

  • fewer than 30% of respondents reported extensive use of testing and assessment methods,
  • however over a three year time horizon, most organizations plan to make greater use of testing methods

Results also showed that when organizations filled a mid- or senior-level leadership position, external candidates were selected more often than internal candidates were.

Data was collected from over 550 members of the ERE online community.

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